Wandering In Love

by Andi Jaxon

  Dropping to my knees, I suck a lace-covered peak into my mouth. Her skin is cold, and she shudders when the heat of my lips latches onto her. My fingers work the drenched black leggings and panties down her legs to stop at her thighs, locking her in place.

  “Open.”

  My rough command is immediately obeyed as she widens her stance as much as she can.

  Peeling the cup of her bra down, I latch onto her hardened nipple at the same time my hand slides against her pussy lips.

  Her breathing shudders, hands reaching out for something to hold onto as her head falls back on a moan. Using the side of my hand, I slide the length of my pointer finger between her folds, sliding easily in her arousal.

  Before me is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Toned and strong legs, a slight curve of her hip, a soft stomach and tits that will fill my palms just fine. Her body has filled out here and there since I’ve seen her last, rounded out some of the edges. My mouth waters for a taste and my cock aches to sink deep into her.

  Eva’s hips ride my hand, chasing oblivion.

  I suck hard on her tit; her nipple is damn near in my throat, my teeth scoring her pale flesh. A beautiful flush reddens her skin as she gets close, more desperate for release. She’s almost there, soaking my hand, riding my fingers hard when I pull them away from her, her nipple leaving my mouth with a pop.

  Her pitiful whimper and full body tremble makes me smile. I pull her leggings the rest of the way off and unhook her bra before standing.

  “This pussy is mine, Wildflower,” I growl against her lips.

  I ravage her mouth, biting her lips, demanding entrance. With her hair in my fist at the back of her head, my free hand trails down her chest between her glorious tits and down to her pussy once again. Using just the pad of my middle finger, I zero in on her swollen clit, rubbing in tight, fast circles. It doesn’t take me long to get her back to the edge, trembling and mewling.

  “Please,” she bites her bottom lip to stop from whimpering. “Please, Ian.”

  “Give it to me. That orgasm is mine, isn’t it?”

  I watch her closely; she damn near sobs in relief when it washes over her. Her mouth falls open on a soundless scream, and I take her lips again. These lips are mine too.

  I’m going to be burned from the heat coming from her skin. She’s on fire, but I’ll go up in flames before I walk away.

  The orgasm loosens her muscles, leaving her barely able to stand. Lifting her from the floor, I toss her on the bed, stomach down, and climb on after her. I straddle her thighs to keep her still. My hands stroke the soft skin of her perky ass, gripping her flesh then landing a hard smack on each cheek. A gorgeous red handprint blossoms on each side.

  My hands knead the muscles of her rounded ass as I grind my raging cock against it, relishing the pale skin of her body against the tan of my hand.

  “Ian.” She looks over her shoulder at me.

  “Mine.” My eyes lock onto hers, daring her to argue.

  She arches into my touch when my hand slides between her thighs. I have to have her. Now. I can’t wait any longer. I’ve never had a need this strong. It’s her. Only ever her.

  Ripping open my jeans, I release my dick, stroking it while I watch her skin flush. I’m not a small man in any way. Eva’s eyes drag down my chest and stop at my cock, biting her lip and whimpering as I stroke it for her.

  “Need something, Wildflower?”

  “Fuck me.”

  Her skin is a sexy shade of lust when I lean forward, dragging my tip between her lips. She’s fucking soaked and my control snaps. Lining up with her entrance, I slam home in one thrust. Her hands tangle in the sheets. She’s stretched taught, her body not used to taking me. The world explodes behind my eyelids and lust licks my veins. The planets align and I’m fucking home.

  I stop, balls-deep in the girl I’ve been waiting years for. I pull her hips up to adjust the angle, sinking in just a fraction more.

  “Don’t stop,” she whimpers.

  Wrapping her hair around my first, I don’t stop again. Over and over, I slam into her, thrusting hard and fast, needing to claim her in the most primal way I can. Something brought her back into my life, and I’ll be damned if I let her drive away again. She’ll feel me tomorrow, I’ll make fucking sure of it.

  My fingers thread with hers.

  “Please,” she whines.

  “You wanna come again?” I pull on her hair, jerking her head back.

  She cries out something between pain and pleasure.

  “Come on, then. Give me another one.”

  She detonates beneath me, clinging to me, the walls of her pussy convulsing around my cock and forcing me to the edge. Tingles start low in my spine and wrap around my balls, drawing them up tight against my body. With a shudder, I empty into her and collapse, breathing hard.

  It takes me a few deep breathes to realize her skin isn’t cold anymore, but the sweet scent of lavender and honey surrounds me. With a lazy smile, I kiss her neck and she pulls her hand from mine.

  “Shit,” she sighs, tensing up.

  “What?” Forcing myself to stop crushing her, I lean on my elbow to look down at her.

  “I can’t do this.” She pushes up on her arms as dread settles in my gut.

  “Can’t do what?”

  “This.” She waves between us. “Just. Ugh. Get off.” She shoves up onto her hands and knees, pushing me off her.

  I sit up, and she gets off the bed, pulling a blanket around her. I can’t help but watch her. Her chest heaves and she bites her lip as she paces the length of the room.

  “This was a bad idea. I’m sorry. You have to go.” She opens the door, but won’t look at me. She just stares at the floor, still chewing on that damn lip.

  I stand up, tucking myself back into my pants and straightening my clothes. Gripping her chin with my fingers, I force her chin up to look at me.

  “You’re freaking out, so I’ll go, but we aren’t done here.”

  Her eyes shine with unshed tears. One tear slips past her lashes to trail down her cheek. I swipe it away with a brush of my thumb, then walk away. I close the front door and head back to my vehicle, both lighter and heavier then when I arrived.

  I can’t let her run from me again.

  Chapter Four

  EVA

  I can’t sleep after he leaves. I tried but every time I close my eyes, he’s all I see, all I feel. I’m supposed to be healing from the last disaster of a relationship, not fucking the first boy to break my heart.

  My skin still smells like him: Stetson Black. Warm spices, leather, wood. It’s as intoxicating as it is comforting. He’s worn the same cologne since he was fourteen. If I move just right, I can smell it in the air, like he’s taunting me.

  I dug in my bag and found some dry clothes, but I haven’t showered. My body aches from him, from the way he took me, and I’m not ready to wash him from my skin. Not yet. I’m punishing myself by leaving it.

  Sitting on the porch swing with a fluffy blanket wrapped around me and a fresh cup of coffee, I listen to the rain. It’s pounding on the pavement like my heart in my chest, reminding me I’m alive.

  Why am I here?

  Why did I come back?

  I’ve dealt with heartbreak on my own before. Why now?

  The front door opens, and Momma steps out, already dressed for the day in jeans, a Rojas Ranch t-shirt, and work boots. She’s pulling on a Sherpa trucker denim jacket with a thermos of coffee in her hand.

  “I wasn’t sure you would still be here,” she says, hurt still heavy in the lines of her face.

  “I’m staying.” The words tumble from my lips before my brain has made that decision.

  “Will is looking for a stable hand next door. I’m sure he’ll hire you if you ask.”

  And just like that, Momma accepts me at my word. That’s one of the things about living in a small town, everyone takes you at your word.

  “Alright. I’ll get dressed and head ove
r.” I nod.

  Her brunette braid moves as she walks down the steps to the truck. She sits in the driver’s seat for a minute and looks at me. I nod my head at her, lifting my steaming mug, and she backs out of the driveway.

  Even though we’re neighbors, the main house is several miles from our house. You can walk if you want too, but in the rain, in the dark, it’s not the best idea.

  I finish my cup of coffee as the sun starts to lighten the night, sending yellows, purples, and pinks across the sky.

  Digging through my bag, I find some broken-in jeans and a flannel shirt. Taking them with me into the bathroom, I take a shower and blow dry my hair, brushing my lashes with mascara and shove my Chapstick into my pocket. I grab a Rojas Ranch trucker hat from the peg by the door and pull my hair through the back, find my jacket, and pull on my boots. I may have left this town, but I didn’t leave my roots. I’m a country girl through and through. I wear boots more than anything else.

  Dressed and ready to go, I head over to the ranch. Pulling in next to Momma’s truck, I park and take a deep breath. My heart is galloping in my chest. There are so many memories here. I grew up on this land, learned life lessons, fell in love. Before last night, it was the last place I saw Ian. I broke his heart and mine right there at those front steps.

  Stepping out of the truck, I walk over to the barn. I figure if Will needs a stable hand, that’s where I’ll find him.

  Will is standing with his back to me, much broader than the last time I saw him. Despite the frigid temperature, his t-shirt is stretched tight across his shoulders, the well-worn wranglers cupping his ass and thighs could make a grown woman cry. The muscles he’s gained are from hard work on the ranch, not time spent in some fancy gym. Moving hay bales, carrying bags of feed, digging post holes. This ranching business is a demanding one.

  “Well hey there, darlin.” A scruffy face peaks out of a horse stall, his eyes raking over my body. If I had to guess, he’s one of the Curtis boys. I’ve never seen them with facial hair before, so I can’t be sure, but Will was close to them growing up.

  With a straight spine, I walk past him.

  “I know your momma taught you not to gawk,” I toss over my shoulder, feeling his eyes on my ass.

  Will spins around when he hears my voice, a huge grin splitting his handsome face.

  “No way!” He hurries toward me, lifting me in a bear hug, and spins me around, though he’s not much taller than my five-foot-nine frame.

  “Hey, Will!” I laugh, squeezing him just as tight.

  “When did you get back?” He sets me down, the happiness in his face so clear it shines in his dark chocolate eyes.

  “Just last night.”

  He laughs. “So you were the crazy woman in the street?”

  I smile at his laugh. It’s so good to hear it.

  “I guess so. They sent Ian after me.”

  “I’m not surprised they sent the sheriff. You got purple hair now?” He reaches for my hair and pulls it over my shoulder.

  “Ian’s the sheriff?” I vaguely remember him having a hat on with yellow letters across the front.

  “You saw him, didn’t you?” His dark hair falls into his eyes when he cocks his head. He always did need a haircut.

  “It was raining. Hard to see.” My cheeks heat at my lie, but I’m not admitting to having sex with his brother the first hour I was home. “When did Burt retire? I figured he would be sheriff until he died.”

  Will just lifts an eyebrow at me, crossing his arms over his massive chest. “Last year. He’s got a bum ticker. Ester told him if he didn’t retire, he was going to be cooking his own dinner. She got Betty to agree not to feed him. He lasted a week before he announced his retirement.”

  I can’t help but laugh. Sounds about right.

  “So, I hear you’re looking for a stable hand. I happen to be on the market for a job.”

  “You’re sticking around?”

  “That’s the plan. For now, I’m staying with Momma, but I’m sure she’ll get tired of me soon enough and tell me to find my own place.” I smirk at him.

  “Alright, I could definitely use an experienced hand. What have you been doing for work since you left?” He leans against a horse stall, a long black face comes into view, looking to see what’s going on.

  “Is that Bandit?” My heart is pounding, tears springing to my eyes at the sight of the last colt I helped bring into the world. I loved him from the first second I set eyes on him.

  “Yeah,” Will says with a smile. “He’s an ornery bastard, but he works hard.”

  Stepping up to him, I run my hand down his long face. “Hey, baby.”

  He snorts at me, nudging me in the stomach with his nose.

  “You got a mint?” I ask Will, not taking my eyes off the black quarter horse.

  “Yeah.”

  I open my palm and wait for it before offering it to Bandit. His soft lips take the treat from the flat of my hand, and I smile, stepping up to hug him.

  “Aw, shit. I know that look.” The Curtis brother steps up next to Will, leaning his arm on Will’s shoulder. “She just fell in love.”

  I can hear Will chuckle, but I don’t pay them any mind. That boy is right. I’ve fallen in love.

  Will eventually pulls me away from the black beauty and goes over what my responsibilities will be: mucking stalls, feeding, exercising, and taking care of the horses. All normal duties for the job.

  Will is in charge of the stables and all the horses, so I’ll be working pretty close to him and Johnny Curtis.

  “So, when was the last time you were in the saddle?” Will leans his forearm against the wall the raises an eyebrow at me.

  “Too long,” I say, turning around to look down the aisle of the barn. “You got a horse that needs a workout?”

  “As a matter of fact, Bandit needs to go out.”

  I smile over my shoulder at him before racing for the tack room. His laugh follows me, the warm chuckle like a blanket on a chilly night. Will is three years younger than Ian and me, so while Ian rarely wanted him around, he always was. He was my buddy.

  Moving away from everything and everyone I knew was the hardest thing I’ve done. Then to get stuck in a town only two hours away was devastating. I was finally free to explore the world, to see and do and be and experience, but my car broke down and I didn’t have the money to fix it. Hell, I had barely any money at all.

  It wasn’t what I wanted, but it was probably what I needed. I learned to depend on myself when things were hard. I learned what I could live without, like a cell phone, and what I couldn’t. For the first time in my life, I didn’t have the entire town and two moms looking over my shoulder, helping me to stand. I found myself.

  Finding tack, I head back to my new main man, Bandit.

  Will is watching me with a smirk and his arms crossed over his chest. I admitted to not working in a barn for a while, so I don’t mind him watching over me. These horses are the family’s livelihood, and I would rather get injured myself than hurt one of them.

  “Hey there, handsome,” I coo as I slide the half door open and step inside the stall.

  He huffs at me, telling me he won’t put up with my shit. I smile at him and get the bridle on, then tie the reins to the hook on the wall.

  In the few short minutes it takes me to get Bandit situated, Will has a pad and saddle in his hands waiting. He lifts it to set on Bandit’s back, the muscles of his arms bulging. I can’t help but stare. They’re in my face and bigger than my head. What happened to the little boy I grew up with? Apparently, he became a man, and it’s damn distracting.

  “Hey, my eyes are up here.”

  My cheeks flame at being caught. “You got a concealed carry for those bad boys? They’re dangerous.”

  Will chuckles as I start getting the saddle ready to ride. He stands right behind me, watching my every move as I buckle and cinch the straps. I adjust the stirrup, put my boot through it, and grip the horn to pull myself up. Will he
lps me with his hands on my hips, and a tingle of awareness passes through me.

  This is weird.

  I’ve never seen Will as a dating option. Ever. Whatever this is needs to stop. I have enough crap on my plate. I don’t need the Rojas boys fighting for my attention.

  Will hands me the reins and places a hand on my leg. I lift an eyebrow at him and look at his hand, then back at his face. He smirks, but removes his hand.

  “Bandit knows the property, so you won’t get lost on him. When you’re ready to head back, just tell him home and he’ll getcha back,” Will tells me, stepping back to give me room.

  With a smile so big my cheeks hurt, I command him into a walk to get out of the barn then spur him into a canter.

  “Hey! Eva!” Melanie Rojas sees me and waves on my way to the open field I’ve missed.

  This field is how I got the nickname Wildflower. In the spring, this field is filled with the delicate blooms. I would spend hours out here, lying in the tall grass, making crowns of flowers, picking bouquets for Mel and Momma. The light purple balls are my favorite flowers.

  Mel opens the pasture gate for me with a big smile. “You and your momma come up to the house for dinner tonight.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I nod her a thanks and take off over the hill of the field.

  The wind whips around me, setting my heart soaring. The rhythmic galloping of Bandit’s hooves on the dirt matches my pulse.

  It’s been too long since I was in a saddle. I spent a lot of my teenage years right here, in the training corral, practicing for rodeos. I was a damn good barrel racer for a while. The Rojas family was always there to cheer me on. I worked my ass off to take care of the horse they let me use, Bandit’s mother. I was so excited when she got pregnant. Like it was my baby.

  The thought turns sour, suddenly not as free as I was a moment ago.

  My baby.

  The reason I left. I ran so fast. Ian didn’t understand. He probably still doesn’t. It wasn’t fair to him. Guilt clenches in my stomach, regret closing my throat. Will he ever be able to forgive me?