by Miley Maine
Danny raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely,” I confirmed, leaning forward and pressing my lips to his. For a few brief moments, we sat there, our chairs turned towards each other, the gap between us growing less and less, and the familiar fire that burned through my veins had me frantically running my hands over his shoulders and down his back.
Without warning, I drew back, yanked my shirt over my head then pushed my jeans down to my ankles. Danny’s eyes widened in surprise, but he said nothing, watching me through hooded eyes, desire lurking in their depths.
Naked except for my bra and panties, I crouched in front of him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, my mouth finding his easily.
Oh, Cowboy. What would I do without you?
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I lowered myself onto him, his fingers touching every inch of available skin, and leaving a trail of heat in his wake, making me feel like I was about to combust, going everywhere and nowhere at once.
He made a low guttural noise in the back of his throat as I reached between us and stroked him over the fabric of his pants, smiling against his mouth as he shifted and twisted. Then, he drew away from me, a shadow crossing his features, an apology on the tip of his tongue.
“Gigi, I—”
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” I whispered, pressing my finger to his lips. “I don’t care what your parents did, Danny. You aren’t them; I know that, and I don’t care what she thinks either.”
Danny exhaled, the tension leaving him as his shoulders sagged forward. Afterward, he removed his shirt and pressed his chest to mine, our bodies fusing together.
Abruptly, he stood up, firmly gripped my hips, and captured my lips with his, maneuvering us towards the bed as he did.
Gently, he laid me down, pulling away to draw my panties down with his teeth, stopping to graze my skin before he kicked my legs apart and settled there.
With as much emotion as I could muster, I poured myself into the kisses, stroking him as I did, and murmuring under my breath until Danny no longer resisted, every boundary between us melting into nothing.
“I love you,” I whispered, holding him close. “I want you.”
I pushed an errant lock of hair out of his face and shuddered as he unhooked my bra then blew on the nipples. He lowered his head, ran his tongue along the outer edge then did the same to the other one, the blood roaring in my ears making it difficult to breathe, let alone think straight.
He positioned himself against me and pushed himself in, my arms coming up around his head and threading themselves through his hair.
I can’t believe this beautiful man is mine. My wonderful husband.
As gently as possible, he thrust himself into me, and I tossed my head back, a low moan building up in the back of my throat. I tightened my legs around his waist, and Danny reached for my hands, pinning them up atop my head, his grip vice-like and sure.
“I love you, Gigi,” Danny murmured, his voice filled with emotion, the smell of hay and soap washing over me. “And Billy. I love you so much. I’m sorry.”
“Shh. I know it’s not your fault,” I mumbled, circling my hips against his. “Nothing else matters but our family, Danny. Nothing.”
With that, he dropped his head into the crook of my neck, released a deep shudder and thrust, each movement filled with fervor and precision.
I pressed my back against the headboard and moaned, his name a chant on my lips as I squirmed against him, his grip on my hands slackening, enabling me to run my fingers up and down his back.
Oh, yes.
This, this was how we were supposed to be.
Danny squeezed his eyes shut and continued to pound into me, prompting me to reckless abandon as I met every movement with one of my own, desire singing in my veins as I pushed myself as close as possible, not wanting to leave an inch of space between us.
Oh, the delicious things he did to me and made me feel.
I was on fire, and Danny was scorching heat, fanning the flames until both our moans echoed back in the bedroom, the sound of his pleasure making my stomach lurch in response.
Danny drew his mouth back, his teeth sinking into skin, and I hissed in response, pushing my hips closed, and digging my nails into his back as a response. He threw his head back, bright light dancing across his naked skin, and glistening until he leaned forward, lifted my leg up over his shoulder, and pushed himself even further.
His cock slammed into me like a piston, stretching my pussy with every move. I felt like I would explode in his arms. I squeezed on him, smiling at the look of pleasure on his face, moaning as his cock pushed against my walls. I wanted this man to take me, to make me his, to fill every inch of me until I could take no more.
Over and over, he brought me closer to the edge, my voice hoarse as I yelled and clung to him, my body shaking and writhing as the orgasms ripped through me. I ran my hands down the slopes and curves of his taut muscles, stopped at his ass and squeezed.
In response, Danny drew one lobe between his lips and tugged, his hot breath dancing across my skin. Next, he moved onto the other one and did the same, making my stomach tighten, the tidal wave of emotions within me growing and swelling with each moment.
“I’m here, Danny,” I mouthed into his ear, pulling him closer as I did. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re a family, I promise.”
Danny made a low noise in the back of his throat, his thrusts increasing. I felt like his cock would tear me apart.
“Yes, yes please!” I screamed as he rammed harder inside me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, using my heels to push him deeper inside me. He placed his hands on either side of the board and let out a deep throaty groan. He shuddered and sucked in a harsh breath, and I felt his cock pulsate inside of me as he came. His warmth filling me up.
He rolled onto the bed beside me and pulled me into his arms, and the safety of that embrace reminded me of just how much I loved him.
After a few minutes of serene bliss with me sprawled in his arms, listening to the chirping of birds outside, he began to fidget a little.
“You gotta go back, don’t yah?” I smiled, my eyelids lazy, and my cheeks warm.
“Ain’t no rest for the wicked.” He gently slid out of bed and started to get dressed.
“Speaking of the wicked,” I scoffed, pushing myself to sit up. “I thought about it, and I do believe that Mom can’t keep taking it out on you like that. It’s not fair.”
“That makes two of us.” He stood in front of the mirror, tucking his shirt into his jeans.
“But,” I sighed, “since she’s too old to change now, how ‘bout I suggest that they find a nice little place in town?”
“That’s a great idea, as a matter of fact.” He turned to me. “That way, they’re close enough to see you and Billy whenever they want—”
“And they no longer have to live here and drive us up the wall.”
He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Need help tellin’ ‘em?”
“I’ll do it at dinner,” I shrugged. “You and dad can come to the rescue if she pulls up a gun,” I giggled.
Hours passed, and I braced myself as dinnertime approached. I must have practiced my speech a hundred times up until the moment when we all gathered around the table.
“Um, you guys remember Mandy? Tanner’s fiancée?” I addressed my parents.
“Ah, sweet young lady.” Dad smiled before taking a bite.
“Talks a little too much, though,” my mother smirked.
“Well, I guess everyone’s job kinda seeps into their personality,” I explained.
“Why, what does she do?” Mom clearly couldn’t care less.
“She works in real estate. She shows houses in the surrounding neighborhoods.”
“Ah.” Her attention went back to her wine.
“I was thinking maybe we could have her find a nice little house in town.”
“What for?”
“For you guys,”
I smiled. “You like the town so much, and you and Dad have so many friends there now. When you went to that picnic earlier, I figured you guys must be bored out of your minds here,” I tittered.
“Whatever put that thought in your head?” She furrowed her eyebrows, tilting her head as she took another sip.
“Think about it; you’ll be closer to all the shops and parks. Visit your friends, join the bridge club there. And I can come over with Billy on weekends.”
She aggressively turned to Danny. “Did you put her up to this?” Her voice stung. “I know my daughter, and she would never want to push us away.”
“Ma’am—”
“There you go again with that nonsense.”
“Mom,” I kept my voice down for Billy’s sake, “it was my idea.”
“Sure it was,” she scoffed. “If we hadn’t sold our house, I would’ve insisted we go back right now.”
“And why move so far away when the town is only a twenty-minute drive from here?”
“I thought the whole point of us being here was to enjoy our presence together as a family.”
What she wasn’t really saying was that she had gotten so used to the luxury Danny had openhandedly provided, which she repaid with utter bitterness and disrespect.
“And we’re willing to help you find a nice home that will still give us the chance to hang out whenever we please,” I proposed.
“And with all due respect, Rita.” Danny’s patience was clearly running thin. “With the money you have from selling your house, we’re really under no obligation to settle you anywhere. But we’re offering you this as a gift, and you have all the right to reject it.”
Widening her eyes in forged horror, she gasped, “Do I hear a threat in your tone, young man?”
He sneered, “If you stop being so deluded for a moment, Rita, you’d actually recognize that you’re receiving a very generous compromise. You can take it or leave it.”
Banging her palm on the table, she shot up with a death stare as she glared at my father to follow suit. His eyes calmly regarded her as he frowned, plainly disappointed by her reaction.
Keeping a straight face, he spoke slowly, “I actually think it’s a good idea.”
Seething with a fury she had nowhere to expel, Mom’s body trembled as her face grew redder. She clutched both her hands into fists that rested on the edge of the table, scowling at me with pressed lips.
As she quickly turned around and marched away from the table, I leaped off my seat and followed her.
She heard my hurried steps, and without glancing back, she hissed, “That bastard hasn’t heard the end of it.”
Chapter Seventeen
Danny
The following day, I rose to a glorious, peaceful morning. When I checked next to me, I discovered that Gigi had somehow woken up before me. For a few minutes, I wondered why.
I sluggishly got up, and when I heard no noise whatsoever, I took a few steps and stood in front of the large window, gazing out as I watched the trees dance to the gentle morning breeze.
Opening the window, I inhaled deeply, welcoming the clean air as it filled my lungs.
For no reason, I grinned.
As I made it to the foot of the staircase, I saw Gigi placing down the last plate on the dining table. She had made coffee and prepared a killer breakfast.
Our eyes met, and she gave me the most beautiful smile.
“Mornin’, beautiful.” I walked over and kissed her, my hand running down the silky fabric of her ivory robe that sensationally draped, accentuating the curve of her hips. “Where is everyone?”
“Mom and Dad are at the cottage; they won’t be joining us,” she shrugged sweetly. “And Billy’s brushing his teeth.”
“Good morning, Daddy.” The boy’s adorable voice prompted me to turn in his direction, picking him up as I chuckled.
“Good morning, my man.” I kissed his cheek, then the cast on his arm. “How’s the arm doin’?”
“Mommy let me draw on it, look!” He raised it for me to see the three little smiley faces he had scribbled.
“Wow,” I tittered, “what a masterpiece. Who are they?”
“That’s you, me, and Mommy.”
“Oh, sorry.” I put him down. “Didn’t recognize myself without the hat.”
“I couldn’t find my brown marker.” He pensively looked around as if still searching for it.
“Aww,” Gigi giggled. “C’mon, food’s getting cold.”
“When did you make all this?” I admired the feast as I took my seat.
She casually shrugged. “Took less than an hour, really.” She sat next to me.
“Thank you.” I gave her an appreciative gaze since I knew how much she loved sleeping in.
“How’s your day looking?” She pulled the breadbasket closer to me.
“Uh, I have a meeting in an hour. The rest is business as usual.”
“Mommy said we can have a picnic,” Billy eagerly grinned.
“I said, we can check with Daddy if he has time for a picnic.”
“Can we? Please?” he begged, his big, sapphire eyes pleading with me.
I snickered, shaking my head. How could I say no to those eyes? “We can, Champ.”
“Seriously, we can do it alone if your day’s hectic.” She was being her understanding self as usual, and my heart melted.
“I wanna do it,” I smiled.
After enjoying the best, most tranquil meal in ages, I headed upstairs and changed into my work clothes. When I left the house, Gigi and Billy were carrying two boxes and headed for his room.
“Billy agreed to give away the toys he no longer needs to charity,” she declared, her eyes gleaming with pride.
“Really?” I scooted down, examining his face. “Are you sure, little man? You know you don’t have to.”
He nodded. “I know. But Mommy told me that many kids break their arm, too, and they don’t have toys to play with.”
“Oh?” I looked up at her.
“Yeah, we’ll take them to the children’s hospital downtown.”
I turned back to him. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes. I have a lot; some are for babies. I’m not a baby anymore; I rode a pony!”
Looking into his innocent eyes, my heart swelled. I remembered Gigi’s statement when he was born, “I want him to grow up exactly like you.”
Smiling, I leaned forward and took him in my arms, hugging him as I sniffed his hair, filling my lungs, and being with the purity that radiated from his little soul.
“You’re such a good boy,” I whispered before quickly letting go as I stood up. “Well, I don’t wanna be late.” Looking away, I didn’t know exactly why I didn’t want either one to see how touched I was.
“See you at lunch?” she hollered, her voice following me as I quickly marched toward the door.
“You bet.”
After running my morning round, I retired to my office and headed for the liquor cabinet. Unable to put my finger on why Billy’s gesture affected me the way I did, I reached for the whiskey and poured myself a glass.
Grateful that the client who was coming in happened to enjoy a drink or two himself, I sat back behind my desk and sipped slowly. As my eyes wandered out through the window, I soaked up the picturesque view I never seemed to get tired of.
For a moment, life felt good. If Rita steered clear of us all day, I could easily call it perfect. I loved my land, worshipped my wife, and adored our little Billy.
Gigi was clearly trying hard to pass onto him the best qualities she saw in me. And even though he wasn’t my own flesh and blood, it seemed to be working.
But would I ever have another child? One who was really mine?
Human beings truly were insatiable. Here I was, with a flawless family, yet I still wanted more.
Lowering my gaze, I slightly shook my head, smiling at my own greediness.
A knock on the door pulled me back to the moment. My guest had clearly arrived.
My stunning wife was wearing a long, flowing sundress in a lilac fabric with a fine print of little green leaves. I didn’t think I’d ever seen it before.
She took my breath away, and in a heartbeat, I remembered our first picnic by the lake. After all this time, she still looked as spectacular as she did on the first day I met her.
How was that even possible?
Or was my love for her behind this?
They got into the car, and I drove off.
“Can we go to the lake?” Billy enthusiastically fidgeted in the backseat.
“Sure thing,” I smiled, holding Gigi’s hand up to my lips and kissing it.
As I pulled over at our destination, a butterfly fluttered in front of the windshield. Billy squealed at the sight of it before giggling, “I want a butterfly.”
“Honey, they’re not meant to live inside a house.” Gigi apologetically smiled.
“Why not?”
“Because they need to fly, and a house has a ceiling.”
“And why can’t we fly?”
“Because we don’t have wings.”
“Why not?”
Helplessly, she looked at me and shook her head.
“We have big legs to run, ride horses, and drive cars,” I chuckled. “Butterflies can’t do any o’ that now, can they?”
Seemingly convinced, he nodded as his eyes examined the environment outside. When his eyes caught the butterfly again, he hurriedly opened the door and—without waiting for my help—escaped the confinement of the car and scampered, chasing after the little colorful creature.
“Careful, please!” Gigi hollered through the window before opening the door to get out.
His delightful laughter filled the warm air as he ran around, halting here and there in futile attempts to capture the butterfly.
“I wonder what he’d do if he actually caught it,” Gigi tittered, laying down a light blanket.
I shrugged, pulling the bottle of wine out of the basket. “He’s a good kid. He probably just wants to look at it up close.”
