Chapter 36
lina
Iput my hands against the wall above the bed, lowering myself onto his face. I wanted to take everything he was willing to give me. Desperate, buzzed, and heartbroken, I needed this. Even if this was it for us, I needed something to live on.
Did I want this to be the end of our story?
My brain was like mush with my pussy grinding against his face, his tongue fucking me, his teeth nipping at my lips and my clit before sucking on them.
“Fuck, Reed. That feels so damn good.”
“That’s it, sweetheart.” He hummed against me, the hum causing my body to tighten my core.
I moaned, already feeling the pressure building in my belly. “I’m going to come.”
“Smother me. Soak my face.”
I ground against him, riding his tongue as if he was deep inside me. “God, I want your cock.”
But he didn’t let up until I was shattering and quivering against him. He purred, the vibration adding to the intensity.
“Reed!” My pussy clenched and pulsed against his mouth, and he lapped me up as I made a mess of him.
Limp from my orgasm, he gripped my hips, spinning us around until I was on my back again and he was above me.
His face glistened with me. “Taste how good we are together.”
I opened for him, letting his tongue enter my mouth. I tasted it. Musky and sweet. I sucked his tongue into my mouth, wanting to savor it. His hand was on his cock as he dragged it up and down my slit, letting it hit my now sensitive and swollen clit while he kissed me.
He pulled away. “Look at me, Lina. I want to watch your face while you take everything I have to give.”
Gripping my wrists, he raised my arms, holding them there above my head with one hand, while his other hand notched the head of his cock at my entrance. Slowly, he pressed forward.
My mouth fell open on an exhale, adjusting to the feeling of fullness he always gave me. I don’t think I’d ever feel full again.
“That’s it. Look at you. You always take my cock so well.”
His other hand joined the one wrapped around my wrists, holding my arms above me while he thrusted. His eyes never left mine as his hips rolled. Those midnight pools shining with love that made my heart fracture and shatter.
“You’re doing so good, sweetheart.”
“You feel so good,” I breathed.
Releasing my wrists, he skimmed his palms down my arms and over my breasts until he could grip my ass, propping my hips up to allow my clit to press against him while he continued to pump in and out.
“Grind against me while I fuck you.”
I pressed my hands against his lower back, pushing him more firmly to me while my clit rubbed against him. His fingers dug into my ass, holding me there.
“I’m so close,” I whined, the pressure building again. “Don’t stop.”
“Never, baby.” His brows pinched, and his jaw ticked as he clenched it. “Come with me.”
It was all I needed to let it all go. Just as I came, I couldn’t help the tears pricking my eyes.
“Reed,” I croaked. “I … I … I’ll always love you.”
We awoke early, our bodies still intertwined, our cum dried between my thighs.
The weight of his arm was around my middle.
While his hand cupped my breast, his thick thigh nestled between mine, and his chest was firm and warm against my back.
I wanted to live in this moment forever, but we needed to get home to Romy and the girls, and I needed space to think, to find clarity, while my heart was aching.
Thankfully, we had a long drive ahead of us. He would be in his truck pulling the fifth wheel, while I was in mine hauling the horse trailer. It gave me some time to breathe and think, as long as I didn’t spiral. And knowing me, I’d be all fucking twisted by the time we got home.
After cleaning up and getting dressed, we drank a quick cup of coffee and ate some toast before packing up the trailers and loading Mushu. We were on the road in record time, only stopping for gas. By midday, we were pulling into Willows.
“Go check on Penn,” I told him as soon as we parked and got out of our trucks. “I’ll take care of Mushu. We’ll unload the fifth wheel later.”
He gave me a jerky nod. I could tell he was worried, his face taut as he unhitched the camper so he could take off with the truck to Jude and Romy’s place.
It was weird how quiet the ranch was. All the horses, except the ones the guys took, were in their stalls, so there were no lessons or trail rides happening today. The ranch hands must all be out with the herd or with Dad and Jude.
I took my time with Mushu, unloading and organizing the tack, brushing him, making sure he had fresh shavings and hay in his stall while I tried to settle my thoughts.
Being home helped, but I still couldn’t make sense of my feelings.
I loved him. I loved Penn. I’d do anything for them.
Marriage and kids seemed so far in my future.
Now knowing what it all entailed with Reed, I still wasn’t sure if I was ready for it—even if it was something I wanted with him.
Maybe if there was no Elise to factor into all of this, it would be different, but she was Penn’s mama, and I would never try to take that from them.
And it broke my fucking heart. It wouldn’t be fair to him or Penn if I wasn’t all in.
I wanted to be there so badly for both of them. I just didn’t know if I could.
After making sure Mushu and the rest of the horses had food and water, I unhitched my truck and headed over to Romy’s house.
Reed’s truck was already gone, so he must have taken Penn and headed back to the double-wide. Hopefully, everything was okay or someone had heard from Dad or Jude.
When I walked into their house, Romy’s face looked pale while she stared into space, leaning on the counter. Her head shot up when she heard me come in.
“Oh, thank God.” She breathed a sigh of relief.
Baby Charli was in her high chair with what looked like peas on her face, and Penn was sitting on a stool, eating crackers. Why was Penn still here?
“Lina!” she shouted, jumping off her stool to run to me.
I leaned down, wrapping her up in my arms. “Hey, princess.” I held her to me for a moment, just needing her comfort.
My brows pinched. “Where’s Reed? I thought he was heading over here.”
Romy looked confused. “He was here for a minute. After he saw that we were all okay, and there still wasn’t any news from the guys, he said he was going to go unpack. I figured he was going to head back to the stables to help you.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t see him. I would have passed him on my way here.”
“Huh. I wonder where he could have gone. Do you think he went to the double-wide?” she asked.
“Maybe.” I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, tapping Reed’s name. Putting it to my ear, all I heard was ringing. Was it the phone or my ears? I felt like my consciousness was outside my body, staring down at me.
“You’ve reached Reed Ownstead. Please leave your name and a brief message at the beep.”
I tried again. It went to voicemail. Shit.
“He’s not picking up. When was the last time you heard from Jude or Dad?”
“Last night. Right before they headed out.”
My heart rate kicked up, and a sickening feeling soured my gut.
“Shit … is it just me, or does it feel like something is wrong to you, too?”
“I’ve felt it since this morning. I can’t stay here just waiting to make sure everyone is okay.” Her voice cracked on her last word, and I could see it now, her knee bouncing behind the counter. She was going against her very instincts right now when I knew all she wanted to do was fight or fly.
“I need you to stay here, Romy. Lock the doors and stay inside with Charli. If you hear from Dad, Jude, or Reed, call me right away, okay? I’ll do the same.”
She nodded. “Are you sure that you and Penn should head to the double-wide?”
“I want to go see my daddy,” Penn whined at my side.
“I know, princess. We’re going to go see your dad,” I said, stroking her hair before turning back to Romy. “I should take her home anyway. Hopefully, that’s where Reed is, too. I’ll text you as soon as I get there so you’ll know we’re safe.”
I rounded the counter, taking her into my arms and whispering in her ear so Penn didn’t hear me. Knowing this was the old Matheus homestead, I couldn’t help but feel this was a target. “If you see Junior, I’m going to need you to get one of Jude’s rifles and call the police.”
Romy flinched, pulling back to look at me. Her silver eyes were flaming. “You think it’s him?”
I nodded, taking Penn’s hand. “I’ll text you as soon as I’m there.”
She nodded back, sucking in a couple deep breaths. “Okay. Okay. We got this.”
“Yes, we do.”
But it didn’t feel like we had it at all.