by Nia Aria
The fact that my angel's car broke down leads me to believe that it is not very reliable, I'll have to remedy that immediately. I will also make sure two of the ranch hands head south tomorrow to pick it up and bring it to the ranch. She no longer needs it, but there may be some sentimental feelings for the vehicle.
What in the hell was Gauge thinking letting her make that long drive all alone? Did her father care that she dresses like this? I can't believe he'd let her waltz around town wearing practically fucking nothing. I blame Gauge for this because it was his idea. It did bring me my angel, but roads out this way can be treacherous year-round. I am going to whoop Gauge's ass the next time I see him.
My thoughts again go to Ashlynn's lithe little body. Even her name makes me ache with need. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder, take her up to my room and lock her away so nobody else could lay eyes on her again. This little girl needs a man to look after her and that man will definitely be me.
Fuck if I'm going to let her loose around nearly thirty horny ranch hands alone, three times a day, five days a week. That bullshit is not happening. I am certain people will think it's too soon for me to be feeling this way about her, but hell if I care.
I know she is waiting for me downstairs in the kitchen, but I think it would be best to relieve some of the pressure from my cock before I go back to my angel.
I drop the towel from my waist and lay back on my massive bed. My cock is already at full mast and it is weeping pre-come from the tip. I use my hand to spread it all over the large bulbous head. I can't remember the last time I was this hard, it has to be eleven inches in length and nearly as thick as my wrist.
I am not sure how I know this, but I'm certain she's untouched. That thought alone almost has me coming in my hand. I start thinking about my little angel waiting for me right now. I imagine her coming up the stairs, walking into what will one day be our bedroom and discovering me laying here stroking my cock while I'm thinking about her.
I close my eyes and can see her kneeling on our bed next to me and replacing my large hand with her small, delicate one. My breathing turns ragged as I picture that soft, little hand circling my cock and sliding up and down again and again as I sit back and watch her pleasure me. I envision her placing her pink, luscious, full lips on my dick and licking the come from the slit before placing her mouth over the head. She would barely be able to get it inside without stretching her lips wide.
That image is all it takes before I am groaning out loud and unloading copious amounts of come into my hand. I look down at my cock and the fucker is still hard, it's as if he is a heat seeking missile and knows her sweet virgin pussy is downstairs waiting for a direct hit.
I sit up and clean myself off before putting on some sweats and a Henley and making my way back downstairs. I can't believe this beautiful angel will be spending the night in my house tonight. If I have any say in it, it will be forever. I certainly can't bring her to what will soon be our room just yet, but I definitely want her as close to me as possible. I figure the room directly across the hall from the master will do nicely.
Nine
Ashlynn
As I wait for Ridge to change, I take the liberty of exploring the kitchen a bit. Even though I am dog tired, I feel like a kid in a candy store. I open one of the doors in the kitchen that has a frosted glass center and inside is a chef's dream pantry. This has to be as big as my bedroom back home. There are rows and rows of spices, jars of fruits and vegetables that I'm certain are grown on this very farm and more than likely canned by Norma Ray. Everything is perfectly labeled and in order. I silently pray that I'll still be invited to cook in this amazing space and make some of my favorite meals with what I've discovered here.
I exit the pantry and head in the opposite direction of the way that I had come from when I first entered the kitchen. I walk into a room that is as big as a typical school cafeteria, but it is tastefully decorated. There is even another oversized rock fireplace with a lovely wood mantle on what appears to be the main wall. A huge TV is hung above the fireplace and I imagine a lot of sporting events are watched in this space. It's an entertainer’s dream. Everything about this home appears to be massive, including its owner. This must be where the ranch hands gather to eat their meals because there is an iron triangle decorating the wall, I think it is a chuckwagon chime that was used to alert the cowboys to come to eat. There are long wooden tables that look like they can comfortably seat at least eight adults.
At the end of the room is a set of heavy wooden double doors, I assume that is the entrance the ranch hands use to enter and exit the dining space. As I look further into the room, I see a table along the far wall, it looks as if that's where Norma Ray sets up their meals.
"I see you’re making yourself at home." I jump slightly in fright as I hear Ridge's deep voice address me.
"I hope that's ok; I just love your home and was curious about what the dining area looked like."
Nice job, Ashlynn, once again you get caught creeping in this man's house.
"I’m sure you've had a long day. How about I give you the official tour tomorrow? Why don't we get your things and get you settled upstairs in one of the bedrooms and then I'll reheat one of the dinners Norma Ray left so you can eat? She always leaves me enough for three grown men.”
I don't know if it's my impression, but Ridge seems to be a lot more at ease now than when we first met, but his eyes still never leave me. I'm shocked that he's not only feeding me, he's even offering me a place to stay.
Tread lightly, Ashlynn, you might not walk out of here in handcuffs after all. Speaking of handcuffs. Don't even go there, focus.
"Oh, you don't have to go to any trouble, I already feel like such a bother. I'm sure I've royally screwed up any chance I had at landing this job considering I was so late. I could just crash on the couch if that's ok, it looks comfy. Once my car is in the shop, I can have it fixed and then I’ll head back home," I tell him softly as I study my hands.
Ridge walks over to me and gently places his hand on my chin and tips it up, so I'm forced to look him in his eyes. His touch is like an aphrodisiac and it causes me to sway slightly towards him, making me want more. I start to wonder how his touch would feel on other parts of my body.
"You drove two days and traveled to Montana to make it to an interview in a town I'm assuming you've never been to, and don't know anyone. I'd say that's pretty brave. It's not your fault your car couldn't get you here on time and nobody, including me, is going to hold that against you. Now, let's get you upstairs so you can freshen up and I'll heat up some of the stew that Norma Ray left. I'll have my men head out tomorrow and hitch up your car, leave the keys on the counter, angel," he says with a smile as he drops his hand from my face, and I find myself missing his touch already. His endearing reference towards me making my cheeks warm.
Get it together, Ashlynn, keep your cool. There may be a chance to land this job after all.
I actually am very tired. I am practically dead on my feet. He's probably right, some food and a good night's sleep would be amazing and then I can wake up refreshed tomorrow and beg Norma Ray for another chance.
Ten
Ridge
I grab Ashlynn's bags from the front door and begin hauling them inside. She offers to help but I am able to get all three of her bags with hardly any effort.
"I won’t have my— you, moving anything heavy. Follow me up the stairs and I'll show you to your room." I really want to say to your temporary lodging, but I hold myself in check. Not sure how long I’ll be able to not refer to her as mine. I’m pretty certain she caught what I nearly said.
I can feel my cock swelling again despite the earlier release. I have a feeling this will be a constant state for me around her. I'm thankful she listened to me and stayed. I'd have thrown her over my shoulder if need be.
"Here we are," I say as I show her to the room.
It's one of the biggest rooms in the house. Not quite as large as the mast
er bedroom, but still a huge room. There is a private bathroom with a jetted tub, an oversized walk-in shower, and a picture window with a bench seat that overlooks the horse pasture. My mom had decorated it and it was nice, so I'd left it as is.
"Wow," exclaims Ashlynn. "This is a beautiful room, did your wife design it?"
Her eyes avoid mine when she poses the question. She's slyly asking if I'm with a woman. Yes, I am committed to her.
"No, angel, I'm not married. My mother decorated this room. I'm sure you'll be meeting her real soon." I know once my mother gets wind of this, she'll be at my house so fast there will be a jet-stream behind her.
"Oh, where is your room?" she asks. I love her cute little self and how she is so curious.
"My room is right across the hall from here, darlin’. I'm right there if you need me," I say as I nod my head towards the door to my room.
I see her eyes widen a bit, but she chooses not to say anything about it, for which I'm glad because I am still half tempted to just say fuck it and put all her things in our master bedroom where they truly belong.
Slow down, Ridge.
"There is a walk-in closet over there. You can go ahead and put your things away and I'll meet you in the kitchen after I tend to the horses, then I'll get you something to eat."
"But I'm not certain Norma Ray will want me to stay on considering I missed the first day of my interview," she says almost sadly. I can see she's really beating herself up over this being late bullshit. I could give two flying fucks. The way things played out with our kitchen meeting? I think her timing couldn't have been better.
"Put all your clothes away in the walk-in closet, angel. I'll see you downstairs in a little bit," I reply as I walk out and gently close the door.
I make my way down the stairs towards the mudroom to head towards the stables, I pull out my phone and shoot my brother a quick text.
Understand you and Norma Ray had Ashlynn lined up for a working interview this week. Find another chef. I type and hit send.
Within seconds my phone starts buzzing, and I see that it's Gauge. I send him to voicemail and turn my phone off. Fuck 'em, let him wonder. He could have told me he already had someone lined up who may or may not show up still.
The next thing I do is send Norma Ray a text telling her to go ahead and take the weekend off. The ranch hands have three refrigerators loaded with food down in the bunkhouse and I know damn well Norma Ray always keeps them all fully stocked. I can make breakfast tomorrow and they can eat lunch and dinner on their own. Their spoiled asses. Norma Ray takes every other weekend off anyway, so they are used to fending for themselves now and again. Plus, she probably could use some time off I tell myself. How hard could it be to throw some food together tomorrow morning? They'll be fine the rest of the day.
I make my way down to the stables. We have a few hands that work nights to keep an eye on the horses, but I still like to walk down and check on things. Most of the ranch hands and wranglers work during the day and we have anywhere from twenty to thirty of them depending on the season. Our family has one of the largest spreads in Montana. My brothers and I were born on this ranch and we always say we'll die on this land.
Truth be told, I've been going down to the barn at the day's end ever since I could walk. Old habits die hard, I guess. As I walk into the large structure, I see Bruce, the ranch foreman.
"Evenin' boss, how's it goin’?" he asks as he tips his hat and spits on the ground. Chewing tobacco is, thankfully, never a habit I picked up despite the hands always offering me some.
"Going good, Bruce. How's Blue Sky doing tonight?"
"I reckon he ain't got many more ridin' days left in ‘im boss,"
"Let's go ahead and put him out to pasture next week," I tell him.
I want to call up my dad first and let him know that the time has come to retire Blue Sky. I want to give him the chance to come out and do that himself if he sees fit. Knowing my dad, he'll make the drive over. He will want to ride the horse that has served him well for so many years one last time before turning him out to pasture and retiring him. I finish walking through the barn and check on the rest of the thirty-eight horses. Colton Creek has some of the finest horses this side of the Mississippi, hence my wanting to have at least one of the hands in the barn each night. I say goodnight to the ranch hand on duty and make my way back to the main house. I feel warmth spreading through my chest at the thought of Ashlynn in there waiting for me. I look forward to the day when she’ll welcome me home. God, I want to kiss the fuck out of those lips. I’m a patient man, but I’m sure she wants me just as much as I want her. For now, I’ll be content knowing she’s across the hall from me.
Eleven
Ridge
I walk back into the house and enter through the mud room. I take off my boots, put them on the rack and then wash my hands in the large sink. I make my way to the kitchen and feel a little pang of sadness when I don’t see my angel sitting at the island waiting for me.
I think she might still be unpacking so I go back up the stairs and head towards her room. The door was slightly ajar, so I knock softly.
“Ashlynn?” I call. No response.
I push the door open and see that she’s not in the room and the bathroom door is wide open, so I know she isn’t in there. My heart starts to beat faster, and I can feel myself begin to sweat as I try to think of where she might be.
Did she take off? Did I push her too much? I think back to our conversations and if I might have said something that would cause her to bolt. Fuck!
The thought of my angel out there on her own is enough to twist my gut and make me feel nauseous. I take the stairs down to the first floor two at a time.
“Ashlynn!” I call out loudly. Still nothing.
I open the hall closet and grab my thick Carhartt jacket and a flashlight from inside and decide to go see if maybe she’s out wandering the property. I think it best to put the screen on the front of the fireplace before I head out and that’s when I see her.
She’s curled up under a Pendleton blanket with her head resting on her hands and she’s fast asleep. The firelight is dancing on her face and she looks so peaceful, damn she is so perfect.
My heart rate finally slows now that I know she is here safe and sound. As I watch her sleep, I feel as if I could stare at her forever. I can’t believe that this itty-bitty thing is already taking up residence in my heart. I want to wake her so I can hear all about her life. There is so much I want to know about her, like the things she enjoys cooking, her passions, her dislikes, I’d love to hear everything. I know that can wait though, my angel needs her rest. I don’t want her getting a crick in her neck, at least that’s what I tell myself, as I lean down and lift her into my arms.
She is so light I could easily carry her with one arm if need be. I think about our size difference and worry that she might not be able to take my cock inside of her body. I’m a large man in more ways than one and she’s pint-sized; I’d gut myself before I’d ever hurt her. Even if I can’t fit all my inches in that tight pussy, we’ll make it work in other ways.
Ashlynn sighs peacefully and settles deeper into my arms, she is totally wiped out. My body desperately wants to turn towards my room, but I need her to want to be in my bed. My legs turn and enter the room that I’d told her she could use while she was here. I take a moment to peek inside the closet and see that she has hung all her clothes up and smile to myself. I’m looking forward to the day her things are beside mine.
Regretfully I lay her down on the queen-sized bed and start to remove my arms from under her. She looks so small and alone on the soft mattress, it takes every bit of willpower I can muster to stand up and prepare myself to leave her for the night.
My eyes take in her beauty as she settles into the mattress, and I hear my name exhale softly on her lips. If my gaze wasn’t focused on her sweet mouth, I probably would have missed it. My heart truly becomes hers in that moment and it's then that I realize that I'm star
ing at my whole world. I lean over and gently kiss her on her forehead as I pull the covers up over her. Looks like it’s going to be a long sleepless night.
Twelve
Ashlynn
I was having the best dream. I was laying on a cloud and there was a gentle breeze on my face, it felt heavenly. I heard the faint sound of horses neighing in the distance. Wait, horses? My eyes snap open and for a second I have no idea where I am, but I can tell it’s still a bit dark out.
I look around the room and take everything in and then sigh as I recall Ridge letting me stay in this guest room for the night. I allow my mind to pull up some of the memories from last night, including the one of me discovering him in the kitchen, in nothing but a towel.
At first, he seemed to be upset that I was here, but after a while his gruff attitude appeared to soften. He even made it seem like Norma Ray might give— Shit! Norma Ray! I have no idea what time it is or why I didn’t set my alarm. The last thing I remembered was sitting on the couch downstairs and then, nothing.
I scramble up to grab my phone and see that it’s 5:51 a.m. and I groan out loud. The morning is practically over in ranch time. Norma Ray had said the ranch hands eat breakfast at 6:30 a.m. and that she’s in the kitchen cooking by 5:30. I had planned on setting my alarm. I wanted to be in the kitchen extra early so I could enjoy a cup of coffee and be there before Norma Ray arrived.
So far, I’ve screwed up every possible chance I have at landing this job. I’m sure Norma Ray is down there now cooking breakfast and prepping for lunch. I hurriedly throw off my shorts and tank—wait why am I still in the clothes that I was wearing yesterday?
