I can’t stop smiling as Clay kisses down my spine, and I roll over wanting to kiss him too. We spent hours kissing each other last night. I think sometimes we’d nod off only to wake up and start kissing again.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says lazily, his lips pulling into a half-smile. His dark hair is a mess from me running my fingers through it.
“Hey, yourself.”
This time when his lips touch mine, it’s lazy and slow. His tongue caresses me with each stroke, and I remember that wicked thing between my thighs. I still can’t believe the pleasure he gave me, the need I had to do the same to him. It tossed away any shyness I might have had, and we shared something more powerful than I could have imagined.
I wrap my arms and legs around him, loving the feel of our naked bodies pressed into each other. He pulls his mouth away but changes his mind a moment later, and he’s kissing me again. He gives a reluctant groan before he finally stops.
“Keep your hold on me, baby. Don’t let go…”
“I wasn't planning on it.” He picks me up and carries me toward the bathroom.
His steps falter when I nibble on his neck a little too hard and his cock, trapped between us, jerks. I feel the pre-cum on his cock smearing all over my skin, and I groan.
My nipples tighten against his hard chest as I think about Clay putting his mark on me. Around here they put a brand on cattle so they can’t be taken and sold. If Clay branded me, then maybe no one could take me from him. What would happen if I didn't go back? Would they toss my sister to Judge next?
I want to cry because my options of marrying Judge or making my sister do it are pretty freaking terrible. What if Kat came here to stay—would Clay even let her? I think he might if he knew it would mean I could stay too. We only have to wait until she’s 18 and then my parents can’t stop her, really.
But then my parents would lose everything. I hate that I have so much guilt over it, because they didn't have any when they sold me off to Judge.
Clay turns on the water in the shower before he steps inside. His hands roam up and down my back, and the rough feel of them is so good against my skin. It isn't only the touch that I enjoy but how strong and safe it makes me feel. Even now as his hands slide over me, he’s pushing away all thoughts of my family.
“Can I wash you?” I ask, looking up at him, and the warm water spills over us.
“You can do anything you want, baby.”
He puts me down, and I take my time washing every inch of him. I take note of every scar and freckle on his body because I want to know everything about this man. Then he does the same to me until we’re once again lost in the moment and kissing until we’re breathless.
Can you be addicted to another person? I have this uncontrollable need for Clay. I’m not sure I can handle losing him. I’m going to talk to him about everything. I know he’ll figure it out or fix it somehow.
A weight lifts off my shoulders at how simple it is to just share this burden. It’s crazy how fast I’ve come to trust him and how I’ve felt safe since I walked through the door. Even when he was stomping around and shouting.
“You okay?” He tilts my head back to look up at him.
“Yes, thanks to you.” I lean in and kiss his chest over his heart.
“I know where this is going.” A deep chuckle escapes. “We’re running out of hot water and I’m not letting you take a cold shower on this delicate skin. I also need to feed you.”
I’m not sure cold water actually hurts your skin, but I don’t say nothing. I enjoy the thought of him taking care of me and watching out for me too.
“Fine,” I huff, pretending to be upset, but my smile wins out, and he knows I’m teasing.
“There will be more showers, I can promise you that.” He pulls us out of the shower, and we both get dressed. It’s for the best we put clothes on, or we won’t get anything done today.
“I know you’re running later than normal. There’s still time for me to make you a quick breakfast.”
A giant smile lights up his handsome face. He crosses the bedroom and drops a quick kiss on my mouth. He surprises me when he lifts me up and tosses me over his shoulder, making me laugh. He carries me to the kitchen, and I fear my smile will split my face as I happily bounce along in his grip.
“Good thing I’m the boss. I show up whenever the hell I want.” He sets me down on the kitchen counter. “Figured the least I could do is carry you in here.”
“Thank you for the ride. Now hit the button on the coffee and get the cups. It’s all ready to go.”
He does it as I slip off the counter and start cooking something simple. Clay’s eyes are on me the whole time, watching everything that I do. You’d think I was the most fascinating creature in the world. Maybe to him I am.
His phone starts to ring, and he answers it. “Where?” he asks, and he’s on his feet. “Yes, call them both. Fuck. I’ve been saying we need a full-time vet here.” His body is tight, and I know something’s really wrong. I rush over to the coffee pot and put the rest into the travel mug.
When I turn around, he’s hanging up the phone. “Is everyone okay?”
“One of the hands was checking the fence line and a snake spooked the horse. He threw John and the horse didn't regain his footing and fell too.” That didn't sound too bad. “Into a barbed wire fence.”
I cringe. “Go.” I hand him the cup. “You want to take the toast or bacon?”
He shakes his head, and I want to tell him he should eat something.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back around lunch to check on you. You can feed me then.” He wraps his arm around me and presses his mouth hard against mine before he heads out the door. But not before he tells me to keep my ass inside the house.
I spend an hour or so keeping myself busy, but each minute feels longer than the last. When I’m washing dishes I hear the front door and I spin around to see a woman standing there. She’s in jean shorts and cowboy boots with a white shirt tied in the front showing off her midriff. I’ve never seen her before. I haven't seen another woman around here besides myself.
“Who the hell are you?” she asks, walking toward me, her boots clicking loudly with each step. When she makes it over to the other side of the counter, I see how beautiful she is. She’s tall, too, and has legs for days.
“I think I should be asking you that,” I say to her.
“Did he bring home a one-night stand?” She slaps her hand down on the counter.
“I'm not a one-night stand.”
She rolls her eyes and starts laughing. “I got a call that Clay needed me. He always needs me.” She smirks. “Why don’t you go get your stuff together so this isn't more awkward later when Clay brings me back tonight?”
I swallow the knot forming in my throat, unsure of what to say to her. What if Clay has someone he hasn’t told me about? To be fair, I haven’t exactly explained my fiancé. Could he be hiding his own arrangement?
She lifts her hands. “I mean, really.” She motions to me and then herself. “Don’t embarrass yourself more.”
I ignore her jab. I don’t know if she’s hurting and lashing out or if she’s really just a bitch. “Why aren’t you mad?” I blurt out, and she shrugs.
“He’s playing dirty. He’s still mad I went home with the cowboy from the rodeo show in town a couple months ago. He was ignoring me, but that got his attention. I think you're his payback, and I’m not mad because now he can’t throw it in my face. We can finally move on to marriage and babies and all that. Get it?”
No, I’m not sure I get it at all, but I nod because I want her to leave.
“Good. Now, I'll go check on Clay.” She strolls out the door and slams it behind her.
I walk over to one of the chairs and sit down, feeling numb. I don’t know what to believe. I decide to wait and not let myself get worked up. Clay should be here in an hour or so.
He’s not.
It’s almost four o’clock when he walks in and pulls his Stetson off. He sets it by the front door and takes off his boots.
“Everyone okay?” I ask, and he nods.
“Yeah.” He walks over to me, pulling me into his arms. He holds me tight, and I rest my head on his chest. My stomach drops when the familiar smell of the woman's perfume from earlier hits my nose.
Clay kisses the top of my head. “I’m beat, I’m going to go shower.”
“Want me to join you?”
“No, I’m going to be quick. Why don’t you get dinner going for us?”
I nod, watching him go. When I hear the bathroom door close, I leave out the front, having no idea what I’m doing, but I need air. The house is massive, but I need a deep breath of the cool fall air to clear my head because right now, I’m at a loss.
When I step onto the wraparound porch, to my utter surprise I see my sister getting out of some fancy car I’ve never seen in my life.
She runs straight at me and flings herself in my arms. “You haven’t called me in days!” she squeals as I close my eyes and try not to cry.
Has it been days? God, I’ve lost track of time out here. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve got something I’ve gotta tell you.” She wrings her hands together. “I guess Judge called because he wants to get married this weekend.”
My heart falls to the floor, and I drop my head.
“Can we get out of here?” I need to leave this house for a second and get some space. My sister cringes as she points to the car.
“I think I broke it.”
“It looks fine.”
“It's one of those stick things.”
I shake my head. “Where did you get the car?” She looks anywhere but at me. “Kat.”
“I stole it from Judge.”
My mouth falls open as she shrugs sheepishly.
“What? He has tons of cars over there. He’ll probably never know it’s gone.”
“Babe.”
Kat jerks around faster than me.
I hear Clay’s footsteps in the distance, and I take a steadying breath.
“Why is he calling you ‘babe’?” she asks under her breath. “That’s Clay? You’ve been living with him?” she hisses, and I nod again. “Oh no, Dotty, did you do the nasty with him?”
“Kat!” I shout, because her voice got louder and louder with each question and Clay is standing on the porch fighting a laugh.
“Why don’t you girls come inside?” I don’t move, and Kat must feel my unease. Her eyes narrow on me for a moment as she searches my face.
She stomps towards Clay on a mission, and he puts his hand up in surrender. I try to grab her, but she’s always been quick.
“What did you do to her?” she shouts at him, and it makes me realize why Clay’s shouting never bothered me.
“I’m not sure she wants me to share that with you.”
“You hurt her.” She shoves her finger right into Clay’s chest, and I grab it and pull it down.
“I would never hurt her.” Clay looks down at me then takes my hand and pulls me into him. “Baby?” His eyes are full of worry. “Is something wrong? Tell me and I’ll fix it.” He sounds so sincere, but the perfume and the shower have me second-guessing. He wasn’t back when he said he would be, and doubt is playing with my mind.
“Oh no,” Kat says, and I turn to see Judge’s black truck coming down the long driveway with dust kicking up behind it. “Everyone inside.” Kat pushes at Clay, but he doesn't move. “Control your man,” she orders me.
I push Clay this time, and he goes. When we’re all in the house, Kat slams the door and shoots the bolt.
“Is someone going to tell me who the hell that is?” Neither of us says anything. “Guess I’ll go ask.”
“No!” we both say at the same time.
“Then somebody needs to fill me in here.” He crosses his arms, waiting.
“It’s Judge,” I say, knowing he’s going to find out anyway.
“Judge Russo?” he confirms.
“You know him?” That surprises me.
“We’ve met a few times over the years. I always thought he was a decent man.” That makes sense actually. They both own some of the biggest farms in our state.
“Well, that decent man, as you call him, is here to collect his bride,” Kat fills him in.
“Who?” he asks and stands up straighter.
“Me.” I whisper the word, but it might as well be a shout.
I thought I saw Clay angry before, but I was dead wrong.