Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
C al
The soft glow of the setting sun casts the world in shades of pink and gold as I lead the horses toward Layla. She’s waiting by the barn, her arms wrapped around herself in the cool February air, looking like she’s stepped straight out of a dream. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“What’s this about?” she asks, tilting her head in that way she does when she’s trying to read me.
I don’t answer right away. Instead, I focus on helping her mount her horse. Her hands brush mine as she grabs the reins, and the electricity that always seems to hum between us crackles to life. She doesn’t pull away, but her lips twitch like she’s trying to decide whether to smile or sass me.
“You’ll see,” I say, keeping my tone intentionally vague. It drives her crazy, and I love it.
She narrows her eyes. “If this is some elaborate plan to get me to clean out the barn again, I’m leaving.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I reply, swinging into my saddle. “Trust me, you’ll like this.”
“Trust you?” She raises a teasing eyebrow. “That’s a big ask.”
I smirk, urging my horse forward. “You already do, Layla. You just don’t like admitting it.”
Her scoff follows me as we start down the trail, but I don’t miss the way her lips curve into a smile.
The ride is quiet at first, the crunch of hooves against the snow-dusted ground filling the air. Layla eventually relaxes, falling into the rhythm of the horse beneath her. Every so often, I glance back to make sure she’s doing all right. She catches me once and rolls her eyes.
“I’m fine, cowboy. Stop babysitting me.”
“Just making sure you don’t fall off,” I tease. “Wouldn’t want to scrape you off the trail.”
“Your concern is heartwarming,” she deadpans, but there’s a flicker of amusement in her voice.
We reach the lake just as the sun dips below the horizon, leaving behind a sky streaked with orange and purple. I pull my horse to a stop and dismount, offering Layla a hand to help her down. She hesitates, her eyes darting between me and the picnic setup waiting by the water’s edge.
“What is this?” she asks, her voice softer now.
“Valentine’s Day,” I say simply, leading her toward the blanket spread out on the grass. A cluster of candles flickers in the evening breeze, their warm light reflecting off the water. Rose petals are scattered across the blanket, and a bottle of champagne sits chilling in a bucket nearby.
Layla stops short, her eyes wide. “You did all this?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my chest tightens at the look on her face. “Figured you deserved something nice.”
Her lips part, but no words come out. For once, she’s speechless, and I can’t help but smirk.
“You’re welcome,” I say, tugging her hand and pulling her onto the blanket.
She shakes her head, a disbelieving laugh slipping out. “You’re impossible.”
“True.” I grab the champagne, popping the cork and pouring us each a glass. “But you like me anyway.”
Layla takes the glass, her fingers brushing mine. “Mm, good thing I like arrogant cowboys.”
We settle onto the blanket, the soft sounds of the lake lapping against the shore filling the silence. She leans back, gazing at the soft outline of the moon that’s just beginning to appear in the sky. For a moment, I just watch her, the candlelight casting her features in a warm glow.
“This is perfect,” she murmurs, her voice so quiet I almost miss it.
“Good.” I reach for the lasso I brought along, a grin tugging at my lips. “But it’s about to get better.”
She sits up, eyeing the rope with suspicion. “What are you doing with that?”
“Teaching you how to lasso,” I say, standing and tossing the rope over my shoulder. “Unless you’re scared.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “I’m not scared.”
“Prove it.” I walk a few feet away, looping the rope around a nearby stump. “Come on, city girl. Show me what you’ve got.”
Layla huffs but gets to her feet, brushing off her jeans. “Fine. But if I end up tangled in this thing, you’re not allowed to laugh.”
“No promises.” I hand her the rope, stepping behind her to guide her movements. My hands cover hers, the warmth of her body pressed against mine making it damn hard to focus.
“Hold it like this,” I say, my voice low as I adjust her grip. “And then swing it over your head.”
She tries, but the lasso flies wide, missing the stump by a mile. “Oops,” she says, her cheeks turning pink.
“Not bad for a first try,” I tease. “But maybe you need a little more help.”
Before she can protest, I wrap my arms around her, guiding her hands with mine. The tension between us thickens, her breath hitching as I lean closer.
“Now, try again,” I murmur, my lips brushing the shell of her ear.
This time, the lasso lands perfectly around the stump. Layla lets out a triumphant laugh, turning in my arms to face me. Her smile is bright, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Look at that,” I say, my voice rougher now. “You’re a natural.”
Her laughter fades as our gazes lock, the space between us shrinking. I don’t think—I just move, my lips capturing hers in a kiss that’s slow and deliberate. She doesn’t pull away, her fingers tangling in my shirt as she kisses me back.
When we finally break apart, she’s breathless, her cheeks flushed. “What was that for?” she whispers.
“Because I couldn’t wait any longer,” I admit, my voice low and honest. “Layla, I want to make it clear that I want you to stay. Not just for a while—forever.”
Her eyes widen, and I take her hands in mine, holding them tightly. “I’ll marry you tomorrow if that’s what you want. Or we can plan a big wedding, whatever makes you happy. But I need you to know—I want this. I want us.”
Tears well in her eyes, and for a moment, I think she might say no. But then she nods, a smile breaking through. “Yes,” she says, her voice shaky but sure. “I’ll stay. I’ll marry you.”
Relief and joy crash over me, and I pull her into my arms, holding her as tightly as I can without crushing her. “You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.”
She pulls back just enough to look up at me, her smile soft and full of promise. “I think I do.”
Laying her back on the picnic blanket, my hands push through her hair and I kiss along the crevice of her shoulders, the hollow of her throat. She’s beautiful, ravishing, and all mine. The inner beast wells deep inside me and I have to resist taking her hard, fast, ruthless like my dick craves, but not this time. My girl deserves slow and sensual, I want her to feel my love in every touch and caress.
"Touch yourself for me,” I husk, pulling down her leggings. Her eyes widen and her hands begin to quake with uncertainty. "Show me how you get that delicate pussy off." My heart thuds as I watch her lying there, so much trust to let me have her like this.
"I, I..." She shakes her head and her eyes turn away from me. "I've never done that."
My cock strains against my pants when I realize she is truly pure. Untouched by any man but me, untouched even by herself. She’s a beautiful delicate flower and all mine to cherish and protect.
"My sweet, beautiful girl. Take it slow, like this." I guide her hand with my own down her creamy thighs, dancing our fingertips across the elastic of her panty line. Her breathing quickens and I swear I can nearly see her heart hammering out of her chest. With her eyes soft and trusting, I pull my hand away and urge her on with my gaze. "Slide the pads of your fingers at your clit." My eyes burn with barely contained lust when she does as I instruct. "That's it, nice and slow. Feel that?" She sighs and her eyes fall closed. "Keep going, baby. Keep swirling those fingers until you think you can't take it anymore." Her chest and neck heat an endearing shade of crimson as her orgasm builds in her body. Her nipples peak beneath the soft threads of her thin shirt and I clench my fists at my sides, anxious to finally touch her. But this is important, this is everything.
I groan, my voice trembling with desire, as I reach down and grasp myself. My eyes never leaving her writhing figure, her hair emitting a sweet strawberry scent as it cascades around her. One hand exploring between her legs, the other gripping tightly onto the blanket. The need for her consumes me. I’ve been longing for the touch and embrace of this woman, and now she’s here. Laid out before me so sweet and soft and beautiful.
"I'm imagining how you’ll feel when you're inside of me," she moans like a prayer, her fingers moving faster on her sensitive bud.
"God, Layla." I can't resist any longer and hover over her, my mouth finding hers in an intense kiss. She feels incredible. So warm. So comforting. She’s my home. I trail kisses along her neck and collarbone before my hands roam up her body and cup her breasts. She’s everything to me and I would lay down my life for her and my boy.
I move lower, tasting the sensitive skin behind her elbows, her wrists. I lick my lips in anticipation and steal a quick glance at her, our eyes locked as I run my tongue along her slit, teasing and sucking on her clit as I reach the end. Her breathing becomes ragged, eyes falling shut with a cry as she starts to rock against me seductively. I suck on her heated flesh, her swollen lips dripping with arousal as her hands push into my hair and she writhes against the flat of my tongue. I suck and savor her, her pussy juices coating my beard and driving me wild with need for her.
Her hips buck and her pants grow shallower as I press one finger inside, feeling the searing hot sensation of her pussy throwing me off balance. My animalistic instincts rage deep in my gut as I suck in another breath and kiss my way up her neck. Our lips meet in slow, languid strokes as I add another finger. She arches and yelps before settling into a slow rhythm, accompanied by soft moans.
"You taste so sweet," I say, pulling my fingers from her body and bringing them to my mouth. I relish the flavor of her before working the zipper down on my jeans. Her eyes dart to my powerful thighs hovering over her bare body, then back up to meet my gaze. Her warm chocolate pools lock with mine and it nearly undoes me. She clasps her creamy thighs around my waist, pushing the waistband of my pants past my hips and down my legs. I kick them off one leg at a time and return to her, our skin now touching.
"Absolutely perfect," I murmur as I line my heavy cock with her entrance. "I can't wait to be inside you again." My thick length drags up her slit, making sure to rub against her clit which sends her body into a series of minor quakes that makes a rogue grin lift my lips. "So sensitive. God, I love that about you." I stroke again. "Every touch and you're so wet for me." My voice lowers another octave. "Just for me."
Layla's sharp fingernails dig into my shoulder blades as I speak, and with each pass of my cock, she seems to work up more momentum, her hips tipping against mine, grinding and grating, chasing sweet release.
"Do you want me, baby?" I husk at her earlobe.
"God, yes..." she hisses when I thrust quickly,
"I can’t stop thinking about you—every damn night I dream of your taste on my lips,” I hum, enjoying teasing and savoring her. I kiss her slowly, tasting her tongue and twisting it with mine as one hand roams her supple body, the other holding me caged above her, unwilling to let her go. Finally, I have her.
This moment is the only evidence I need. She is mine.
My patience severs with that thought and my hips begin to move in slow, tantalizing rhythm once her grip relaxes at my shoulders and her hips follow my lead. I grasp one of her calves and wrap it around my waist, anxious to feel her all up and down my body. I need her naked and against me, all of me, now.
With both of her legs wrapped around my waist, her ankles locking above my bare ass as I hold her head in my hands and move slowly, trying to contain the raging beast that wants to unleash hell on her sweet body.
I groan. "You feel so damn good. I can't go slow for much longer."
“Please, more.” She pushes her hands into my wayward hair and catches my eyes. “I want all of you.”
My heart speeds with her words and my mind fritzes. Could she be any more perfect? Was she brought to my doorstep by God himself to please me? An angel or a devil, or a small mix of both, I’m sure.
“Layla–Layla–” I repeat her name like a prayer as my hips take on a more sporadic rhythm and I feel her body relaxing into me, allowing me to push farther, deeper, longer. “Jesus.” I choke on the word as I bottom out inside her, holding myself still as long jets of cum coat her walls. My heart pumps and my breathing racks. I hold still, feeling the quakes in my thighs down to the tips of my fingers buried in her dark waves.
“Cal, we didn’t talk about this last time, but I’m not on birth control,” she finally whispers, and instead of sending me running for the hills, my heart fucking rattles in my chest with hope and joy.
“Well, that’s an interesting turn of events, isn’t it?” I grin as I collapse onto her body, my head tucked against her neck. A mess of dark waves flips as she turns away from me.
“Hey–” I place a sweet kiss across her lips, “look at me.” She does, and I see warmth and love swirling there. “I like me inside you.” I kiss her again reverently. “Don’t ever doubt that. Whatever happens, this is all that matters. These moments between you and I are all I ever want.”