“Look Mama, watch me!” he shouted, demanding Mack’s attention. I could see that Blake and Mack were in the middle of a conversation, I could only guess about horses. Mack didn’t admonish Daxx for interrupting the adults, she simply put a hand on her son’s head, smiled down at him as if he was performing the greatest stunt on earth, and continued talking to my girl. Even Blake didn’t scowl or frown at Daxx’s intrusion, and her smile was indulgent and sincere.
Hell, she will make a fantastic mother.
The thought that my insecurities dealing with parenthood could very well hold Blake back, that I could be the reason for her not realising all her dreams, didn’t sit well. My own parents put up with a lot for us boys, and they sacrificed time together in order to have one parent home with us at all times. Mum was well and truly on her way to being a champion barrel race rider when she found out she was pregnant. She gave it up, let her dream go to become a mum. Our mother was the strongest woman I knew, and she put up with Dad’s rough and gruff ways. One baby could send a person into a tailspin, let alone three at once, triplets for the first pregnancy and one with—
Fuck, what if the same thing Fenixx was born with happened to Blake’s and my kid?
Memories of those days bombarded my head, travelling to and from the children’s hospital in Melbourne, always without Dad. Mum handled three kids all on her own: Blake would never have to experience that—I wasn’t my father, nothing like him, none of us were, she would never feel abandoned or neglected. Not while I had breath in my body.
“Hey, brother-in-law,” Mack greeted me when I got closer, “are you by any chance avoiding me, Drixxie?”
“Yes, you’re scary as fuck,” I answered her, smiling at her but didn’t stop until I was right in front of Blake.
“Hey, Cowboy, you look pale, are you okay?” Blake put a hand to my forehead, then cupped my cheek lovingly, a look of concern on her face.
I looked, really looked at Blake. Her long, blonde hair was pulled back from her face in her usual braid, hidden under the black Akubra she was rarely without. Her hazel eyes held me like an embrace, warming me, my worry waning a little. Not wanting to wait to be alone, or to prolong her worry, I opened my mouth and blurted out what was on my mind.
“Kids.”
“What about them?” she asked, frowning at me, her cute nose scrunching up, creating the most adorable little wrinkles around it.
“I’m not sure I want them yet. Maybe not for a few years, even.”
“Okay, me neither,” she answered, not the one I was expecting.
“Huh?”
Blake let out a laugh. “Hendrixx, I am twenty years old, kids are the last thing on my mind honey, plus we have been going out for just over a week. It is a little early to be thinking up baby names and nursery themes, don’t ya think?”
Relief poured through me, hearing her admit all that, but my mind was stuck on one thing, just one word.
“You called me honey,” I blurted out, hearing Makena giggle and Noxx snicker, but my eyes were on one person and one person only.
A blush heated up Blake’s cheeks, her head suddenly dipping, and all of a sudden, she became very interested in Princess’s head halter.
“Yeah, so? Isn’t that what couples in love do—” as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she slapped her hand over it, her eyes wide and mortified. Me? My heart was beating faster than it ever has in all my life. I was in love with Blake, there was no doubt in my mind, but telling her too early I worried that it would scare her off. I mean, we only recently just had sex for the first time, her very first experience too. I wasn’t about to overload her with professing my love and all that came with it.
If she thought my protective instincts were over the top before, she has no idea how far they can reach now that I am free to love her and be in love with her without restraint or hiding it.
“Sorry, shit sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest that you would … I just meant … oh, please forget I said anything,” she stammered, pulling on Princess to hurry off.
Reaching out quickly, I grabbed hold of her mount, stopping them both.
“Why are you leaving, you can’t just go and hide every time you think you have said the wrong thing Blake, especially when I think and feel the same way.”
“I know, I jumped the gun, what has it been a week and a few days? Way too early for declarations of love,” she rushed out, fighting against me to move Princess, but I was stronger, more determined and a fuck lot more stubborn than her.
“I do fucking love you Blake, and it is obscene how long I have been in love with you. But I don’t give a shit anymore, I not only love you, but I am in love with you,” I practically shouted in her face, urgent to get her to listen and understand my words.
“Hendrixx, I have to—what did you just say?” she asked, her body visibly staggering. Letting go of Princess, my arms reached out and grabbed hold of Blake around the hips, my hands holding onto her mouth-watering curves too harshly, but I couldn’t control my reaction. She meant that much, us working meant that much, Blake had my heart, now all I had to do was get her to accept it.
“It’s you, Blake, you’re it for me. When I close my eyes, I see us together working the farm, raising and breeding horses. Helping you save every broken horse in the district, chasing you when you slip off to see your beloved brumbies, or sneaking off to ride Lancelot.” Leaning forward, I pressed my forehead to hers, hating the tears that were raining down her face, but the megawatt smile on her face eased my mind. She had yet to say the same words back, but I wasn’t worried. Unless I was misreading the signals during our lovemaking and the way her eyes followed me when she thought I wasn’t watching. If I was wrong about all that, then maybe I had something to worry about.
Even if that was true, no way was I giving up.
“You, Blake Isobel, my dream is you, to marry you and give you my last name, and bind you to me so you can never run and hide from me again.” I was laying my heart and soul out for her to take or trample on, either way, I wasn’t going to lose her.
Unreciprocated didn’t hold any appeal, but I was a Hott brother, we prided ourselves on winning. One way or another, Blake would fall in love with me.
“You love me?” Blake asked, her lip trembling, her eyes shocked.
“Are you deaf, sweetheart? Because I just finished telling you that, and I reckon it was a pretty fucking awesome way of telling you.”
“It’s not just want and lust?” she asked softly, her hands going to my arms holding onto my biceps with a death grip of her own. Her voice wobbled, I could hear her uncertainty, but I could also hear longing and hope.
“Sweetheart,” I breathed against her lips, “it is pure unadulterated, unwavering, unmatched love, with lust and want thrown in for good measure.” Being this close to her, I had to close the minute distance between our lips, just holding them to hers, breathing her in, connecting this moment and us in the most simple but momentous way.
Blake sobbed and laughed at the same time, her tears wetting my cheeks and lips, and I couldn’t help but lick some up with my tongue.
“Such a perfect answer honey, are you going to outdo me in the romance department every time, or can I win some?” she asked, kissing me chastely.
“Depends on if you are going to tell me what I want to hear?”
She had to say it for Christ’s sake, put me out of my misery, so I don’t cry like a bitch in front of Noxx.
“I fell in love with you before I knew what it meant. I fell deeper when you bought Hercules for me, and after everything you just said, I will remain in love with you until the Lord sees fit to take me from this life. I accept your heart Hendrixx because you already have mine, and I promise to hold onto it, respect it and cherish it. Just don’t expect it back, okay? You’re mine and mine only.” Her fingernails scored through my shirt, making me yelp.
“Ouch! What was that for?” I yelp, but shit a brick, I really didn’t care that she was hurting me or n
ot. She loves me, fucking loves me.
“Freaking out about having kids. One day I am going to want them, five in fact, and because you are such an old man, we will be getting to some baby-making when I turn twenty-five before you are wheelchair-bound,” she sassed, pulling a loud chuckle from my dry throat.
Shit, I needed a drink, something stiff and strong. This emotional love stuff really does a man in.
BLAKE
“Hmmmm, this is nice,” I whispered, leaning my head back on Hendrixx’s bare chest, his arms around me, his hands clasped together on my stomach.
“That it is,” he agreed, humming lazily, his deep voice vibrating in my ear, tickling me. We snuck away an hour ago for lunch and ended up in one of the tack rooms making love on an old, leather couch. Sitting between his legs completely encased in my handsome Cowboy, I decided this was one of the happiest moments of my life. I have had many happy moments: learning to ride a horse, owning my first horse, learning to drive, jumping into stock troughs full of cool water on a deathly hot, Australian summer’s day. All those happy memories in my life and so many more included Hendrixx. Such a huge part of my life in more ways than one.
“You know,” I mused, tracing one finger over his strong hand. “This is my first ever afternoon delight,” I announced as innocently as I could, grateful my back was leaning on him so he couldn’t see the wicked smile on my face. One thing fun about having an overprotective boyfriend was poking the bear occasionally.
Hendrixx growled deeply before lifting me easily in his arms to turn me around, so I was suddenly underneath him.
“Don’t play with me Blake, making me think about you and another man will only get you one thing.” Shoving my hips apart with his muscular thighs, he surprised me not by sliding his hard dick, still wet from our combined orgasms inside me. Instead, he licked a trail down my neck, stopped at my breasts to lavish each handful, then continued down my stomach until he reached my pussy, his mouth almost watering.
“Hendrixx, you can’t!” I protested, immediately trying to close my legs, but his broad shoulders too strong for me.
“Why the fuck not?”
I could feel the heat race across my face.
“Because you came inside me honey, your stuff is in there,” I argued, pointing down to where his face was currently level with my vagina. My god, I was such a blushing girl, here I was his girlfriend and he had already taken me so many times in the past few weeks it was a wonder I didn’t have a permanent bow when I walk, and I was pointing at my vagina like a giggling teen.
“And? I don’t give a fuck baby, you suck my dick after you come on it, what is the difference? Now shush and let me have my lunch,” he ordered, his tongue licking across his lips in preparation for his meal.
“Okay then, but you better make it quick. I have a potential buyer coming to look at the colt in half an hour.”
Hendrixx parted my folds with his thumbs, a shiver running through me in anticipation of his thumbs being replaced with his mouth.
“They can fucking wait, my girl’s pussy is much more desirable than showing some wanker from the city a horse they don’t have a clue how to ride,” he muttered, then dropped his head and licked me with one long swipe using the flat of his tongue, and just like that all thoughts of horses and buyers left the building.
“Oh, fuck yes, I totally agree.” My wonton moan echoed in the small room mixed with Hendrixx’s satisfied groan.
I was definitely requesting all my lunch breaks to be taken this way, and knowing my man, I will get whatever I ask for too.
***
“So, you’re saying I can’t take the horse with me today?”
Gritting my teeth, I silently counted to ten but did it with a forced smile on my face. This idiot didn’t know a single thing about horses and why he wanted to buy King Arthur totally eluded me, yet here I was showing him the gorgeous black colt knowing in my mind there was no way I was going to let him purchase it.
“No, you can’t. That isn’t how we do things on the Triple H, Mr Roberts. I believe Mr Hott explained to you on the phone there is a cooling-off period where you can change your mind while we slowly separate mother and son. So when it is time for the colt to go, there is little to no anxiety for either equine,” I explained slowly, doing everything in my power not to sound sarcastic or rude.
“Yes, Fenixx did say that, but I thought once I offered the amount in full, you might see right to forego your standard agreement and let me take him. I have a gathering of the best horse trainers in Australia coming for a gala next month and I wanted to show him off.” The rich idiot practically preened when he mentioned a few names I apparently was supposed to be impressed with, but I wasn’t, in fact, I was pretty pissed off.
At no time in any of his correspondence did he mention racing or trainers. It was true Arthur was a thoroughbred Arabian, but Fenixx, Hendrixx and I bred him with other things in mind for him. The Triple H used mainly stock horses for working, they were hardy animals and sure-footed for the rocky and hilly terrain we had around here, but the guys and I liked the idea of introducing cutting horses to do the cattle work. Cutters were quick on their feet, could turn on a five-cent piece, and generally were a joy to ride.
Princess was a typical stock horse, and I loved her dearly, but getting on Lady Guinevere to work with a small herd … there was nothing better.
The sound of a horse whining came from the outside pen we let Lancelot stay in during the time for cleaning out his stall. We never let him go out with anyone other than Princess and Lady G, the big black beast had a jealous streak a mile long, so it was safer for all the male horses to keep him out of their way.
Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled when Lancelot pranced over to the railing, the stallion seeking me out for his morning sugar cube, I was sure.
“Excuse me, Mr Roberts, I won’t be a minute.” Excusing myself, I hurried over to my big boy, my hand reaching into my jeans pocket and fished out two cubes.
“Hey, sexy fella, what’s with all the noise? You know I would never forget about you,” I crooned as soon as I reached the fence. Standing on the second rung, I leaned over and stroked Lancelot’s soft muzzle, laughing at his attempts to get to the cubes. Hendrixx would kill me if he knew I was feeding him more treats, he liked to accuse me of trying to give our horse diabetes. He didn’t fool me, though, I knew where he kept his own personal stash of cubes in his office. Hendrixx was just as big a softy as I was when it came to the horses.
“Oh, stop it, you big lug. It isn’t as if you didn’t get three this morning already,” I scolded him softly, keeping my voice low. Lancelot didn’t like shouting, we didn’t know why it affected, him he had been that way when Hendrixx bought him. As far as we knew, he had not been badly treated, so we concluded someone must have yelled in his ear too loudly.
“Him! I want him!” An excited male scream came from behind me, frightening not only me but Lancelot, who was in the process of eating the sugar cubes from the palm of my hand. Mr Roberts’ ridiculous shout spooked the stallion so badly he did what came naturally and reared up on his hind legs, then quickly pivoted kicking out powerfully. Unfortunately, one hoof connected with my collar bone, the impact knocking me off the fence and landing me fair on my arse.
“Shit, fuck, bugger, crap, ouch!” My cry of indignation laced with pain caught the attention of Eddy, who was at work shoeing one of the stock horses. Eddy threw down the file in his hand and bolted straight for me, shouting out for Hendrixx as he passed the stables’ main door.
Oh, good. Now, Mr Roberts was going to experience a size eleven boot up his arse. Stupid rich wanker.
“Blake, what the hell happened?” Eddy asked frantically as soon as he skidded to a stop in front of me. Pain throbbed at my shoulder but all I could think about was Lancelot.
“Go see if Lance is okay, he got spooked pretty bad when this dumbarse screamed like a schoolgirl,” I muttered, not sparing the suit and tie a look.
Eddy didn�
��t look like he wanted to leave me, so I gave him my best pout despite the pain.
“Please Eddy, he will be upset because he hurt me, I don’t want him to sulk and think it is his fault.”
“Girl you and your beliefs, that he can understand human emotions,” Eddy muttered, looking over his shoulder to see if Hendrixx heard his yelling.
Two seconds later, he got his answer when a loud, angry, bellow announced the arrival of my man. I watched as Hendrixx sprinted across the paved path and down the steep hill that led to the horses’ exercise pens, where I was sitting on my butt, praying that my collar bone was not broken.
“Blake baby, what happened?” Hendrixx demanded, dropping to his knees, his face contorted with concern and worry.
“This idiot came up behind me while I was feed—ah, petting Lancelot and yelled out something scaring our stallion, which led to him reacting by kicking out at me,” I explained in a strained voice. “Please tell me it isn’t broken honey, please,” I sniffled, no longer able to hold in the tears.
“Let me have a look sweetheart, don’t move baby, I don’t want you to hurt yourself more,” Hendrixx fretted when I sucked in a hiss as I tried to move my body around so he could have a better look. Taking it slowly, Hendrixx unbuttoned two of the buttons on my shirt and gently peeled it back, his hiss was followed quickly by a growl when he saw what the damage was to my shoulder.
“Fuck Blake, I don’t know if the bone is broken, but there is a deep gash that we need to get looked at.” Hendrixx gently tucked my shirt back over the area, then leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“Where is Lance?”
“Eddy has gone to see to him, it wasn’t his fault Drixx, he got spooked, and he reacted like he did the first time when we got him home.”
Nodding Hendrixx kissed me again, this time on the lips. “Come on baby, you are going to the hospital, and I am not arguing with you about it, so don’t even bother,” he commanded when he saw I was about to protest. I hated hospitals, hated the waiting, and the poking and the prodding, then more waiting. I didn’t have time to wait, I had two horses waiting to have their healing sessions, not to mention, we had a load of new cattle arriving this afternoon. Fenixx was over at Waterford for the day overseeing castration there, so the last thing we needed was to be two more workers down here.
Hott and Ready (The Hott Brothers Book 2) Page 11
