28. Lucas
Chapter 28
Lucas
I stepped aside, gesturing for Beau to come inside. My breath caught in my throat as his boots clunked against my hard vinyl floor and my stomach twisted as he pulled his cowboy hat off and ran his hands through his disheveled blond hair. Those piercing blue eyes avoided my gaze as he fidgeted with the brim of his hat. And no matter how much I stared, I couldn’t believe my cowboy was here in New York, in my apartment of all places. I just didn’t know why.
“Can I… uh… get you anything to drink?” I asked, shutting the door behind him.
“Nah, I'm alright,” Beau drawled, his Texas drawl thick in the air of my cramped city apartment. He glanced around, taking in the stark contrast between my urban dwelling and the wide-open spaces of Sagebrush he was used to.
I couldn't help but drink in the sight of him. His sun-kissed skin seemed to glow even in the dim light of my living room, and the scent of leather and prairie grass clung to him like a second skin. It hurt my heart to have him so close and know that he probably still despised me. I still couldn’t figure out why he’d come to New York. Probably to tell me off one last time for being such an asshole .
“So, uh... what brings you all the way out here?” I ventured, trying to keep my voice steady.
Beau's eyes finally met mine, a storm of emotions swirling in those azure depths. He took a deep breath, his broad chest expanding beneath his plaid shirt.
“I couldn't stay away,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. My heart raced, hope and fear warring within me. I took a hesitant step closer, hardly daring to breathe.
“What do you mean, Beau?” I asked, my voice trembling.
He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I... I've been thinkin' about you. Ever since you left Sagebrush. Couldn't get you outta my head, no matter how hard I tried.”
His eyes flickered down to my lips, then back up to meet my gaze. The intensity there made my knees weak.
“I know I said some harsh things when you left,” he continued, his voice thickening with emotion. “But I was hurt, and scared, and... well, I reckon I've had time to sort through a little bit of it. I’m still upset but I think I know what I need to say to you.”
I held my breath, my heart pounding so hard I was sure Beau could hear it. The air between us crackled with tension as I waited for him to continue. His blue eyes searched mine, as if looking for the courage to speak.
“I...” Beau started, then stopped, running a hand through his hair again. “Dammit, I ain't good with words. Never have been.”
He took a step closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body. The scent of him - leather, hay, and something uniquely him - enveloped me, making my head spin. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to ask him to consume me with his kiss. But I kept silent, waiting for him to say what he needed to say.
“I miss you,” he finally said, his voice low and raspy. “I miss you somethin' fierce, and I can't stand it anymore. I tried to forget you, tried to convince myself it was just a fling, that I didn’t matter to you, but...”
His hand reached out, rough fingers grazing my cheek. The touch sent electricity coursing through me, and I couldn't help but lean into it.
“But?” I prompted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Beau's eyes locked onto mine, vulnerability and desire warring in their depths. “But I can't. I can't forget you. I can't stop thinkin' about you. About us. And I’m sorry about what I said… I was… well, I didn’t mean it. I want you back in Sagebrush with me as my… my boyfriend.”
My heart thundered in my chest as he stepped even closer, his body nearly pressed against mine. I was overwhelmed to have him so close, the hope surging through me so hard I thought I might pass out. Did he really mean it? Was he ready for that sort of thing? I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wanted it so bad I could taste it.
“I’m sorry, Beau,” I said, unable to look him in the eye. “I was such an asshole to you… I shouldn’t have lied. It was wrong and you shouldn’t have to forgive me for that. You put everything on the line for me and I?—”
He reached up his hand, pressing his fingers to my lips to silence me. “Shh,” Beau murmured, his fingers still pressed gently against my lips. “I know. And I ain't sayin' it's all forgiven and forgotten. But I've done some thinkin', and I reckon we both made mistakes.”
His hand dropped from my mouth, trailing down to rest on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch seeped through my shirt, making my skin tingle. My stomach did a little backflip as I moved my hand to his hip.
“I was scared,” he continued, his voice low and husky. “Scared of what people would think, scared of losin' the ranch, scared of... of how much I felt for you. So, I pushed you away. And when you left, I realized that losin' you was worse than any of those other fears. Even worse than losin’ my barbecue recipe to some big company.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Actually, the recipe was the least of my worries after you left. You’re more important to me than anything else.”
My breath caught in my throat as Beau's other hand came up to cup my face. His calloused thumb brushed gently across my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. I leaned into his touch, savoring the feeling of him against me once more.
“Beau,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I... I don't know what to say. I never thought you'd forgive me, let alone come all this way...”
He smiled softly, a hint of that shy, quiet cowboy I'd fallen for peeking through. “Well, I reckon sometimes a man's gotta take a risk for what he wants. And what I want... is you.”
Before I could respond, Beau closed the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his broad shoulders as I returned the kiss with equal fervor. He tasted of cheap fast food, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was that it was him kissing me and him standing there in my apartment.
“I love you, cowboy,” I said, pulling away from him at last. “So much.”
“I love you too,” he grinned back, blush filling his cheeks. “More than I can say.”
His words sent a wave of warmth through me, and I couldn't help but smile back, my heart soaring. Beau's strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. I reveled in the feeling of his solid chest against mine, the scent of him enveloping me.
“So,” I murmured, my fingers tracing patterns on the back of his neck, “what now?”
Beau's eyes darkened slightly, a mischievous glint appearing. “Well,” he drawled, his voice low and husky, “I reckon we've got some lost time to make up for.”
His lips found mine again, this time with more urgency. I gasped as he backed me up against the wall, his body pressing into mine. My hands tangled in his hair as the kiss deepened, passion igniting between us like a wildfire. I stopped for only a moment to grab my phone and text Lucas, telling him I was busy for the next hour or so and not to come knocking. I didn’t bother to wait for his reply before I tossed the phone aside and fell back into Beau’s arms.
As Beau's lips trailed down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, I could hardly believe this was happening. His strong hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him as he nipped at my collarbone. I let out a soft moan, my fingers tangling in his hair as our cocks ground together, nothing separating them but a thin layer of denim.
“Bedroom?” I managed to gasp out between kisses.
Beau pulled back slightly, his blue eyes dark with desire. “Lead the way, darlin',” he growled.
I took his hand, guiding him through my small apartment to the bedroom. As soon as we crossed the threshold, Beau spun me around, pressing me against the door as it closed behind us. His lips claimed mine in a searing kiss that left me breathless. I felt his hands go to my hips, his engorged cock grinding against my ass.
“God, I've missed you,” he murmured against my skin as he kissed his way down my back. “I never wanna be without you again.”
I moaned against the wall, pushing back against him teasingly. “Then don’t let me go, cowboy. I’m all yours. Whenever you want. Night or day.”
He leaned close, his lips against my ear. “Forever?”
I swallowed hard, shuddering with delight. “Forever.”
Beau's lips trailed down my neck, his stubble scratching deliciously against my skin. His strong hands roamed my body, leaving trails of tingles in their wake. I arched into his touch, desperate for more.
“Beau,” I gasped as he nipped at my earlobe. “Please...”
He chuckled low in his throat, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “Patience, darlin',” he drawled, his accent thicker with arousal. “I wanna take my time with you.”
His fingers deftly lifted my shirt, pulling it off my body and tossing it to the floor. I turned in his arms, my hands going to the buttons of his plaid shirt. My fingers trembled slightly as I worked them open, revealing more of his sun-kissed skin with each one.
Beau's eyes never left mine as I pushed his shirt off his broad shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. My hands roamed over his muscular chest, tracing the lines of his abs and feeling the warmth of his skin. He shivered under my touch, his breath hitching.
“You're so beautiful,” I murmured, leaning in to press soft kisses along his collarbone.
Beau's hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. “Look who's talkin',” he growled, his voice full of lust.
In one swift movement, he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me to the bed like I was made of nothing. He laid me down gently, his body covering mine as he captured my lips in another searing kiss. I arched up against him, desperate for more contact. The friction between us wasn’t enough and my cock was already aching with need.
His hands trailed down my sides, fingers hooking into the waistband of my jeans. He slowly unbuttoned them, his eyes locked on mine as he slid the zipper down. I lifted my hips, allowing him to pull them off along with my underwear, setting my cock free at last. Beau's gaze raked over my naked form, hunger blazing in those blue depths.
“Damn,” he breathed, his voice husky. “You're even more gorgeous than I remember.”
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at his words. “You're not so bad yourself, cowboy,” I murmured, reaching for his belt buckle. “But you're a little overdressed, don't you think?”
Beau grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Well, we can't have that, can we?”
He stood, slowly unbuckling his belt, the metal clinking softly. I propped myself up on my elbows to watch, my head level with the crotch of his jeans. I sat there, mesmerized, as Beau's strong hands worked open his pants. He shimmied them down his muscular thighs, revealing a pair of tight boxer briefs that left little to the imagination. My mouth went dry at the sight of his impressive bulge straining against the fabric.
“Like what you see?” Beau drawled, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
“God, yes,” I breathed, reaching out to trace the outline of his cock through his underwear. Beau gasped, his hips jerking forward slightly at my touch.
With a low growl, he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers and slowly slid them down. His cock sprang free, thick and hard, already glistening at the tip. I licked my lips unconsciously, desire pooling hot in my belly. Before I could help myself, I leaned forward, licking the pre-cum from his cockhead.
“Fuck…” I groaned, the salty sweetness spreading over my tongue. I breathed in his musky, masculine scent. “I thought I’d never get to do this again.” Reaching out, I wrapped my fingers around the base of his thick cock, eliciting a groan from his lips. “But I’m so glad I am.”
Beau's hand tangled in my hair, his breath coming in ragged gasps as I took him deeper into my mouth. I swirled my tongue around his shaft, reveling in the familiar taste and weight of him. His hips jerked forward involuntarily, and I relaxed my throat to take him all the way in.
“Goddamn,” Beau groaned, his Texas drawl thicker than ever and going straight to my cock. “Your mouth feels so good, darlin'.”
I hummed in response, the vibrations making him shudder. I worked him with my mouth and hand, alternating between long, slow licks and quick, deep sucks. Beau's thighs trembled beneath my free hand, and I could tell he was getting close.
Suddenly, he pulled away, his cock slipping from my lips with a wet pop. I looked up at him, confused.
“Wait,” he panted, his chest heaving. “I don't wanna finish like this. Want to be inside you.”
My heart raced at his words. I nodded eagerly, scooting back on the bed to make room for him. Beau climbed onto the bed in front of me, his muscular body moving with a predatory grace that made my breath catch. He crawled over me, his blue eyes dark with desire as he captured my lips in a searing kiss. I moaned into his mouth, my hands roaming over the planes of his back, feeling the muscles flex beneath my fingertips.
“Do you have...?” Beau murmured against my lips, his hand trailing down my side.
“Nightstand,” I gasped, arching into his touch. “Top drawer.”
He reached over, fumbling in the drawer for a moment before retrieving a bottle of lube. I watched as he doled out a generous amount into his hand. Tossing the bottle to the side, he smeared the gel over his thick cock. The sight alone was enough to make my cock twitch with anticipation. But the moment his lubed fingers found my hole, I melted into his touch, desperate for anything he would give me.
Beau's fingers worked me open with practiced ease, the familiar stretch sending waves of pleasure through my body. I arched into his touch, gasping as he hit that sweet spot inside me. It was wonderful, but it wasn’t what I really wanted.
“Beau,” I moaned, my voice thick with need. “Please, I'm ready. I need you inside me.”
He growled low in his throat, his eyes dark with lust as he positioned himself between my legs. I felt the blunt head of his cock pressing against my entrance, and I took a deep breath, willing myself to relax.
“You sure, darlin'?” Beau asked, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.
I nodded frantically, wrapping my legs around his waist to pull him closer. “Yes, god yes. Please, Beau. I need you. Make me yours.”
With a groan, he pushed forward, slowly sinking into me. The familiar stretch and burn made me gasp, my fingers digging into his broad shoulders. Beau paused, giving me time to adjust, his forehead resting against mine as we both panted heavily .
“You okay?” he murmured, his voice strained with the effort of holding still.
I nodded, tilting my hips to take him deeper. “Yes,” I breathed. “God, you feel amazing. Please, move. I need all of you.”
Beau needed no further encouragement. He pulled back slowly before thrusting forward again, setting a steady rhythm that had me moaning with every stroke. His strong hands gripped my hips, angling them just right so that he hit my prostate with each and every thrust.
“Fuck, darlin',” Beau growled. “You're so tight. Feel so good around me.”
I could only moan in response, overwhelmed by the sensation of him filling me so completely. My hands roamed over his sweat-slicked back, feeling the muscles flex with each powerful thrust. The room filled with the sounds of our gasps and moans, the slap of his balls against my ass.
Beau's pace increased, his hips snapping forward with more urgency. I arched up to meet him, desperate for more friction. My cock was trapped between our bodies, leaking pre-cum onto my stomach with each thrust.
“Beau,” I gasped, feeling the familiar tension building in my core. “I'm close. So close.”
He groaned, burying his face in my neck. “Me too, darlin'. Come for me.”
I didn’t have to touch my cock, I knew that. Instead, I leaned into his thrusts, my hole tightening around his cock. Between that and the friction of my dick rubbing against his stomach, I was over the edge in no time.
With a shouted cry I came, coating us both with my warm, sticky seed. My body tightened around Beau at the same time, and he buried himself to the hilt. With a low growl, I felt him throb inside me, a sudden heat filling my belly.
The next moment, Beau was on top of me, his head resting against my neck and his cock still buried inside me. We both laid there, breathing heavily as wave after wave of pleasure threatened to consume us both. If, for any reason, I’d doubted we should be together, that doubt was now gone. Nothing had ever felt so perfect in my life as my cowboy buried inside me, the pair of us basking in the afterglow of our love making.
“Damn,” he groaned at last. “That just never gets old.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I grinned back, kissing his ear. I let the moment rest before I asked, “So what do we do now?”
Beau sat up, his blond hair draped around his face as he stared at me with those piercing blue eyes I loved so much. “We go home of course.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “You belong back on the ranch with me.”
I couldn’t help but smile wider, loving the sound of that.
“Besides, I can’t make the ranch a success without you,” he added. “The tourist thing was your idea after all.”
“That sounds like a dream.”
“I only have one request.”
“Anything,” I smiled.
“Can we drive back?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Drive? All the way back to Texas?!”
He nodded, his cheeks turning pink. “I hate planes.”
I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head. “Sure. We can drive. But you’re the one that has to tell Logan.”
“Deal.”
“Beau?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
My cowboy smiled wide, leaning down to kiss me once more. “I love you too, Lucas Greene.”