by Avery Gale, Jess Buffett, Willow Brooke, Lynn Ray Lewis, Gracie Meadows
Harper’s only response was to nod, her eyes flicking to his then away.
What the hell did that mean?
He tried to read Harper’s face, but he could get nothing. Ethan had an uneasy feeling and decided it was time to head home. With all the stress he had been under lately, he didn’t need any extra drama on top of it.
A few more girls approached their table and Ethan was done. He couldn’t take his eyes off Harper, and her friend, Piper, who sat next to him, was all over him. Ethan stood abruptly, and to prove how close Piper had been sitting, the moment he did, she fell to the floor.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, reaching for his akubra and making a hasty retreat.
As he pushed through the crowd, he heard someone call out but didn't stop. Sensing someone following him, Ethan assumed it was Kade. He didn't want to explain things to his brother right now. Just as he made it to his car a small hand landed on him. Not Kade. Turning slowly, Ethan came face to face with Harper, her eyes burning with anger.
“Harper, what are you doing?” he asked evenly, trying not to show her how much she affected him even still.
“You and I need to talk.”
Ethan sighed. “About?”
Harper’s eyes narrowed. “You know what this is about.”
“Listen, I don’t think—”
“Yeah, maybe that’s your problem, ever think of that Ethan?” she bit out, cutting him off.
Surprised by her outburst, he blinked. “Huh?”
“You think too much.” Harper shook her head with a small chuckle. “You think about everything until its dead from the weight, and then you think for others. It’s kind of annoying really.”
“Who the he—”
Harper didn’t give him a chance to respond, cutting him off with a kiss. The moment their lips touched, all thoughts ceased for him. Ethan felt like he had suddenly been consumed with heat, burning more intense than the summer heat. His arms came up to wrap around her and pull her tighter to him, Ethan’s cock hardened under the onslaught, the feel of Harper’s body grinding against his. “It’s my turn, Ethan. You’ve made enough decisions for me. So we’re going to hop into your car, go back to your place and we are going to finish what we started all those years ago, okay?”
“Ahh…”
“Perfect.”
The car was silent on the trip to the Taylor Station, not that Ethan assumed there would be much talking. The trip didn't take long. Harper had gone quiet; however, the silence felt more comfortable than awkward, which in itself was strange given the tension still currently running through their bodies. Could he really go through with this? Harper’s words, “You’ve made enough decisions for me”, echoed through his head. They were both full-grown adults now, and they clearly both wanted this.
Spotting the station when he turned down the dirt road, Ethan found himself ridiculously hoping she liked the place. Why, he had no idea, and thought it best not to examine that feeling too closely.
His home filled him with pride, though. The house, all on one level, had six bedrooms, two studies, and a library. Ethan had added to it over the years since his parents had been gone. Everything about it had screamed female influence thanks to his mum. He had built an entertainment room he and the men who worked on the Station liked to use on occasion, with a pool table and air hockey table. He'd even gone the extra mile and installed a large entertainment theatre system. He had renovated so many rooms, but the one thing Ethan truly loved? His wrap around veranda. Growing up, he had adored the song “Home Among the Gumtrees”, and had always wanted one. When his parents passed and the place fell to him, no one could have stopped him from adding it. Hell, he even added the damn rocking chair.
Parking the truck in front of the house, he quickly jumped out to help Harper. She seemed startled when she glanced up and saw him, but she smiled. Leading her up the veranda steps and to the front door, he let them inside, his cock hard and thick against the denim in preparation of what was to come.
Shit. This is gonna happen.
Chapter Two
Harper turned to him the moment he stepped through the door. Things were clumsy at first, which made him chuckle.
Harper pulled back, an eyebrow raised. “Something funny, cowboy?”
Ethan’s heat skipped at the nickname she had given him so many years ago. He had always been her cowboy.
“Just our movements. All hands and mouths.” He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “I suddenly feel like we are kids again.”
“Oh God, I hope not,” she groaned, her fingers twining behind his neck to bring him forward. “If we were kids, you’d probably regret whatever we are about to do and then silently beg me to leave.”
Her words, though somewhat in jest, still contained some truth. At least the truth he had always led Harper to believe. If they were about to do this, Ethan didn’t want history repeating itself, so he needed to be honest.
“I never wanted you to leave,” he admitted, barely able to look her in the eyes.
Harper cut off what she was saying, her rant slowly dying. “Say what?”
Ethan cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the heavy weight of her stare. “You heard me.”
“No, I couldn’t have, because if what I heard was true…then you are a bigger idiot than I thought.”
Ethan shrugged. Right now, he’d give her that.
“I couldn’t ask you to stay, Harper.” No matter how much he had wanted to.
“So you hid from me all these years.” She laughed bitterly when he went to object. “And don’t say you weren’t hiding. We both know you were. Before I left for school, and those few times I came back. I came looking for you…but you knew that, didn’t you? Yet you hid away like a scared little boy. I could never figure out why though, and then…it hurt too much, so I stopped caring about why.”
His gut clenched at the obvious pain in her words. Her hurt slicing him deep. She hadn’t been the only one to suffer.
“You’re right, I won’t lie. I hid. I wasn’t going to be selfish again. You had your whole future ahead of you.”
“You’re right, I did…still do. But that wasn’t your problem.”
“Oh really? Then please, if you know so much about me, enlighten me.”
“I know a lot more than you think, Ethan. Unlike everyone else here, I know the real you. I see you, who you really are. You are stubborn, pigheaded, and opinionated.” Harper took a calming breath. “You are also kind, selfless, you do the little things that no one sees. You will be the best support system any one could ask for, but you’re constantly terrified of letting people down, so you help them without letting them know. People call you selfish, they say you’re hard to get along with. A hardened cowboy.” Harper laughed lightly. “But you just don’t want them to know. No pressure or risk of failure then. Like the time Kade decided he could tame that thoroughbred your parents had brought. He had been so desperate to prove himself, and your dad had been so hard on him. He had set Kade up to fail, but you wouldn’t let him.”
Ethan gaped at her.
“Yes, Ethan,” she said softly, closing the few inches that remained between them. “I know you stayed up late every night working with her. Got up before everyone else to train her. All the while Kade worked with her during the day. Everyone had been amazed, your father shocked, and Kade was so proud of himself. I doubt even now he knows what you did for him, does he?”
How had she known? No one was supposed to know.
His question must have been written on his face, because the smile she graced him with was both beautiful and full of emotion. Her hands came up to cradle his face, and damned if he could fight it. “Because I see you, Ethan.”
“Damn,” he whispered.
“You always try to do the right thing…but sometimes…sometimes you’re wrong.” Harper lifted up on her tippy toes and planted a kiss on his lips, skipping the formalities. Ethan had never known her to be so demanding, but neither he nor the bulge in his pants seemed
to mind the newfound trait in the little spitfire. With one hand laced behind his neck to give her leverage, Harper deepened it, seeking out his tongue and not giving up until she had it entwined with hers. Tugging on the band that held his slightly longer hair pinned back, the kiss was rough, raw, and passionate, Ethan met her match for match, throwing in a little more ante with each lick and nip. When his hands roamed under the hem of her shirt and wandered north, Harper stopped. “Wait.”
“Shit. Harper... I swore if I was ever given a second chance I would do things right. Yet here we are, in a flash back of the past.” Ethan took a step backwards, inwardly groaning at the pain in his groin from his unrelenting zipper. He started to walk away to cool off, and adjust certain parts that would no longer be in working order if he didn't, but she stepped into his path.
“No. I told you, you don't have a say-so this go around. I am telling you how it is. Now get your sexy arse back over here and help me get these buttons unfastened.” Her dangerously seductive smile left no room for argument. One button…two buttons….three buttons...her belly button. Damn if that wasn't the sexiest belly button he had ever seen. Something sparkled, catching his eye. He stopped his tormentingly slow process and ran his finger over it, noticing for the first time a tiny little ruby heart naval ring. He shot her a questioning glance, only receiving a nonchalant shrug, and a nudge to keep him moving. Little by little, he traced his finger over her tummy, drawing little circles and shapes up to the next button. When he heard her huff in frustration, he laughed.
“What? A man doesn't even get to play a little? You may be 'in charge', sweet'art, but you can't expect me not to enjoy myself. And, this—I have been waiting a very long time to do.” He moved it back down below, tracing the waist of her jeans. Just as she thought he would undo the top button and moved to help, he dropped to his knees. Instantly her heart spiked, flip flopping in her chest against her ribs like the rumble of a didgeridoo. He moved so close she could feel the warmth of his breath skating across her flesh, sending chills to pebble in contrast.
“Ethan.” The simple word came out in a nothing more than a whisper on a breath, but held enough impact it sent a shot straight to his cock. A slow deep rumble bubbled from deep in his chest, pulling out the primal animal that had laid buried until now. She was either going to be the death of him, or the rise...but even the latter would be one hell of a way to go.
Lifting her in his arms, he reveled in the feel of her legs wrapping firmly around his waist. He wasted no time in making it to his room, all other thoughts besides being buried deep within Harper fleeing his mind. Crashing together, a mixture of limbs and lust, Ethan reluctantly pulled back to breathe.
Her small hand suddenly palmed his cock through the now tight denim, the friction causing him to groan. She kept that up and he wasn’t going to last.
“Harper, you might want to stop that,” he panted. “We should still talk.”
She didn’t pull away like he thought she would, instead a sly smile played over her lips as she continued her torture. “Why, Ethan? Does that not feel nice?”
Oh, the little minx. She knew damn well it felt more than nice.
Unwilling to let her win, Ethan ground his hips into her, allowing her to feel the full length of his erection. Harper gasped, spreading her legs to make room for him. Her dress slid up, revealing the smooth creamy skin of her thighs to him. Ethan’s head spun as she kept caressing him, and he was unable to stop his hips from thrusting forward, nudging his swollen shaft against her heat.
The feel of her panties, damp and hot, was making him crazy.
“Oh, to hell with being a gentleman,” he muttered. “I was never good at it anyway.”
Swooping down, he claimed her lips, just as he planned to do to her body. Harper moaned as she arched up into him, and Ethan lost that little bit of sanity he had been clinging to. Having her in his arms, in total abandonment as she gave over to the tumultuous feelings they were both experiencing, was an ecstasy he never expected to know.
Skimming his hands up her thighs, he didn’t stop until he could slip her dress up and over, revealing all but a small part of her. The tiny, lacy material of her panties covered her most intimate part, and he was dying to taste it.
The last and only time they had ever been together, they had been too young, scared, and inexperienced to enjoy the full pleasures of her body. Now though, nothing was stopping him.
Fuck. This was really happening again.
Chapter Three
Harper’s pulse beat rapidly as she lay there completely naked, her legs slightly spread, feeling Ethan’s hot and humid breath sliding over the most tender and sensitive part of her. Never had a man’s face been so close to that part of her body. There had been only one other man since Ethan, a huge mistake on her part, and Ethan had been her first.
Ethan’s hazel eyes lowered, his shoulder length brown hair falling into his face as he seemingly traced every inch of her body. She had thought he looked aroused before, but seeing the lust burning in his eyes, practically pouring off him in waves, Harper knew Ethan was desperate to take her. And she would let him. He could have her, consume her, take her to heights she had never been before.
One thick finger slipped down her center and she arched her back, a small cry of pleasure escaping her. Harper was so wet, so ready.
God, if he’d just hurry up!
“Harper,” he said on a moan right before he covered her pussy with his scorching mouth. Over and over he flicked his tongue along her slit, moving to her clit and circling the engorged bundle of nerves before dragging his tongue down to press against the opening of her body.
She was no longer in control and couldn’t refrain from begging for more. “Ethan. Please. Oh, yes.”
“You taste incredible. Perfect, just like I knew you would,” his husky voice vibrated against her clit, making her shiver and groan.
He flattened his tongue and ran it up and down her cleft. Firm, full lips suctioned onto her clit and sucked. Her orgasm was building inside of her as she struggled to breathe. Ethan seemed to know this, because the damn man brought her right to the precipice and then slowed before she reached release.
“Don’t stop. Oh God. Please, Ethan.” She needed. Wanted. And if he made her wait, she might just kill him.
“I won’t stop. I’ll never stop,” he told her in a ragged whisper. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one effected.
His mouth latched onto her clit once more and he started that wicked rhythmic suctioning, and thankfully didn’t stop when her climax neared. Thrashing her head back and forth, she couldn’t even begin to explain how good she felt. When he teased her pussy, slowly slipping his thick, long finger into her, Harper surrendered to the feelings that crashed through her.
Ethan was relentless as he dragged out her pleasure with his talented mouth. When the sensations became too much, she tried to push him away, whimpering. Before he allowed her to push his mouth away, he kissed her softly then lifted himself up. His gaze was hungry as he stared at her.
Harper couldn’t help it. Couldn’t deny it. She wanted him. Now.
“Ethan, please.”
In one fluid motion, he stood, shucking off his pants. She nearly swallowed her tongue as she realized he had gone commando. His body was a masterpiece. The muscles under his tanned and flawless skin were cut and defined like a marble statue. Ethan had certainly filled out over the years she had been gone. His shoulders were wider and moved down to bulging biceps that she knew held immense power. Much like the rest of him. A strong, finely edged chest tapered down to narrow hips, and that incredible V of muscle pointed straight to his straining cock.
She watched as he raised one eyebrow. “When you look at me like that, all I can think about is burying my cock in your sweet little body.”
The air left her in a rush at his words and the erotic promises they contained. How long had she yearned to hear those words from him?
He crawled onto the bed and move
d toward her, all the while keeping his gaze locked onto hers. Ethan looked like an animal stalking his prey. His tendons and muscles flexed, bunching as he moved with lethal precision. Her cowboy was now a man.
His hands splayed her inner thighs, opening her wider.
“God, Harper,” he said as his pupils dilated in hunger and lust. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?” His gaze cut to hers. “I was terrified if I ever saw you again, I would beg you to stay.”
Her breath caught in her throat at his words.
“Tell me you’ll stay?”
All she could do was nod, incapable of speech. Harper hadn’t intended to go anywhere, but there was still so much Ethan needed to know. Later though, right now she needed him inside of her.
Before she had even finished the thought, he was taking hold of his thick, long penis and bringing it to the entrance of her body. The air sawed in and out of her as she watched the sight.
“You feel so amazing,” he rasped in her ear. “I want to be inside you. I need to be inside you.”
Ethan’s hips thrust forward, and she hissed as the thick head of his cock breached her entrance. His body froze, holding her against him. His breath was hot on her skin.
“Harper,” he whispered, his lips glided over her throat and up to her chin. “You’re mine, Harper. I’m never letting you go.”
She knew she should be terrified at his words, alarmed by the possessiveness she heard in them when she had grown to believe he wanted nothing from her, but all she felt was a sense of peace wash over her. He moved again, just enough that his cock sank a little deeper. The pleasure was almost too much.
“Ethan. Yes, Ethan.” She squeezed him tighter, digging her fingernails deeper into the tight muscles of his back and shoulders.
He took possession of her mouth, greedily kissing her. His body was still locked in place like a statue, unmoving. She dug her heels into his rear, frustrated and hoping to encourage him to thrust forward, but he didn’t.
