31. PAIGE
31
PAIGE
The family chatters around me as we eat dinner, but I’m still stuck on that screaming match at Dunkers this afternoon. I knew Amber didn’t like me, but I never expected that she’d hate me. For what? She’s the one who cheated on Rhett. She gave up on their marriage. I had nothing to do with them falling apart.
“Baby, you gonna eat?” Rhett whispers.
I look down at the slice of pizza I’ve been nibbling on. “I’m not really hungry. My stomach’s been kind of upset.” Nothing like public humiliation to make you want to hurl.
Under the table, his hand slides across my thigh. “Can I get you something carbonated to drink? Maybe that will help.”
“That would be nice.”
Jace shoves half a slice into his mouth. “This pizza is great, Paige.”
“It’s just a box recipe.”
“Tastes homemade to me.”
I love cooking for this family. Everyone is so appreciative. Irma always acted like the food I made was barely tolerable. The best part is I get to do the fun stuff, and the guys always clean up afterward.
Rhett returns with a sparkling clear drink, and I take a few sips. “Thanks. That helps.”
After dinner, I head for our bedroom. I want to grab a shower and process what happened today. Under the hot stream of water, I wonder if it’s always going to be like this. Will Amber freak out every time she sees me in public? I thought that conversation with Rhett in high school was the worst thing that could happen, but I’m not sure I can handle having Amber make a scene any time we’re both in the same room. We live in Wild Heart, after all, not a big city where I can avoid her.
Between that and Rhett not wanting more kids, I’m starting to feel like the deck is stacked against me.
It’s disheartening to think about.
I drag myself out of the shower and dry off. I throw on a tank top and sleep shorts. It’s early, but I’m exhausted. I crawl into bed and pull the covers over me.
In the middle of the night, I wake with Rhett curled around me.
Even though he’s right here, I wonder if he’ll ever want me again like he did that day in the truck. He hasn’t touched me like that since, and I don’t know what to do to bridge that divide.
I’m starting to worry it’s a hopeless cause.
And then he surprises me.
The next morning, I’m in the office paying bills when Rhett sticks his head in. “Hey, gorgeous.” He’s wearing his signature jeans and t-shirt that are molded to his strong body. He’s sporting brown boots and a baseball hat.
“Hey. What are you doing home?” He usually works out in the fields until later in the day. “Did you need me to do something? I paid those invoices you asked me to.”
“As a matter of fact, I do need something,” he says as he slides his baseball cap backwards. Damn, he’s yummy. “But you need to put on some jeans and wear your boots.”
“Okay,” I say slowly as I stand. “What’s wrong with shorts?”
He chuckles. “Your ass will get sore in the saddle.”
My eyes widen. “We’re going horseback riding?”
“I need to check out a few things down by the river, and I remembered how much you used to like it down there. So I thought I’d pack us some food, and we could enjoy a picnic.”
“That sounds fun. If you’re sure I wouldn’t be a distraction.”
“Darling, you’re never a distraction. Plus, I plain like having you around.”
I grin. “I just need five minutes to change.”
As I walk by him, he grabs me. “I think you forgot something.”
Breathless, I stare up at him. “What’s that?”
“This.” He tilts me over and kisses me until I moan. Then he pats me on the ass. “Go change.”
Yes, sir.
My heart races as I run around our bedroom to change. Then I quickly braid my hair down my back and throw on the cowboy hat he got me. I meet him in the living room. When he sees me, he lets out a wolf whistle. “Damn, wife. You look good.” He scans my body. “Turn around. Let me see the whole outfit.”
I do a little twirl, and when I’m facing away from him, I shake my ass, and he chuckles.
Before we head out, he grabs an insulated bag from the kitchen. “Snacks for our picnic.” He winks, and my heart goes into overdrive.
I’m not sure what’s gotten into him, but I am on board for this version of my husband.
We head out to the barn where he has two horses saddled up for us. He takes me to a beautiful brown quarter horse. “This is Sunflower. She’s a sweet girl. I think you two will get along.” The horse nudges him, and he scruffs her behind her ear. “Darling, do you remember how to mount a horse?”
I lift a brow. “I know it’s been a few weeks, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t have any trouble mounting you.”
His cheeks go ruddy, and he lets out a laugh. “Smartass.”
He helps me put my boot in the stirrup, and then I pull myself up and over onto Sunflower. Rhett adjusts a few things for me, and then he mounts his horse Apollo. As we head out of the barn, he turns his baseball cap forward. It’s so bright outside, every time he looks at me, all I see is the dark shadow under his bill.
We ride across the sloping pasture and over a small ridge until we come to a wooded area and a narrow path. I follow behind him through the dappled sunlight until we reach the river.
“Rhett, I forgot how beautiful it is here. Can we go swimming?” When he doesn’t respond, I backtrack. “You know what, never mind. You need to work, right?”
We head to a giant oak where he dismounts and ties the reins of our horses. Then he reaches for me, and I slide off my mount and into his arms. “We can go swimming.”
I bite my bottom lip. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”
His hand cradles my face, and his thumb gently swipes my cheek. “Pretty sure I’ve already seen you naked, wildflower.”
It’s my turn to blush. Not sure why he has this effect on me. I’m not usually a shy girl, but he makes me feel vulnerable.
Rhett lets go of me and grabs a blanket that’s tied to the back of his saddle, walks over to a shady area, unrolls it, and tosses it down. He clears his throat. “Been wanting to talk to you about something.”
A knot immediately forms in the pit of my stomach. Is this about what happened with Amber yesterday? Is he going to tell me to go to Boston? That he’s not ready for anything serious right now?
Frozen, I stand rooted in place. “If this is bad news, just spit it out.”
He spreads out a few containers of food. “It’s not bad, but I think we need to discuss a few things.” Rhett sprawls out on the corner of the blanket and pats the spot next to him.
Reluctantly, I join him. “What’s going on?” I set my cowboy hat on the grass and brush a few strands of hair out of my face.
“Just had something on my mind.”
I brace myself for the sting of rejection.
He hands me a Tupperware of fresh strawberries. I take one and fiddle with the leaves. “Is this about Amber?”
“Not really. Not entirely, I should say.” He sighs. “I just want you to know that I have no idea why she got so possessive. There’s been nothing between us for years. Even before we split up, we hadn’t slept together in a while.”
“Can I ask you something? I had the impression your split was mutual. Was it not?”
“No. She screamed and cried it was all a big misunderstanding. Apparently, she wanted to stay married while she fucked my neighbors.”
I wince. “I’m so sorry. I wish I had been wrong about her.”
“I’m not. Because then I wouldn’t be sitting here with you.” He takes my hand. “But I am sorry for putting you in the middle of that shit storm. I feel like an asshole ’cause I couldn’t protect you from all the nasty things she said.”
“I’m okay. I was a little shaken at first because it came out of the blue, but I’ll be better prepared for her now that I know she’s crazy.”
He chuckles. “I really appreciate how you handled things. You tried to deescalate things and… well, I felt like a puffed-up rooster when you said I belonged to you.”
I bump his shoulder with mine. “I’m kinda fond of you. Always have been.”
He pulls me into his lap. “I know, baby. And here’s the truth. I’ve always been fond of you too. Our relationship is different now than when we were young, obviously, but one thing remains—you are a special woman, and I’m a lucky man. I’m pretty sure I haven’t done anything to deserve you.”
Shifting, I straddle him and take his handsome face in my hands. “Don’t say that. You deserve all the good things life has to offer. I’ve always been in awe of how hard you work on this ranch. I know you raised your brothers when you were just a kid yourself.” It’s obvious in their devotion to him. “I can’t imagine how hard that was.”
“It’s nothing they wouldn’t have done for me.” Leaning closer, he grazes his lips across mine. “I’m sorry for that argument we had in the truck. I’ve been kicking myself ever since. Me not wanting more children has everything to do with my baggage and shit that went down with Amber. You’re lovely and amazing, and if I could snap my fingers to get over all that, I would. Asking you to not have kids is a major concession on your part, but if you’re open to it, then maybe we can still work things out between us long term. Gabriel and Austin love you, and you seem fond of them. Would it be terrible if it was just the four of us moving forward?”
Would it be the end of the world to not have my own children?
The truth is, I’m not sure. But I’m not ready to walk away either.
“Can we wait and see how things go? Play it by ear? I’m not opposed to considering it.” It hits me how maybe he doesn’t want more kids because he didn’t have much of a childhood himself. I’ve never considered that before.
He gives me a soft smile. “Thank you for sticking around.”
“I mean, staying with you will be a challenge. You can be pretty surly when you want to be.”
He laughs. “Maybe I need a good woman who can keep me in line.”
Nodding, I rest my arms on his shoulders. “I might be available for the job. Are there benefits?”
He gets a naughty little smirk on his face as he grabs my ass and pulls me closer. “There’s one big benefit I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
I grind against the benefit in his jeans. “It’s been a while since I’ve been acquainted with your talents. Maybe I need a refresher before I give my response.”
“Like a test drive?”
“Exactly.”
He kisses me until I’m out I’m of breath, and then his teeth graze my neck, and I moan. “Are you sure your tight little pussy can handle what I’m offering? We need to make sure you’re really wet.” Next thing I know, I’m on my back, and Rhett’s hovering over me. “Lift your arms.” I do as he asks, and he whips my shirt off me. Then he flicks open my bra and palms my breasts.
My thighs clench, and I push my hips up to get relief, but Rhett’s so big, there’s no moving him.
“Patience, darling. I’m gonna get you off. And out here…” He glances around. “You can scream my name all you want.”
My whole body pulses with need. I reach for his shirt and try to yank it off, but I can’t get it up his broad chest. Taking the hint, he tosses his baseball hat and shrugs off his shirt. Then he tugs down my boots and socks and unbuttons my jeans. He slides them down my legs until all I’m wearing is some bikini underwear.
His eyes travel possessively over me. “Spread your legs.” His gruff, commanding voice makes me shiver, and I immediately comply. Then he shoves his big hand in my panties and groans. “You’re soaked. Is this all for me?”
“Y-yes.” The truth is I’m always turned on around this man.
He removes his hand and shows me his glistening fingers. I open my mouth because I know what he wants.
I suck myself off him, and his eyes go feral. He practically rips off my underwear before he settles between my legs. Then he returns his wet fingers to my pussy. “Hold yourself open for me, baby.”
Reaching down, I do as he asks, and he groans again. He runs a finger along my opening, then lazily circles my clit, and it pulses so hard, I squeeze my eyes shut.
“No. Watch me finger your pretty little cunt.”
Jesus, his mouth. He’s so dirty. I love it.
I watch him slowly sink one finger, then two into my body. First he just makes shallow thrusts, but then he goes deeper. But what sets me off is when he starts lapping at my clit.
I hold off as long as I can, but then his hand moves faster, deeper as he licks and sucks.
Arching back with a shriek, I pulse around him.
“That’s it, baby.” He keeps thrusting and hitting this spot deep inside that makes my eyes cross.
Finally, I push him off me. “I can’t anymore.” I laugh and toss an arm over my face.
He slides up next to me, and I snuggle into his warm body. “Did that feel good?”
“Hmm.” After a few minutes of drowsing in the sun, I let my hand wander over his chest and down his stomach. “I still need that test drive.”
He chuckles and helps me shove his jeans and boxer briefs down. His huge erection juts out to greet me. I lean over him to take him in my mouth. I lick his tip hungrily and graze my teeth down his length.
“Fuck.” He grunts as I suck him like he’s a sweet treat. “Love watching this pretty mouth wrapped around my cock.” I take him deeper, and he reaches down to untie my hair. He works out the braid and then gathers it in his hand. “Remember, tap my leg if this is too much.”
I nod, and his hold tightens. He works me up and down his thick dick until my eyes water and I choke, but I don’t tap his leg. His eyes are zeroed in on my mouth, and when I’m sure he’s about to come, he yanks me off and pulls me into his lap.
Straddling him, I reach down to notch him in me. “Holy shit.” I forgot how much he stretches me. I take my time sinking down.
“There you go. You can take it.” He sucks on my neck as he grips my ass. “Good girl.”
Inside, I preen at the praise.
Then I remember. “Wait. What about a condom?”
He stills. “You said you’re on the pill.” When I nod, his gaze searches mine. “I trust you, but if you want a condom, I can get one.”
He trusts me. My throat gets tight. He has no idea how much that means to me. “You feel better without one.”
His eyes go soft, and he kisses me gently. “You feel fucking amazing without a condom. Come here and let me fuck you.”
He helps me move up and down his thick length.
Rhett feels incredible like this, but knowing how much he likes to watch, I lean back and hold onto his thighs. I spread my legs so he has a good view.
We both watch him slide in and out of me. “Fuck, Paige. Can you come again? Wanna feel you squeeze my cock.”
I reach between my legs and circle my clit, and he swells inside me. My husband loves to watch himself fuck me. Knowing how turned on he is spurs me on, and I rub harder and faster. My fingers drift to where he’s stretching me wide. He pinches my nipple, and I come apart and cry out his name.
Rhett pulls me up to kiss me and holds me tight to him as he finds his release.
With a grunt, he falls backwards, and I lie on top of him, still straddling his dick that kicks again inside me.
Smiling, I close my eyes and fall asleep.
I’m definitely not ready to walk away.