This Hick?

Chapter 57

CHAPTER 57

KAREN

C assidy stood up and pushed off my jacket. “Can we?” I asked.

“They are all at the party, but I’ll lock the door and put out the signal.”

“The signal?”

He flashed a grin and grabbed a red tie. I watched as he went to the door, put the tie on the handle, and then locked it.

“Um, is this something that happens often?” I asked.

He simply grinned again. “Sometimes. We’ve created a signal to avoid any embarrassing incidents. If we come to the bunkhouse and see the red flag, we know we have to go hang out at the lodge for a bit.”

He walked back to me. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him looking all casual and sexy, like he didn’t have a care in the world. He took my hand and led me to the small bed in the corner of the room. We sat down on it, still holding hands. The moment felt surreal, like I was in a dream where everything was perfect and blissful. I could feel his body heat, smell his cologne. It made my senses come alive in a way I had never experienced. It was like my body was syncing with his, right down to the rhythm of our breathing.

He leaned forward, his lips brushing against mine gently at first before deepening the kiss. His hand trailed up my thigh, sending shivers down my spine. I reached my hand up and pressed it against his chest. I could feel his heart racing as well. His hand moved up my back and pulled the zipper. He inched it down ever so slowly, heightening the anticipation.

Our soft sounds of pleasure filled the room as we explored each other’s mouths. He unzipped the dress and gently pulled it down my arms with his callused fingers scraping over my skin. Every touch sent shockwaves through my body as if I was being electrified from within.

“Karen, you are so beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

His mouth covered mine once again. There was a sense of urgency and tenderness. He pulled me to my feet and pulled the dress all the way off. He carefully draped it over a chair before returning his attention to me. I reached up and fumbled with the buttons of his shirt until we both gave up and he jerked it over his head. He quickly undressed, leaving us both standing naked in the chilly bunkhouse. There was anticipation and longing. This time it was different. This time I knew I loved him and he loved me.

He pulled the blankets back. “Get under the covers before you freeze in here.”

“I think you’re going to keep me plenty warm.”

“All the same, I’d prefer you toasty. My bed isn’t big, but I don’t think we need a lot of space.”

I grinned and climbed into his bed, the smell of him wrapping around me. “You can just be on top of me or vice versa.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Cassidy laughed as he climbed under the covers, his body pressing against mine. It felt right, like we were meant to be together. He rolled onto his side so that he was facing me, one strong arm draped around my waist. I leaned in, kissing him before sliding my mouth over his jaw and ultimately to his neck. I buried my face against his warm skin, sucking at the sensitive flesh below his ear.

My hand slid down over his flat stomach to the erection begging for attention. He grunted once, his body jerking at the contact. I began to stroke him, feeling him grow even harder beneath my touch. He kissed me. His hand cupped my face and held me steady as his tongue slid into my mouth.

He pulled me closer, eliminating every inch of space between us. My breasts pushed against his chest while one of his muscular legs wrapped around mine.

Cassidy’s breaths were hot against my skin as his lips brushed over my ear and neck. “I’ve never felt like this,” he murmured into the crook of my neck, his words vibrating against my pulse point.

Neither had I. Everything with Cassidy was more intense, more profound than anything I had ever experienced before. It wasn’t just physical. It was emotional, a connection that seemed to infiltrate every cell of my body.

“I can’t get enough of you,” I whispered back, my voice barely above a breath as I clung to him.

“Me too,” he replied, pressing a kiss to my forehead gently before looking into my eyes. There was something so honest and raw in his gaze that it made my heart swell in my chest.

He gently pushed me on my back and kissed my breasts. He was gentle, like he knew they were tender. My body trembled as Cassidy’s warm lips danced over my skin. I closed my eyes, letting out a content sigh. He moved lower to nibble on the lobe of my ear and down my neck. His tongue brushed over my collar bone and then lower. I arched my back, begging for more.

He trailed his hand lower until he cupped my hip. His hand slid between my legs, cupping my pussy and sending shivers running up and down my spine. The sensations were overwhelming but in the best possible way.

I felt safe and wanted all at the same time. He slid his fingers over my folds, knowing exactly where to press, stroke, and explore. I gasped, my body responding with an uncontrollable fervor. He pushed a finger inside, sending my body spiraling.

He withdrew his fingers. The absence left me whimpering, but it was short-lived as he positioned himself between my legs. He kissed me once more before sliding inside me slowly. I bit my lower lip to keep from moaning too loudly.

“I love you, Karen,” he said gruffly as he moved inside me.

“I love you too,” I moaned, biting my lower lip to keep myself from screaming. This time felt more meaningful than ever before.

Cassidy’s strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close. Our hips rocked together in a sensual dance. He kissed my forehead, then my eyelids, and down my jawline, distracting me from the building fire within me.

Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer and I came like a volcano erupting. My toes curled into the sheets as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. He groaned my name and followed me into sweet ecstasy.

We lay there, panting and covered in a sheen of sweat despite the cold room, our bodies still joined. This was everything I’d ever wanted. He collapsed next to me, his arm around my waist in a possessive yet comforting manner. He kissed the top of my head again.

“I’m going to get a fire going,” he said. “I don’t need you getting sick.”

“You’re keeping me warm.”

He laughed. “Still, it’s chilly in here.”

I watched him roll out of bed and pull on his underwear. He went about starting the fire like he had done it a thousand times before. With the fire roaring, he walked to the door and removed the tie. Our privacy was over, but I had a feeling the hands would be partying a while longer.

He climbed back into bed with me. “Karen,” he began, his voice a little rougher than usual.

“Yes?” I asked, feeling the change in his mood.

“Would you stay here? At Rocking Horse? I promise I’m going to do a lot better. I want to be a part of your life and our child’s life. I swear I’m going to get my shit together. Stay?”

The question was simple, but it hit me square in the chest. “You want me to stay?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I want you here—with me. With us. I know it’s not an easy thing I’m asking. I mean, your friends are in Dallas, and your life—well, most of it is back there. I’d understand if that’s where your heart is.”

I smiled at the way he said it, like he’d given this so much thought. “Cassidy, my life is here with you now. And wherever we decide to be together, that’s where my heart will be. You are my life and my future.”

“I don’t want to be selfish and ask you to give up Dallas. I’ve never pictured my life anywhere else. It’s always been the ranch, you know? These wide-open spaces, the animals, all of it. I guess I’ve always hoped that maybe, one day, I’d find someone who’d want to share it with me.”

The idea of this place becoming our home, of raising a child surrounded by all the beauty and peace of Rocking Horse Ranch, stirred something deep inside me.

“Well, I think this just might be the most incredible place to raise a child.”

His face lit up, a smile spreading wide. He leaned in and kissed me. “Are you sure, Karen?” His voice was so gentle, but there was a hint of that old uncertainty beneath it, a flash of the kid who’d grown up fighting for his place in the world. I had a feeling that was a hurdle we’d be dealing with for a while.

“Cassidy, I’m sure. I’ll miss my friends and I’ll miss parts of my old life. But I can build a new one, a life with you. This feels right. I’ll plant new roots, nice and deep.”

He held me close, burying my face in the warmth of his neck. I could imagine our child growing up surrounded by these rolling hills. I could see it all so clearly. We were going to build a family here.

“Karen, you don’t know how much this means to me. I’ve always wanted this. I’ve always wanted a place I could share with a family to call my own. But I never really thought that I’d get it.” He paused, letting the words settle between us. “I was always too afraid to dream. I think I assumed that was the life for other people. I was going to be the fun uncle to Ginny and Kenny’s kids. I was going to be the old cowboy that watched my friends move on with their lives with kids and grandkids while I lived alone. I didn’t think I could ever have this.”

“You do have it,” I whispered, reaching up to cup his face. “You have me. And you have a family.”

For the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. There were no doubts, no fears.

“You know, I think we’re going to be okay. More than okay. I’m actually excited. Terrified, but excited to see where this journey takes us.”

He laughed. “Excited, huh? Well, I’ll take that. It’s better than being horrified at the idea of carrying my baby.” He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering a moment. “Here I thought I’d have to do some real convincing. I was prepared to beg, bargain, and potentially lock you up.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “You couldn’t get rid of me now if you tried, Cassidy.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like things might be okay. This relationship with Cassidy might just work out.