Chapter 36 #2
“I’ve been calling Burt off and on all week because I've been designing a custom ring.
For you. One that represents what we built together since you've been here, one that represents our love, not the one we vowed to at the courthouse.
Quinn… I should have just told you but… it's been a long time since I've been so in love. I'm not good at this. I wanted to surprise you tonight, but I should have ruined the surprise and come clean. I’m… bad at this.”
“What?” tears litter my cheeks as I process what was really going on, and the way I reacted.
Burt chuckles softly. “He’s been driving me crazy with the details—engravings, the perfect fit, all of it. Swore me to secrecy. Never seen a man so gone on a woman.”
Joy blooms so fiercely behind my ribs that it steals my words.
Jenna pops her head in, looking for her dad, but pauses when she sees the three of us.
She glances at my ring finger, empty but for the original ring, and winces.
Landry motions her in. "I was just telling Quinn that your dad has been working on her ring. "
Jenna's eyes come to mine. "I've seen it, hon.
Start working out or else that thing is gonna weigh your arm down.
" She flashes a smile that makes me think I've misinterpreted everything out of jealousy, but before I can think too much on it, Jenna ducks out, telling her dad to meet her by the truck.
Bert pats Landry's shoulder, then shakes my hand.
"Incredible film. Congratulations, both of you. "
Landry pulls me closer, his forehead resting against mine, the chemistry between us crackling like summer lightning. "Marry me. For real."
My heart is racing a million miles a minute, and I can't believe I ever thought Landry would betray me. I feel so silly.
“Say something, baby,” he whispers, a partial, hopeful smile tugging at his lips. “Before I lose my nerve and just kiss you senseless right here.”
I laugh through the happy tears, my hands fisting in his shirt. “Yes. Landry, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.”
His mouth claims mine in a kiss that promises forever—fierce and tender. In that quiet little pantry where the door is covered in peck marks by Mr. McCharger, with the distant cheers of our town celebrating his story, I know this is it. The moment our forever really begins.
We break apart, one last worry on my mind. "Landry… I don't… You shouldn't spend your winnings on me at all. I got a bonus for this film and…"
He shakes his head, still subtly stroking his thumb along my cheek as his eyes sink into mine.
“I’m not gonna pay for it. Burt made me a deal, and I’m gonna train Jenna’s boyfriend for a year in exchange for the ring.
” He pulls me closer. “I should have told you. I should have just told you what I was up to but… you’ve done so much for me.
So much for Sadie. Hell, Quinn, you’ve changed Sable Sky.
And I only wanted to show you in some small way just how much you mean to me, and putting a diamond on your finger, while you hold my last name, well, it seemed like the best way. ”
I search his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.” I shake my head. “I should have, I really should have.”
His lips dust my neck and nibble the end of my earlobe. “I just… wanted so badly to give you a big moment, the way you’ve given us so many. But… It’s behind us now, and I promise to never be a damn fool ever again.”
I giggle as he nips at my jaw and lips, but freeze when his blue eyes settle on mine, evident that there’s something else he wants to say.
“I heard Mabel’s introduction before the film started.
” He licks his lips and his eyes grow misty.
“I’m so honored to have you make a film about me, and I’m so incredibly proud that my wife’s film is nominated for the Indie Film Awards.
I’m so goddamn proud of you, baby. I love you, and I’m honored that you love me, too. ”
Another long, slow kiss, but this time, we’re faced with the best interruption.
Sadie runs in, and I haven’t seen her at all today.
She sat with the Colliers at the premiere, and from my vantage point, I never saw her face.
I watched the back of her head, taking in the scenes showing how tough and honorable her daddy is, and wondered what she was thinking.
“Miss Quinn!” she squeals, crashing into my legs, coming between me and her dad. “I loved your movie! My daddy is a hero! A champion!”
Landry hoists her into his arms, against his chest, and she plants a kiss on his cheek amidst the stubble.
I take her hand in mine and squeeze, unembarrassed by the tears that suddenly spring from my eyes and skate down my cheeks.
“I am so glad you liked it, Sadie. And I wanna watch it again with you and have you tell me all your thoughts while we watch. Would you wanna watch it again with me?”
Sadie nods. “Yes! I loved it so much.” She beams. “I’m a movie star, too.”
I nod, still holding her hand. Landry reaches for my other hand, and our fingers weave together. “Guess what? My mom and sister are coming out tomorrow to watch the movie.” I cut my eyes up to Landry. “Maybe we can have a screening at the house, on the covered porch?”
Landry's eyes soften and so does his smile. “I can’t wait.”
“Me too!” Sadie says, then nearly causes my chest to collapse when she adds, “I can’t wait to meet my new grandma and auntie!”
Landry uses our joined hands to swipe my tears, and thankfully, Sadie is so excited about everything that she doesn’t even seem to notice. “I can’t wait for that either.”
She leans into me, wiggling her arms like she wants me to hold her. I look at Landry, and now his eyes are glossy. I take her and she kisses my cheek, and the feel of her heart beating against mine and his hand holding me, this is what true love really feels like. I know it now.
“Know what I am most happy about?” she whispers, even though Landry can clearly hear.
I shake my head and sniffle, my chest so tight from the thrill of this night and the way it completed my life. “What?”
She boops my nose with hers. “You’re comin’ back to the house. ’Cause you said after the movie, you’re coming back.”
I don’t need to look at Landry to confirm this. “You’re right. I am. And I can’t wait to read you stories tonight, and make you pancakes in the morning.”
She hugs me, and it’s that moment that I realize how badly I long to be her mama, how much I want to be here for her in all ways, forever. How much I want to be a mama to more kids, with Landry.
“C’mon, let’s go take some photos and talk to folks. Sadie, why don’t you sit with Petunia while we make the rounds?”
She clings so tightly to me that more tears slip free. Being loved and adored by a child is something I’ve never experienced until now, but it is easily one of the most special things ever. “I wanna stay with Quinn.” She kisses my cheek. “I missed you!”
Landry keeps his hand on my lower back the entire night as we make rounds, taking photos, talking about the filming process, explaining shots and cameras, how editing works, Landry talking about his injuries and past wins.
Eventually Sadie tucks into me and drifts off, and I hold her in my arms all night, despite the strain in my shoulders and fatigue in my legs.
I give Mabel the biggest hug ever after Landry peels Sadie from me and puts her in the truck.
We invite her to meet my family at the ranch tomorrow, and to watch the film with us for a second time.
We head home, and I ride in the middle seat, head on Landry’s shoulder, hand on this thigh.
He has one arm draped over my shoulders and his thumb strokes my arm gently, and between my legs, all of my longing and heartache turns to a needy burn, a lecherous desire, a void that can only be filled by Landry and his perfect, thick cowboy cock.
I don’t get the chance to tell Sadie any bedtime stories, because she’s knocked out by the time we get back.
After putting Sadie in her bed, working together to take her ponytail out and tug off her boots, we stumble through the hallway, Landry knocking his bedroom door open with his boot.
His hand is already under my shirt, fingers splayed hot against my ribs, and I giggle into his mouth—breathless, half drunk on the way he stroked my shoulder the whole drive back, like he’d been starving for me and could hardly wait.
I feel the same. Downstairs, the lights are still on and the porch screen isn't shut, but we don’t bother with it.
We didn’t bother with anything except Sadie, and now, each other.
I shove him against the wall just outside the master bedroom—our room—and kiss him hard enough that our teeth clash.
His tongue slides against mine, demanding, and I moan into his mouth, already wet, already aching.
“I need you,” I gasp, but he only growls low in his throat and lifts me, hands under my ass, carrying me into our room like I'm weightless.
My legs wrap his waist, and I grind myself against the hard line of his cock through his jeans.
We fall onto the bed in a tangle of clothes and limbs.
I yank his shirt over his head, nails scraping down the sweat-damp planes of his chest. He strips me just as fast—shirt, bra, skirt, panties—until we're both naked and breathing like we’ve just run ten miles.
Landry flips us so I'm on top, riding him, then spins me around, pulling my hips back until I'm straddling his face in reverse.
Sixty-nine. God, yes.
I lower myself onto his mouth at the same moment I take his cock between my lips.
The first swipe of his tongue through my folds makes me cry out around him, the vibration pulling a rough groan from his throat that I feel all the way in my clit.
He's thick and hot on my tongue, velvet over steel, and I suck him deep while he devours me—lips, tongue, the scrape of his teeth just right. His hands grip my ass, spreading me wider, holding me down so he can bury his face in my pussy like he needs to drown in me. I rock against him, chasing the pleasure already coiling tight and vicious at the base of my spine. Saliva drips down his shaft, over my chin. I hollow my cheeks and take him to the back of my throat, gagging softly, loving the way his hips jerk up like he can’t help it.
“Fuck, Quinn—” His voice is wrecked, muffled against my slick skin. He sucks my clit hard, two fingers sliding into me without warning, curling just right, and I come with a broken moan around his cock, thighs shaking, grinding down on his face while he drinks every pulse of my cunt.
Still gasping, he flips me off him, manhandling me onto my hands and knees.
The words have fallen away now, and we're just primal needs and urgent desires.
He gets behind me, one big hand on my hip.
Landry pushes inside me in one long, relentless stroke, stretching me open, bottoming out so deep I see stars.
I cry out, fisting the sheets, pushing back to meet him.
He fucks me like he's trying to brand himself into my bones—hard, fast, hips snapping against my ass with wet, filthy sounds.
Sweat slicks down my back, his hand fists my hair, tugging my head back so he can lean over me and bite the side of my neck.
“Mine,” he snarls against my skin, thrusting deeper, and I shatter for my husband again, clenching around him so hard he curses.
But he isn’t done. He pulls out, flips me onto my back, and settles between my thighs like he belongs there. He does.
He moves to missionary now, and I love it, because it's so slow and deliberate, his eyes locked on mine.
His forehead presses to mine, breaths mingling, and the shift in rhythm steals what little air I have left.
Every slide of his cock is deep and unhurried, dragging over every sensitive spot until I'm whimpering into his perfect mouth.
We kiss like the world is ending—torrid, open-mouthed, tongues sliding, teeth nipping.
Sweat beads on his chest and drips onto my breasts and I lick it from his collarbone, tasting salt and him.
His hips roll in slow, devastating circles that make my toes curl and my heart crack open.
“Landry,” I whisper, voice raw. My legs wrap around his waist, heels digging into the small of his back, and I pull him deeper into me.
He stills, eyes wide and dark, searching my face. “Quinn, I love you.”
“I love you more.” I cup his jaw, thumb brushing his swollen bottom lip.
A shudder rolls through him. He kisses me again, fierce and tender all at once, then reaches between us, pulling out, leaving me so hollow for a moment while he steels his composure.
After a breath, he slides back inside, and the heat of him, the slick drag of skin on skin, makes us both gasp.
He's thicker now, pulsing inside me, deep and hot.
I feel every vein, every ridge, every throb as he starts moving again, his strokes slow, deep, and reverent.
His hand slips between us, thumb circling my clit, and I cry out my husband's name, raking my nails down his back hard enough to leave marks.
“I love you,” he breaths against my mouth, the words ragged. “Fuck, I love you so much, baby.”
I come around him like that—clenching, pulsing, pulling him deeper—whispering his name like a prayer.
And he follows, hips stuttering, burying himself to the hilt as he spills inside me.
Hot, thick pulses fill me, mark me, claim me in a way nothing else ever had.
His forehead drops to mine, eyes squeezed shut, mouth open on a silent groan, and the moment stretches between us, powerful, tender, and overwhelming.
I feel him throb inside me, feel the warmth of him leaking out around where our bodies join, and I hold him tighter, kissing him through it, swallowing every broken sound he makes as he releases, filling me.
We stay like that, trembling, sweat-slick and breathing each other in.
His cock softens slowly inside me, but he doesn’t pull out.
He just kisses me, soft now, lazy, and reverent while his hand strokes down my side.
I blink up at him and memorize every line of his face, every thudding beat of his heart.
“My wife,” he whispers against my lips.
I smile, small and wrecked and perfect. “Always.”