by Odette Stone
“Porter,” I whispered.
“I had just gotten Mandy back up to the path when his horse saw a snake, probably the same snake that spooked Mandy’s horse, and his horse came rearing back, fighting to get away from it. It came straight for us. My dad shoved us out of the way. His horse should have landed on me, but it landed on him, which is how he ended up in that wheelchair.”
I reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing hard.
“The fall caused Mandy to lose our baby and her ability to have any kids. She divorced me a week before my 18th birthday. All of that happened because I was too stupid, too cocky, and too immature to follow simple instructions.”
“That’s why you left. That’s why you joined the military.”
He shook his head. “You know what the worst part was? They all forgave me. My entire family. My dad. No one blamed me, and they should have. I couldn’t take it.”
I thought about what Jackson had told me. How Porter showed up, wanting to be punished, to the point of torture. “You punished yourself.”
“Two people I loved more than anything in this world, and I ruined their lives.”
A voice spoke from behind us, “You know, I’ve never stopped blaming myself for what happened up there on that ridge.” His dad wheeled himself in front of the couch.
“Dad,” Porter started.
“Everything that happened to you was my fault. I should have been a better parent. I wasn’t, and because of that, I ruined your life.”
“You’ve got it backwards.”
“You think I didn’t know what you and Mandy were doing? Hell, the whole county knew what you were up to. Your own mother was terrified you’d get that girl pregnant, but you want to know what my response was? I told her that choices had consequences, and the sooner you learned that, the better. Now, what kind of father says that about his 17-year-old son?”
Porter's voice remained low. “I knew what I was doing.”
“You were a kid. A young, dumb, stupid kid, and I spoiled you. I let you do whatever you wanted. You ran wild, partying beyond your years, keeping up with your brothers when what you needed was a parent to give you boundaries.”
“You told me not to go up there,” Porter said between clenched teeth.
“Oh, yeah. I told you, and you did exactly as you pleased when you should have had a parent, safely teaching you life consequences. I should have taught you that if you disobeyed me, you’d get your truck privileges taken away. Or if you didn’t do what I asked, you’d be given extra chores. But instead, the first consequences you ever learned ruined your life.”
“You’re the one in the wheelchair. I’m the one who ruined your life.”
“You know what my regret is? It isn’t this damn chair, because these are only legs, and I get around just fine. My biggest regret is not being the one to teach you responsibility or consequences. The military did that for me. They parented you in ways I should have.”
“You can’t take the blame here.”
“Son, I was the parent. And I let this shit happen to my kid. And then worse, I let you carry that burden of guilt for another ten years because I was so damn ashamed of how I failed you.”
“That’s not how that went.”
“And now all my mistakes are being thrown in my face because every day you continued to punish yourself for my mistakes feels like torture.”
“Stop! Please stop.”
“I had to grow up, son. You think your five brothers would’ve have made me grow up, but you’re the one that made me become the man I am today. But I’m begging you to forgive me and stop carrying my burdens for me. Because if I have to watch you suffer one more day, I’m not sure I can take it.”
“Dad,” Porter sounded tortured.
“Son, I’m begging you to forgive me. Can you do that for me?”
I watched as Porter moved to his dad and kneeled before him. Then, they were hugging each other. So tight. I silently crept up the stairs. Tears squeezed out of my eyes as I climbed naked into his bed.
Suddenly, everything made sense. His mission in life had become about protecting others. About sacrificing himself. How many years had he tortured himself over an accident he’d been part of as a young teenager? He’d isolated himself from his family. Feeling too guilty to come home. Feeling too ashamed to face his parents.
I prayed that after he talked to his dad, he’d be able to find some peace and forgive himself.
I woke up to Porter kissing my neck. He was so gentle. So patient. His fingers were like silk, teasing soft sighs past my lips, his mouth hot and warm, coaxing me to arch and moan.
And then, when I couldn’t take it any longer, he slowly pushed himself into me.
Missionary style.
Who said slow was boring?
Slow felt like pleasure drizzled over my body like warm honey.
Slow made me feel wanton and drugged.
Slow was surrendering with each breath.
Slow blew my mind.
When my body tightened and convulsed around him, I cried out into his mouth. Only then did he allow himself to gather me into his arms, crushing me as he called out my name, releasing himself into me.
We held each other while our racing hearts slowed.
“I missed you,” he kissed.
“I thought you didn’t do it slow.” I kissed back.
He pushed my damp hair off my face and sucked my bottom lip into his mouth. “The complaints department is now closed.”
“I was promised a proper punishment.” I was drowning in his gaze. There was so much love coming at me, I thought my heart would burst.
“Come back tomorrow for what you’ve been promised.”
“Oh, I plan on it.”
“You ready for the bonus?”
“You going to try and cuddle me now?”
“I thought I’d give it a go.”
I rolled over and sighed happily as he tucked his body around me. “You advertised that you didn’t like to snuggle.”
“I don’t. Just you. You’re the only one.”
Another content sigh escaped me. “Well, good thing I like cuddling.”
He kissed my shoulder. “Thank you for coming to find me.”
“I got impatient.”
“I was coming.”
“You were taking your time.”
He laughed.
“Are you okay?” My question hung there, in the dark, loaded with so much meaning.
“Yeah. I have a lot to think about.”
“You were protecting Mandy. That was the secret my dad held over your head.”
“She’s been through enough. She didn’t need her name splashed in the papers, nor did she need to re-live that part of her life.”
“I like that you did that for her.”
“I couldn’t hurt her again.”
“Do you ever talk to her?”
“No. My mom said she’s married and has adopted two little girls.”
“That’s nice.”
He pulled me tighter. “Yeah. That made me happy.”
“I’m sorry that whole thing happened to you.”
“If I could go back in time, I’d change it, but now I need to learn to accept it.”
“And move on.”
He pulled his arms tighter around me. “I love you, Beth.”
I swallowed down all the emotion, that threatened to bubble out of me. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 61
I sat on a horse, with Porter’s arms around me. As far as my eyes could see, there was lush, hilly land. We stopped at a trickling creek that sparkled blue. It was so pretty, it almost hurt my eyes.
“Is this all yours now?”
“Yup.”
“How much land are we talking?”
He got off the horse and lifted me off. “A hundred square miles, give or take.” He removed a pack from the back of the horse and let it wander off to graze.
“Won’t she run away?”
�
�He’ll just snack a bit, but he won’t go far.” Porter spread a blanket on the grass next to the water and sat down on it. I sauntered towards him when his words stopped me cold, “Take off your shirt.”
“Excuse me?”
His eyes burned dark beneath his cowboy hat. “You heard me. Take off your shirt.”
I swallowed hard. “Any chance your brothers or dad will come galloping by?”
“I know for a fact they’re working on the south-east fence today.”
“Where is that?”
“About 75 miles away from here.”
I double-checked over my shoulder, making sure no one was around. As far as I could see, there was nothing but blowing grass and hills.
I slowly unbuttoned my blouse and slid the fabric off my shoulders.
“Now your pants.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“I promised you a proper punishment.”
“Does it involve spankings?” I kicked off my sandals and pushed my jeans down my hips and stood there in my underwear.
“I think you’d enjoy that too much. This is all for my pleasure,” he said. “Come sit down.”
I dropped to the soft flannel blanket and watched as he fished for something in his bag.
“Take off those cute little panties.”
I lay on my back, lifted my hips and slid them down. This was going to be fun. With a wicked glint in his eye, he pulled a rolled towel out his bag, unrolled it, and presented it to me.
My mouth dropped open as my eyes took in a vibrator. “Are you serious?”
He slowly drizzled lubricant over it. “You see, I can’t get this one image out of my mind.”
“What image would that be?”
“The image of the first time you orgasmed in front of me.”
He clicked the vibrator on, and we both watched as the bunny ears started to vibrate. Another click and then the head of the beaded vibrator slowly spun. He turned it back off.
“That’s a bit of an upgrade from mine.”
“Only the best for you.”
I gave a nervous laugh. “I thought you didn’t like toys.”
“I’ve had a change of heart on a lot of things.”
He knelt and then yanked my legs, so I was spread open to him with my feet planted on the ground.
Laughing grey eyes met mine. “Are you ready?”
“I’m nervous.”
“Not as nervous as me.”
I laughed even harder. “Why are you nervous?”
He touched the tiny rabbit ears. “Who can compete with this?”
“This doesn’t seem like punishment to me,” I gasped as he slowly inserted the vibrator into me. It felt cool and smooth.
“Wait until you’re begging me to stop.” He waited for my body to adjust around it. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
He turned it on, and the vibrator slowly rotated within me. I half-shut my eyes as the beads massaged my entrance and the head slowly skimmed my g-spot.
“Oh, yeah.” I bit my lip.
His eyes were glued to the show between my legs. “What do you think about when you pleasure yourself with your little toys?”
“Public sex,” I gasped.
He undid his jeans with one hand while holding the toy between my legs. “What kind of public sex? Do you have a favorite fantasy?”
I lifted my head and watched as he pulled out his beautiful erection. “Yes.”
“Tell me.” He fisted his cock and started to stroke himself.
The vibrator endlessly spun inside of me. “I’m in a dark bar, and everyone is dancing.”
“What are you wearing?”
“A short dress with high heels.”
His lips curled. “Like that red dress?”
“Exactly like that red dress.”
“Fuck me. Then what?”
“You get tired of me teasing you with my dancing, so you yank me down a hallway. It’s dark, but there is a big risk anyone can walk down and see us.”
He flipped a switch, and those tiny rabbit ears started dancing on my clit. My hips jerked and our eyes met.
“Then what?”
I lifted my head to watch him move his hand up and down his hard cock. “You spin me around, so my face is against the wall. You push up my skirt, and your fingers are inside of me.”
“Teasing you.”
“Yeah.” I was breathless. “It feels so dirty but so right.”
“Are you wearing panties?”
“Yes, but they’re fragile and lacy.”
He flipped a switch, and the vibrator began to swirl faster inside of me. “So, my fingers are deep inside of you. Do I rip off your panties?”
I moaned, and my legs shook. “Yes. Because they’re getting in the way.”
“What else?”
“You’re so overcome with desire, you undo your pants and pull out your cock.”
“What is my cock like?”
“Hot. Big. Hard.”
I cried in protest as he pulled the vibrator out of me. Then, he flipped me on my hands and knees. My body ached at the loss.
“What happens next?”
I pushed my ass back and spread my legs wider, looking over my shoulder at him. “And then you’re pushing your hot cock into me.”
“Do I push it in gently or rough?”
“Rough. I like it rough.” My teeth clenched. My body felt empty. I needed him so bad.
He pushed his hips forward, and he roughly thrust his cock deep inside me. “Like that?”
I groaned hard as I felt him fill me more than any vibrator ever could. “Yeah, exactly like that.”
I could hear him breathing hard. “Am I missing anything?”
“You're pulling my hair.”
He wrapped his fingers around my ponytail and tugged my hair, so my neck pulled back and my back arched in a delicious way. “Then, what?”
“Then, you start to fuck me like your life depends on it.”
“Can you be more descriptive?”
I panted as he pulled out slowly and pushed himself all the way back in. “You use a lot of force to thrust your hot cock deep inside of me. I like it really fast. And hard.”
“You’re bossy.” He was out of breath, but he started to move. Just the way I liked it.
He thrust deep and hard with a steady rhythm while simultaneously yanking on my hair. His big cock stretched me, hitting all the right spots, sending impossible shivers of addictive pleasure through my body. There was no hesitation in his movements. He was fucking me like he meant it.
My entire body trembled, welcoming each time he plunged into me. My heart hammered in my chest, my core clenched and twitching around him, and I was drowning in desire.
I panted.
He groaned.
I twitched.
He thrust.
I whimpered.
He moved faster.
“You need to come,” he growled. “Because I’m about to lose it here.”
“I’m close,” I sobbed.
His hand reached around me and circled my clit. My orgasm violently shuddered through my body. I could feel my body pulsing, milking his cock as he shouted and buried into me with one last savage push.
We collapsed breathlessly beside each other, and I stared unseeing at the blue sky above us.
“I almost embarrassed myself there,” he said, still breathless.
“Funny how my punishment doesn’t seem that bad.”
He gave a laugh. “Oh, just wait. I’ve got extra batteries for that rabbit.”
Chapter 62
After multiple orgasms, we played in the water. I clung naked to Porter’s hard body as he dog-paddled through the cool deep water wearing only his beat-up cowboy hat.
“Does a cowboy ever take off his hat?”
“Not if he can help it.”
“So, is that what you are now? A cowboy?”
He wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me up to the bla
nket. “I’m not quite ready to give up being a SEAL, but one day I want to retire here, come back, and be a ranchman. My brothers are going to take care of the land for me until I’m ready to come home.”
I stretched out my naked body, loving how the sun felt on my skin. “It’s perfect out here.”
His eyes locked on mine. “ Do you think you’d ever want to live out here?”
“I’d need to learn how to ride a horse.”
“Obviously.”
“And I’d need to get some cowboy boots.”
“That’s a given.”
“And this ass does look pretty decent in a pair of jeans.”
“It’s the best looking ass I’ve seen.”
“I could live out here.”
He pressed his cold lips against mine. “And how do you feel about living on a military base?”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Would you come home in those hot military fatigues and force me to do dirty things?”
“What kind of dirty things?” He gave me an interested look.
“Like maybe you’d be wearing your uniform, and you’d bend me over the table and take me from behind, moments before company came over.”
“Yup. That sounds like me.”
“I’d consider it.”
“What if I gave you this?”
I froze as he opened his hand to show me the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen. It was a large ruby surrounded by a dozen diamonds. Porter knelt in front of me, wearing only his cowboy hat.
“Are you proposing?”
“Do you think I’d be on my knee for any other reason?”
“You better mean it.”
“I meant it the first time.”
“Say it.”
“Beth, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes.” I laughed, and happy tears sprung from my eyes.
He slipped the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. Our kiss was long and hot, and then he was flipping me onto my back. His chin rested on my chest as he watched me study the ring.
