Tinder Ella: A Modern Day Single Dad Fairy-Tale

by Eddie Cleveland

  Eat your heart out Glenda.

  Chapter 2

  “How about you give the lady, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear your name,” Levi swings his leg over his chestnut brown horse and lands steady on both feet next to me. For a second, I don’t remember a name to give him, I’m breathing harder than I should be and letting my eyes travel over his strong, lean body.

  “It’s, uh,” I search my brain for a name I’ve had for twenty-nine years now, but I come up blank.

  “This is Lacy,” Chase hops off his stallion, keeping it under control with the reigns. I smile up at him, thankful that he stepped in for me and flattered that he remembered my name better than I did.

  “That’s right,” I run my hands over my long hair, twisting it up and letting it fall back down over my shoulder, “I'm Lacy,” I parrot Chase’s words, “I think I’m a little tired from the drive so a nice home cooked meal and an early night sound really good right now.

  “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am,” Levi touches the brim of his hat and I feel a trillion butterfly wings tickle my insides. Normally I’d hate to be called “ma’am”. It seems like a nice way of saying “old lady”. But the way it rolls off Levi’s tongue almost makes me giggle like a little school girl. My imagination runs wild as I picture other times he could call me ma’am, like with my arms and legs tied together and him fucking me feverishly from behind. “Oh ma’am, your pussy is so tight you’re gonna make me cum before I have a chance to fuck that sweet little ass of yours.”

  I blink.

  Hard.

  Pushing away the dirty thoughts that are making me slick with desire. Focus Lacy. You’d think you’ve never seen hot guys before! I have, obviously. However, there’s something different about these two. Chase and Levi aren’t like the shirtless guys I’ve seen running down city blocks with their Fitbit’s clinging to their wrists and their iPhone’s attached to their arms. These guys are rugged and their bodies are hard, but I can see it’s not from lifting at the gym. I scan the visible, bulky ridges of Chase’s muscles threatening to burst from his tight plaid shirt and then peer over at Levi’s tight swimmer body and smile, these two are chiseled from manual labor on the farm and it just makes them so much sexier. Either of them could easily toss me over their shoulder and take me any way they wanted, and there’s something about this ranch, something about being removed from the city like this that makes that possibility feel so exciting.

  “How about you give Lacy here a tour of the place while I get cleaned up for dinner?” Levi nods at his business partner.

  “Sure thing," he answers before looking at me, “do you have any bags that I can bring inside for you ma’am?” There’s that ma’am thing again. It doesn’t bother me coming from either one of them.

  “Bags? Oh, yeah, I do,” I turn on my heel and pop open my trunk, jerking my suitcase out and onto the packed dirt.

  “Here Levi, can you take Milly back to her stall?” Chase hands the reigns to his horse over and Levi grabs them.

  “Sure thing, I’ll catch you two inside,” he smiles and those dimples appear again making my heart skip a beat.

  It’s lucky that I’ve still got these sunglasses on because I can’t help the way my gaze has slid over his body and rested for too long between his legs. Is that bulge real? There’s no way… is there? Because if it is, I’m all for saving a horse and riding a cowboy!

  “This way,” Chase interrupts my moment and probably saves me from myself. I’m not sure what’s going on with me. Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t gotten properly laid in almost a year, maybe it’s the fact that I was fully ready and willing to fix that situation with some random fling in Hawaii. Whatever it is, I feel like a horny teen again, barely capable of containing my overwhelming desires.

  I follow Chase into the house and wish I could say what my first impression of the place is. I mean, I’m going to need to write it down for my article later. Yet, I have no freaking clue. All I can see, all I can watch is the way his firm, full ass fits those tight jeans. As we walk in through the door Chase lifts his cowboy hat from his head and hangs it on a hook by the door. I hover my hand next to my sunglasses, quickly sneaking a shameless peek down over the thick bulge dangling below his huge belt buckle. I push my sunglasses up over my hair like a headband and force myself to look away, but I can’t help the smile tugging up the corners of my mouth.

  “This is a nice place you have here,” I try to make small talk and get my mind out of the gutter for two seconds, “how did you and Levi end up going into business together?”

  Chase lifts my heavy luggage and tilts his head as he ponders the question, “Thank you, we’ve tried to keep just like it was over a hundred years ago. This was my great-grandfather’s ranch back then and it was passed down through the generations,” he begins walking up the old pine stairs and I follow him.

  “Oh, so are you and Levi brothers then?” I raise an eyebrow wondering how so much sexy can be in one family.

  “Well, sorta, he’s my stepbrother. My mom passed when I was eighteen and Dad always said there are two types of men in the world,” he makes it up the creaky stairs and waits for me on the landing.

  “What kinds are those?” I realize that I’m actually a tiny bit out of breath after making my way up the steep steps. This working weekend might just kill me. But then, if it does, at least I went to heaven.

  “He said there’s the type of men who love their wives so much that they die of a broken heart not long after the women go and there’s the type who love their wives so much they can’t stand to live alone in the void they leave behind. I guess he was the latter,” he shrugs again and leads me down the wide hallway to a bedroom.

  “That’s sweet,” I smile, hoping someday to find someone who loves me that much.

  “What can I say? Dad was a romantic. So this is your room,” he walks in through the doorframe and the top of his head almost brushes the frame. If he was still wearing his hat, he’d lose it.

  A tingle of excitement buzzes through me as I follow him into the bedroom. I know it’s immature, but being in a room with a bed with this man is enough to set my nervous system on fire. I can easily picture him lifting me up and tossing me down on the bed like a rag doll, ripping my clothes off and stuffing his huge cock inside me mercilessly.

  Instead, he effortlessly lifts my heavy luggage from the floor and lies it across the bed for me, “The accommodations are modest, but if there’s anything you need tonight, don’t hesitate to ask,” I swear I can see a twinkle in Chase’s blue eyes. I think he’s teasing me. Tempting me.

  “Everything looks great,” I force myself to glance around the room like I give a crap about the tiny flowered wallpaper on the walls or the chair rail detail. I don’t.

  “Well, you’ll have Levi on one side of you and me on the other,” his voice drops an octave and I can’t help the blaze of heat burning over my cheeks.

  “Excuse me?” I squeak. I mean, I’m up for it, but it’s kinda bold for him to just throw it out there like that.

  “Our rooms,” he tilts his head and I can see the mischievous sparkle dance in his eyes as he smirks at me, “Levi is the next room to your right and mine is the next to your left,” he jerks his head toward the bedroom door. “Why? What did you think I meant?” He cocks his eyebrow and my cheeks burn deeper.

  He knows damned well what I thought he meant and he can probably tell from my rock hard nipples pressing against my dress that the thought has me hot as hell.

  “Um, nothing, so Levi said supper will be ready soon?” I try to change the subject to something else. Anything else.

  “It will, he’s been cooking up a pot roast dinner all day. You’re gonna love it. It’ll have to be an early night because we’re going to be hitting the trail at daylight, but we might even have enough time for some dessert too,” again Chase drops his voice to a velvety whisper and a shiver runs through me. Can I be dessert?

  “Sounds great, well, not the daybreak pa
rt, but the rest,” I force a smile and try not to look at him like a dog slobbering over a steak.

  “Great, I’ll leave ya to it,” Chase nods at my suitcase. “See you in the dining room soon,” he winks and leaves the room while I’m still rooted to the spot. At least, I think he winked. That may have been wishful thinking.

  I unzip my bag and look at the ridiculous amount of clothes I packed. I never unpacked my bag from when I thought I was going to Hawaii so my bikini, tankini and cover-ups are still in there. So are my summer dresses and short shorts. In fact, as I begin to shuffle the clothes around, I realize I might not really have anything appropriate to wear on a cattle run. What was I thinking? Panic begins to well up inside me. I can’t go horseback riding in hot shorts and a strapless tank top. Ugh. I’m going to have to figure it out later, right now my rumbling tummy tells me to make my way downstairs.

  I head out in the hallway and pass by the washroom on my way out. I expected to see the pristine tile and the old fashioned soaker tub, however I didn’t expect to see Levi in nothing but a towel standing in front of the huge mirror.

  Wow.

  He has one of those tight swimmer bodies where all his abs are perfectly defined but not bulky. His biceps flex tight as he wipes the steam from the mirror and I can’t help but notice how the towel clings to his tight ass.

  Suddenly Levi catches a glimpse of me in the mirror, standing in the hallway creeping on him and he smiles at me. Those dimples make my heart beat in my throat and I quickly look away. “Sorry,” I mumble and drag my feet forward across the old hardwood planks.

  I hear him chuckle as I walk away, obviously he’s not flustered by my peeping Tom act. If he was worried, he would’ve had the door shut tight. I can’t help but wonder if he wanted me to see him. If he wanted me to stare.

  I try to push the thoughts away and focus on the tasty supper waiting for us downstairs. However, all I can think about is my sweet, decadent dessert.

  Chapter 3

  I slowly linger on the stairs, making my way down to the wafting scent of a delicious meal as I try to properly soak in my surroundings. I need to take in this place, not just the guys who run it. After all, at the end of this little adventure, I’m going to have to turn in my assignment and as much as I’d love to watch Mr. Wilcox’s face as I describe Chase, Levi and how they reduce me to a quivering puddle of aching need, I also like having a job. What can I say, I’ve gotten used to the whole having money to pay for food thing.

  I’m trying to write an opening paragraph for my article in my head. Something about down home hospitality. Something about taking in time to revel in quaint beauty and simple pleasures.

  Thump, thump, thump.

  I turn toward the unexpected sound and see Levi bounding down the stairs toward me at a breakneck speed. For a second, I think he’s going to knock into me and we’ll both tumble to the bottom like a snowball that rolls into a giant avalanche.

  “Race ya!” He calls out with a boyish grin on his face that I can’t help but smile back at. Who can take themselves, or anything else for that matter, too seriously with him looking at them like that.

  Immediately I start plowing down the stairs with him like a kid speeding down to the Christmas Tree at the crack of dawn on the 25th of December. My smile transforms into a silly grin as my feet pound against the old wood stairs and Levi and I race, neck and neck, to the bottom. I’m pretty sure I’m going to beat him, but then he takes a flying leap when we still have 4 steps to go and lands with a thud in the entryway.

  I follow him down and can’t help but return his infectious smile. There’s something so refreshing about a man who still makes time to have some fun. I try to remember the last time I just cut loose like this in the city… but I’m drawing a blank.

  “You kept up pretty good,” Levi sounds like he’s actually impressed as he looks me over. I swallow hard as his tight, clean shirt seems to get tighter when he runs his hand through his lush, blonde hair.

  “I guess I’ve got a competitive streak,” I admit, twisting my own hair around my hands before letting it fall back down to my shoulder.

  “Nothing wrong with that,” he steps toward me and I breathe in sharply. “Sometimes, when men and women get competitive, that’s when they have the most fun,” his voice is deep and rich and it makes every cell in my body come alive. It’s as if, on a genetic level, my very DNA is awakened by his sexy, soothing voice. Not to mention his body.

  Rap-rap! Rap-rap!

  Levi and I both jolt as if waking from a dream and turn toward the front door to the house behind us. He grabs the handle and jerks the door open, facing a concerned looking boy with dark, tousled hair and worry etched on his face.

  “Eric? What’s up?" Levi’s lips press into a thin line and the boyish charm twinkling in his eyes disappears.

  “Sorry to interrupt your evening, sir. I just wanted to keep you up-to-date that Ginger seems to be in the early stages of labor now,” the young man rubs his hands down his deeply tanned arms as he speaks.

  “Really? Great! Thanks for the update,” Levi smiles and nods at the boy.

  “Yes sir,” Eric bends his head and then walks away as Levi closes the door.

  “All right, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he turns back toward me and jerks his head toward the end of the hallway. “Let’s grab some grub!”

  My stomach growls in agreement as I follow him toward the intoxicating scent of a home cooked meal. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten much more than take out or tv dinners, so I’m more excited than I should be to sit down and eat a meal that I didn’t have to carry have to pop out of some kind of box for once.

  As we round the corner into the dining room, my watering mouth drops open. I can’t believe the incredible spread of food and perfectly placed settings on the table. My eyes ping-pong back and forth over the baked ham, the platter of roasted veggies, the gravy boat and the buttermilk biscuits.

  “Wow,” I drag my eyes from the incredible meal and look up at my hosts.

  “Sit down, let’s dig in,” Levi sweeps his hand toward one of the high back chairs at the table and I take my seat.

  “This looks incredible,” I manage to speak despite the fact that I might drool on myself. I can’t believe how amazing all the food smells as the guys sit down on either end of the table and begin to pass me dishes.

  “And it will taste even better, Levi is a talented cook,” Chase nods over at his friend.

  “You made all this?” I look over at him incredulously.

  “It was nothing,” he looks shy for a second and I’m pretty sure my heart is going to burst from how cute it is.

  “All right, bon appetite,” Chase fills my glass with wine and I pile my plate high with food.

  “Thank you,” I lift my fork full of potatoes and a little slice of meat to my lips and am pretty sure my taste buds explode with the flavour.

  “Make sure you leave some room for dessert,” Chase reminds me with a smile as I devour my supper.

  ****

  “Honestly, guys, that was the best meal I think I’ve ever had. So good,” I gulp the last mouthful of wine from my glass and notice that the men exchange a little look.

  “Thank you,” Levi lifts the bottle of wine from the table and tries to pour some more but there are only drips falling into his empty glass.

  “I’ll get some more,” Chase stands up and grabs my empty plate from in front of me. “It’s nice to see a girl that actually eats for once. Not like all those chicks who just nibble on salad and try to convince you it’s a meal,” he chuckles.

  “Nah, that’s never been my style,” I smile up at him, feeling the warmth of the wine spread over my cheeks as I begin to relax a bit. “Here, let me help you clear the table,” I begin to slide my chair out but both of the guys raise their hands in protest.

  “No way, you’re our guest. Sit tight, we got this,” Levi shakes his head and grabs the platters and plates from the farmhouse table.<
br />
  “Yeah, just relax, we’ll be right back,” Chase agrees.

  Honestly, I don’t mind chilling here while a couple of hunky cowboys wait on me. There’s worse ways that a girl could spend an evening. True to their word, they both return quickly, Chase holding another bottle of wine and a bowl of whip cream while Levi carries in an almost empty pie tin and some fresh plates and forks.

  “And dessert is served,” Levi smirks at me as he lays the pie plate on the table.

  I raise an eyebrow at the two big slices left in the tin. Don’t get me wrong, they look delicious. They smell amazing. But, after the big production of a meal, I guess I expected a full cake or something. Not a pie that’s obviously already been munched at all week.

  “Nothing quite like a sweet slice pie, is there?” Chase fills all of our glasses with wine and then takes his seat beside me.

  “No, I can’t think of anything I’d rather have in my mouth than that,” Levi agrees, placing plates in front of each of us.

  I can’t help but smirk at their banter, they know exactly what they’re doing. I’m not ashamed to say, it’s working. The idea of them sampling my own cherry pie, both of them, together, has got me more tipsy than this wine. And I must say, the wine has me buzzing pretty good.

  “Oh yeah?” I tilt my head and look at each of them slowly from under my eyelashes. “What kind of pie are you guys eating tonight?” I circle my finger over the edge of my wine glass as my nipples pebble under my clothes.

  “Peach,” Chase smirks and I blush furiously. That man can eat my juicy peach any and every day.

  For a flash of a second I imagine myself up on the big table, spread open before both of them as they push each other out of the way, both trying to be the first to taste my juices. Both trying to be the first to eat my pie.

  Levi plops a big slice down on my plate and I give my head a shake, bringing me back to reality. “But, there’s only one slice left,” I look at the tin quizzically and then up at each man.