Chapter 12
twelve
. . .
Cage
My fucking dick woke me from a sound sleep, and it took me a minute to process where I was.
Presley was pressed against me, and my erection was hard enough to tear through the flimsy fabric of these ridiculous long johns.
I pulled away slowly, not wanting to wake her.
I took a moment to just take her in while she slept.
Her long black lashes rested against the top of her cheeks. Her skin was flawless, slightly flushed, lips plump.
Fuck. This wasn’t helping.
I closed my eyes and thought about the last documentary I watched about germs. Anything to stop my cock from throbbing.
But nothing was working.
I needed a release, or I’d never survive the drive with her today.
I tiptoed to the bathroom and closed the door. I glanced down to see my dick so hard that the tip was sticking out of the top of my long johns.
I turned the water on and tugged my clothes off because I couldn’t get into that shower quickly enough.
This place was a dump, and the water pressure was shit, but none of it mattered. My head fell against the wall, and I wrapped my hand around my dick, gripping it like my life depended on it.
I squeezed my eyes closed as I imagined my mouth crashing into hers with the force I felt in this moment. We were both desperate to taste and touch and explore.
Fuck. I missed everything about her.
Her smart mouth. Her perfect tits.
I pumped harder. I was so close it wouldn’t take much.
My breaths were already labored.
I imagined my hands moving down her lush curves as I gripped her hips. I knew the sounds that she made for me. Hell, I’d memorized every last one.
Every fucking gasp.
Every fucking moan of pleasure.
She jumped up and wrapped her long legs around my waist.
“I need you inside me right now, Cowboy,” she purred.
I thrust into her, burying myself so deep that I hoped I could stay there forever.
I pumped my hand up and down my cock, faster now.
And I fucked her in my dreams the way I wanted to fuck her in this moment.
The buildup had me on edge as bright lights exploded behind my eyes, and the most powerful orgasm tore through my body.
“Presley! Fuck!” The words were out before I could stop them.
I hadn’t come that hard in years.
I hoped like hell that she was still asleep and hadn’t heard me. But at the same time, I had no shame in my game.
We’d both admitted that it had been a while.
I’d never stood on ceremony with this woman.
I reached for the soap and cleaned myself up before climbing out of the shower, feeling a hell of a lot better than I did when I stepped into it.
I dried off my body and my hair and pulled on yesterday’s clothes, grateful to be out of the ridiculous pajamas. I used my finger to brush my teeth with some water before stepping out of the bathroom.
She was sitting up, staring at me, when I entered the room, and she tucked her hair behind her ears. How did she manage to look so fucking pretty without any effort?
“Good morning,” I said, making my way over to the dresser to check my phone.
“It certainly is for one of us.” She smirked before moving to her feet with a devious grin on her face.
“Hey, you’ve clearly never woken up with a bad case of morning wood because someone’s tight little body was rubbing against you all night.”
Her head tilted to the side, and she smiled. “Way to give a girl a confidence boost first thing in the morning.”
“I’m glad you’re taking pleasure in my discomfort,” I said as I pulled the curtains open and looked outside to see that the snow had stopped falling.
“I’m guessing you’re more comfortable now?” she asked with a chuckle.
“I’m actually feeling fucking fantastic now. Thanks for asking. Let’s get dressed and get on the road.”
“Okay. I hope there’s a pancake house in our future. I’m starving for real food,” she said, making her way to the bathroom.
“Me, too.” I dialed my mom, and she put Gracie on the phone as my gaze followed Presley when she stepped back into the room wearing her jeans and boots but leaving on the long underwear top beneath her coat.
“I miss you, Daddy.”
“I miss you, too, Gracie girl. I’ll see you after school today.”
And just like that, I was brought back into the reality that was my life now.
I had a little girl waiting for me at home.
My life was there.
And as much as I wanted to get wrapped up in this woman, I knew I couldn’t go there.
So, our next chapter would have to be a friendship.
And I’d have to learn to deal with it.
Regardless of how badly I wanted her.
Brinkley
Mom just told me that Presley is coming to Sunday dinner. Why have you failed to mention this?
Georgia
What? She’s still in town? Have you been talking to her?
Finn
Did you not know that they got snowed in on their little road trip? And what are the chances that there was only one motel… with one room… and one bed? Cue the dramatic music.
What are the chances that you just won dick of the year, you asshat? So much for bro code.
Hugh
I’m glad I’m not dick of the year. But the whole thing is… interesting.
Brinkley
I’m still processing Sunday dinner, and now we find out that you went on a romantic vacation with your ex-girlfriend, who you’re still clearly in love with.
Georgia
This has the makings of an epic second-chance romance. I’m telling Ashlan to use this for inspiration for her next book.
Ashlan was our cousin, who was a bestselling romance author. Georgia and her husband owned a publishing house, so, in Georgia’s mind, everything had the potential to be a book these days.
For fuck’s sake. Her dad needed me to check out a horse. There is no romance here. She’s leaving. She lives in New York. I live here. I have a child and responsibilities. Nothing happened in that motel room, aside from me wearing long johns that were clearly not made for a normal-sized human.
Hugh
I’ve never seen long underwear that wasn’t made for small humans. It’s like trying to fit a five-pound sausage into a two-pound bag. That shit doesn’t work.
Brinkley
I can already tell that Hugh knows more… He’s diverting the conversation and trying to focus on the ridiculous fashion you’re referencing. And Finny didn’t reply and make a sausage-penis joke, which means he’s afraid to say the wrong thing.
Georgia
How did you get that from their response?
Brinkley
I’m a reporter. I can see through bullshit a mile away.
Finn
I was getting my pregnant wife a glass of water. I’m the one who mentioned their blizzard-of-the-year staycation.
If any of you bring this up at dinner, I will blurt out every skeleton in your closet and torture you for the rest of your lives.
Hugh
Another sweet family Sunday night dinner with the Reynolds.
Brinkley
“Ahhh… hello deflection, nice to see you again.” You’re making threats now? This is an obvious attempt to take the attention off yourself. This tells me everything I need to know. Dinner can’t come soon enough.
Fuck. My siblings weren’t going to make this easy.
“Grammie and Pops said we could bring Maxine and Bob Picklepants to dinner tonight,” Gracie said, with her little hand in mine, as we walked home from the park.
Of course, she asked them, and they said yes.
Because why not? They’d invited my ex-girlfriend to dinner, so what’s the difference if a pig and a dog join us, too?
It’ll be one big fucked-up evening.
“That’s fine.”
“And Presley’s coming. I really like her.”
“You know she’s just an old friend, right? Someone I used to know. She doesn’t live here, and she’ll be going home soon.” We stepped into the house, and I dropped the keys onto the entryway table.
“But you can still be friends with someone who doesn’t live here, Daddy. All my cousins live in Honey Mountain. We’re still a family, even if I don’t see them every day.”
“Yes. That’s true. Go get washed up and changed, and I’ll get Maxine and Bob ready to go.”
She squealed as she ran down the hallway toward her bedroom, and I rubbed my temples.
My phone vibrated, and I glanced down to see a text from Presley.
We’d messaged about the horse we’d brought back with us after we got home a few days ago.
And then I’d texted her congratulations when Finn had sent me the article with her interview about becoming the first female partner at her firm.
So we’d been texting a bit. It was not a big deal.
Friends were allowed to text.
Raven
Hey. Are you sure you’re all right with me coming to dinner tonight? I can make up an excuse and say I’m sick if you’d rather I not be there.
Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?
Raven
Let’s just say that I know you well, and I’m guessing you’re not thrilled because you’ve got these boundaries in place, and you don’t like to cross them.
Well, I’d say sleeping with you in a bed with my dick out of control has already crossed most of the boundaries, right? We agreed to be friends. I’m good with that.
Raven
Wow. Way to bring the dirty talk to the text chain. I didn’t see that coming.
That’s what she said.
Raven
Ahhh… so he does still have a sense of humor.
We’re both going to need one tonight. Brinkley is trying to sniff out what’s going on. She just heard about the road trip, so she’s going to be nosy as hell.
Raven
Well, she’ll see that there’s nothing going on, and then we can just have a good time. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and to meeting Lincoln and Maddox.
I’d updated her on all that had happened in the family during the last six years on our road trip from hell.
Although, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was bummed when it came to an end. She’d shared a lot about her life in New York. She loved it there. About how making partner at her law firm was everything she’d worked for since the day she started law school.
Just be ready to be in the hot seat tonight.
Raven
You worry too much, Cowboy. You know I can handle myself.
You always could. I’ll see you soon.