Chapter Twenty-Four #2
The room goes quiet.
Oh. That’s it?
“I’m a little taken off guard.”
“I tried to keep my distance so it wasn’t obvious and things weren’t weird at work between us. This job has been amazin’ and I’m so grateful for it, but I finally found another one so it was no longer a barrier to datin’ you.”
“Wow…I—” Her feet pad around the kitchen as if she’s pacing. “I dunno what to say.”
You’re taken, Posey. Say that!
“Would you let me take you out? Ya know, once I’m officially done here.”
“No,” she blurts.
That’s my girl.
“No?”
“I’m so sorry, that came out harsh. I’m with someone.”
“You’re not single? Since when?”
Fuck no, she’s not.
“No…um, it’s new. But it’s serious.”
“How serious can it be if it’s new?”
For fuck’s sake, man. Read the room.
“Serious enough to know I’m in love with him.” Posey’s words come out at the same time Teddy’s ball runs over my bare toes.
“Motherfucker!” I hiss, then clamp my mouth shut.
Posey walks over to me, eyes wide and lips pinched together.
“Whaddya doin’?” she whispers.
“Nothin’.”
She crosses her arms. “Stop eavesdroppin’.”
“I can’t help it! He’s tryin’ to steal my girl,” I hiss.
“No, he’s—”
“Is everythin’ okay?” Ian comes over because of course he fucking does.
“Yeah, fine. Teddy’s ball scared me, is all. Damn rat has no sense of direction.”
I laugh, hoping he’ll take the bait, but when his gaze pingpongs between Posey and me, realization dawns on his face.
“I fuckin’ knew it.” He shakes his head, stepping back. “So much for nothin’ goin’ on between you two.”
“Ian, I’m sorry. We couldn’t tell anyone. Not until he finds a new job.”
“So your father doesn’t know?” he snarls.
“No, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.”
“Why shouldn’t I? I was willin’ to quit a job I love to be with you and all along you’re fuckin’ him behind everyone’s backs and breakin’ the rules?”
This time when he raises his voice, I step toward him. “You better watch your goddamn mouth talkin’ to her like that in her own house. Or any woman. But especially mine. I won’t think twice about throwin’ you out.”
He huffs with a laugh. “You’re toast, man. You’ll be unemployed by tomorrow mornin’.”
“Ian, get out. You’re fired,” Posey says, pointing toward the door. “Do not come back on my property ever again.”
“You don’t mean that. You need me to run that farm for you. Who else is gonna do it?”
“You’re not the only person who can boss people ’round and do paperwork. I’ll manage.”
Obviously his job entails much more than that, but he’s acting like he’s irreplaceable when he’s not.
“You’ll regret this, Posey.” He marches through the living room and then the front door slams shut.
“I’m startin’ to wonder if Marjorie is attractin’ weirdos to this place ’cause what the fuck was that?” I shake my head, scrubbing a hand through my hair. “Did you have any idea he liked you?”
“Only recently. Amaya said somethin’ but I didn’t believe her. He’s never hinted he did. Ever.”
Not wanting to talk about him anymore, I step closer and palm her cheeks. “Did you mean what you said in there? About being in love with me?”
“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” she says, pouting. “I was waitin’ for you to say it first.”
“Why’s that?” I grin.
“’Cause I didn’t wanna say it too soon and scare you after what you went through with your ex. I figured I’d wait until you were ready to hear it.”
“Baby…” I lick my lips before softly brushing mine with hers. “I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”
“So why didn’t you say it first?”
“Same reason. I didn’t wanna go too fast and freak you out.”
“It does a little,” she admits. “I’ve never said it to a guy before.”
“Never?” I beam. “Another first you saved for me?”
She wraps her arms around my waist, tilting her head up against my chest. “Guess I did, cowboy.”
“Fuck…” I groan. “You have no idea how hot that makes me feel.”
“I bet it does.” She pushes into my thickening cock and giggles.
Brushing my fingers over her face, I dip down and softly press my mouth to hers.
“I’m so in love with you, mama. My feelings for you are as strong and wild as you make me feel.
And for the first time in a long-ass time, I feel accepted and loved for being exactly who I am—a city boy who can’t ride horses. ”
My heart races when she smiles wide.
“I love everythin’ about you, Silas. Your heart, the way you care for me, and most importantly, how I feel when I’m with you. I wouldn’t change a single thing. Even your crazed, obsessed fan groupies ’cause we agree on one thing—you are fine as hell with a cowboy hat on.”
I bark out a laugh.
“Say it again,” I demand.
“Which part?”
“The words you said earlier in the kitchen. I wanna hear you say ’em to me.”
The corner of her eyes crinkle as a smile splits her face. “I’m in love with you. So take it. Take my love ’cause my heart is yours to keep, and I’d appreciate it if this time you didn’t give it back.”
“Never again, love. Not in a million years.” I press my mouth to hers, sliding my tongue between her lips and inhaling her moans. “Take mine too.”
When our mouths fuse together again, I lift her up and carry her toward the living room, except I trip over that godforsaken rat ball and nearly slam into the wall. Luckily, I catch myself in time before getting to the couch.
“Whew, that was close.” She laughs, straddling my lap and rocking against my cock.
“What’re we gonna do about him tellin’ your father?” I ask, trying to distract myself so I don’t explode in my pants.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and tell him everythin’. He won’t like that we lied and snuck around, but he’s gonna be more upset about Ian threatenin’ you.”
Mr. Langston was like a dad to me growing up, especially after my own passed away, so it warms my heart to think he’ll be protective of me in that way.
“You want me to go with you? I can.”
“Thanks, but no. I’d like to speak to him alone first. There’s somethin’ I wanna talk to him about and we’ll have to put out an ad to replace Ian.”
“Okay, just let me know if you change your mind or when I should go over there.”
“I will…but right now—” She widens her thighs and rubs faster against my erection. “You only need to worry about one thing.”
“Mm…and what’s that, my love?”
“Givin’ me an orgasm.”
“I think I can arrange that…” I slide my hand between our bodies, rubbing her clit over the fabric of her shorts. “You’re so ready. I bet I can get you there in forty-two and a half seconds.”
She grins. “Think so?”
“Yep. Start countin’, love.”
And before she even hits thirty-five Mississippis, she’s moaning out my name.