12. Month 1
Month 1
Amity
W e are coming to the end of month one of being engaged and Blake hating his travel schedule. I see him every other week for a four-day weekend. In reality, it is only 3 days when we take into account the travel time. I can tell he is exhausted from working extra-long hours and keeping up with everything at home. Honestly, if he is still standing by the end of this, I will be impressed. His assistant Ross has my number on speed-dial now after an incident two weeks ago. I felt awful for Ross having to witness the side of Blake people fear.
Apparently, an investor was looking to pull out right when the particular deal was being signed, which then caused other investors to question the land they would be drilling on. Between Clint and Blake, they have never been wrong on where oil is found. They have a crazy sixth sense for oil on top of all the research and testing they do before bringing the land to the table to drill on. After punching one of the older guys, breaking his nose, and another walked away with a few broken ribs, Blake played his cards of knowing who was having affairs, connections to smugglers, and even those who spank their assistants. He had them all blackmailed for one reason or another. To top all the bullshit off, Blake raised the investment cost just to prove his point of not to be fucked with. I’m not sure I will ever get over the fact that the man I love can be a ruthless businessman. Huh, I guess this proves I have a type. At least this one won’t cut me up and torture my family. #winning.
Thanks to Lana, we have to fit in cake tasting this weekend. I opted for a tower of Shipley’s Do-nuts. Still pushing for it, but Groom-zilla sides with Lana on why we need a traditional cake. Between Blake and Lana, they practically have the whole wedding organized and planned down to table placements, food, and having his old Pastor booked to perform the ceremony. The only thing I have been asked to approve of were the wedding invitations. Luckily, I went with instinct on what I knew Blake would prefer. Tying our tastes together. Rustic Lace invitations that have a country feel, but expensive and extravagant to fit Blake. I did deny him his grooms’ cake of a bloody Armadillo. Secretly his favorite movie is Steel Magnolias and thought he would follow suit with a replica. Finally mortified, Lana and I both were able to convince him otherwise, but is now keeping a secret of what he decided on. Like I have said before, this man of mine hates being vetoed. Revenge is in my future. I’m sure of it.
Right now, I am leaving school to head to Crenshaw Ranch for dinner tonight. Blake is meeting me there plus the rest of the group for a large steak-out. Literally grilling the best cut of meat, you can find in these parts. Right off my parents’ ranch. My parents have supplied their beef for the last four years to the Crenshaw Ranch, and tonight, we are celebrating their beef getting picked up by the Albertsons chain and a handful of local grocery stores. I drive by Carter’s Calvin Klein billboard and think how not long ago, my future looked so much different. He has even called a few times to check in and plan another “get” together. Of course, I declined and told him to check with Blake. Honestly though, the thought of bedding several others besides my soon-to-be husband no longer interests me. He gives me all I need. The temptation, the pain, the power, and all the pleasure. Not saying it won’t change down the road and to keep things interesting, but right now, he is all I need in all aspects of my life.
Driving down the ranch’s driveway, I see one of the longhorns have escaped by breaking through the fence. That damn bastard. He’s a mean son of a bitch too. Texting Willa that I am stopping to try and push him back in, to bring help and tools, I get out and begin the standoff away from my truck. He put a hole in Dirks’ truck not long ago when Dirks was driving across the pasture then stopping to throw some fresh cattle feed out.
“Alright Jetson, let's move!” I shout, waving my arms in the air to catch his attention. For a hot second, I’m in awe of how quick and graceful he moves. Only to remember he is heading in my direction, so I take off running down the path until I see the opening in the fence.
Jetson follows me back into the pasture just as Willa and Dirks drive up. Dirks works quickly to fix the fence while Willa is game planning on how to get me out of this situation since Jetson is blocking my line to freedom. My other option is to jump the fence behind me where Leroy is. Leroy is the kindest longhorn, but I don’t want to risk Jetson barging through that part of the fence and start a legit bull fight. An idea hits me that if I jump on one of my female longhorns, I might be able to outrun him to the fence. I shout to Willa my game plan, just as Jetson finishes stomping his hoof and on his way to me. I barely have time to notice the Uber pulling in and stopping to watch the show. As soon as my ass lands on Clover's back, she takes off. Takes off in the wrong direction, with Jetson hot on her hoofs. Willa and Dirks jump over to catch Jetson’s attention. That is when I spot Blake standing there in his expensive tailored suit, looking gorgeous but pissed off while his hands rest on his hips. Knowing I need to dip off sooner than later to save Clover from getting hurt, I quickly steer her by her loose neck to the water trough. Right when she passes, I let myself fall in. By the grace of God, my body hits the water with my feet out. I sit up, coughing up water, pushing the hair out of my face, to face an angry Jetson. Luckily for me, his horns are as long as the trough, but he keeps punching my arm with his nose.
“What is it, man? Do you need to get laid?” I snort just as he sneezes, sending hay and green snot into my face. Using my country napkin, I wipe my face off. “Thanks, Jetson.” I slowly reach my hand out to pet his nose, and surprisingly he lets me. Until I hear Blake shouting my name like I am about to be murdered. Jetson starts to scoff his hoof again, which tells me someone else has entered his pasture. Turning around, I’m stunned with Blake running toward me. Dirks hot on his heels. I turn back to Jetson just in time to duck from his swinging horns because now he is pissed off again. I quickly jump out of the trough and haul ass to Blake and Dirks, telling them to run. Like RUN! Ever seen the scene from Jurassic Park when Dr. Sattler pisses off the velociraptors and tries to escape them as her rescuers run to her? This is what this scene looks like, except a very large, angry longhorn with several of his female companions stampeding behind him.
Before I know it, I am tossed over the fence into Blake's arms, and we help pull Dirks over at the last minute. Willa barreling on the ground laughing as she recorded the whole scene. Jetson and the others stopped right at the fence, huffing at us. Right then, Mr. Crenshaw drives up with Ben. “Time to set up the electric fence. Not sure it will do much for that son of a bitch, but we can try.”
Still breathing heavily, I let a laugh slip out. Blake glares at me. “This is not funny, Amity. What if something happened to you?”
“Nothing did, pretty boy. I’m fine,” I say with a grin. Could that have gone really sideways? Of course. But hell, I’m still in one piece, so all good. Willa comes over to help me up and hug me.
“For the love of Zeus, Am.” All I can do is nod my head. “Still, I can’t believe he let you pet him!” she squeals.
“Right. I thought I was getting somewhere with him.” Blake stalks off to my truck, slamming the door on the passenger side. “Let me go deal with Diva-Bitch. He must be thinking he won’t have a bride for this extravagant wedding.”
Willa lets out a chuckle. “You are awful. Go thank him for saving your life because that's what he needs to hear.”
“Because I am the perfect gal to stroke a man's ego?” I ask, looking at her questionably with my eyebrow cocked.
She laughs again. “Just go be sweet, Amity. Then get y’alls ass washed up for dinner. I’ll bring some dry clothes to the eatery for you.” Nodding my head, I head back to my truck.
I take a deep breath, before I open the door and climb up. Once in, I start my truck, then turn to look at him. “Thank you for helping me out back there.”
Without evening turning to look at me, he grumbles, “You’re welcome.”
“Blake, I am fine, we are all fine. It was just an adventure. I rodeo for a living and have fallen off plenty while ropin’ and bucked off steers and broncs. Something crazy is always bound to happen when dealing with these animals. But all this is part of my livelihood. Part of me.” I pause for him to say something.
“I think my heart stopped when you fell into the trough, but then started again when I saw you reach your hand out to pet him. Because you are a crazy ass woman, Amity. I started running in your direction because my next fear was you were going to try and ride him.” He doesn’t even blink his crystal baby blue eyes while glaring at me.
“I will never ride Jetson, I promise. Leroy on the other hand, he is a big teddy bear, but not Jetson,” I promise through a laugh.
“Like that is much better, Amity.”
“Ugh, come on. You know we can laugh about this now, and you know your soon to be wife is a complete cowgirl and badass, so let's move on.” I scooch over, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
Right when I fall back, Blake’s hand goes up into my hair, tightening around the bottom of my neck. “Mine,” he growls out. “Through the heaven gates or fiery pits of hell, I will always find you and keep you safe.” Our eyes locking, I go in for his lips. He believes his words with his whole being, and so do I. My halo is already bent, so lord knows I need all the extra saving I can get. Our kiss turns feverishly passionate, and before I know it, I am straddling him on the bench seat of my truck. Grinding against him. I look around to find everyone else has turned back to the house, leaving him and I alone. My clothes and body are already soaked, but I can feel the warm wetness leaking out of my core just for him. I can feel him swelling in his suit pants for me, so I reach down to undo his belt and pants, pulling them down just enough to free him. “I need you now,” he whispers in my ear, gripping my hair tightly. I could come on the spot listening to his sensual voice that feels like velvet wrapping around my body. I roll off him just to get my boots, panties, and pants off, then straddle him again. Slicking his shaft with my wetness. “Fuck, take me now, Amity.”
I hear another truck come down the drive . Damn. As much as my body needs him, I know we are running late to dinner and putting on a scene for anyone driving by to see. My voyeur amusement draws the line at family. Rolling off him, slipping my panties back on, I murmur, “Will have to wait till later, cowboy. I promise I’ll ride you hard and fast.” Kissing him on the cheek, Blake remains frozen in disbelief.
“I think that is the cruelest action you have taken against me.”
“Don’t take it personally. We just have somewhere else to be. A place where all our family and friends are.” Blake huffs, pulling his suit pants back up while I drive us down the road. A promise kept; Willa runs off the porch of the eatery to bring me some dry clothes. Once dressed, we jump out of the truck and join the party. Ain’t no better smell than fresh steaks grilling, wafting in the light breeze of an early fall evening.