When You're Back

by Abbi Glines

  “Not time yet,” he replied.

  “Go in early.”

  I was going to buy a ring tomorrow, or at least look for one that I wanted to see on Reese’s hand. I couldn’t picture what that would be, exactly, but it had to be perfect. It had to be Reese.

  While I worked all day, I thought of different ways to propose. I wanted to make it something special that she’d never forget and that she could share over and over again. She deserved the best. I was going to give that to her. For the rest of my life.

  Those thoughts got me through the day and kept me from missing her too much. I looked forward to picking her up every day. I checked the clock as it got closer to five, growing more anxious with every minute.

  When I opened her office door, her bottom was up in the air as she bent down over a low drawer of a file cabinet. The jeans she wore fit like a second skin.

  “Don’t move,” I said, walking up behind her and sliding my hands over her plump bottom.

  She tilted her head to the side and looked up at me with a giggle. “Well, hello to you, too.”

  “My girl has a fine ass,” I replied, caressing it while she remained bent over for me.

  “Thank you, but if I stay in this position, I’m going to get a cramp.”

  I took my hands off her bottom and stepped back reluctantly. When she stood up, I reached for her hips and pulled her backside up against my front. “Mmmm,” I murmured in her ear. “Missed you.”

  She melted back into me. “Missed you, too.”

  I slid my hands up the front of her shirt and cupped both of her breasts, letting their heaviness fill my hands.

  She laid her head back against my chest and made a soft moaning sound that only encouraged me more. With a tug, I pulled down the lace cups of her bra and rolled each nipple between my fingers. “Feels so good,” I whispered in her ear before kissing her temple.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” she said breathlessly.

  Having her go all butter-soft and willing on me was hard on my self-control. I was already imagining bending her over the desk and taking us both to a happy place. I started to slide my hands down, but she grabbed them and held them there.

  “Don’t,” she said, pressing her chest further into my hands. “I need this job.”

  I needed her, but this could be done in my truck if we couldn’t make it home.

  “I want to pull off these tight jeans and sink inside you, baby. We need to leave. Now.”

  Her hands went to her waist, and she started unbuttoning her jeans. What the hell? Reese liked having sex, but she was never one to initiate it in a public place like this, where someone could walk in. Including her boss.

  “Piper left for a business meeting with Arthur. No one’s here,” she said as she shoved her jeans down and wiggled her hips. Her jeans fell to her ankles, and then she placed both of her hands on the edge of the desk, throwing her hair over her shoulder and looking back at me. “I need you now.”

  This wasn’t like her, but I wasn’t going to complain. Her sweet ass was wiggling and waiting. No way in hell was I telling her no. If someone walked in, I’d cover her up; I couldn’t give a shit if they saw my ass.

  She spread her legs as far as her jeans would let her and stuck her bottom up high in the air. This wasn’t a sight a man could turn down. It was beauty and sex all rolled into one.

  I quickly undid my jeans and shoved them down before sliding my hands back up her shirt and grabbing her breasts, now swaying freely as she bent over. “Are you wet?” I asked her, pressing a kiss to her back.

  “My panties are soaked.”

  Fuck.

  I used one hand to position myself, then sank in with one swift thrust. She cried out and bucked beneath me. Her breasts filled my hands as I began sliding in and out slowly, enjoying her tight heat and soft moans.

  I kissed every spot on her back and neck that I could reach while my hands went to work pleasing her nipples.

  “Mase,” she panted. “Oh, God.”

  Not gonna lie; I loved it when she called me God. “My hot, sweet pussy,” I replied as I worked my way in and out of her.

  Soon she’d have a ring on her finger telling the world she was mine. The thought of that made my inner caveman roar to life and my dick pulse harder inside her. I wanted to claim her. Mark her and make sure no one else ever touched her.

  “Yes,” she moaned. “Harder.”

  I began to pump inside her with more intensity, and her hands fisted against the desk as she cried my name. Her walls squeezed me, and I began to spasm and tighten as I released into her, her name on my lips.

  It took several moments for both of us to catch our breath. When the world came back into view, I smiled as she lay across the desk, sated.

  “I can’t believe we did that,” she said breathily.

  “Honestly, me, neither. But I’m sure glad we did.”

  She laughed and buried her head in her hands. “Me, too.”

  My chest tightened with emotion, and I ran my fingertips down her back. She was my woman.

  Reese

  The next few days went by without me having to deal with Captain. It had been a reckless move to have sex in my office, but I needed to associate the place with Mase. The next time Captain put food on this desk, I’d know it was right where Mase had taken me. It felt like our spot now. In my mind, it cleared all the Captain out of here. I could even smell Mase now when I walked in. He had marked this area, and I liked that feeling. It gave me confidence. It felt like he was here with me.

  There was no sign of Captain on Friday, and I breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the work week. No more lunches, no more comments meant to make me question Mase, no more flirting. I could enjoy my job without his annoying presence.

  Mase and I had just arrived home when Major pulled up, dressed in a pair of jeans, a fitted black T-shirt, boots, and a cowboy hat on his head. “When y’all ready to head out?” he asked, as if we had plans.

  I glanced up at Mase, who was scowling. “I told you we weren’t going with you.”

  Major didn’t let that get to him. “But I got three tickets to hear Pat Green at Billy Bob’s tonight,” he said, holding up the tickets. “You can’t make me go alone. Besides, it’s Pat Green. Get your asses dressed, and let’s go.”

  I had no idea who Pat Green was, but I could tell by the look on Mase’s face that he did. He seemed to be contemplating it. I waited, and then he turned to look at me. “You up for a concert tonight? Or would you rather stay here?”

  I could tell he wanted to go, and honestly, it sounded like fun. I didn’t know what Billy Bob’s was or who Pat Green was, but I was up for anything. I nodded. “Yep. I like concerts.” I had actually never been to a concert, but I didn’t mention that.

  “And you’ll fucking love Pat Green. Ain’t nothing better than him in concert except Robert Earl Keen. Wish like hell he’d been playing tonight. But that’s for another time. Go get your sexy ass fixed up,” Major said, which drew a scowl from Mase.

  Major just chuckled and sauntered past us into the house.

  “Once you get over his dumb-ass shit, he’s tolerable,” Mase said, still sounding annoyed.

  I laughed. I liked Major. He was funny. “He doesn’t bother me.”

  Mase didn’t look convinced as we headed to the bedroom to get ready.

  “No fuckdickery in there. We got a show to get to. Besides, it ain’t fair for me to have to listen and not get to watch,” Major called out behind us.

  We ate delicious barbecue at the café at Billy Bob’s before finding our seats. I didn’t have cowgirl gear to match the two cowboys I was with, but I did have on my boots and jeans. I had tied up a flannel shirt the way I’d seen Piper do to reveal my midriff, but Mase had untied it, shaking his head, and tucked it back in for me.

  This place wasn’t what I pictured a honky-tonk would look like, and I’d said as much when we drove up. Mase told me it wasn’t a true honky-tonk; it was a big building wit
h a restaurant, a store, and a huge stage. I couldn’t take in everything fast enough, though I quickly realized I was in the minority without a cowgirl hat.

  Once we found our seats, Mase took the one between Major and me. There were two empty seats beside me, but the rest of the row was filling up fast. After Mase and Major left to get beers for themselves and a soda for me, I settled down and watched the people as they arrived. Several girls had their shirts tied like I’d tried to do mine. Smiling, I thought of Mase’s possessive streak; I liked that he didn’t want to show me off.

  Someone slipped into the seat beside me, and I glanced up to see familiar green eyes and that stupid smirk. What the heck? He apparently read my face easily, because his smirk turned into a grin. “Fancy meeting you here,” he drawled, as if he didn’t have a hand in this somehow.

  A woman with curly blond hair and an overly bright smile leaned over him, showing me her impressive cleavage in the shiny silver tank top she was wearing. “Hi, I’m Kinsley,” she said as she placed a hand on Captain’s leg. I felt like sighing in relief that he had a date. I wished he’d let Kinsley sit by me instead.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Reese,” I replied, with a smile that I didn’t have to force. It was very nice to meet her. Nicer than she could possibly know.

  “Isn’t Reese a boy’s name?” she asked with a giggle. “I mean, I’ve never heard a girl called that before.”

  I decided not to point out that Reese Witherspoon was a famous actress. I just shrugged. “Well, you have now,” I replied and went back to looking at the people around me and hoping that was the end of this conversation with either of them.

  “Didn’t know you were a Pat Green fan,” Captain said beside me. I shot him a quick smile that I didn’t feel.

  “I have no idea who he is. But Mase likes him, so here we are.”

  Captain made a tsking sound. “A man should take his woman where she wants to go.”

  I fisted my hands in my lap. He was already starting in on me. “He does. I wanted to come tonight. I like music, and I’ve never been to a concert before.”

  He didn’t say anything at first, but my luck ran out. “So this is your first concert? Ever?” His tone was disbelieving.

  I nodded but didn’t look at him.

  Kinsley asked him something that I couldn’t hear, and as she chatted away, I knew she was fighting to keep his attention. I couldn’t be more thankful for her. If Mase and Major would hurry up with the drinks, then I’d have Mase to lean into and feel safe from Captain’s nonstop badgering.

  “Pat Green is a grassroots kind of country. He’s Texas country. I think you’ll enjoy him,” Captain said to me. “He puts on a good show.”

  I turned to look at him. “Out of all the seats in this huge arena, how did you end up in the one right beside me?” I asked. This wasn’t just coincidental.

  Captain looked smug. “Where do you think Major got the tickets from?” he drawled.

  I knew it. Dang that man.

  “If I’d known you had never been to a concert before, I’d have opted for something bigger, though,” he said.

  I let his comment sink in. What was he getting at? It wasn’t like he had gotten these tickets for the sole purpose of getting me here. He didn’t even know who Major was going to invite. Or did he?

  I had started to ask him when I spotted Mase’s hat, followed by his long, muscular body clad in blue jeans, walking toward me. He was mine—this man who made women’s heads turn regularly. It was hard to believe it, but he was.

  “Sorry it took me so long. The line was bad,” he said, sinking down beside me and handing me the soda I had requested. He hadn’t noticed Captain yet.

  But Major had. He held up a hand and grinned. “Hey, River, Kinsley. Great seats, man. Thanks!”

  Mase tensed beside me, then turned his head to see Captain and his date before looking back at me. I leaned into him and smiled to assure him that everything was fine. He put his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned closer to him, which seemed to ease his tension.

  “River gave me the tickets. Kinsley’s the head waitress at the restaurant. They hooked up recently,” I heard Major tell Mase.

  Mase just nodded. I knew he wasn’t a fan of the idea of being at a concert paid for by Captain. He ran his fingertips over my arm, tracing patterns while he held me close. His eyes remained on the empty stage, and I knew he was thinking hard.

  Captain got up and headed down the stairs—for drinks, I figured. I smiled at Mase. “I’m looking forward to this.”

  He pressed a kiss to my nose. “Me, too. One of his songs reminds me of you. Having you here while he sings it will be pretty damn perfect.”

  I liked knowing he thought of me when he heard a song. I took a sip of my soda and relaxed. We were going to enjoy ourselves. No need to let Captain ruin it. Besides, Mase didn’t care for him because Captain had said a few rude comments. He didn’t know everything. He’d get over Captain being there soon enough.

  When the lights went down and the stage lit up, everyone stood up from their seats, hooting and hollering. Whistles and shouts of “Hell, yeah!” filled the place. Mase stood up, reached for my hand, and pulled me in front of him, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned back against his chest. Nothing else mattered.

  I was wrapped up in Mase, and the music was great. Major sang along beside us, and I was surprised by how good he sounded. Like, really good. I never once looked over at Captain and Kinsley. They weren’t even here as far as I was concerned.

  Pat Green stood onstage and starting talking about a song, and everyone around me seemed to know what he was talking about, because the cheering began again. “This is it,” Mase whispered in my ear. “My song to you.”

  That got my immediate attention. I stood taller and waited for the music to start again. Mase caressed my arms as he held me and pressed his mouth near my ear as he sang the words. Having him sing to me made me light-headed.

  All I’m looking for is you.

  The words made my heart flutter in my chest and I turned to look up at him.

  You came upon me wave on wave.

  He sang with such intensity in his eyes I clung to him tighter and prayed this moment would never end. Just us here, together, with Mase singing to me. It was a perfect night.

  Mase

  After dropping Reese off at work on Monday morning, I pulled up to the stables and saw a face I didn’t expect. You could look at me and never guess my father was a rock legend, but you couldn’t say the same for Rush Finlay. He had the look. Even though he had a three-year-old son now, he didn’t look like a dad. I doubted he ever would.

  But why the hell was he at my ranch? Getting out of the truck, I closed the door and headed toward him. He pushed his sunglasses up and smiled at me. “You always get to work this late?” he asked with a smirk.

  “Had to take Reese to work. Didn’t expect to get back and see you standing here.”

  He gave a small shrug. “Brought Blaire and Nate to visit with her brother. Figured I’d give them some family bonding time and come see how things were going here.”

  I’d almost forgotten that Captain was Blaire’s brother. Remembering him sitting beside Reese at the concert this weekend still pissed me off.

  “You look like you know Blaire’s brother and would like to smash his face in,” Rush said with an amused laugh.

  “He works with someone I do business with. He’s made a few comments I wasn’t crazy about concerning Reese.”

  “Sounds like Captain,” Rush said. “He’s just a smart-mouth. First time I met him, he pointed out that I’d gotten Blaire pregnant before marrying her and that it was the backward way to do it. Pissed me the hell off. He’s grown on me, though.”

  Maybe I was being too hard on him. It wasn’t like he was sniffing around Reese. I was just being touchy and possessive; the vibe I was getting from him when he was around Reese could possibly just be me overthinking things. “I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied. “
So you come to help me mend some fences?” I knew good and well that Rush Finlay wasn’t here to do any hard labor.

  “I’ll pass on that offer. I was checking to see if Harlow has talked to you about Kiro lately.”

  Huh? I shook my head.

  Rush sighed and nodded like he’d expected that. “Harlow’s mom isn’t doing so well, and he’s not dealing with it. He’s falling apart. Dad said they wouldn’t let him near her for three days because the medicine she was on lowered her immune system. Kiro got so hammered that Dad had to throw him into a shower to get the vomit off him before putting him to bed. He wakes up and starts drinking right away. He yells at everyone. The only person he’s talking to is Harlow. She’s worried about him. Thought you might want to know about it.”

  Shit. Motherfucking shit! Harlow didn’t need this. And why hadn’t she called me? I threw the feed I’d carried over from my truck against the wall and swore loudly.

  “Dad said we don’t get it. We don’t know how Kiro was back when he had Emily. He told me it would be like me losing Blaire. And man, I can’t imagine that. If Kiro loves Emily like I love Blaire, then, dude, he’s in fucking pain and has been for twenty-three years.”

  I understood that Kiro loved Emily. It was obvious. But dammit, he had a daughter with a heart problem. One year ago, Harlow had been given a miracle when she gave birth to Lila Kate and lived through the process. She didn’t need this shit on her now. He never thought of anyone else, only how much he was hurting.

  “Harlow can’t deal with this,” I said angrily. My brain was already spinning. I had to do something. I couldn’t leave her to deal alone. I also needed to see Kiro. This shit had to stop. One day, Emily would pass away. She’d been given much longer than any doctor expected. Kiro had to come to grips with that.

  Rush nodded. “She has Grant. He’s worried like hell about her. She’s crying a lot. I figured you needed to know. Harlow needs you. She needs you to do something with your father.”

  He was right. She did. “Thanks for telling me. Don’t know why she hasn’t called me.” Or Grant, which pissed me off. Grant should have called me.