He sets me down and immediately shows off that sexy smirk. The bulge in his pants starts to build against my stomach, and I do not regret jumping him one bit.
"If you're not too sore after riding that horse today, we can get on with a different kind of riding tonight. One that involves me balls deep inside your soaked walls."
Shivering at the thought of what will happen tonight, I grab the shopping bags and run through the barn while Colin talks to Mr. Barrett.
He picked out a red and blue plaid flannel that's so soft, I might never take it off. The jeans are just the right size and these boots. Oh lord, these boots. I might put them in a glass case they are so beautiful.
The cream leather is smooth and polished with an intricate woven criss-cross design down the outsides in a dark brown with a dark brown sole to match. I easily slide them on over my jeans and the bottoms are memory foam! These are like $900 boots! I cannot believe he got me these.
Checking my appearance, I fold my scrubs into the shopping bags and walk out to my insanely generous boyfriend.
He grabs the bag from my hand and puts them in his truck before leading me back to the horses.
"You look amazing, Natalie. Those jeans make your ass look mouthwatering."
I squeeze against his body and wiggle in the new jeans. "You did not have to buy me these boots. They are far too much!"
Kissing my cheek, he replies warmly, "I told you, I'd do anything for you."
I go back to the horse I nuzzled earlier. "You're a pretty one. What's your name?"
Mr. Barrett smiles affectionately. "This is Oakley. Colin will be riding Cheyenne. Since you both have riding experience, I don't need to run through any training. There's a lunch packed in Cheyenne's saddle bags and a couple of blankets in Oakley's." He hands the reins and a map of the winery over to us. "Now you two have fun, and I hope y'all will stay for dinner. The missus will want to meet the both of you."
Colin shakes Mr. Barrett's hand after I take over Oakley's reins. "We will, sir. Thank you for everything today."
The two of them help me mount onto Oakley because he's a little taller than Starlight and well, I'm short. I get myself situated as Colin gets himself settled on Cheyenne.
Holy hot damn Batman, Colin looks even sexier on a horse than shirtless on a billboard. I didn't think it was possible, but watching his jeans bunch of up over the thickness underneath his belt enhances the bulge, and when his chest puffs out to reach in his back pocket for his Rams cap, I whimper. The flexing as he adjusts his cap makes me shake in my new boots. I can feel the juices dripping out of me, and I'm afraid that the friction from riding will not help the aching I have below. The way his biceps bulge as he grips the reins is a sight I'd pay to see all day, everyday.
He sits confidently and strong on Cheyenne. The fantasy continues in thinking of how he's taking me from behind with every muscle on display whenever I turn my head to look back at him.
I have to cool off somehow because if this fantasy continues right now, we're going to need to hide in an extremely private setting. I have a feeling that even with the wind across my face, cooling down won't be an option until I've used up more of this sexual energy.
Our ride through the vineyard is simply amazing. Mr. Barrett's vines and groves are definitely worth raving about, and I think Mimi would love it here. It's incredible that even with the southern feel of this vineyard, it still feels a lot like home, and I know Colin has a lot to do with that. Whenever I'm with him, I feel home. I know I still have a lot of things to work through in making Houston a great home, but Colin's efforts definitely do not go unnoticed, and I'm forever grateful. He treats me like a queen, and today has nearly cemented my heart for him.
Dinner is fun and warm. The Barrett's are generously great people and have invited us to come back anytime. I told them that next time my dad comes to visit, I'll immediately bring him here.
The drive back to Colin's house is content. I'm tired from the day, and I fall into a peaceful sleep.
I'm not going to dwell on the fact that today's Valentine's Day and Colin's not in town. He sent me a text and a naughty picture this morning. I have my own plan for our video chat later.
He's out all week at some photo shoot in San Francisco for his athletic equipment campaign. He really believes in their brand. He wears a lot of their products when he's working out, and they gave him some of the equipment for his home gym. He even got me some new running attire and goggles for swimming that are supposed to be state of the art.
I'm in the kitchen making myself an extra special breakfast before I head to school to talk with my advisor. I have monthly meetings to discuss my hours and what I've learned during my clinical internship. In a few short months, I will be studying for my boards to be licensed in the state of Texas. To say I'm nervous to venture out on my own is a vast understatement. I've been on my own in Texas for so long that it should come naturally, but I'm still scared.
I finish eating my breakfast and walk to the front room where I put my backpack. I check for my keys, wallet, student ID and parking card, and realize I left my phone somewhere else.
I look around in the kitchen and then run upstairs to check my room. My door is open for some reason, but nothing seems wrong or out of place. Then it hits me. Tara passed out at our house last night after another drunken night with Leena at the bars.
She better not have touched anything, but one look at my nightstand clock tells me I need to leave for campus. I spot my phone, grab it off of my bed, and run downstairs.
The meeting with my advisor is business as usual without any fanfare. I decide to hang out on campus and see some of my classmates to swap some funny stories about our internships.
My phone starts ringing on the table, and I look down to see Mimi calling. I look at the group around me.
"Sorry guys. I gotta take this. I'll see y'all in a few days."
I grab my stuff and start heading back toward the lot. I swipe my phone to answer. "Hi, Mimi."
I hear her voice plus my dad and Richard's in the background, "Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie."
Hearing all three of their voices is just what I needed today. "You guys really are the Three Stooges sometimes you know that?"
Mimi's voice is the only one to reply, "You love us. Now what's going on with you today? Do you and Colin have any plans?"
Apparently, I take too long to reply because her voice cuts in again. "What's wrong, baby girl?"
No secrets from Mimi. She knows me better than I know myself sometimes.
"Colin's actually in San Francisco for the week so no plans."
"Why didn't you go with him? We would've met you there to visit with you guys."
I scoff at her taking time off right now. "Mimi, Valentine's Day is one your biggest holidays. There is no way you guys could even leave for five minutes much less a trip to San Francisco. I had work and school stuff. It's okay, really."
"I'm sure a guy like Colin has something up his sleeve."
"Mimi, it’s fine really. Even without Valentine's Day, he really is a sweetheart and my heart melts for him with each passing day."
I think Mimi swoons a little through the phone before I'm completely honest with her. "It sounds strange, but I feel like Mom sent him to tell me that it's okay to get back on the horse and open up my heart to change."
Her laughter confirms my thoughts. "Baby girl, that's the best part about this crazy thing called life. People come into our lives whether we want them to or not. It's how we handle their presence to find out if they're worthy of staying there."
"See...that's what I love about working with animals. I want all of them in my life. I don't have to pick and choose. The owners leave me alone while I do my work. I just wish that I could have some roaming around the house instead of just playing with them at work.”
"Someday honey, you will get your wish. How much you wanna bet when you and Colin live together, you're gonna have a house full of animals?"
I cu
t off her train of thought before she has Colin and me pushing out babies. "Mimi, how much wine have you had today?"
"Only a few glasses. It's the only way I'm gonna get through the dinner reservations tonight."
I check the time on my phone and know what's typically on the guests' Valentine's schedule.
"Well, you better get back to the Lover's Horse Carriage Tours I know start in thirty minutes or Uncle Richard just might hide bottles from you for a week."
"Oh hush, you football player loving niece of mine. Threatening me only gets you another makeover."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm at my car, Mimi, so you go make some couples extremely sappy. Love you."
"Love you too, baby girl.
I get home to spot a large truck sitting in my driveway. Before I even open my own door, Colin is right next to me and pulling me into his arms.
I squeal into his chest. "Oh my god. What are you doing here?"
He picks me up and squeezes me tighter. "I missed you and wanted to surprise you. It's our first Valentine's Day together."
"Surprised doesn't even begin to cover it."
Pulling myself from his embrace, his face has that sexy smile, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. I poke him in the stomach. "Colin, what's wrong?"
"I didn't want to ruin our Valentine's Day, but something happened that I think you should know about."
I walk him toward the house, but he stops me.
"Natalie. Is Tara here?"
I look at him confused. "She was here this morning. Why? Colin, tell me what happened. You're scaring me."
"Does she have access to your cell phone?"
Realization dawns on me. "My door was open this morning when I went to grab my phone, but I thought I just didn't close it all the way. What does Tara have to do with anything?"
He closes his eyes, and the knot that was forming in my stomach creeps up to my throat.
His voice is alarmingly soft. "Somehow, she sent me naked pictures of herself earlier today from your phone. I was on my flight back and when I landed, they were popping up one after another. Your name was on the display and I opened the message. The second I saw the first picture, I threw up. I swear, I didn't look at any of the others. She sent me a crap ton of them. I even had to notify my lawyer just in case she tried anything else on your phone."
Tears spring to my eyes, and the lump in my throat gets bigger. I run to the corner of the townhouse and immediately throw up my snacking from earlier. Colin holds my hair back with one hand and is soothing my shoulders as the last of the convulsing hits. I spit a little more into the bush before wiping my mouth.
I look at my house and then back at him. My voice hoarse is from retching. "Leena knows my password for emergency situations, and I wouldn't be surprised if she blabbed it to Tara." I look at the house in disgust before I beg him. "Get me out of here, Colin. Please. I don't want to stay here tonight or else I might do something drastic."
He walks me into the house. I don't hear either of their voices so I hope they won't be back anytime soon. I quickly go to the en suite bathroom to brush my teeth, and then I pack an overnight bag. Colin's sitting at my desk, watching me.
"Natalie, we have options here. I put them in a private folder for the lawyer which means I have evidence to sue her for sexual harassment and violating our privacy. However, my lawyer said since it was your phone she sent them from that Tara could argue you let her borrow it so I'm gonna let you make the decision here. I’m trying to be level-headed for once."
I mull over the decision of fighting Tara or just letting it die down. If we fight her, she gets the attention she craves, much like Lauren tried on him after they broke up.
God those two could be best friends.
I say my thoughts out loud. "If we sue her, she's gonna run the crocodile tears, and it’s my word against hers. That's drama I really really do not want us to deal with. If we don't do anything, she could get mad and do something worse like sell a story to the tabloids, but I'm hoping she gets bored with us before she does anything like that."
He walks over to me and pulls me to him as he leans down for a soft kiss. His tongue piercing lightly massages against my lips, seeking entrance into my mouth. I swear I could kiss this man for hours and never get tired of it. I make sure to lock my bedroom door before he leads me away.
"Let's get out of here. I have another surprise waiting for you at my house."
I stop him on the stairs and give him a look of horror. "Please don't tell me you cooked? I love you, but you can't cook for shit."
He looks at me with a weird expression. I think to my last sentence and lose all feeling in my face.
Oohh shit. I just told him I loved him.
He traces his lips with that tongue ring and the color slowly starts to return to my face with his reaction.
"You still love me even though I can't cook for shit?"
I admit to what I just did without shame, "That's right, Mr. March. I love you despite the fact that you burn eggs just by touching them. I'm in love with you because you'll admit you suck at cooking."
A shoulder dips into my stomach and I'm lifted over Colin's arms. He runs us out to his truck and manages to open the passenger door while still holding me over his shoulder.
"Colin! Put me down."
I'm pushed up against the truck with the footboard against the middle of my back. Colin tosses my overnight bag onto the seat and takes my face in his hands.
"Natalie, you telling me that you love me is probably the best thing you could've ever said to me because I love you, too. You own every part of me. This roller coaster of a crazy life would be nothing to ride without you."
Without even hesitating, I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist to keep me steady as I kiss him with more intensity than either of us could imagine. We're both struggling to stay upright because we're moving against each other at a crazy speed.
He pulls himself away from me. "We need to go now before I take you right here in plain view."
I run to my car real quick to grab my backpack and lock it. Common sense hits me more than my need for Colin. I turn to him and say, "I think I'm gonna follow you to your house. As silly as it may sound, I don't want them to mess with my car once they realize my bedroom door is locked."
He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. "Baby, it’s not silly. Anything you want. You just get there quickly before I tow it with my truck."
The drive to Colin's is quick thanks to light traffic. We grab my bags from both his truck and my car before walking through his beautiful house. I love the fact that he doesn't flaunt his money unless he absolutely wants to, and that's usually for Danny.
The house is covered in rose petals and candles. The scent of something delicious overpowers the petals, and I gravitate toward the kitchen. The earlier incident left me famished, and I carefully step around the roses to follow my nose.
In the dining room is an exquisitely decorated setting for two with silver domes on each side. Colin leads me to one of the chairs and helps me get comfortable in my seat before taking the dome off the plate. He walks around the table and sits right in front of me, taking the dome off his own plate.
"I hope you don't mind, but I wanted a night for just the two of us here."
I reach my hand across the table and grasp his with mine. "This is beyond amazing, Colin. No one's ever done anything like this for me before."
"Anything for my stunning girlfriend. Now eat up, I have more plans for us for the rest of the night."
Randomly during the offseason, a lot of the guys who have permanent homes in Houston tend to throw raging parties because they take a small step back from conditioning and frankly, want to get laid by the groupies. I was one of those guys early on in my career, but after I received the MVP award, I knew I couldn't slack off.
Natalie's definitely been helping with my workouts, they just involve less clothing. She's getting used to waking up earlier with me to run or swim, and I know she lo
ves that we can do stuff like that together.
I've taken her back to Barrett's Winery every few weeks for riding, tastings, and dinner with the Barretts. I can tell it's her connection to home. There are doubts in my mind that she wants to move back to Napa after graduation, but she's told me that she built a decent life here in Houston. I would never stop her from being with her family, but I would do everything in my power to stay in her life as the love of her life. My family and career are here in Houston, but for Natalie, I would find a way to work everything out. I have to. I can't imagine a life without her, and I don't want to.
She's getting ready at my house to go to one of my teammates' houses. She hasn't been back to her place in a few days to let the Tara incident die down, and she told me wants to meet some of my friends since hers apparently suck ass.
She looks sexy as fuck with her black tank top, patterned scarf wrapped around her neck, and skintight dark red pants tucked into heeled black boots. Her spandex running shorts turn me on to no end, but when she's confident in her own skin and not realizing how many heads she turns, I revel in the fact that she's mine and only mine.
Natalie's questions begin. "So which teammate is this? What should I be prepared with? Will groupies be all over you?"
I laugh at her and grab her hand. "This is Bobby Mandel. He's new to defense and kind of wants to show off his money. His house is a little pretentious, and he's loving the groupie life, so yes, groupies will be there. Some may still come on to me even with you standing right next to me."
When we get to his house, the party is already in full swing. She pulls her hand from mine and traces it up my arm to hold us close together through the sea of people.
At first, she was creeped out by all the groupies half dressed and the open sexual content in the house, but then she remembered that these women volunteered to be here and this is who they want to be. We pretty much ignored all of them, and the ones who tried to talk to me were sent away with dirty looks from both of us. We found a small group of the non-groupie indulging teammates and she has been in hysterics ever since.
Crazy Thing Called Life Page 10
