by Ali Parker
He’d never fucked me so deeply before. I closed my eyes and held on to a scream of pleasure. He fucked me harder. It was too much.
The climax I was trying to hold on to broke free and reduced me to a shell of ecstasy. I whimpered and writhed, and Wyatt held me in place, unrelenting in his rhythm until he too gave into his orgasm. As he came, he pressed his lips to my forehead and tightened his hold on my ponytail.
For a moment, everything was perfect. I stared up at him with his lips pressed to my forehead and his eyes closed. He groaned, and his hips slowed. Then he opened his eyes and gazed into mine. He loosened his grip on my hair and squeezed my ass. Then his eyes filled with sadness, and he looked away.
He lowered my leg for me and supported me as I turned around. My legs were unreliable and weak. I leaned into him and wrapped my arms around his waist to rest my cheek on his chest. His heart beat wildly like it was trying to escape his ribcage.
He wrapped his arms around me, enveloped me with his size, and rested his cheek on top of my head.
Neither of us had to say a word for the other to understand.
Chapter 19
Wyatt
“I’ll be down in a minute!” Piper called down the stairs to me where I waited in the living room, sitting in my favorite corner of the sofa with my heels kicked up on the coffee table.
“You have plenty of time,” I hollered back.
But that wasn’t really true anymore.
Piper was getting on a flight back to New York City in one week’s time. If the past three weeks were any indication of how fast time could go when I was with her, then this last week was sure to pass faster than I could blink.
I felt like I was losing part of my heart. I rubbed at my eyes and knew how foolish such a sentiment was—and how cliché. How utterly, terribly, woefully cliché.
And yet it was true.
Piper had changed every moment of the past three weeks for me. I woke up feeling more alive than I had in years, and having her by my side working the ranch day in and day out was exactly the sort of life I used to dream of having. And now I had it.
But it was fleeting. So fucking fleeting.
She would be gone in a week, and I would be here, just like I was before her, alone. Sure, I’d have Boone and Dodge, but they weren’t the sort of company I craved. I needed more. I needed the intimacy I had with Piper. I shared something with her that I hadn’t shared with anyone before.
Being with her made me realize how much I had been missing when I’d been with Shannon. At the time, I’d believed she was the right one for me. Like Piper, she worked the ranch with me, and she liked it too, but everything she did was self-serving. Every thought, every action, every word was done and said to further her agenda. She stayed with me until something better came along, and then she switched gears and went to Elias.
In hindsight, it was easy to see how the two of them made a better couple than she and I had. They were both nasty and conniving, and they craved drama like I craved Piper. I hoped dimly that they were at least happy together.
Piper’s footsteps on the stairs alerted me to her arrival, and I got to my feet, self-consciously smoothing out my black suede vest and straightening the cuffs of the black button-up I had on underneath. My black jeans and black boots completed the ensemble that I had specifically chosen to complement Piper’s dress.
When she emerged in the living room, my jaw hit the floor. “Wow,” I breathed.
Piper looked like an angel dressed in black lace. Her long dark brown hair was down, and she’d put it in soft silky curls that tumbled around her shoulders and down her back. Her makeup was simple and soft. She had a pink lip on instead of red. Her cheeks were dusted with pink, and her cheekbones seemed to glow when she turned her head. She had no eye shadow on that I could tell, minus a soft shimmer under her brow. Her eyeliner was super thin, and her lashes were coated in black mascara that gave the look the bit of drama it needed.
“Do you like it?” she asked, putting her hand upon the lace at her right hip.
“Like it?” I asked, moving toward her. “I love it. You look incredible.”
The dress fit her perfectly. The low plunging neckline went down between her breasts to her sternum, revealing a one-inch wide strip of fair, smooth skin. The straps were an equal width of one inch, and the dress was a tight fit down to the top of her thighs, after which it cascaded softly to the floor in a skirt of black lace.
She batted her eyelashes at me. “I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn.”
I smiled. “You’re the most beautiful thing that’s ever worn it.”
She giggled and blushed. “Stop it.”
“I can’t. I’m incapable of it. You’re going to turn heads tonight.”
“The only head I want to turn is yours.”
I grinned and offered her my elbow, which she slipped her arm through. “Good answer.”
She fell into step beside me, and I led her outside, across the porch, down the stairs, and to my truck parked not far from the house.
“Are Boone and Dodge not coming?” she asked, looking around the property which was dusted in a pink hue as the sun began to set.
“They already went over to snag us a table,” I said as I opened the passenger door for her. I held out my hand and helped her up, then tucked the skirt of her dress into the truck so I didn’t close the door on it.
After closing the door, I walked around to the driver’s side, climbed in, started the truck, and cast her one last sweeping glance.
“What?” she asked as she put her seatbelt on.
“I’m starting to regret buying you that. Are you sure you want to go to this thing? We could stay here and fool around, and you could keep the dress on all night.”
Piper giggled and shook her head at me. “Down, boy. There will be plenty of time for that later. People are expecting you, aren’t they?”
“People shmeople.”
She rolled her eyes in good humor. “Drive, Wyatt. Don’t worry. I’ll make it worth the wait.” She put her hand on my knee and squeezed.
It was enough to get me going, and she kept her hand there for the five-minute drive down Cherry Road toward the Doherty Ranch. From Cherry Road, we could see the lights on at the main house, and there were two massive white tents set up and strung with patio lights. Piper gazed out the window and leaned forward as I turned onto their paved driveway and followed it up to the property. It was lined in a white picket fence, and every second post was fitted with a white lantern to light the way.
“This place is beautiful,” Piper said as we drew closer to the main house. “Like straight out of a country chic magazine sort of beautiful.”
“The Doherty’s are incredibly wealthy,” I told her as I turned right into the open field they used for parking. There were already at least thirty vehicles there. “They were the first family to settle out here and build their ranch. It has stayed in the family for generations, and each one of them is a business savvy genius. Their wealth just seems to grow over time.”
“Nothing makes money like money,” Piper said as I pulled into a spot.
“Right you are,” I said. “Hold on. I’ll come around for you.”
Piper waited for me to get out and walk around the truck to open her door for her. She turned toward me, and I lifted her by the waist to set her down on the grass. She thanked me with a kiss and looped her arm through mine again when I held it out to her.
“Are you ready to meet a hell of a lot of people who’ve probably been gossiping about us all month?” I asked.
She shrugged one shoulder as we turned to face the house. Music floated through the air, along with the smells of cheese, onions, meat, and grease. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“They’re all going to love you,” I assured her as we started walking. “They might love you a little too much. And just come get me if you want to leave. We can head home whenever you want.”
She nodded. “All
right.”
When we approached the main house, Piper’s eyes were wide with wonder. She looked from the massive, three-story, colonial-style farmhouse to the outdoor party set up by the inground pool. Under one of the tents was the dining area. It was filled with round tables that sat between six to ten guests that were draped with flowing white tablecloths.
On top of the tables were floral centerpieces of varying colors. Candles flickered in mason jars, and the wavering glow from the candles danced along the gold cutlery set upon navy-blue napkins.
“This feels like a wedding,” Piper whispered.
I chuckled. “Their oldest daughter was married two years ago. You should have seen it. Now that was a party.”
“I can’t even imagine,” she said, her eyes flicking to the other tent where a live band was playing on stage before a throng of people on the dance floor. Above was a disco ball that turned and cast colorful fragments of light all around the tent. Children ran around the outskirts of the dance floor and then bolted out of the tent to race around to the other side.
As we approached the dining tent, Clarice Cole approached us. She had a silver, sparkly shawl draped over her shoulders that complemented her powder-blue dress.
Clarice didn’t even bother looking at me. Instead, she went right to Piper, took both her hands in hers, and patted the back of her hands. “My dear, you look stunning. I’m so glad you came out for the night.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Piper smiled.
Clarice looked up at me. “It’s nice to see you, Wyatt. You look good.”
“Just good?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “She gets ‘stunning’ and I get ‘good’?”
Clarice laughed and clicked her tongue at me before nodding knowingly at Piper. “Always giving me a hard time, he is.”
“It’s part of his charm,” Piper said, gazing up at me.
Clarice paused and looked back and forth between us. “Oh.”
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she said hurriedly, but her cheeks stretched in a smile, and I had the sense she knew something Piper and I did not. She let go of Piper’s hands. “You two go enjoy yourselves. We’ll catch up later. The night is still young.”
Clarice bustled off and left me and Piper to brace ourselves for the parade of people who had spotted us and were coming over to say hello.
Piper stood up a little straighter, and I put my hand on the small of her back to remind her I was there, and I was close, and I wasn’t going to let her face the masses alone.
The first people I introduced her to were the Dohertys themselves, John and Anne. From there, we met their two daughters, along with their son in law. Piper made an excellent impression, which I knew she would, and gushed about their property and the party.
Before they left to tend to their other guests, John winked at Piper. “You’re formally invited to all of our parties, Miss Piper. If you’re ever in town again, you know where to find us.”
After they took their leave, Piper looked up at me. “They’re such nice people.”
“Most folks around these parts are.”
“Except the Bucks?”
I nodded. “Except the Bucks.”
We went through more introductions. By seven-thirty, Piper had met almost every rancher in the surrounding area, along with half the church congregation and their kids.
I steered her away from a flock of newcomers who had just spotted us and headed toward the dinner tent. “Come on. You’re probably starving. Let’s sit down and have something to eat.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”
“I know. Being the belle of the ball is hard work.” I chuckled.
She slapped my arm playfully as we ducked under the tent and spotted Boone and Dodge sitting at a table with two other ranch hands. I steered her toward them, and she rested her head on my shoulder as we walked.
Chapter 20
Piper
Boone and Dodge had full plates of food when Wyatt and I sat down across from them. The other two men at the table, who Wyatt told me were ranch hands here at the Doherty property, had already demolished their meals and were leaning back in their chairs, nursing half-full glasses of amber ale.
One of them, a good-looking young man with a messy mane of curly blond hair, greeted me with a smile. “Hey, you must be Piper. Nice to meet you. I’m Jett, and this here is Nicky.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I said, smoothing out my dress over my thighs and then tucking my chair in.
Boone waggled his eyebrows at me. “You look beautiful tonight, Piper.”
“Thank you.”
Dodge nodded his agreement. “You’re way too good for our Wyatt.”
Wyatt nodded. “Agreed.”
“Shut up, both of you,” I said, hating how red my cheeks must have been.
Wyatt took my plate from in front of me. “I’ll go grab us some food at the buffet. You sit and relax.”
I thanked him with a smile and turned back to the four men who were staring at me expectantly. I blinked at them. “Yes?”
“Are you having a good time so far?” the one named Nicky asked. He was young, probably the youngest of the bunch, and he had the bluest eyes I had ever seen. He was a looker for sure.
“I am,” I said. “Everyone here is so friendly. I definitely didn’t expect such a big party, and it’s a little overwhelming, but I’m glad I came.”
“Just wait ‘til the dancing is in full swing,” Dodge said.
“Do you dance, Piper?” Jett asked.
“A little,” I said. “I’m not very good.”
Boone leaned across the table. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re here with Wyatt.”
Right on cue, Wyatt returned with two plates of food and set mine down in front of me. He’d loaded my pate with veggies, potatoes, gravy, and thin slices of roast. It smelled heavenly, and my stomach rumbled in response.
As I dug in, Boone flagged down a waiter who was walking around with a bottle of wine. He had him fill up my glass, which I thanked him for, and then Wyatt’s, and we all sat around talking while Wyatt and I ate and got to know each other.
I learned that Jett had worked on the Doherty ranch since he was sixteen years old. His father got him the job, and he took to the work and stuck with it. Nicky, on the other hand, had spent his younger years working in the city and moved out here with his girlfriend just a few years ago. The Dohertys had taken a chance on him when their other ranch hand quit to buy his own plot of land farther into the country. Like Jett, ranching had become his be all and end all.
“What do you think of working and living on a ranch?” Jett asked as he polished off his ale. He watched me intently as I dabbed at my lips with my napkin, having just finished my meal. “Is it a big change from living in the city?”
I nodded. “Yes. Definitely. I like the peacefulness of the mornings and the evenings. I like the sounds of nature as opposed to the honking horns and thousands of pedestrians talking on their phones as they go to and from work. I like the pace here, too. Everything is done when it needs to be done. Everything is in the present. Does that make sense?”
The men all stared blankly at me.
I laughed nervously. “Let me try to explain. In the city, everyone is always looking for the next best thing. The next new phone, their next new house, new cars, new clothes, new hairstyles, new everything. Nobody ever takes a minute and feels content. But here, contentment is all I feel. And it’s all I see. Everyone is happy just being. And if I’m being honest, I envy you all for that.”
I could feel Wyatt’s eyes on me. He took my hand and held it in my lap under the table.
I looked down at my plate. “Sorry. Was that too much?”
“Not at all,” Jett said.
Nicky nodded his agreement. “It’s nice to have a fresh perspective. Our lifestyle can be very narrow and focused sometimes. It’s almost validating to hear we’re not missing out on anything besides a ma
ssive rat race nobody can win.”
I looked up at him and smiled. “That’s a very good way to put it.”
“I didn’t know you didn’t like the city, Piper,” Boone said.
I shook my head. “Oh, don’t mistake me. I love New York. What people say is true. The energy there is unreal. There is so much to do and see, and it really does feel like you’re a part of something sometimes. But this is the first time I’ve been able to see myself living a completely different lifestyle. You know, away from the craziness and the chaos and the concrete?”
Wyatt gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, and I squeezed back.
The men left the subject alone and moved on to talk about other things, which soon turned to a sour topic: the Buck brothers.
“Haven’t seen them all night,” Nicky said, a smug smile on his lips. “Maybe they finally got the hint that they’re not welcome here and everyone is tired of their shit.”
Wyatt shook his head. “They don’t give a damn.”
“True,” Nicky said. “But a guy can hope, can’t he?”
Boone nodded at Wyatt. “We’ve had our eyes peeled for them all night, and so far, there’s no sign of them. Maybe they decided a party like this isn’t worth their time anymore?”
Wyatt shrugged. “Perhaps. Or maybe they’re planning on crashing later once they’re good and drunk and rowdy.”
Jett grimaced. “Well, if they do show, we could always drown them in the pool.”
Everyone chuckled.
Topics of conversation migrated to other happier things, although we did linger on discussions about the weather and how it would affect crops for a little longer than my liking. But I smiled and nodded along nonetheless, even when I had no idea what the men were talking about.
When I was starting to sip my second glass of wine, Jett rested his elbows on the table and nodded at me. “So, uh, Piper.”
“Yes?”
He dropped his voice. “Do you have any sisters or cousins or anything who might be interested in—”
