SURGE

by Piper Frost

  He sighs and wipes his hands on his jeans before pulling me into his arms, holding me tightly and kissing my forehead. "I'll get you a new car this week," he mumbles, knowing I don't want him to buy me anything, but I can't afford a car right now.

  "Baby steps, cowboy. We need clothes for the kids and school supplies first. A car isn't top priority," I mumble, gripping his hand and walking back toward his truck.

  A car is pretty high on the list though, because I need something to get to both my jobs and something to cart the kids around in until they get their licenses soon.

  "If you don't get a car, you're gonna be takin' baby steps all the way to town." He chuckles but quickly clamps his lips. "I'm sorry. It's nothin' to joke about. Just, don't worry about how or when I'm going to spend my money to take care of you guys, okay? It's my priority, it's my job, it's what I want to do."

  "You're too good to us, Bo Hart." I smile and stop at the truck, turning and going to my tiptoes to gently press a kiss to his lips. "How's the hand feelin'? You kinda pulled a superman stunt back there, ripping that board out."

  "It wasn't hard. The foundation isn't that sturdy. Don't worry about my hand right now." He opens the door for me.

  "Well, thank you. That just made today a little bit brighter, finding that." After helping me in he grabs the handle and steps up, resting his knee on my seat as he bends down, pushing his lips to mine.

  "You make all my days brighter, sunshine." He smiles and kisses me again.

  I bring my hands to the back of his neck, letting my fingers slide into his hair, deepening the kiss. My legs wrap around him and I arch closer to him. He grabs my hips and carefully shifts so he's sitting and I'm straddling him. Pushing my hair out of my face, he holds me against him.

  "I've always loved you, Kinlee Jones."

  "I'm glad you came back. I mean, I'm not glad you got hurt and all but I'm real glad you're back in town. For good." I grin, my fingers grazing his neck.

  "For good." He presses his lips to mine.

  Even with the hell this past week has been, being around Bo's made everything ten times easier. There's not a life I want to live without him in it.

  As I walk out of the school, I pause seeing Bo leaned against the side of a brand new Honda CRV. I raise my brows and walk toward him.

  "Hello, darlin'." He grins and pulls me against him for a kiss.

  "Bo, what's with the car?"

  "It's yours."

  I close my eyes and drop my head. I wanted something used, and we agreed we'd wait awhile until I could save some money and help pay for it. For the time being the Kenshaws are letting me use one of their old pickups and I'm fine with that loaner.

  "Now hold on, before you get pissed off at me, I didn't pay for it."

  I lift my head and my eyes dart from the car back to him.

  "Will and Wendy did."

  "Bo," I say with warning because this isn't anything to joke about.

  "Hear me out." He walks me around to the driver's side and opens the door before jogging around to the passenger side and getting in. "Remember that car me and Will have been rebuilding?"

  "Yeah..."

  "Well, he stopped messing around with it and the past couple of weeks decided to put it back together efficiently. He was able to sell it for five grand." He grins like that explains how I'm sitting inside a twenty-five thousand dollar car.

  "Bo, this wasn't five thousand dollars," I whisper.

  "You didn't let me finish, woman." He leans over and kisses my cheek. "And Wendy." His throat clears and he grabs my hand. "She sold Empress."

  "Bo!" I blurt as my heart drops. Empress is one of the horses.

  "Hold on, hold on." His hands are up while he tries to tame me like Wendy's had to do with Empress. "She sold her to the Kenshaws so the horse didn't go far, but now she's not on our farm."

  "Oh god." I tear up, knowing Wendy loved that horse. "That's still not enough money."

  "Donna Kenshaw tried to outright buy you a car, but I wouldn't let her so she donated. Brandt and Jo donated. Chase showed up at the Ranch with pockets full of money. He didn't want me tellin' you, but I don't feel right keeping it from you. The bar's been holding a fundraiser. The only reason I let them all help is 'cause you ain't taking it otherwise and I felt bad because they just want to help, darlin'. The remainder, I paid for."

  My hands cover my face and I cry for the first time in days. I've been pushing through, trying to make ends meet and connect the dots to our life while Bo watched on, biting his tongue. I need the help, I know I do, and my tears are because I'm so happy I have them all to lean on. Including my siblings.

  We have a family dinner with the Kenshaws and I almost invite Chase, but I know he wouldn't come. Last I talked to him was briefly and I refused his help; he wasn't too happy about it but it isn't his place.

  The weeks go by in a blur. The end of school approaches and the last few days are long and horrible, to say the least. Everyone in the building found out what happened, everyone gossiped, but no one would talk to me about it. Being the talking point of the entire school isn't something I'd like to be again. The best parts of my days anymore include getting the twins from school and meeting Bo at home.

  Home.

  Allowing Bo to help out financially has made him less stressed. I didn't want to be the cause of his stress anymore, not to mention I needed the help. School's out and that takes away a paycheck. The paycheck that offered more stability than the diner does. The arguing's stopped and there's less tension. His injuries aren't near as often as they had been, mostly because when he's got free time it's with me. My anxiety has dropped significantly, though I still have nightmares and days when everything seems ten times louder and I'm on edge, just waiting on the call from Brandt that Bo got hurt at work. Spending time with him helps, but the adrenaline junkie in him won't be satisfied for long.

  Living with Bo isn't all that easy though. I've had to get used to a lot. I've had to swallow a lot of pride. I've grown over the years to become a very humble, independent person, so walking into a house five times the size of my old one and into the arms of a man that wants to do everything under his power to give myself and the twins whatever our heart’s desire, is a little strange. The fact that it's Bo, a childhood friend, doing this all for us makes my heart melt in ways I never felt possible. He cleans up without me asking, does the laundry correctly, helps the twins with homework. He walked into this role as pseudo-brother/dad figure with so much ease. I never knew I could love someone like this. I never knew I could love someone that gives me so much anxiety there's times it's crippling. I never knew how crazy love is...until I met Bo.

  I see him walk back into the kitchen as I finish cleaning up dinner. It was a late one tonight, but at least we got them fed before they passed out from exhaustion. They were out with the animals so long this evening I almost had to rope all three of them in here.

  "Hey, you, twins locked away for the night?" I smirk, almost joking but a week ago Wendy almost walked in on Bo and I in the living room after we thought they finally fell asleep. I'm not taking any more chances.

  "Yes, ma'am." His voice is deep and his eyes watch me as I walk over to the radio and turn up one of my favorite country artists.

  "God, this man," I moan when In Case You Didn't Know comes on.

  "That's enough about Luke Bryan, darlin'."

  "Oh this ain't Luke, cowboy. This is Brett. And he's just as dreamy." I bite my lip and start to sing along to the song.

  "How about that's enough talk about these dreamy country stars?" He leans against the counter and smiles as he watches me sway around the room, singing along to the song.

  I slide over to him and hold my hand out. "Wanna dance, cowboy?"

  "You know I do." He pulls me against him.

  As the song plays on, his eyes don't leave mine and we glide around the kitchen, without a care tonight. The world outside is dark, but here in this kitchen our life is bright and perfect, and the look on Bo
's face says more about his love for me than any words he's ever said out loud. I rest my head on his chest and we rock back and forth, eventually coming to a stop at the end of the song but I don't pull away.

  "I can't live this life without you, Bo," I whisper.

  He holds me tighter, the radio switching to a commercial, but neither of us making a move. "You'll never have to. I promise you, darlin'." He kisses the top of my head.

  His promise is something I need to hear, but it doesn't stop the worry inside me. I've lost too many people in my life already to lose him. I can't live worrying though. I need to live life like I'm never going to lose him.

  Lying by the creek, I stare up at the blue sky with nowhere else I'd rather be. My girl's in my arms, the warm breeze is drying our underwear we just swam in. This is living.

  "Quit your job," I lazily mutter; I could nap right now. "Kinlee?" I say when she doesn't respond.

  "What?" She turns in my arms, bringing her hand up to my hair and sliding her fingers in. "Why'd you say that?"

  "Quit the diner. Why don't you help Jo in the salon for the summer? Just something part time. That way you're close to the kids. Close to me." I kiss her damp hair. "I know those hours and customers at the diner stress you out." She's had a few truck drivers in this week that creeped her out enough she asked me to show up.

  "Jo doesn't want my help." She giggles. "I'm the last person she probably wants in there. And the diner's fine." She lets out a breath. "Having the summer off sounds nice, but I need the money. I didn't have the school spread out my checks to last over the summer, so the diner's all I got."

  In a quick roll, I hover over her. "Jo will want your help. Garrison and Donna are 'bout to set out for their two month vacation. You can fill in for what Donna's doing. Jo just put an ad in the paper."

  "She did?" She pushes up and pecks her lips to mine quickly. "I can't just up and leave the diner, Bo. Summer's always busy for them, they need me. And it's good tips sometimes."

  "Not worth the hassle you go through workin' there. I don't like the people that pass through that place. I don't like the late hours. Just talk with Jo. You'd probably make more working for her anyway." I tame her hair back and kiss from her chin to her ear. "Will ya talk with Jo?"

  She sighs and rolls her eyes. "I will talk with her, but I'm not promising anything right now."

  "I'll make you promise." I start poking her sides, making her squirm under me. "I won't stop until you promise," I threaten, pecking her lips every chance I get while I continue the torture.

  "Stop!" She laughs, wriggling underneath me. "My god, Bo, stop!" She's laughing hard, and the way she's moving her body against mine is rubbing the right places.

  "Promise me you'll consider." I stop poking and suck her lip into my mouth before delving my tongue into hers and groan, rubbing against her as her legs wrap around my waist.

  "I promise, cowboy," she whispers then pulls at my neck to slam her lips to mine. Her back arches and her legs tighten around me as her mouth devours mine. "Remember the last time we fucked out here by the water?" She's grinning, biting her lip, trying not to laugh.

  She's tryin' to make fun of when I was a virgin. Back when the only thing I was known for was my mechanic skills and being goofy, but the way her body's pushed against mine, those day's are the last thing I want to think about.

  "Best night of your life if I remember correctly, darlin'." I laugh, kissing her again and pushing my dick harder against the heat of her pussy.

  "How about we make this one even better?" Shoving my shoulders so I roll, she straddles my waist and her hands slide over my stomach. It's only a couple seconds before she removes her panties from one leg then tugs my boxers below my ass. Slowly, she lowers herself onto my dick and starts pumping, going slow enough I can feel every detail inside of her. "Way better."

  "I promise I'll last longer." I slide one hand to her neck and gently wrap my fingers around her throat. My other hand slips to her clit and my thumb rolls circles that make her moan louder. "Damn, Kinlee, you're the best thing that's happened to me."

  Her head falls back as she keeps a steady rhythm. Leaning back, she braces herself on my legs as she glides up and down on my dick. When she sits up and grins at me, her hair falls into her face, hiding that pretty smile. She picks up her pace and I tighten my grip on her throat. A 'yes' hisses from her before she leans down, slamming her lips to mine.

  "Fuck, Bo," she pants and pushes her forehead to mine.

  Her pussy's hot, tight, and she's so fucking wet right now it's hard not taking over and getting her in every position possible. She whimpers, shifting her hips back and pulling forward again, rubbing her core against me as her legs start to shake. I grip her ass and hold tight, thrusting up to meet her, making her noises increase. She buries her face in my neck, kissing, sucking, probably leaving marks, but I don't slow down. I can't.

  "I'm gonna come, Bo!" She bites down on my shoulder and I growl, not wanting this over yet and trying to hold on longer.

  Her entire body vibrates through her orgasm as she sings in my ear. God I love that sound. I lift her off me, flipping us over and push into her again, lifting her leg to get even deeper.

  "Open your eyes, sweetheart," I pant when she squeezes them shut. My hand wraps around her calf as it rests on my shoulder and I smooth my palm down her leg. Her eyes open and I smile. "You're beautiful, darlin'."

  The way she bites her lip and her eyes flutter close, I know I'm not going to be able to last much longer.

  "Don't stop, Bo. Please don't stop."

  I grunt, feeling my orgasm start so I pump harder and faster, luckily making her reach the point of no return, and she screams over my growling moan as I come inside her.

  I'm in a position in life I didn't think I'd ever get to. I wasn't against settling with a beautiful woman, but I had all kinds of plans for my career. I can say with confidence I would have given it up to be right where I am with Kinlee. I haven't been happier and nothing can take this away from me. I'd do anything for these three, and I will.

  We ain't married, and we're not moving in that direction any time fast, but spending the rest of my life with Kinlee is my future.

  Things between us have been better since they moved in. We're bickering less and she doesn't always look so tired anymore. It's like a weight's been lifted and I'll burden that weight if these three remain happy.

  "Will! Let's go, boy, we're gonna be late dropping these off!" I holler while headed toward the truck. I jump into the bed to situate the hay bales that are going to the Kenshaws' and Will chuckles.

  "Kinlee saw you jump up into the truck bed the other day, Bo."

  I cock an eyebrow and look at him while hopping down. "So?"

  "She about had a heart attack. She swore your back was about to snap in half."

  With a huff, I get into the cab. My back's been feeling fine lately. I'm staying up on my pills. Keeping up on my stretches. Not to mention my happiness helps me forget the unhappiest time in my life. I feel great.

  "My back ain't gonna give out."

  "I'm just warnin' ya." When he shifts, fishing something out of his back pocket, I glance at him until I realize what he grabbed.

  "What the hell?" I slap the container of chew from his hand. "Hell no, Will." I lose my reserve and burst into laughter that this fool thinks I, let alone his sister, would be okay with this.

  "What the hell, Bo?" he groans and reaches to the floorboard. I hold out my hand. "What?"

  "Hand it over." When he doesn't, I snatch it out of his hand. "Quit actin' like you're stupid." I look at his dumbfounded face and shake my head at him. "Why in God's name do you think we'll let you chew?" I start to laugh again. The kid's lost his damn mind. I shouldn't laugh, but the antics they sometimes pull makes me think back to when we were younger. We tried the same stupid shit.

  "I'm almost seventeen." He rolls his eyes and I shove his head.

  "If I slap you in the back of the head, your eyes will stay
rolled up into your empty skull. I don't give a shit if you're thirty, I'll fight you over this."

  "Oh yeah?" He laughs. "You want to fight?" Landing a punch on my arm, he laughs harder.

  "Sissy," I mumble and toss the chew into the center console of the truck.

  "I don't want to hurt you." He laughs.

  "Please, I could hogtie you in under a minute. Your sissy punches don't do anything."

  He lands a good hit right at my shoulder and I tense up. It stung a little, but not nearly as bad as I'm about to scare him.

  "Will," I groan and start to slow the truck down, bending toward the steering wheel. "My back. Whatever you did...my back," I groan and lay my forehead on the steering wheel.

  "Oh shit, Bo, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you there. I'm sorry. I meant to hit your muscle. I'm sorry. Are you okay? Shit, shit. You okay?" The kid's unbuckled and on his knees leaning over the console, not sure if he should touch me.

  I press on the gas and jerk the truck around the corner, making him crash into the passenger door.

  "Fuck!" he screams, falling to the floor while I'm in tears of laughter. "You asshole!"

  Slapping the steering wheel, I can't breath because I'm laughing so hard. His face...it was too good!

  "Watch your mouth, punk," I warn, trying to kill my laughter and pull him from the folded position he's in between the dash and the seat. "Oh fuck!" I swerve right before plowing into a herd of cows.

  Will ends up on the floor again but this time it's not funny because I narrowly missed a tree having to swerve into the woods.

  "Dude, shit," I pant while my heart races. "You okay, kid?" I look at him and he's glaring at me hatefully, making me burst into laughter again.

  "Watch your mouth, punk, and you almost killed me," he says dryly, still glaring hate at me.

  "That wasn't my fault! I wasn't trying to make steak on my grill." Opening the door, I shake my head, chuckling. "Move, you assholes," I mutter with my hands on my hips, watching these dicks lazily walk down the road. "Where do you live?"