18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Libby
Cuddling up to him in the truck is different than that night coming home from the bar. This time the nerves aren’t rattling through me while I fight the alcohol, but instead the cozy comfort of knowing we’re both invested.
His palm rests easily on my thigh, a silent claim that lends a warm feeling in my chest.
I like this a lot more than I thought I would.
The sexy bits I knew would be fun, and I completely underestimated how much.
But this? Snuggling up to him while he touches me with a tiny upward tilt to his lips?
Way better than I ever expected.
“So tell me what else is on your list now that we’ve marked a big one off?” He gives my leg a squeeze with a cocky side-eye glance.
How fast should I dive in?
“Oh, you know.” I let my fingers wave idly before weaving them in between his. “Things like traveling to Europe, swimming in an ocean in Australia…trying butt stuff.” I tu rn to watch his reaction. “Maybe learning what the deal with hand necklaces is?”
His white teeth flash as his grin grows, emboldening me.
“I think it’d be fun—” I can’t resist pulling his arm up closer to my mouth. “—to see if I can make you get off first.” The idea of getting him to lose control makes my belly tight.
I don’t even care that I’m sore. I know it’s fleeting.
Having him buried inside of me makes all the pain go away.
Closing my lips around his index finger, my tongue works around the tip before I suction him deeper.
“Fuck, Lib,” he groans, readjusting himself with his other hand before quickly grabbing the steering wheel. “Keep doing that and you’ll get what you want.”
Why is it such a turn on knowing he wants me so badly?
It makes me want to mess with him even more.
Bummer. We’re at the ranch already.
There’s a part of me that’s already accepted the fact that I’ll never see Millie again. But I’m grateful that Blue is trying to help.
“Mason said he’d be in the shop when I texted him.” Blue climbs out, shifting the bulge in his crotch before opening my door.
“I thought if they were empty you could walk easier?” I smile up at him, making sure to brush his zipper when I hop down .
“You got them full again, baby,” he murmurs against my ear, then holds out his palm.
That has me pausing. “You don’t care that he’ll see?” I know Blue and Mason have been friends since forever.
This almost feels like a “moment”. And I’m completely torn now if I want to go talk to Mason, or run manically giggling to Char’s place just up the road and fill her in on everything.
I can’t stop smiling, but take his hand and walk with him into the mechanic bay.
“Mason?” Blue calls out to his friend.
All I can see is his ass and legs in grubby jeans hanging out of the engine of a huge John Deere tractor.
“Yup. Justa sec.” Mason’s voice echoes from behind the thick steel.
Blue grips my fingers as we watch Mason unfold himself and turn around.
Those amber eyes widen when he focuses on our joined hands, but the only indication is the tiniest raise of the corner of his lip.
“Lib, I’m glad to see you brought in the big guns.” Mason hops off the high bumper to land on the concrete with a groan. “Knees are getting too old for that,” he chuckles, wiping grease onto a red rag hanging from the unused ladder propped against the tire.
“Yep, she’s here to save her dairy.” Blue glances at me and winks. “Clay is taking another load of cows to the sale tomorrow. She told me you’re interested in helping, so figured it’s time to set down a plan.”
“My favorite cow. I’m ready to take over. Dad is gonna be in the hospital for a week, so it’s me in charge anyways. Might as well be for real.” I squint at Mason, waiting for some sign of hesitancy.
Does my face tell him I’m freshly fucked?
Can people tell?
Screw it, I don’t care.
“Well, if the numbers are like you said, it’d be a solid investment. And I know Char has Dixon convinced, too.” Mason’s jaw ticks. “And he’s a hard damn sell on expenditures.”
I give a solemn nod. “It’s in the black. And with the changes I’d be doing, it’ll be comfortably profitable.” I steal a look up at Blue. “I can have all the paperwork ready soon?” I’ll need his help to finish organizing it.
His silent squeeze is all the affirmation I need.
“I’m old school,” Mason grunts, tossing the dingy towel to the side. He steps closer, extending his arm.
I let go of Blue to shake Mason’s outstretched hand.
He dips his chin. “Good enough for me. Tell me what you need.”
Blue clears his throat. “To borrow your barn for about three days. We’ll bring in this batch temporarily, then can tie up all the loose ends while Clay’s offsite. ”
Oh, that makes so much sense. There’s just one tiny hiccup.
“I’ll take care of them, and milk them, so you won’t have to do anything.” I think Blue’s on to something. Going along with Dad’s plan for now will be easiest.
Once I have all the pieces in place, and with Blue and Mason on board, I have no doubts that Dad will let me take over.
Mason scratches his jaw leaving a streak of grease in his whiskers. “I’m fine with it, just don’t tell Clay I conspired. Last thing I need is that ol’ grouch showing up on my doorstep.” His chuckle betrays him.
I know he and Dad are amicable. Maybe not as close as Blue is, but will still smile and wave when they pass in the street.
Excitement bubbles in me making it nearly impossible to keep from bouncing on the balls of my feet.
This is the best day ever. Dad gets his money, I get to keep the dairy, and I got laid.
“Where do you want me to put them when I bring the trailer?” Blue’s voice refocuses me.
Mason pauses, then grabs his heavy Carhartt coat. “Let me show you. It’ll be the next building towards Dixon’s. Let’s put them in the last half. That way if you wanted to pull in for milking there’s parking right against the pens.”
That means close to Char.
Oh my god, I have so much to tell her!
Blue loops his palm under my elbow when we hit the snowy lane.
His touch is a comforting reminder that I’m not in this alone.
He leans closer until his mustache tickles my ear. “Did you want to go say ‘hi’ to Char while we’re here?”
This man.
“I’d love that. Find me when you’re ready?” I can’t resist pressing a fast kiss to his lips before trotting away from him.
It’s such a rush showing him affection in public. Like I’m breaking some crazy rule and getting away with it.
“There’s no way I’m leaving without you.” His hand pats my ass before I’m out of reach.
I practically float the hundred yards to Char’s door, and rap on it so fast my knuckles hurt.
“Come on, come on.” It isn’t the cold getting to me, it’s the bursting at the seams with all of this new stuff that I haven’t been able to tell her.
I think it’s been like, six hours at least since I texted her last.
Practically a lifetime.
There’s small scraping sounds which I’d wager are Paisley trying to open the door.
“Paisley, get your mommy.” Okay, I’m getting a little chilly .
The tiny noises stop, but I can hear her little voice calling out for Char as she runs away.
“Mommy, it’s Libby!” Her squeal carries as only a three year old’s shrill scream can.
“Almost there!” This time it’s Char calling out.
Poor girl is getting so big she can hardly walk.
Is that what I’d look like if I got pregnant?
Shit. Am I already?
“Your eyes are bugging out. What happened?” Char tilts her head and steps out of the way for me to rush inside.
“So much! I can’t even, um, like, where do I even start? We slipped without a condom the second time, but I’m buying the dairy. So we’re gonna be bringing some of the cows over here for a little while until—” My breath runs out.
I draw in a big inhale, but Char throws her hands up to stop me.
“Elizabeth Marie Taylor! Stop and explain all those bits and pieces!” Char grabs my arms and shakes me.
Her huge baby belly rubs my flat one as she holds me.
“Girl, speak at me like I’m five, because I have a whole lotta thoughts right now…” She blinks those big blue eyes at me with her brows crawling towards her messy dark bun.
“I’m three,” Paisley proudly holds up two fingers next to me, making us both turn to look at her .
When our gazes meet again, Char and I break down in laughter.
“So, you and Blue?” Char lets me go and slowly lowers herself, and her hefty abdomen, to the couch cushion.
Her finger points at her protruding stomach. “Seriously? Didn’t catch the lesson?” She smiles, shaking her head.
Fire races up my throat. “Yea. But, I mean, holy shit.” I collapse next to her, grabbing one of the throw pillows to hug to my chest.
“Are we calling him ‘Daddy Blue’? Or is that reserved just for Dix?” Her teeth flash as she fights the giggles.
“I’m reserving judgement.” I’ll call him anything he wants if he keeps making me come as hard as he did earlier.
“Oh, God. I can see it all over your face.” Char smacks my wrist lightly.
“Just be careful. From the stories I’ve heard, he’s a one-night-stand kinda guy.
Enjoy the ride, but don’t take it personally if he moves on.
He’d be missing out though.” Her pat turns into a gentle stroke.
“I don’t want you getting hurt.” Her mouth tilts into a half-frown.
I hope she’s wrong.
But she’s valid. I know some of the crazy tales that my dad has shared about Blue through the years. I never paid much attention since I didn’t really know him.
Maybe I should have.
“Well, as long as he sticks around to help me finalize the dairy purchase, then he’s free to go.” I wave my fingers towards Paisley .
She flaps both her hands back at me before picking her crayon back up.
Char stretches out her legs, settling deeper into the cushions. “It’s really gonna happen?”
“Yep. By the end of this week while Dad’s in the hospital.” I should feel guilty. It almost feels like a hostile takeover.
If he wants to sell, he can. He shouldn’t be in control of who buys them, otherwise why take the cows to the livestock auction? There’s no telling where they’d end up.
“He’s trying to send Millie in this next batch,” I say quietly.
I don’t have to explain. Char knows.
She’s brought Paisley to see every one of Millie’s calves.
“Shit,” Char mutters.
“Shit,” Paisley mimics her.
Char and I meet eyes and cover our mouths at the same time.
It’s so damn hard not to laugh.
“Honey, that’s a grownup word,” Char manages to chide Paisley.
How she’s keeping a straight expression is an act of Congress.
The knock makes us both jump.
“I gotta go.” I hop up and give Char an awkward hug.
Her due date is still three months away, but I’d be surprised if she lasts one more .
When I peel the door open, Blue leans against the frame.
All sexy as hell with his cowboy hat tipped back and a sly smirk pulling his mustache up in the corner.
“Bye bye, Paisley.” I duck and drop a quick kiss to the top of her curly hair.
Her chubby hand raises and flaps her fingers without looking up from her coloring book.
“Ready? I have a plan of attack for tomorrow.” Blue winks. “Operation Moo is underway.”
“Moo goes the cow,” Paisley chimes in from the floor.
I let my fingers fall into his hot palm until we’re off the porch, then I settle close enough so I can drape my arm behind his waist, tucking my fingers into the tight rear pocket of his jeans.
“I’ve always wanted to do that.” I check off another mental box on my list.
“What’s that?” He wraps my shoulders, tucking me against his side.
“Put my hand down the back of some cowboy’s tight Wranglers.” I tilt my head so he can see my smile.
“I think we’ll put that in the ‘daily’ column.” His mouth touches my forehead tenderly, then he lifts me into his truck.
My phone chimes as he walks around to the driver’s seat.
Char: He definitely doesn’t look at you like he wants to leave. That boy is lovesick !
Her text makes my belly tighten and my heart beat faster.
I hope she’ s right.