by Sasha Gold
“None of that. You’re mine to look at.” Lowering, I kiss the swell of her breast and trace my tongue to the tight bud of her nipple. She threads her fingers through my hair. She squirms beneath me as I tease her with my tongue. Her skin smells and tastes like honey. I touch her everywhere, and when I skim my hands along her thighs, she parts them for me.
She’s innocent, but so responsive. I touch her. She’s already wet. My sanity slips.
“I need to taste you,” I say softly as I push her thighs wider.
Trembling beneath me, she’s panting softly. This is a dream. I’m sure. I’m dreaming of Gracie. I’m going to wake up in a few minutes, in some shitty hotel in a rodeo town, twisted in bedsheets with my hand around my cock, gasping her name.
Just like the last seventy-six nights.
I lower to trace my tongue along her tender skin. Her pussy is swollen and slick. Feral lust kicks me. I fight off every savage impulse to ram my hard cock into her and make her mine. Tonight, I have to go slow and take care of my girl.
I kiss her and soothe her when she whimpers. Slowly, I tease her. Gentle strokes with my tongue. She trembles beneath my touch. When she squirms with pleasure, I pin her down with my arm, keeping her where I want her. She was hot and ready when she came to my room and I can feel her build with every stroke. The next time, I’ll make her wait for her climax. I’ll torment her with a steady build and a sly retreat, keeping her pleasure just out of reach. But right now, I need to have her.
When she arches beneath me, crying my name, I growl with satisfaction. Prowling over her, I take in the sight of Grace’s pale skin. The moonlight falls across her body. She’s radiant. I caress her breast. My hands, tanned and rough from work, are a stark contrast to her creamy, silken skin. She’s sweet, and aside from making her shatter a moment ago, she’s untouched. I want to mark her. Bite her. I want to show everyone this girl is mine.
Gracie belongs to me. I own her now. I know, with equal certainty from the first moment, she’s owned me.
“Ben,” she whispers.
“Sweetheart.”
“You’re still wearing boxers.” She smiles.
I love the playful tone to her voice. I want more of that. I want to tease every emotion from her here in bed. I fucking love how she confessed her little fantasy. If she knew just a few of my dreams…
“You want me out of them?” I ask softly.
She nods.
“Then take them off me.”
She tugs them down and I kick them off.
Her eyes widen. “Ben…”
“It’s okay. We’ll go slow.”
She nods. “Okay.”
I’ve never gone without a condom, but I don’t want to use one now. I’m clean. She is too. I need to fuck her skin-to-skin. I want to feel her as I take her innocence and make her mine.
I cup her jaw. “I don’t want anything between us.”
“I want to feel you too.”
I rub against her. She’s slick and ready for me. Watching her face, I ease inside, just a little to give her time to adjust. She’s tight. Lust claws inside me. Sweat beads my forehead.
Her lips part. She flinches and draws a sharp breath.
When I feel her tight barrier, I lower to kiss her and push deeper. She whimpers but presses her fingers into my back. I don’t need any encouragement. I go a little harder. And she meets every thrust. Once inside of her tight body, I can’t hold back any more. I grip her and deepen my strokes.
“Ben,” she gasps beneath me.
Her thighs press against my hips. With each thrust, she gives a small cry and I can feel her body tighten. She’s wild, mindless. So fucking beautiful. She digs her nails into my back with one hand and scratches my shoulder with the other. I snarl, but not with pain. I want to make her half-crazed with pleasure.
Perfect. This is so perfect.
She writhes beneath me, calling my name, begging me. I’m wild and savage but hold back from slamming into her. She’s doing everything to wreck my control. I manage, somehow, to keep from breaking her in two. She’s so damn tight, her body squeezes my cock.
When she screams my name, I follow with a roar. Her body tightens. I thrust hard and give her everything I have. I fill her with shot after shot of hot cum. A growl rumbles across my chest, like some sort of primitive mating signal. She’s mine now. There’s nothing that will keep me away from her now that I’ve tasted her and claimed her.
I hold myself on my elbows, to keep from crushing her.
“Ben,” she whispers.
I lower my forehead to hers. A shudder of pleasure rolls the length of my spine. “Gracie.”
She cups my jaw. “I’ve dreamt of this night.”
“I have too, baby. You’re all mine, now.”
“I have been for a while.”
“That’s right.” I stroke her face. “For seventy-seven days.”
Chapter Seven
Grace
Throughout the night I wake often because I’ve never slept naked. And I’ve never slept next to a great big cowboy. When I drift from sleep, flashes of memory spark in my mind. What I’d done with Ben. What he’d done to me. I’d cringed inwardly as I told him my dirty fantasy about him chasing me down and I’m more than a little overwhelmed when I wake next to him.
Each time I wake, he senses my fretfulness and soothes me with a few words. He tells me I’m beautiful. That I’m perfect. How he wants to make me happy.
I wake in the morning, alone, but I hear him downstairs in the kitchen. A pan bangs. Dishes clatter. He mutters a curse. The sounds make me smile.
Dressing in a pair of yoga pants, I look around the bedroom. My tattered nightie lies on the floor. The lace trim of my ripped panties peek from the edge of the sheets. The memory of last night makes my face heat. I’m mortified. First, I make Ben swear he won’t touch me, and then I basically throw myself at him.
Downstairs, Ben’s looking through the fridge. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and boots, no shirt, and with his back to me, I’m greeted by the sight of scratches on his shoulders.
“Did I do that to you?”
He takes a carton of eggs from the fridge, shuts the door and turns to face me. Smirking. “Yes, ma’am.”
He sounds almost proud. And he definitely looks proud.
“I’m sorry, Ben.”
He shakes his head as he sets the eggs on the counter. “Don’t be.”
And his teasing expression fades. He crosses the kitchen and folds me into his arms. His arms wrap around me and I recall the way it felt sleeping next to him. Sleeping beside Ben made me feel sheltered. When he’d spoken to me in the night, his voice had been like a rough scrape of steel, but his words were tender.
“I was going to have breakfast ready for you,” he murmurs. “But I know shit about cooking. I need to tell you that. You should know what you’re getting into.” He strokes my back. “Since we’re getting hitched.”
My breath catches. He lifts my chin to look at him.
“Gracie. We didn’t use anything last night.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“And I’m guessing-”
“I’m not on the pill.”
His eyes darken with what looks like some sort of primitive satisfaction. My heart flutters inside my chest. I’ve never even had a serious boyfriend. I never got on the pill because there wasn’t anyone I wanted. Boy, did that change in a hurry. I guess I made up for lost time. I would think most men would panic if they thought their hook-up might be preggers.
Not Ben.
“I should have been more careful,” I say softly.
He puts his finger over my lips to stop me. “Let’s go into San Felipe and get married. Today.”
Everything’s happening so fast, I’m practically dizzy. He holds my gaze, waiting for an answer. I’m drawn in by the desire in his eyes. I know he wants this land, but I’m sure he wants me too.
“Yes,” I tell him.
He smiles and then his expr
ession grows more serious. “Your sister’s been texting since I got down here. Pretty sure she’s not going to be meeting us at the courthouse to congratulate us.”
“She doesn’t want me to have another vote. She’s wanted to sell this place ever since my grandfather died.”
“I’ll just buy her out. How would that be?”
I draw a sharp breath. He has to know the price of land around here. Vivian’s half of the ranch is fifty acres, and at ten grand an acre, he’d need to pay her half a million. He watches as I do a mental tally, and shrugs a shoulder like that kind of money’s no big deal.
I make breakfast for both of us, while Ben goes and feeds the horses. I watch him walk to the barn, my heart fluttering in my chest. I can’t stop smiling as I watch him cross the barnyard. Between last night and the prospect of marrying this man who’s haunted my dreams, I realize with astonishment that I’m giddy with happiness.
Ben gets back from the barn and we eat breakfast.
When we’re done, Ben takes the plates to the sink. “What did your sister have to say?”
“I didn’t read the texts. I wasn’t ready to face her.”
“Maybe you should wait till we get married, just in case she talks some sense into you.”
“You think so?” I smile at him. He’s still bare-chested even though he just went to the barn. I think he likes walking around showing off his broad shoulders. Of course, if anyone had been around, they would have seen his scratched shoulders.
“Maybe.”
“You have any deep, dark secrets?”
He eyes the phone on the counter. “Maybe. I’ll tell you after we’ve said our vows. Then you’ll be stuck with me.”
I glance at the phone, and decide against reading the text messages. She’ll just try to rain on my parade. Vivian’s always acted like she got every bit of the looks in the family and no one would give me a second chance. Part of me believes that too, I suppose. More than anything I hate the idea of her coming back to the ranch and turning her charm on Ben. The thought makes something twist inside me.
Upstairs, I dress in a simple sheath dress. It’s a pale pink and I pair it with some strappy heels. I bought this last spring to go to a bridal shower. Most of my friends left San Felipe to go to school, but they’re drifting back, drawn home by the charm of our small town. When they find out I married Ben, I’ll get non-stop grief for my quickie wedding. What can I say? Thanks to my grandfather’s will, things are complicated.
Ben emerges from his room in a button-down shirt, khakis and boots. He shaved, and his usually tousled hair is freshly combed. He eyes me with a look that’s practically X-rated. His eyes smolder as he lets his gaze wander down my body. His attention makes me feel sexy and desired. I never cared about attracting a man until I met this man.
Without a word, he closes the distance between us and kisses me. It’s a long, heated, devouring kiss, and when he finally breaks the kiss, I feel light-headed.
“How’s this going to go?” I ask. “Isn’t there a waiting period?”
He shakes his head. “Not with the right connections.”
We leave the house, and he takes my hand as we walk to the truck. He whistles “Going to the chapel…” and smiles at me.
When he opens the passenger-side door, I’m touched by his chivalry, but I can’t resist teasing him. I’m nervous and need some of our usual banter.
“Sure you don’t want me to drive?”
He grins and swats my ass as I get in the truck.
We pass the time as we drive to town, talking about the ranch and the broodmares I want to bring in.
When he tells me he wants to raise bulls, I shake my head. “I guess I shouldn’t have taken down all that barbed wire if you’re going to bring in cattle.”
“We might end up splitting the land down the middle. Half for your horses and half for my cattle,” he says, as he parks the truck in front of the courthouse.
“Sounds like a good compromise.”
For a moment, we sit in the truck without speaking. It’s morning and people hurry around the old limestone building. It was built over a hundred years ago and has been renovated a few times over the years. A couple comes out the front door and pauses at the top of the steps, arms entwined. A woman hurries down the walk and snaps a few pictures of them.
They’re newlyweds. They laugh and kiss and the woman taking pictures waves her hand, fussing at them. They pose for a few more shots. Then they get into a waiting car and drive away.
“Are you ready to do this?” Ben asks, startling me.
I nod.
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted.”
“You’re the only man I’ve ever dreamed of.”
Color warms his face and I know he’s thinking about last night. I am too. But I’m also thinking about how I’m getting ready to marry Ben Calhoun. I know he’s had his sights on the Hopkins Ranch for a long time. Owning the land or a piece of it might be some sort of revenge for what he probably considers theft. I know what I’m getting into, but I cling to one single hope.
The hope that Ben wouldn’t ever cheat me any worse than Vivian.
Chapter Eight
Ben
We’re met at the back of the courthouse by Suzette Rawls, who works as a secretary to one of the judges. Her son, Darren, and I started riding bulls around the same time. She came to most of the rodeos, even if it meant driving all night to get there.
It’s been three and a half years since I last saw her, but it looks like she’s aged twenty years. The minute I see her, guilt hits me like a freight train. I always meant to visit, but life kept me busy. Mostly I didn’t want to think about Darren or how the last time I saw him he was getting carried out of the arena by paramedics.
She gives me a tired smile and hugs me. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
I introduce Suzette to Gracie.
“I knew that you had to be Jed Hopkins’ granddaughter. I remember when your sister won Miss San Felipe.”
Gracie gives a brittle nod. “Vivian’s working for Durham Modeling Agency now. I never see her anymore.”
Suzette nods. “I figured San Felipe’s too small for a girl like that.”
Grace takes a shaky breath. “I suppose so.”
I squeeze her hand. She’s pale and looks like she might burst into tears any minute. I’m a bastard for pushing her into this, but I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her.
“You don’t look like Vivian, do you?” Suzette muses.
“No, ma’am. I don’t.” I can hear the edge to Grace’s voice.
I draw her closer, tuck her under my arm. “Gracie’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. I wanted to marry her the first time I laid eyes on her.”
Suzette shakes her head and laughs softly. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d give up bull riding and finally settle down.”
“I’m ready. I’ve got the only woman I’ve ever wanted. The only one I ever imagined having babies with.”
Suzette gasps and flushes with a happy smile.
Gracie gasps too, but looks a little faint. If Suzette weren’t standing right here, I’d tease Gracie about last night. She might already be pregnant. I can’t wait to see her carrying our babies.
We follow Suzette through a warren of halls to a small office, lit by fluorescent lights. The paperwork has been fast-tracked thanks to Suzette’s behind-the-scenes work. I’m pretty sure she’s under the assumption that I’m all done with bulls. I’m not going tell her any different. I figure what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her or remind her of Darren’s love of bull riding.
The judge, dressed in her robes, steps into the office and tells us that she needs to hurry because court should have started ten minutes ago. Judge Thornton might be in a rush, but when she starts the ceremony, it seems as though time slows. I hold Gracie’s hands and look into her beautiful eyes. And suddenly it’s her being the strong one. I’m sure she’s keeping me steady.
My
heart pounds in my chest. All I want is this woman. If we have a ranch, that’s fine. If we live in a tent that would be okay with me. I just need her by my side.
The best part of the ceremony? It’s when I pull a ring from my pocket, a diamond solitaire that slides onto her finger perfectly. Suzette, Judge Thornton, and best of all, Grace, all give small gasps of surprise.
When we’ve both said our “I do’s”, I lower to kiss her. It’s nothing indecent, of course, but the kiss, here in this dingy office, marks the first time I kiss my wife. I close my eyes and feel the touch of her lips and I know nothing will ever be the same. The woman I’ve lusted after, and maybe even plotted to seduce, is now mine to love and protect. A surge of triumph washes over me.
Looking into her eyes after the kiss, I know she felt the shift too. She’s wide-eyed, bites her lip and sways slightly. I smile, and she gives me an answering smile. It’s tentative, but I’ll take it.
“Mrs. Calhoun,” I whisper.
Her lips part with surprise. “Yes. That’s me.”
“Till death do us part.”
She nods, her eyes wide.
We drive home in a light, misting rain. Gracie stares at the ring with a look on her face that makes me happy. She’s awed.
“How did you know what ring size I wore?”
I might even be a little proud of my amateur investigating skills. San Felipe’s only jewelry shop keeps ring sizes of their graduating seniors. The shop owner was only too happy to look up the information when I told him my plan. His enthusiasm doubled when I told him what I wanted to spend.
“The jewelry shop told me the size. I picked out the ring.”
“When?”
“When I found out about the fencing. I decided I was tired of asking you out, and I’d just skip dating. And sweep you off your feet.”
“I bet you never imagined I’d wreck your truck.”
I shake my head. Slowing the truck, I turn onto the road that will take us home. A small car follows a few lengths behind. The road is desolate, making me wonder about if Grace’s sister is heading out to the ranch. It’s improbable, but who knows?
“And I bet you never imagined me coming to your room?” Grace says quietly.
