I lie in bed, not wanting to get up just yet. I want to stay in the warmth of the dream I just had of my angel. She was here on the ranch and in my arms. She was mine to hold, to touch, and to kiss. The best part? Her belly was round with my child.
The dream was so simple, but it was everything. Ella was sitting on my lap on the front porch, and I was rubbing her stomach, playing with our child who would kick my hand over and over. Ella laughed, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I looked up at Ella and a second before her lips met mine, I woke up.
Not only did I wake up, but I woke up with a hard-on and the worst case of blue balls. No matter how many times I take care of myself when I wake up, in the cold shower, before bed, it is never enough. I don’t think it would ever be enough until it’s her.
Even though I know it won’t help, I take myself in my hand and stroke my hard cock up and down. I close my eyes and think of the dream Ella round with my child, her breasts fuller and at eye level. Then I change the dream.
I pull her top down to expose one of those milky tits and take it into my mouth and suck hard, causing her to gasp and arch her back, followed by a moan. I slip my hand under her skirt to find her soaking wet for me.
I squeeze my dick harder and stroke faster as I think of sliding my fingers into her soaking-wet pussy and thrusting in and out of her. I increase my stroking, and my stomach muscles tighten as I come all over my belly in hot spurts.
The relief lasts only minutes before my phone goes off, and I see a good morning text from her. My balls ache all over again.
Ella: Good morning! What’s on the agenda today?
Well? Cleaning up cum on my stomach from jacking off to fingering you for one. But I don’t think she or her parents would appreciate that text.
Me: Helping Sage unload a new horse today before heading into the bar. Have payroll today. Loads of fun. What about you?
I get up and head in to take a quick and very cold shower, which doesn’t help matters one bit when I see a have not just a text but a picture from her.
The photo is of her standing in front of her garden, and she’s smiling at me a bit shy. Fuck, I’m rock hard again.
Ella: Gardening today and then I’m volunteering at the animal shelter.
I save the photo to my phone before I reply.
Me: Playing with puppies is the best volunteer work.
Ella: It really is.
She includes several laughing face emojis.
We text a bit more about some of the animals at the shelter as I get ready to head downstairs.
It’s been a week since my visit with Ella. This time away from her is killing me even though I know in a week, she’ll be here with me again. Even just for a few days, it still might as well be years away.
Just as we’re finishing up breakfast, the private investigator calls with an update on Seth.
“Tell me you have something, Ozzy,” I answer the phone.
“Well, I have something in the fact that I don’t have anything.” The man on the other end takes a drag from his cigarette.
“Please explain.”
“The man known as Seth Covine with the information he registered at the church with, doesn’t exist.”
“Okay, now what?”
“Well, in my line of work, that means he’s running from something. You and your girl both said you get a bad vibe from him. I’d say your gut is right, and you need to stay away.”
“How do we find out who he really is?”
“That’s as easy as it is hard. We just need his fingerprints. But since I’m willing to bet he won’t give them up willingly, I have an idea.”
“What is it?”
“I have someone pose as someone interested in the church at an event he’s at. We keep eyes on him then swipe a glass he drinks from. This won’t only give me his fingerprints but his DNA.”
“Do it. Just don’t let anyone know who you are, why you’re there, or who hired you. I haven’t told my girl’s family yet.”
“Sounds good. My sister will be the one going in. I figure a little flirting will be a good distraction, and she’ll cause less attention than I would, at a church anyway. I’ll be in touch.”
When we hang up, a wave of unease washes over me. My gut was right about Seth, but we have no idea what he’s running from. It could be something as simple as a stalker, but I have a feeling it’s more along the lines of something more sinister.
To take my mind off it, I head over to my parents’ house. Mom is at the beauty shop today, gossiping with the old ladies and Megan. I smile thinking about it. I know Ella will love Megan’s shop, and I can’t wait to show it to her when she’s here.
When I get to my parents’ house, I find Dad in his study, reading. He has always had an open-door policy and insists family never needs to knock, but I still do on the doorframe to get his attention.
Dad’s office is huge, and he has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the barn, so he can see what’s going on. The chair he likes to read in is next to these windows on the other side of the room, so I doubt he heard me come in.
“Jason! How are you, son?”
“Good, Dad, how are you?” I walk into the room.
“Well, honestly, it’s a bit too quiet here with your mom gone into town.” He chuckles.
“Well, I was hoping for your help with something.”
“Anything.”
That’s one of the many amazing things about Mom and Dad. They don’t care what us kids need help with, they’re there and will support us. It’s never come up, but I’m willing to bet it wouldn’t matter if it were legal or not.
“Well, I need to go ring shopping.”
I watch a huge smile cross his face. “Oh, it’s about time. I knew that Ella was a special one. It is Ella, right?”
I laugh. “Yes, Dad, it’s Ella. I think it’ll be a little bit before I ask, but I want to be ready.”
“Oh, I know that feeling. I had your mom’s ring in my pocket for two months before I finally asked.” He stands and heads across the room. “I know just the place to look. They have great vintage stuff too. Not that stuff you find in stores that are cookie cutter of what ten thousand women have.”
I knew Dad would understand what I needed.