25. Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-five
Blue
Mason’s amber eyes squint as he flips between the pages.
“I might have to break down and get some glasses.” He glances up, then rubs his temples.
“This getting old shit sucks.” He drops the first page down and slides the printout back towards Libby.
“All your numbers look solid. Margins are big enough to leave room for a profit after expenses. I just can’t swing the extra for the property at the moment though. ”
I can feel her drop almost imperceptibly.
“But,” he continues. “I can cut you a first installment check tonight if you need it.” His fingers weave behind his head as he leans back and stretches with a yawn. “I don’t know how I did it with two babies twenty years ago. It’s gonna be rough when the next one gets here in a few weeks.”
“Dad has to accept the proposal first. Thank you for considering the property, the fact you’d even look twice is a compliment.” Libby’s spine is straight, the picture of composure .
But her fingers dig into the flesh above my knee like she’s hanging from a cliff.
“Hell, I have no doubts in your business sense.” Mason waves his hand idly, then scratches through his dark hair.
I guess he does have a touch of gray at the edges.
I’m right there with him.
“You’re doing better than most. I had some hotshot from the city call me once wanting to get into ranching. Didn’t even know the difference between a steer and a bull. That guy’s got some hard lessons coming if he went through with it.” He grunts with a smile, then pushes away from the table.
“He’s lucky he didn’t call Dix. He’d have gotten way more details than he ever knew existed.” I gently pry her nails out of my jeans. I’m gonna need bandages if she squeezes any harder.
“Ain’t that the truth.” Mason picks up his empty glass, carrying it to the kitchen.
“Well, kids. I gotta hit the hay. Let me know when you need some money. Then we can have a little branding party.” His mouth shifts as he chews on the inside of his cheek.
“Those damn Jerseys are all hip, huh? Maybe we’ll cold mark ‘em.”
“They’re all tagged.” Libby’s gaze flicks between Mason and I. “Doesn’t that count?”
“Eh. Gotta brand all our cows. It’s the only real way we can identify them when the damn thieves take them.” His voice takes on an edge we’ve all heard many times .
There’s never been any solid answers after the bullshit of the last two years.
“Oh.” Her lips make a circle, then fall into a pout. “That makes sense.”
“I can record them too, they’ll be double protected.” I pat her knuckles, then pull her up as I stand.
“Thanks for your time, Mason. And for—” Her arm floats in a broad arc. “—all of what you’re doing.”
“Hell, Lib. You’re family. We help our own.” He stops at the hall to kick his boots off, then disappears into the back.
She tucks into my side as we walk to the truck. “That still went better than I expected. I can’t believe this is happening.”
I swing open the door, but she turns in my arms. “You don’t have to buy the dairy. It’s okay. I promise I’ll still like you if you don’t want to get tied down.”
“It’s too late for that. I already have a new futon picked out.” And a damn chair. I’m tired of that rickety thing. Every time she climbs on my lap, it feels like it’s going to collapse beneath us.
Her laugh tickles down to my nuts and makes my cock twitch.
“All that for a crappy little fold out bed?” She pushes a stray lock of blond behind her ear as she settles on her seat .
“Worth it. I might just buy one tonight so you can stay with me in the barn.” My hand finds its place on her thigh as we take off.
The cows make the truck shift as we get started. I’m glad we already milked and loaded them before talking to Mason.
All that’s left is to unload them.
“You’d be miserable in the office,” she mumbles, burying her cheek into my shoulder.
“No worse than I will be home by myself. And I have to be out of the area all day tomorrow.” I used to love my job.
For the first time, I’m dreading it because it’s taking me away from her.
Shit. I think I’m starting to understand the merits to a relationship now.
I’m pretty sure that’s what this is? It’s more than just sex.
I want to be with her. To touch her whenever she’s near.
And I don’t fucking want to sleep alone.
After we get done unloading the animals into the main barn, I pull her close, nestling my lips to the pulse in her neck.
“Think your brother would notice if I snuck in tonight?” My palms drift under her shirt so I can feel the heat of her skin against the cool spring air.
“That depends on how quiet you can be. He knows you’ll be around, Dad already told him you would be.” She pulls back, a smile dancing in her eyes. “He just won’t know how closely you’ll be watching me.”
“I’ll try not to snore.” But I am pretty damn tired. Two days in a row with only minimal sleep is catching up to me.
“Me too,” she giggles, then threads her fingers through mine and leads me to the squat house across the parking lot.
“Wait here,” she whispers, then moves inside.
Within a moment, she’s back, ushering me in the door.
“He’s playing a game online with his friends, we should be fine.”
I feel like I’m a teenager again following her to her room.
Pinks and yellows splash the bed and the walls, with a mix of posters from rock stars to ranching scenes filling most of the empty space.
It’s just like her, eclectic, vibrant, with everything she loves plastered for display.
She doesn’t hesitate to strip off her jeans and shirt, flinging her bra to a basket in the corner.
My hurricane.
“I’m leaving these on for protection.” She grins, pointing at her dainty pink panties as her dark bare nipples stare at me from above.
“Uh huh.” I step closer to run my fingers down her smooth belly before diving them beneath the silky fabric. “You’re gonna soak through those, rebel.” I flick her clit, making her spasm before pulling my hand away .
When I drop my Wranglers, my cock is already at half-mast, taut against my boxer-briefs.
“Looks like we’re both gonna suffer.” She cups my crotch, then dances away to dig out an oversized t-shirt from her drawer.
My Stetson and Ariats look good next to her dresser. A nice mix of wild colors and down to earth.
“Misery loves company, baby.” I snuggle against her under her thick comforter, molding her to my body.
But when I nudge my firm cock between her thighs, all I can think about is wanting to sink into her.
We both lay in strangled silence, our rapid breathing the only betrayal of the need racing through our veins.
“Do it, “ she finally whispers, tilting her knee over mine.
With a stroke of my thumb, I move the cotton barriers and roll my hips.
A shiver runs through me as I bottom out in her tight little pussy, matching her gasp. Her inner muscles twitch, begging me deeper.
She digs her nails into my arm. “Please,” she pants. “I know we can be quiet.”
“Rebel,” I grunt, stilling her hips. “Let’s see if you can lie there like a good girl while I stay inside of you.”
Entwining her arm, I pin her wrist to the bed, holding her firmly as she trembles beneath me.
It takes a few minutes, but she relaxes with me filling her .
This is new for me too. Another first sensation that I want to do again and again.
It’s so fucking intimate.
Vulnerable.
My chest aches at how perfect this is.
We’re joined, fused at the hip as one.
I don’t care what it takes, or how many dairies and cows I have to buy, I want to have her in my arms every night for the rest of my life.