“You don’t need to thank me,” he said. “I would do anything to help you. I understand how hard goodbyes can be. But I can tell you, I’m glad you got a goodbye with Darcy.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. That was really awful. Maybe it would have been easier for her to have just left.”
Clayton looked at me seriously. “No. Trust me when I tell you that isn’t easier. It might be really hard to have to stand there and say goodbye and feel all those things, but it’s good. Not getting a chance to say those goodbyes is terrible. When Jesse left to serve in the military, he didn’t say goodbye to any of us. We didn’t even know he was leaving. He was just suddenly gone. It was a long time before we heard from him again. Then even while he was gone, we didn’t get a chance to say anything to him before he was deployed. We didn’t find out he was in the war until he managed to call us.”
“That must have been horrible,” I said.
“It haunted me every single day. All I could think about was what if something happened and I never got a chance to have a proper farewell with my brother? For years, we barely heard from him, and when we did, he said he was never going to come back to Montana. But he came home.”
I hung on every word he said. It was so beautiful how hard he loved his family and how fiercely he stood by people who mattered to him. It was obvious in everything he said and everything he did. Even when people hurt him or did things he knew were wrong, Clayton was there for the people he loved and it was nothing short of inspiring. It was something I never experienced, but now I saw it firsthand.
And felt it when he protected me.
I didn’t plan it. I didn’t even know it was going to come out of my mouth before it did. But suddenly, the words were tumbling out of me.
“I love you,” I said.
My throat tightened up and I was afraid of how he was going to react. We had known each other for such a comparatively short period of time. But it was true. There was no way I could deny it.
Clayton reached out and pulled me in close against him. “I love you, too.”
Our kiss was soft but soulful, the passion building deeply underneath it. There was no mistaking where it was going, but there was no hurry to get there.
The taste of the wine on his lips was sweet and full, and I craved more of it—for now and forever. Our tongues intertwined and his arms wrapped around me as he lay back on the couch. I felt like I could stay there forever, our lips locked together, our bodies molding on one another, the heat rising slowly from my core, matching the stiffening bulge in his pants. I could stay on that couch in an embrace with Clayton Montgomery until the stars winked out of the sky.
I brushed my hair back over my ear and Clayton broke our kiss to let his lips trail down my neck. I closed my eyes and sank into the tingling sensation that coursed down my back as the warmth of his lips pressed against the soft skin of my throat. I kissed his neck and moved down to his shoulder as his hand slipped between us, flicking the button on his jeans. I took the invitation and reached down to slowly unzip him as our lips met again for a brief embrace.
I shifted on top of him so I could angle myself away, curling up in his arm on the couch. As I unzipped him all the way, the bulge in his boxers rose out of the jeans, and I slipped my hand beneath the elastic. His skin was warm and inviting and I slid my fingers through the silky hair at the base of his cock to wrap around the thick staff. My thumb brushed the top of him, running along a vein and causing him to twitch in my grip. I grinned and used my free hand to pull his boxers down.
Clayton angled his hips up and I giggled in spite of myself when his cock sprang out at me. It glistened at the tip with the sweet pre-come, and I stroked him so he stood like a flagpole. A quick kiss to his lips while I stroked him elicited a deep moan, and I reveled in the knowledge that I could elicit such a response from this gorgeous man. Scooting down so my legs curled in the corner of the couch and my head was level with his lap, I looked up into his grinning face and let my tongue slide along the side of him.
He groaned heavily, and I smiled. I swirled my tongue along the underside until I reached the head, where I gathered up the sticky, sweet fluids at the tip. Tasting him was enough to make my core burn with a need for touch, and I slid my hand inside my pants, letting the tip of one finger brush my clit. The rush of stimulation, both on my clit and on my tongue, was overwhelming and I took him into my mouth, letting it slide until he brushed the back of my throat.
Chapter 39
Clayton
I could barely contain the rumbling sound coming from deep within my chest. As I watched my cock disappear in her mouth, her velvety, wet tongue sliding underneath as it slid all the way to the back of her throat, I moaned again and reached down to fill my hand with her hair. I had no intention of guiding her movements or taking control just yet, but I wanted to touch her regardless. Her mouth was exquisite, and she seemed to know just how to touch me to bring me to the zenith of pleasure.
Gia began to bob up and down on my cock and I shifted slightly to get a better view. Her full lips wrapped around my stiff cock was as visually stimulating as the sensation of her tongue rolling underneath, massaging me as she stroked up with her hand in rhythm. A deep moan from her sent vibrations up my spine and made my entire body tingle. Her eyes closed as she made the sound, stroking my cock into her mouth in a way that told me that she was enjoying pleasuring me as much as I was enjoying her. I noticed one of her hands had slid down into her panties and the knowledge she was touching herself as well only made the intensity rise.
The slow bobbing became faster and more insistent. As she tugged me into her, I felt the overwhelming need to make sure she felt the same sensation I was. Reaching down to pull her closer by the hips, I pulled her until she straddled my face, and I pulled down her pants with her panties all at once until they wiggled off her. I filled my hands with her ass as I pulled her down onto me and slid my tongue through her folds. Her mouth came off my cock as she picked her head up to moan, and a rush of cool air hit my wet cock and it stiffened even fuller in her hand.
My tongue found her clit and massaged it until it opened its hood, allowing me to flick it with the tip and make her writhe in my grip. Gia continued to stroke me between her breasts for a moment before diving back down on me and I moaned into her sweet pussy. Soon, she was rolling her hips into me, and I knew she was getting close. I increased the speed of my tongue, and suddenly, she raised up, her voice rising in short, staccato bursts. When the cries reached a fevered pitch, she hopped off me and leaned herself over the arm of the couch. I sat up quickly, taking hold of my cock in one hand and pulling her hips to match my height with the other.
I plunged into her hard and her legs shook as a powerful climax rolled over her. I stayed there for a moment, my mind only filled with the sensation of her tight, wet core wrapped around my thick cock. Her hands reached behind her and grabbed my thighs, pulling me deeper into her as she moaned in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Her toes curled beside me and I rocked back to plunge into her again. I felt her sag against the couch as the orgasm zapped her strength, and I slid one arm under her, holding her up and pressing my middle finger into her clit as I pounded into her again.
Suddenly, her hands pushed on the arm of the couch and she pushed herself up and turned to look at me over her shoulder. She was biting her bottom lip and her eyes were pleading. She wanted more, faster, deeper, and I wanted to give it to her. I rocked back and slammed into her again, beginning a rhythm that allowed me to fuck her and make her feel every inch. Her mouth opened slightly, and whispery breaths came out as I swirled my fingertip over her clit and rammed my cock deep into her pussy, her walls opening to give me room.
Shifting slightly, Gia lifted one leg and laid her head down on the arm of the couch. I took the leg and placed her ankle on my opposite shoulder, stepping between her legs with one of my own so she was splayed out sideways. It gave me greater access to her clit and the new position seemed to hit plac
es deep inside her core that I hadn’t yet. She moaned heavily and reached for my hand. She pulled it up, brushing past her breasts until it was at her chin. She separated my fingers so that only the first two were at her lips and then she plunged them inside. Her warm, wet tongue slid over them like she was still sucking me and her eyes closed as she moaned. I felt a surge of intense passion in that motion, and it encouraged me to increase my speed, moaning deeply myself.
Her hips rocked into me with every thrust and I wanted to give her the chance to control the moment as well. If I kept at my pace, I knew I was going to explode soon, and I wanted to extend this moment as long as I could. I thrust deeply into her again and then removed my fingers from her lips to a sound of audible disappointment. I reached down to pull her other leg up and then lifted her into the air. The disappointed sound was replaced by a playful giggle and I smiled at that sound. I loved that sound more than life itself, and it was a sound that only I would ever hear. That made it better.
Sitting down in the center of the couch, I pulled her down so she was sitting on me, her knees digging into the cushions. She leaned in for a kiss, and we sat there, unmoving for a moment as our lips caressed each other sweetly. She slowly began to rock on me, our kiss deepening until she pulled away to take her shirt completely off. Her breasts, no longer bound by it, bounced out at me and I took one nipple into my mouth hungrily, massaging it with my tongue while my hands filled with her supple, round ass.
I released her breast and traced my tongue over to the other, but a sound from above stopped me. Gia was holding her wine glass and grinning, and as I watched, she tipped it to pour a small stream down her chest. It collected on the edge of her nipple, and I let it fall onto my tongue. The taste of her skin and the wine mixing together was dark and rich, like wild berries. I opened my mouth wide to take her heavy, perfect breast into my mouth and savored the concoction as I played with her nipple. One hand left her ass and slid up to fill with the other breast and mimic the motion on the other. I glanced up to see her bouncing figure, her lips curled in a smile as she took another sip of her wine and her eyes shut.
Gia sat the glass down, increasing her speed bouncing on my cock, and I buried my face in her chest. I loved watching her ride me, knowing that at any time I could take control but letting her set the pace and rhythm so she could pleasure herself on my staff. I could feel the head buried so deep in her it touched her back walls with every thrust downward and her walls were stretched tight around me. Placing both hands on my shoulders, Gia used me to give herself something to push up on with each bounce, and soon, she was riding me hard, her clit rubbing against my stomach and more moaning sounds escaping her lips.
I reached up to pull her face into mine and lock our mouths together. My tongue slid inside and swirled with hers, picking up traces of wine. My other hand slid between us, and my thumb found her clit again, rubbing against it and eliciting moans that rattled into my mouth. I could tell she was getting closer to another climax and I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her down harder with each bounce. Our lips broke contact as her head fell back and I took over control again, bouncing her on me for a moment before standing again. Her legs wrapped around me tightly as I spun us to lay her back down on the couch. When she was on her back, her eyes fluttered open but were rolled back as she focused on my cock deep in her core.
“Fuck me,” she groaned, pulling me into her by filling her hand with my ass. “Harder.”
The instruction spurred my intensity, and I began to slam into her with more force. My cock plunged deeply into her inviting, wet pussy and I wrapped my hands around her hips, pulling her into me with each thrust. Her moans were deeper, fuller, and I knew she was nearly at the place where another climax would roil through her body. Sweat beaded at her collarbone and I leaned down to lick it off her. The salty sweat and soft skin overwhelmed me and I felt an orgasm building inside me as well. It wouldn’t be long before I would explode, and I wanted her to feel my climax, to know she was the only person in the world who could bring me there.
My cock was harder than I had ever felt, and I glanced down to see the visual of it sliding in and out of her cute, full lips. With every thrust, she moaned higher, and it seemed like she was just on the brink. Gia dragged her fingernails down my back, finally resting them on my ass, squeezing my cheeks and pulling me into her harder. I pressed down onto the arms of the couch to steady myself as my hips rocked into her, slamming my cock deep inside.
I could feel the lightheaded sensation of a climax rising inside me. My eyes clinched shut and my head rocked back. My mouth opened, and for a moment, no sound came out. I was going to come hard, and I forced my eyes open to look into hers. They were filled with a pleading, yearning desire, as if she was on the edge and waiting for me. Her lips parted and she forced out a whispered breath.
“Come with me,” she begged. “Come with me, Clayton.”
I couldn’t hold back. I clenched into her hips and fucked her as hard as I possibly could and she cried out with each thrust. Suddenly, I felt her squirm underneath me and shout my name, and a roar built up deep in my belly. I let it out as I exploded in her and she wiggled and writhed on me. Her knees bent as she came with me, both our bodies pulsing as I emptied myself deep inside her. With each thrust, another stream of come shot powerfully into her and she moaned into my ear. Finally, I felt like I was spent, and one last thrust confirmed it, and I kissed her shoulder.
Collapsing to the side, I pulled her with me so our eyes were level with each other. Staring deeply into her, I placed my forehead against hers and took a moment to take in her beauty and listen to the hitching of her breath. Her face was flushed and her neck covered in beads of sweat. The smile stretched from one of her cheeks to the other and I ran my fingers along her back until I cupped her ass again, pulling her so I settled deeper in her.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you, too” she responded and curled her head down into my shoulder.
Epilogue
Clayton
Three months later
This summer was gone. The golden fall with its harvest and hunkering down had come and left. Now it was the middle of December and Gia was getting the chance to experience her very first Montana winter. Every time I talked about what my favorite time on the ranch was, there was a little voice in the back of my mind that said that I might not be telling the complete truth.
Not because there was any time on the ranch I didn’t love but because I loved every season so much. As soon as I thought I chose the one that was the most beautiful and I enjoyed the most, the seasons changed, and I remembered why I loved the next one so much.
Spring was special because it brought brand-new life to the ranch. Everything was sweet and flush. Tiny buds grew up through the sleeping ground. The creek ran strong and full again. Flowers bloomed and cool breezes brought the smell of rain. This was the time of year when the most babies were born. From the brand-new little birds to calves to kittens filling the barns. Everything was hope and promise.
Then came summer with its hard work and blazing sun. But also refreshing swims in the creek and long evenings spent listening to the cicadas and looking at the stars. This was when the demands were high, but the rewards were higher. We did the work we loved and saw our ranch flourish.
Autumn was simply beautiful. The cooler weather was a welcome break, and everywhere we looked, the world was golden. Nights still carried just enough warmth to wrap up in a blanket and sit outside. There were hay-bale mazes and pumpkin patches. Sweet pecan pie and gathering up with the people we loved to be thankful. We shared dinners together every night, but it meant a whole lot more on Thanksgiving.
But there was something incredibly special about winter on the ranch. When the snow started to fall, it almost seemed like there was magic in the air. The animals got cozy in their barns and shelters and spent much more time there. We didn’t drive them during the snowy months, and while there was still plenty of
work to be done every day, we also got to spend more time at home.
Montana winters brought deep snow and the sky got even darker, so when we braved the cold at night, we were rewarded with incredible stars. And if we were lucky, some nights brought the breathtaking colors of the Northern Lights behind the glorious silhouettes of the mountains and trees.
The ranch house was always warm and brimming with good smells and good things to eat. Even before Shannon and Gia came into our lives, Cassidy and Wade cooked up some of our grandmother’s favorite recipes. What they didn’t make, we got from ranchers and farmers who brought over gifts, or from the bakery. This year, the goodies were piling up even more.
Spiced wine simmered on the stove. Glass bottles of thick, rich eggnog filled half a shelf in the refrigerator. Cookies and fudge sat on virtually every available surface. And the living room was heavy with the smell of fresh pine from the Christmas tree and cinnamon from scented pinecones sitting on the hearth. It was nothing short of glorious.
But there was something worth luring me out of the warm, cozy ranch house that afternoon. The girls were over, making ornaments for the Christmas tree and gearing up for a session of present wrapping with Shannon. I came into the living room and watched Gia threading popcorn onto yarn for a few moments before calling out to her. She looked up at me with a smile.
“Want to help?” she asked. “I have an extra needle. And far too much popcorn because I can’t read directions.”
I laughed. “Maybe later. Right now, I need you and Gabby to get your snow gear on.”
“Why?” she asked.
She looked down and plucked a cranberry from the bowl in front of her to add to the strand.
“I need to show you something,” I said. “Just get bundled up. We’re going outside and it’s getting colder out there.”
His Dirty Hands (The Montgomery Boys Book 2) Page 23
