by Sienna Parks
“Sorry. I’m just on edge.”
“Stop putting so much pressure on it. I let what everyone else in this town thought of me cloud my judgment with A.B., and it only made it harder for us. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like her, it matters that you do. She seemed nice enough when I met her on your birthday.”
“I like this girl. I want you to get to know her.” He squints his brow at me.
“I can see that.”
I get back to the task at hand, and before I know it, the sound of tires crushing gravel echo in the distance. The mustang I’ve been training is ready for a break from the midday heat, so I set about getting him back to the stables and settled with some chow and water before heading inside. Maddox, Pops, and Savannah are already sitting around the dining table.
“Hey, darlin’.” She’s so engrossed in their conversation, she doesn’t even notice me until I kiss the top of her head taking a few moments to drink in her scent. She smells like lilacs.
“Hey, baby. Sorry, I didn’t see you there. Maddox was just filling me in on some of the ideas you guys have for the ranch. I’m impressed.”
“I’ve been telling you how impressive I am.” With a sly grin and a chaste kiss on the lips, I take a seat.
“Old man present who has no desire to know about how impressive you are, boy.” Pops has a mischievous glint in his eye. Savannah’s cheeks flush, and I feel bad for embarrassing her. I pull her into my side draping my arm over her shoulder as we continue.
Maddox is fired up and all business.
“So, Savannah, does this sound like something you’d be interested in getting involved in?”
“Absolutely! I’ve been riding horses since I was six, and I’d love to be able to help people. Anything I can do, count me in.”
“Excellent. Jax and I will be taking care of the construction work and getting the premises ready for business. If you’re comfortable, I’d love for you to take point on researching any accreditations that are required of the staff and getting us set up with a PR company who understands what we’re trying to do here.” Her excitement radiates from every pore, but I don’t want this to interfere with her thesis.
“If it’s too much, just say so. I don’t want this to encroach on your college work.” She rests her hand over mine with an almost somber look in her eye.
“Thank you for thinking of me. I wouldn’t overextend myself if I didn’t believe I could do a good job for you guys. I’m good… this is good.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Stop worrying about me.” I take a back seat for the rest of the meeting only offering my opinion where necessary. She’s amazing to watch—so full of enthusiasm for the ranch. By the time we’re done, Pops and I have become obsolete to the discussion. Maddox and Savannah are on the same wavelength. They bounce ideas back and forth feeding off each other’s energy as if they’re old friends.
“I’ll get to work on all of this today. Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll make you proud.” It’s an odd word choice, but Mad smiles and leaves me to say goodbye.
“Was it okay? I didn’t embarrass you, did I?” She’s talking a mile a minute, so I pull her into my arms and silence her with a kiss.
“I’m in awe of you right now. You’ve got it all. Looks, sass, and brains. I’m the one who should be asking if I embarrass you?”
“You’re amazing, Jax.”
Rae comes barreling in the door with Pops hot on her heels.
“Uncle Jax… amazing!” She throws herself at me knowing I’ll always catch her.
“Hey, sunshine. How’s my girl?”
“Good. Are you staying for movie night?”
“Not tonight, baby girl. I’m hoping Miss Adams is going to let me take her out.”
“Hi again, Miss Adams.”
“Hey, Rae. You can call me Savannah.” Rae’s tiny little brow furrows in concentration.
“Savnanana.”
“Close enough!” Her gentle laugh, and the way I feel seeing her interact with the people who mean the most to me is indescribable. She’s so at ease as if she was destined to be a part of our lives—of my life.
“Okay, I guess I have some horses to wrangle.”
“And I have some research to get started on.”
“You gonna leave me hangin’?” She looks puzzled. “Tonight? I asked you on a date.” A shy grin creeps across her full, sexy lips.
“Technically, you didn’t.” This girl is always making me work for it. She grabs her keys and sashays toward the door with a backward glance.
“Will you do me the honor of letting me take you out tonight?”
“Why yes, Mr. McKinney. I’d love to spend the evening with you.”
“I’ll pick you up at 7:00 p.m.”
“It’s fine. I’ll meet you at your house. It’ll give you more time to shower and smell good for me.” And with that, she disappears.
“Where are we going?”
“An unconventional date for an unconventional girl.” She comes to a standstill pulling my arm and stopping me in my tracks. “What’s wrong?”
“You think I’m unconventional?”
“Savannah, I’ve never met a woman like you before.” She plants a tender kiss on my lips. “What was that for?”
“No one has ever seen me as anything more than ordinary.” There’s sadness in her eyes as she speaks.
“Then they are all fucknuts.” Her laughter fills the air. I may not have a way with words, but I’m a straight shooter, and if I make her smile, I don’t give a rat’s ass about anything else. How dumb do people need to be if they can’t see what a sweet, funny, beautiful woman she is?
I take her hand and lead her down the street to a house with no lights on. We slip through the gates and into the backyard.
“Whose house is this?” She sounds like a naughty school girl worrying about getting caught.
“Does it matter? There’s no one here. Just you… and me… and the swimming pool.”
“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
“We don’t need them.” Her face lights up, her eyes dancing with excitement and a hint of apprehension. “If you don’t want to swim, it’s fine. I brought dinner. We can sit and enjoy the view with a bottle of wine. I just thought it would cool us off. It’s hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk today even at this time of night.”
“I… I want to.”
“Well, all right then.” I set the table and grab the basket of food I’d stashed on the porch before Savannah came over to my place. It would’ve been much easier if I’d picked her up like a gentleman for our date, but this girl has her quirks, and who am I to question them?
The conversation flows like a river, and I’m a man thirsty for more. Every tidbit of new information is like manna in the desert. I could listen to her talk all day and never tire of her sweet, sultry voice. The more time we spend together, the more I can read her body language. It’s one of my gifts—my job is centered around reading a wild horse well enough not to get myself trampled. I can sense anxiety, and it’s coming off Savannah in waves right now.
“I’m going to go for a dip in the pool. You finish your glass of wine, and then if you want to come in, great. If you don’t… you can watch me.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively to lighten the mood, and it works.
I’ve never been nervous or self-conscious about my body. Showing a woman my junk is fun for me. I’m blessed in that department, and I work hard to keep myself in shape. For some reason, tonight is different—maybe because most women are eager to get me naked and are more than happy to strip for me. Savannah’s reticence is endearing, but it also gives me a moment’s pause. True to form, I push through it faking the confidence I’m famous for.
“Watch and learn, darlin’. This is how we do it in the South.” I unbutton my shirt and drop it on one of the lounge chairs at the side of the pool.
“Do you need some music for this?” She sits back concentrating on her phone. I’m putting on a show for this gi
rl, and I can’t hold her attention. I pull off my boots and unbuckle my belt. Her eyes dart up—her gaze now firmly fixed on me.
I take my time popping the buttons on my fly before pushing my jeans to the ground. Slipping my fingers under the waistband of my boxer shorts, I watch intently trying to gauge her reaction and teasing her until I know she wants it. With a deep breath, I drop them—buck naked and standing at attention. I hold her gaze for a moment before she takes in the sight of me… every… last… inch. The way she licks her lips—fuck—I want her. I dive into the warm, blue water in an attempt to tame my raging erection. We’ve been taking things slow, and as much as I want to take her right here, right now, I don’t want to rush her.
‘Flatliner’ starts playing in the background as I come up for air. She’s not at the table. I scan the yard hoping she hasn’t run for the hills.
“Behind you.” Her voice is barely a whisper, and my breath catches at the sight of her. She slips out of her heels before pulling the hem of her dress… up the length of her body revealing inch after delectable inch of caramel skin. Cream lace panties followed by the most stunning breasts I’ve ever laid eyes on—her nipples peeking through the matching lace of her bra. I’m mesmerized by her every move desperate to see her discard those scraps of lace, but her hesitation speaks volumes.
“Nice song choice. Appropriate. I think I might die of a heart attack if you take those panties off. You better jump in now.”
“Turn around.”
“What?” Her demeanor returns to the sassy girl I know and… like a whole hell of a lot.
“Turn around. I’m doing this. We’re skinny dipping. I just can’t have you looking at me when I do it.”
“You’re killing me here, darlin’.” I reluctantly turn my back to the delights of watching her slip into the water in all her naked, natural beauty.
“Don’t peek!”
“Why are you acting so shy? It’s just you and me here.” She’s behind me in seconds.
“Because it’s just you and me.” She nibbles at the shell of my ear, her breasts pressing gently against my back. The subtlety of her sexuality is more alluring than she’ll ever know. I let her take the lead, her hands roaming my body in exploration. Dipping my head back, I let myself succumb to the sensation as her hands travel lower.
“Fuck…” Trailing kisses down my neck, her fist wraps around the base of my cock. I reach my arm back and grab her waist. “I’m going to turn around now. I want to see your face in the moonlight.” I twist to face her, my body protesting the loss of her grip on my hard-on. Her eyes sparkle like diamonds—rare and flawless in their magnificence.
“You scare me, Jackson McKinney.” Vulnerability is a true test of a person’s strength. She’s stronger than I’ve ever been.
“Why? Haven’t I proven I’m not the guy everyone says I am?”
“That’s why I’m scared. I understand a player. The guy who wants one thing from me. What I don’t get… is why I make you feel different?”
“I want you so bad it hurts. But, I want all of you. I want to get to know you… what makes you laugh or cry… and the things you love and hate.” I run my hands through her hair and pull her to my lips. “Talk to me. Tell me what you want.” She rewards me with shallow breaths and a moan of satisfaction as I dart my tongue out to taste her.
“I don’t want to talk. I’d rather show you.” Placing her hands on my chest, she pushes me toward the side of the pool. It’s raw, fierce, and sexy as hell. The hard tile on my back is a stark contrast to the soft curves of the woman pressing against me. “Tonight, it’s my turn.”
She disappears underwater, her curls floating to the surface as she travels down my body. This is a first for me, and I’m not prepared for the onslaught of sensation when her lips find their way to my groin. She steadies herself grasping my hips with her hands before taking my cock in her mouth. I wasn’t expecting it, and I’m struggling not to shoot my load in seconds.
The wet warmth of her mouth is different than the water surrounding me—her tongue swirling over the tip with every upward motion. The pool is crystal clear, the image of her lips wrapped around me ingrained in my memory. I reach down and pull her hair to the side to get a better look. She’s so fucking hot and her mouth… God, her mouth is talented. After what feels like an eternity, she comes up for air but disappears again before I’m cognizant enough to speak.
I can’t hold back much longer tugging at Savannah’s hand to let her know she should stop. I don’t want to come in her mouth—that’s a lie, I do want to.
“Savannah. Stop! I’m going to cum if you don’t… fuck!” She sucks harder taking me so deeply I can feel the tip hitting off the back of her throat. “Fucking hell! Yes… Savannah!” I’m hollering to the sky for anyone to hear, but I don’t give a damn. The release after all this time is mind-blowing, and she milks me dry until I can’t take it anymore. She emerges with a smile on her face and mischief in her eyes.
“Was that okay?”
“Holy fucking shit! How did you hold your breath that long?”
“Seriously? That’s what you want to focus on?” She rolls her eyes and throws herself back into the water swimming to the other side of the pool with practiced precision. “Varsity swim team and three-time state champion.” The surprises just keep on coming.
“Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
“You’re an enigma, Savannah Adams.”
“How so?”
“A few minutes ago you gave me the best fucking orgasm of my life, and now you’re way over there looking at me with that shy smile of yours, and my heart just melts. I don’t know what to expect from one minute to the next.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No. It’s… you’re amazing. I like a girl who can keep me on my toes.” I swim over to where she’s treading water—her blurry silhouette under the surface giving me chills. Capturing her mouth in a kiss, the time for words is over. I need to hear her moan for me.
We spend hours touching, caressing, and nibbling each other until our skin wrinkles in the water. There isn’t a single light to pollute the night sky—our only audience, the moon and stars above. Making her come with my fingers isn’t enough for me, but when I try to coax her out of the pool so I can spread her legs wide and watch her writhe against my tongue, she shies away.
“Let me see you, darlin’. You’re beautiful. I want to see all of you.” With a gentle kiss, she drops her head to my chest.
“I know it doesn’t make any sense. We’ve done… a lot… but I’m not ready to be so…”
“On display.”
“Am I weird?” I’m so frustrated right now, but there isn’t a part of me that can find fault with her.
“No. We can go at your pace, Savannah. I’m never going to push you to do something you’re not ready for. I’m not going to lie to you either. The moment you want to take the next step, I’m not going to say no. I don’t think I’d be able to… not with you.” I caress her cheek knowing I want more than she can give me right now. “I’m going to grab my clothes and clean up the stuff from dinner, then I’ll wait for you out front. Take your time getting out and dressed.”
As soon as I’m ready, I dump everything in the basket and head for my truck. Tonight exceeded any of my expectations, and yet I find myself with a sinking sense of longing as I stare up at the stars. This is new territory for me. I’m feeling things I don’t know how to process. I want the kind of physical intimacy with Savannah that I’ve taken for granted with every woman I’ve ever slept with. Emotionally, she’s already torn my heart wide open and claimed me as hers and hers alone… and that scares me more than my country-boy bravado would dare to admit.
SAVANNAH
With every day that passes, my feelings for Jax become stronger, and I dig myself further into the lies I’ve been telling since I set foot in Kingsbury Falls. I have more to lose now—I have Jax. He’s the m
ost patient and thoughtful man I’ve ever met… and off-the-charts sexy. I want to jump him when he gives me one of those sly smiles of his, but every time we get close, I pull back. If I cross the line with Jax, it might change things, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. In reality, I’m already so far past the line I can’t even see it anymore.
A.B. has invited me out to the ranch for dinner tonight. Her and Maddox have had some pretty major ups and downs in their relationship, but now everything is falling into place for them. She moved into the house at the ranch a few months ago, and last week they got married. From what I know of Maddox, he always puts his daughter first, so I know he didn’t make the decision lightly. I told Jax I had to go out of town the weekend of the wedding. I didn’t have the right to be there, and when everything finally comes out about me, I think they’d be angry if I’d been there. I holed up in the cottage night and day for three days. In truth, I had no where to go, and no one who wanted to see me. I’d like to get to know A.B. better, and it means a lot to Jax that she made a point of reaching out to me.
“Do they like pie? I made a pie.”
“They’ll eat anything. I’m sure it’s amazing. Don’t worry. It’s just dinner.”
“I know, but I want them to like me. I haven’t spent much time with them, and they’re your family.” Even as I say those words, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.
“You’ve been working with Mad on the therapy stuff. You’ve been here loads.”
“That’s different. We don’t socialize, and I try to be professional. Tonight, I’m here as your girlfriend, and they’ll be judging me wondering if I’m good enough for you or not.” He reaches over and rests his hand on my knee as he drives.
“It’s impossible not to like you. And remember, I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks. I love… spending time with you. As long as we’re happy, that’s all that matters. Please don’t stress about this. Relax and try to enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks, baby. I’ll do my best.”
