“We don’t want her to shake off loose hair while you’re on her back and drop you.”
“Oh Jesus.” Tori cringed.
Scott grinned, noticing she was now taking extra care to be meticulous about the grooming.
“It’ll be fine.” He grabbed the brush and finished up, placing the blanket on the back of the horse followed by the saddle, tightening and securing all the straps.
“Does the saddle hurt her?”
“Nah.” Scott shook his head. “If it did, she’d let us know.” He put on the bridle. “All right, she’s ready for you.” He patted the side of the horse.
Scott grabbed Tori’s left hand and placed it up on the horse’s mane, setting her right hand on the saddle. “Give me your left leg.” Scott tapped it. She lifted it and he guided it into the stirrup. “Now didn’t I buy you boots? These are not proper riding shoes.” Scott frowned, glancing at her Converse shoes.
“I’m sorry but you didn’t tell me that horseback riding was on the agenda.” She smirked.
Scott chuckled. “I’m gonna give you a big boost. I want you to pull up and sling your right leg over. Got it?”
Tori swallowed hard. “Ok.”
“On three; one two three.” Scott boosted her up, she swung her leg over, and she was on. “Good job, baby.” He walked around and made sure both her feet were in the stirrups.
“Ok, you climbing up now?”
“Nope, this is all you.” Scott grinned wide. “Riding double isn’t good on the horse.”
Tori made a sour face and placed her hands on her hips. “Now what the hell am I supposed to do without you up here?”
Scott peered up at her and squinted as the sunlight glowed behind her, bouncing off her blonde waves. She was positively stunning sitting on top of the majestic animal. He wanted to remember this moment. “You’re gonna sit there pretty for a minute while I take your picture, because you look hot as fuck on that horse.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Scott, seriously?” Tori groaned.
Tori had issues being photographed since she couldn’t make eye contact with the camera, but she was going to have to get over that. He wanted to capture as many moments of her has he could.
“Just tilt your head down toward my voice and smile, babe,” Scott instructed. “You look beautiful.”
“You’re killing me, Smalls…” Tori sighed and flashed a grin as he snapped the photo.
He stuffed the phone back in his pocket, took the reins, and led her around the corral for a bit. “You ready to try it on your own?”
“I can’t…” Tori bit her lip.
“Yes; you can.” Scott placed the reigns in Tori’s hands. “Squeeze her side gently and she’ll go forward. To turn, you just tighten the rein the direction you want to go and press in with the opposite leg,” Scott explained. “I won’t let you run into anything. I’ll tell you when to turn. You’ve got this.”
“Ok.” Tori took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.
“Ok, squeeze gently.”
Tori did as he said, and moved forward.
“Good, now go left by—”
“Tugging to the left and pushing with right foot. I’ve got it!” Tori shouted back.
“Ok, pull back and make her go straight again.” Tori did.
He led her around the area with verbal cues for a few more minutes and had her round back to him.
Scott reached up and placed his hand on her thigh. “Ok pull your right leg out and swing back over. I’ve got you.” He helped Tori dismount the horse, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you.” She smiled as he gave her a kiss.
“Did you enjoy that?” He loved that beautiful, wide grin on her face and was so damn happy he’d put it there.
“Much more than milking a cow—that’s for damn sure.” She chuckled. “Now, how about that run? I need to work off breakfast.” Tori patted her belly.
“Sounds like a plan.” Scott grabbed her by the hand.
Scott shut the front door behind him, coming back inside after their run on a nearby trail.
“I’m gonna go take a shower, then we can figure out lunch,” Tori said. “I’m a sweaty mess.”
She looked perfect to him.
“Why don’t we hop in the pool for a swim to cool off?” Scott suggested.
“Sure.” Tori angled herself toward the bedroom. “Just let me go get my suit.”
Scott wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her neck. “Who said anything about needing a suit?”
“At your parents’ house? While they’re at church?” She giggled. “Are you crazy?”
“What?” He shrugged. “You were game for me to strap a saddle on you out at the barn.”
“I was teasing!”
“Seriously. They’re gone all day, won’t be home for hours. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves and not a neighbor in sight.” He spun her around and pulled her shirt over her head, throwing it on the floor.
She placed her hands on her hips, letting him admire her. The tight compression shorts and hot pink sports bra she wore were complemented by the sweat trickling down her belly. She looked so damn good Scott could hardly contain himself. He tugged at his aching cock.
“You’re terrible.” She reached down and searched for her lost shirt.
He pulled his sticky shirt off over his head, discarding it next to hers, grabbed her by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. “Scott!” She squealed, writhing against his muscles.
He carried her outside and planted her feet on the ground. “You better finish stripping or else you’re going in with your clothes on.” He sat on the bench and pulled off his shoe.
Tori pulled off her sneakers and socks, then tossed them to the pavement. “What about your leg?” Her brow furrowed. “You can’t swim with it.” Tori clutched her belly, laughing. “Or did you pack your fin?”
“You just get your snarky ass naked and don’t worry about me,” he ordered.
He stood up, yanked off his shorts and sauntered over to her wearing nothing but his prosthetic running leg as she discarded her bra.
With a swift tug, Scott pulled down her shorts, exposing her naked ass to the sunlight outside. He gripped her cheeks as her hands traced the veins on his muscular forearms. Tori leaned in and planted those pouty lips to his, pressing her bare breasts up against his chest.
He scooped her up again, carried her over toward the water, and planted her on the first step. “You have three steps down and then you’re in the shallow end. I’ll be right there.” She waded into the pool.
Scott plopped his butt down on the edge of the pool, in the deeper end, pulled off his prosthetic and eased down into the refreshing water. He grinned and ducked under without making a noise, swimming over to Tori. Coming up from behind, he grabbed her legs and pulled her under with him.
She sucked in a deep breath and squealed as they broke the surface. “Sneaky bastard!”
He wiped the water from his beard and nose and laughed. “I was a SEAL. I learned to be stealthy.” Underwater was probably the only way he could sneak up on her. Her ears didn’t miss much.
Tori folded her arms around his neck, running her fingers through the back of his damp hair. He crushed his lips to hers. Her smooth, slippery, wet skin pressed up against him instantly causing him to grow stiff.
“Well, hello.” Tori tugged at his dick, licking her lips. She released his cock, leaned back and floated lazily on the water. Sun kissed droplets of water gleamed on her breasts as they peaked above the surface. Holy fucking shit, if she wasn’t the woman of his dreams. “Holy hell, you’re hot,” he breathed. “Do you know how many times as a teenage boy I swam in this pool fantasizing about having a beautiful, naked girl in here with me—and here you are?”
“Sixteen-year-old Scott would be so jealous of you right now.” Her lips puckered into a sexy, little smirk.
He tugged his aching
cock as she stood, squeezing the water out of her hair. Glistening droplets dripped onto her erect, pink nipples.
Mine, all mine.
He wanted her body now. He’d have her heart forever.
He lunged forward using his one leg as momentum and pressed his body close to hers. Kissing her ferociously, he pushed her up to the step, cupping her breast in his hand as his tongue explored her mouth. He showered her with kisses, trailing down her neck while she leaned her head back toward the sky and a low, throaty sigh escaped her lips as his tongue grazed her collarbone. He took a finger and slid it into her pussy, pressing up on her sensitive bud. Her moans grew louder.
She turned her body slightly, angling herself above him and he followed her lead, sitting on the step. She straddled him and her smooth legs rubbed up against him as she reached underwater, grabbed his cock, and glided it into her pussy. The water lapped between their naked bodies with every thrust.
He adored the look of pleasure on her face. My God, she’s fucking beautiful. Thank you, God, for this woman, he thought as he felt for her clit, rubbing it in a gentle, circular motion as her thick, pouty lips parted.
She pulled him in close, pressing her breasts up against his chest. He loved the way their wet, naked skin slid against each other. Each thrust making their connection stronger.
Her palms planted on his cheeks. “More kisses,” she breathed.” Those tiny, delicate fingers stroked his beard as his lips crushed hers. “I can never get enough of those lips,” she breathed as she traced the curve of his mouth.
He closed his eyes and soaked in the pleasure of her soft touch.
“I can feel your grin—that damn devilish smile of yours.” A warm smile rested on her face. “The way your lip curls up on the left side right here.” She rolled her finger over his top lip. “Those perfectly straight, white teeth, that sexy dimple right…” she pressed her finger into it, “here.”
She sees me.
His heart swelled in his chest with more love than he knew he could carry.
“God, I love you,” he whispered as he thrust harder. Those words almost didn’t seem enough to capture his feelings. She was everything he always wanted.
“Me too, baby, me too,” she moaned.
Her legs shook as he took her over the edge and her moans of pleasure grew louder, echoing out across the vacant land. “That’s it, Tori, enjoy it.” He grinned so wide he was certain his jaw would break. He loved how vocal she could get; it made him that much harder.
She took his nipple into her mouth and circled it with her tongue gently at first, then with more intensity as he drew close. It sent him over the edge, his entire body stiffening as he came inside her.
“Now, wasn’t that better than a shower?” He asked, catching his breath.
“It certainly was.” She stood up and cautiously exited the pool.
He looked up at her. The sun shone behind her naked silhouette as water dripped from her body. She was stunning.
“Now where are the towels?”
“How about you lay yourself on the deck and let me watch the sun dry that hot, naked body?”
“As you wish, my dear.” Tori plopped herself down on the deck.
After their swim, Scott and Tori headed to the hospital. The antiseptic scent stung Tori’s nostrils and filled her stomach with dread. Too many unsettling memories were had between walls like these. She dug her fingers hard into Scott’s bicep as he tapped on the door.
They went in. The room was silent other than their footsteps shuffling. As they entered, she tried to imagine Dawn lying on the bed holding the sleeping baby while Robert, her husband, was curled around her. But all the details her mind added to the scene led to one image—her and Scott holding the baby she lost.
“We just got him to sleep,” Dawn whispered as they approached. She had a slight country drawl to her tone, but nothing like her mother.
Tori listened as Scott leaned down and kissed his sister. “Yup, that’s a baby alright. Looks like a wrinkly old man. Kinda like dad in miniature form.” Tori grinned at their banter as a smack sound came, she assumed Dawn was playfully slapping him on the arm. “He’s gorgeous, sis. Good job, you two.”
“Thanks, man. Good to see you,” a male voice chimed in, Robert, Tori assumed. A smack of the hand and a hearty pat on the back followed as she listened to the men exchange a bro-hug.
“Robert, Dawn, this is my girlfriend, Tori.” Scott snaked his arm around Tori and squeezed her tight, kissing her on the cheek.
They all exchanged pleasantries before the room grew quiet again.
It was silent for a moment as Tori assumed Scott’s sister sized her up. Finally, she spoke again. “Well, aren’t you gorgeous? Nice score, little brother, you did good.”
Tori tilted her head and blushed. “Thank you.”
“I’m damn lucky.” Scott slid his hand down her back and gave her a sly grab on the butt. “Any name yet for that little man?” Scott moved his hand back to Tori’s waistline.
“Not yet. We still can’t agree on anything.” Robert sounded annoyed with that. “I still like Zane.”
“No,” Dawn made a tsk noise, “He doesn’t seem like a Zane.” Tori tried to get a mental picture of his sister. Scott had told her in the car that Dawn had long, dark hair and looked a lot like him.
“Lord, you two are gonna name him some weird hippie Austin name, aren’t you?” Scott groaned.
Robert released a hearty chuckle.
“What about Dylan, ya know like Bob Dylan?” Dawn suggested.
Tori understood why Dawn suggested that name. According to Scott’s intel on the drive there, Robert was in a band that played a lot down on sixth street, and him and Dawn were both immersed in the local music scene.
“Nah, that’s overdone,” Robert said.
“Well you all better name him soon, Mom’s about to have an aneurysm if you don’t,” Scott joked. “You could always name him Scott, just saying…”
“Here, Uncle Scott.” Tori assumed that Dawn motioned for Scott to take the baby, “You hold him and tell me what you think.”
Tori’s heart squeezed. She could still remember the faint beating of the heart on her ultrasound. The moment she’d heard that thumping she’d envisioned Scott holding their baby. That was the moment she knew she wanted it. Then moments later her world had crashed in. Tori choked down the lump forming in her throat and plastered on a grin.
Scott released his hold on Tori as he took the baby from his sister. The child let out a slight whimper, but thankfully didn’t start crying. In her mind, she could imagine him there, looking down at the cute, tiny, little thing with the scrunched-up face. Probably had thick, dark hair like Dawn and Scott.
Her mind wandered. Would theirs have been a boy or a girl? Would their baby have had her blonde waves or his chocolate locks? Tori always imagined their child with his dark hair, and the blue eyes that run rampant through her family. Her soul ached, and acid churned in the pit of her stomach. It took every ounce of self-control to keep the tears at bay.
“Well, Scott, what do you feel?” Dawn asked, snapping Tori from her trance. “What does his soul speak to you?”
“Freaking hippie.” Scott chuckled. “He feels like a tiny baby.” Scott sighed, “Ask this hippie here.” He nudged Tori, “She’s the one that runs on feelings and artistic inspiration.”
“Me?” Tori put her hand to her chest. “Well… I mean I don’t know…” she stammered, tucking her hair behind her ear, fidgeting with her earring.
“Here, feel.” Scott pulled Tori’s hand over to the covered blanket and placed it on the baby’s side.
“Wanna hold him, Tori?” Robert asked.
“I… I… I don’t know if I should…” Tori protested. She did, but she didn’t at the same time.
“You could be his aunt someday, so you need to be introduced properly.” Dawn insisted. “Of course you should hold him.”
“Well, if you insist.” Tori grinned, forcing enthusi
asm she didn’t have, trying to hide her wavering smile.
“Here,” Scott took Tori’s cane and it clanked against the railing of the bed. As he placed the baby into Tori’s arms, the child fussed a bit. She swayed him back and forth and he calmed.
“Ten pounds—really? He seems so small,” Tori remarked for lack of anything better to say.
Dawn laughed. “He didn’t feel that small coming out,” she groaned. “Harris babies are huge,” she warned.
Tori cringed. Scott, obviously catching her expression, released a chuckle.
“How long was the labor?” Tori asked.
“Twelve hours,” Dawn groaned. “I hoped that since this was my second that it would go a little faster but no luck there.” She let out a huge yawn. “It was rough, but worth every single minute of pain.” Her smile rang through the exhaustion in her tone. “He’s so perfect.”
“She did good. She’s a rock star,” Robert said. “I’m proud of you, baby.” Tori heard him kiss her. “Did it all natural.”
“Not even an epidural?” Scott said with a laugh. Scott had told Tori in the car that his sister was a “crunchy granola hippie, like you” now that she had let go of her wild ways. “She doesn’t even drink anymore,” he’d said.
Tori had laughed at that. “I’m not sure I’d ever give up my booze.”
But for this I would, Tori now thought as she held the tiny baby in her arms.
“No freaking way. I didn’t want anything unnatural in his system,” Dawn proclaimed.
Tori lifted her hand to the baby’s head, feeling that thick head of black hair. She stroked a hand across it. “His hair is so soft.” She ran her knuckle over his smooth cheek. “Velvety.”
“Oooh, I like that.” Dawn sounded excited.
“I swear I’ll disown you as my sister if you name that boy Velvet.” Scott chuckled.
Dawn made a hmmph sound. “Fine.”
Scott put his arm around Tori’s shoulder. His breath heated her cheek as he leaned in closer. Her holding a baby with him peering over her shoulder made her chest ache—thinking of what could have been.
A tiny finger wrapped around hers. Her heart squeezed so hard she feared it would implode. Tori cleared her throat. “He’s perfect Dawn. He makes me feel warm all over. Like a little ray of sunshine.”
Smoke and Mirrors: (Fire and Fury Book Two) Page 9
