by Kennedy Fox
“You’re brave comin’ here like this, especially after the last time.”
“She owes me money,” he counters.
I bring a finger to my lips and tap twice. “You broke her heart, and she broke your car in return. Sounds even to me, so ya need to go back to where you came from and never step your preppy ass on this property again.”
“This doesn’t involve you.” He scowls.
I squint and tilt my head at the dumb motherfucker. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.” Stepping forward, I push his chest, and he stumbles back, losing his balance. “Anything involving my girl involves me.”
He pushes back. “She owes me money, and I’m not leaving till she pays.”
This little cocky fucker. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me the first time?” I crack my knuckles. “No one’s paying you a dime.”
“Then I’ll report that whore for vandalizing my property. I have the video and will hand it over to the cops.” He flashes an arrogant grin and spins around.
I quickly grab his collar before he can walk away. Fisting his shirt in my fingers, I rear back and deck him in the face. His hands cover his nose as he hunches over.
“I warned you,” I remind him. “You threaten her with that video or the money, I’ll fuckin’ hit you. Your stupid ass didn’t believe me.”
“You broke my nose!” he whines, moving his hands away to reveal blood.
“It won’t be the only thing I break if you don’t stop harassing Rowan. But if you be a good little boy and stay the fuck away, I won’t break any more of your bones. Deal?”
“Fuck you,” he spits, blood dripping from his chin.
I pat his shoulder with a smirk. “Good. Glad we had this nice chat. Should I walk you to your car?”
He shoves me away, then makes his way around the B&B to the parking lot. Looking at my knuckles, I see they’re already red and starting to swell.
The asshole better stay away this time.
I walk back into the B&B and smile when I see Rowan sitting with Dawson on her lap. My whole world in one beautiful view.
Chelsea and Trace are in the middle of a conversation, so I sit on the other side and grab Rowan’s hand.
“He likes you,” I tell her.
“He’s a toddler. He’ll like anyone who plays with him,” she retorts.
“I doubt that.” I laugh. “It means a lot that you still want to be in my life after everything I’ve put you through. I didn’t exactly handle it in the best way and—”
“Adam,” she says my name, stopping me. “Yes, you should’ve told me what was going on sooner, and I should’ve confronted you about Chelsea. We’re gonna need to work on communicating if we want this to work long-term.”
I nod in agreement. Rowan’s my everything and future. The last thing I want is to fuck it all up. “Definitely. Complete transparency from now on, Scout’s honor.”
She snorts. “You weren’t a Boy Scout.”
“I totally could’ve been!”
Dawson starts giggling at our laughter. “You think I’m funny, right?” I smirk.
He nods and starts talking. I love hearing him ask questions and point at things.
“He’s precious,” Rowan swoons. “Definitely your mini.”
I hate that they have to leave today. “I’m gonna miss him.”
Chelsea stands and frowns. “He’s gonna miss you, too.”
Holding back my emotions, my throat goes dry, but I nod. This is all so new, yet it feels natural. I was meant to be Dawson’s dad.
Diesel: Hey, I’m back. Wanna sneak over here? ;)
After everything that went down at the B&B, it was time to take Chelsea and Dawson to the airport. I hated saying goodbye, but I made plans to visit in a few weeks. Until then, we’ll FaceTime, and she promised to send me daily pictures of him.
Rowan: You know we don’t have to hide anymore, though it was kinda fun…maybe you should leave your window open for me, and I’ll crawl in.
Diesel: You know the entire town knows by now anyway.
Rowan: Yep. My parents already had “the talk” with me after you left. Then my grandma. It was embarrassing…I had to keep reminding them I was twenty-three years old and not a child anymore.
Diesel: They think I corrupted you now, don’t they?
Rowan: Ooooh yeah. Riley’s still walking around with a pissed-off expression. I hope I didn’t ruin your friendship.
Diesel: Nah, he’ll get over it. We’ll be laughing over beers in no time.
Rowan: I hope so. Zoey already texted me and said he was grunting around the house.
I shake my head as I envision my best friend having a fit. He should know by now that I’d never intentionally hurt Rowan, but I can’t fault him for being protective. I am too.
Diesel: I’ll see him tomorrow and clear the air. He already got one hit in, so we should be even.
Rowan: Okay, good. Then I don’t feel so bad coming over.
Diesel: Well, I did punch your ex for you. Again. You kinda owe me…
She sends me an eye-roll emoji, and I laugh.
Rowan: Be right there.
We haven’t been alone since our date two weekends ago, and I’m dying to have her all to myself again.
When I hear her car pull up, I rush to the door and whip it open. I don’t bother waiting for her to get to the house before I walk toward her. As soon as she parks and gets out, I pin her to the side and claim her mouth.
Rowan wraps her arms and legs around me as I press my body into hers. She groans against my mouth as I slide my tongue between her soft lips.
“I missed you so fuckin’ much,” I tell her. We hardly talked or saw each other for a week, and it was miserable. “I was devastated when you wouldn’t answer my calls or messages.”
“I missed you too,” she admits. “I needed time to process it all.”
Setting her back on her feet, I tilt her chin, and she meets my eyes. “I know. We both did. But I want you in my life and hopefully Dawson’s too.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Cowboy.” She smiles wide.
I blow out a relieved breath. “Thank fuck.”
“When will you see him again?” she asks as I take her hand and guide her into the house.
“Hopefully in three or four weeks. I’d like to go visit for a few days. After that, I’m not sure. We’re playing it by ear.”
“Maybe she’ll decide to move here.”
We walk to the kitchen so I can get her something to drink. “Doubtful. She sounded pretty hell-bent on staying in Phoenix.”
“I don’t know…” Rowan sing-songs when I hand her a bottle of Bud. “She and Trace were hitting it off at the B&B.”
“Trace?” I muse.
“Yep,” she says with a smile, popping the p. “Trace was smooth-talking her, and she was eating it up like candy.”
“I better not have to punch his face in,” I growl.
“Trust me, Chelsea was all over it. You wouldn’t have to worry about Trace. He’s really one of the good ones around.” I give her a pointed look. “We’re only friends!” she reiterates, chuckling. “The most we ever did was kiss, but there was no real spark between us.”
“He does seem nice, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. However, it’s unlikely she’d move here just for a guy. She won’t for her son’s father.”
“Maybe she’ll surprise you and do it for all three of you.”
“I’d love having Dawson around all the time. Show him the real ranch lifestyle and watch him grow up here. Then we can give him a few siblings along the way.”
Rowan chokes as she takes a sip and starts coughing.
“Too soon?” I tease.
“Not according to Grandma Bishop.”
I waggle my brows, getting a giggle out of her. “Back up, Cowboy. You’re a few years too soon.”
“Years?” I frown.
“Just because Riley jumped into marriage and having a kid doesn’t mean you should,” she scolds
. “Well, besides the kid you already have, but you know what I mean.”
I cup her face and smirk. “Alright, got it. Make you my wife before knocking you up, just like Grandma B said.”
“Precisely.” The blush on her cheeks is adorable, though I know she tries to hide it. Talking about our future doesn’t scare me in the least. I’ve been ready for Rowan for as long as I can remember.
“Then right now, I’ll make sure to enjoy having you all to myself.” I grab her hips and lift her body until she wraps her legs around me.
“Yes, please.” She laughs when I trip over the stool as I rush out of the kitchen and into my bedroom. “If you don’t kill us in the process.”
Once I successfully set her down on the bed, I tower over her and crash my lips to hers. Settling between her legs, she arches her back. Rowan rubs against me, and while my cock’s already hard, she’s making it harder.
“Shit…that already feels amazing.” I chuckle.
Her hands slide beneath my shirt, and she scratches her nails down my chest. I want to take things slow and really show her how much I love her, but she’s just as ravenous as I am.
Groaning, I try to hold on to my willpower, but it’s a losing battle with her. Rowan’s skin is so soft, and all I want to do is touch and kiss her all night long.
“Fuck it.” I lean back and grip my shirt behind my neck, then pull it off.
Rowan giggles and openly gawks at me. “I could stare at that eight-pack all damn day.” She licks her lips and waggles her brows.
“You’re gonna be doing a lot more than just starin’.”
“Arrogant,” she mocks. “But yes, take off those jeans.”
I hurriedly undress, then help her out of her shorts and top. Staring down at her, I’m still so amazed she’s mine. Shocked, really.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” The corner of her lips tilts up.
“Feels surreal.”
“What does?”
“You being mine, and the world finally knowing.” I rub my thumb along her cheek. “Being able to tell you how much I love you.”
She leans up on her elbows, then cups the back of my neck until my face is close to hers. Rowan’s lips crash into mine, and she releases a low hum when our tongues dance together.
“I love you, too,” she whispers as we rest our foreheads together. “I’m gonna try really hard not to let my issues with my past relationships mess this up. It almost did already.”
“Between me having no relationship experience and the douchebags you’ve dated, we’re a match made in heaven,” I tease, tipping her chin up. “Don’t worry. We’ve got this, baby.”
I pull her in for a deep kiss, and when she moans, I shift our bodies until she’s on top of me.
“I wanna watch you ride me.” I fist my dick and pump it a couple of times.
Rowan pops a brow. “Ride your cock or your face?”
“Shit. Both.”
She laughs, placing her palms on my chest to lift herself. Slowly, she slides down my length, and with every inch, I smile wider at the vision in front of me. Rowan’s a gorgeous woman, but she’s also stunning inside. Once you get through her hard exterior, she really shows who she is. Funny, hard-working, loyal as hell. Sometimes a little crazy, but those are all the qualities I love about her.
Even at thirteen, she was beating all the guys at barrel racing.
“Jesus,” I hiss between gritted teeth, grabbing one of her breasts. “Your tits bouncing in my face is hot as fuck.”
Rowan rotates her hips, taking me even deeper as she increases her pace. She leans back, and I nearly come at the sight of her body on display for me. Her adorable braids, her smooth, soft skin, the cute freckles on her shoulders—I can’t fucking get enough.
I bring the pad of my thumb between us and rub her clit in quick circles until her back straightens, and she moans out my name.
“That was sexy as hell,” I tell her, wrapping an arm around her waist to flip us over.
She squeals, hanging on before I drop her underneath me.
“Bend over. You and those braids are driving me insane.”
Rowan turns, and I immediately grip her hips, positioning her into place. I line us up and slowly re-enter her, feeling her tight walls around me. She feels so damn good, and my heart nearly bursts at the emotions bubbling inside me. I’ve never made love to a woman before Rowan.
Once I’m deeper inside her, I thrust my hips and move us into a steady rhythm. I watch as she fists the sheets, moaning and moving her body with mine. I reach up and grab the ends of her braids, then tug until her head falls back toward me.
“You feel this, baby?” I growl against her ear. “You and me.”
“Yes,” she whispers. “So good.”
Squeezing her hip with my other hand, I pick up my speed, knowing she’s close. Soon she’s whimpering, begging me to let her come.
Releasing her hair, I slide my hand down her stomach and rub between her legs. “Enjoy it, baby.”
She grips my wrist and squeezes as I bring her over the edge, thrusting deeper as she throws her head back and moans out my name.
“Fuck, Row…” I grit between my teeth as her pussy tightens around my dick.
Her chest rises and falls as she pants, and when I release her, she lays flat with her ass up. I smack a cheek, and I smirk when she lets out a little squeal.
“Hang on, sweet Rowan,” I warn, gripping her hips and driving into her hard and fast. The sounds of our skin slapping together and heavy breathing echo throughout the room as I come undone and release inside her.
My arms are jelly, and I quickly roll over so I don’t crush her. Rowan’s legs fall with a grunt.
“See whatcha been missin’ out on?” I smirk at her.
“I don’t even have the energy to scold you for being a smug asshole.”
Chuckling, I turn on my side and wrap my arm around her, moving her closer to me. “Thanks for giving us a chance. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Rowan blinks and looks at me. “Stop acting like you don’t deserve to be happy. I’m the lucky one.”
With a grin, I shrug. “Agree to disagree.”
Last night and a quickie this morning with Rowan were pure perfection, and I can’t remember a time I was ever this damn happy. Between having Dawson here over the weekend and working things out with Rowan, I’m on cloud nine. Though I’m exhausted as hell working on only an hour of sleep, every second with her was worth it.
“Hey, dipshit. Quit smilin’ like a moron,” Riley harasses when we meet in the shop for our daily list.
I can’t help it. It’s just too easy to piss him off. “Can’t help it when I’m thinkin’ about your sister.”
“I swear to God, Diesel…” He grits his teeth.
“Oh, c’mon. You can’t be that mad. I’ve been telling you I liked Rowan for years. You just didn’t listen.”
“And I told you to stay away. You didn’t listen.”
“What’s more important? Her happiness or being pissed at your best friend?” I challenge, knowing he’ll cave. “You know I’m not gonna hurt her. I love her.”
“You’ve never had a relationship.”
“You didn’t either until Zoey!” I remind him. “And you went and married her on a dare.”
“He’s gotcha there,” Alex walks in and adds. “You two seriously having a pissing contest about this right now?”
I open my arms. “I’m ready to kiss and make up.”
Riley rolls his eyes at my laughter.
“Well, you better soon because I have a new guy I wanna introduce you to. So hug it out or whatever you kids do.”
“I promised Rowan I’d clear the air with you today, so whaddya say?” I arch a brow, waiting. “Gonna make me a liar already, or realize I’m the only one who can make her happy?”
“Some big words there, Diesel,” Alex says. “I see Riley already gave you a shiner.”
“Yes, sir. Only because I let hi
m.”
“God, you’re such a fuckin’ smartass,” Riley hisses.
“And you owe me, so just quit being bitter so we can move on.”
“Owe you for what exactly?”
“I could think about a hundred things, but specifically, the night of Rowan’s formal dance in eighth grade. Remember?”
“What about that night?” Alex asks, looking back and forth between us.
It takes Riley a minute to realize what I’m talking about. The night he got so shit-faced, I had to drive his truck at only fourteen years old to pick up Rowan from school. “I hate you.”
I snicker, shaking my head. “So, we good now or what?” I prompt, holding out my hand and knowing he’ll take it.
After a moment, Riley grabs it, and I pull him in for a hug. “You should be excited to have me as a brother-in-law someday.”
He laughs, adjusting his hat. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Our kids will be cousins.”
“Alright, if you ladies are done, Gavin’s here,” Alex says, interrupting us.
We both turn to a hulk of a man, tall and chiseled. He’s stacked like me but bulkier. I have no idea who he is, but he looks like he’s ready for a fight. He’s at least ten years older than me.
“Gavin, this is my son, Riley,” he introduces them, and they shake hands. “This is Diesel, he runs the cattle operation.”
“Nice to meet you,” I tell him, taking his hand.
“He’s new to Eldorado and will be staying in one of the ranch hand cabins. He’ll be working with Jackson on breaking in the wild horses. He has bull riding experience and trains riders too.”
“Bull riding?” My brows shoot up. “Impressive.”
“Thanks. It was dangerous work, won some competitions, got some trophies, but I’m retired now.”
