Insatiable

Chapter 9

Rhett

Rein in your eagerness, Sullivan.

I might have come on too strong, so I let go of her hand and remember common courtesy.

“I’m sorry, but your beautiful blue eyes—” and your divine body — “make me forget all my manners. Ma would be disappointed in me ‘cause she raised me better than that.”

She blushes.

“I’m Rhett Sullivan,” I say, extending my hand.

“I’m Carina Callahan,” she says, shaking it.

Carina?

Pretty name for a pretty girl.

“Your first name is unique.”

“It is. I blame my nonnas.” She lets out a girlish laugh.

I knit my eyebrows in confusion. “Your what?”

“Sorry. My grandmothers. Both Nonna Ludovica—my maternal grandmother—and Nonna Ambrosia—my paternal grandmother—are from northern Italy.”

“I see. Are your grandfathers Italian as well?”

“My grandfathers are both American of Irish decent. It makes me unique, I think,” she says with a tinge of pride.

“What an unusual coincidence?”

“I know.”

“So, your first name is Italian?”

“It is.”

“Does it mean anything?”

“It’s a term of endearment.”

“Really? Which one?”

“It’s silly.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

She offers a one-shoulder shrug. “It means, little darling.”

“Lil’ darlin’,” I say with an exaggerated twang. “I like it. It’s sweet and sugary, just like you. I like how it rolls off my tongue.”

She blushes so fast, it’s hilarious.

“What was that about?”

“Nothing.”

“Carina, were you entertaining bad girl thoughts?”

She shakes her head “No, not at all.”

“And that high-pitched voice doesn’t betray you one bit.”

She laughs.

I love how she doesn’t try to hold back.

“You’re pretty when you laugh. Scratch that. Pretty doesn’t do you justice. You’re absolutely gorgeous and that dress…” I rake my eyes up and down the length of her body. “Wow.”

“You’re full of compliments, Rhett Sullivan.”

“You make it easy for them to roll off my tongue, Carina Callahan.”

This time she doesn’t giggle.

She holds my intense gaze.

I take a step closer and lean into her. “What I really wanted to say is, you look good enough to eat.” Literally. My mouth on your pussy. I step back and watch amused as her entire face and chest flame up. “I love making your cheeks turn red.”

“You excel at it,” she says, pressing the back of her hand against her cheeks and forehead.

I study her for a beat. “This might be a bit crazy or bold, or both—”

“I’m afraid of what’s about to come out of your mouth.”

“Don’t be.” I smile. “I haven’t been at the ranch long—I’m a new ranch hand—but I discovered a spot that’s a bit removed from all this bustle. Maybe we might hang out there…? Get to know each other better… away from the crowd?”

She narrows her gaze. “Aren’t you engaged—if not already married—to Mr. Devon’s grandbaby by now or are you already her baby daddy?”

I burst out laughing. “You overheard?”

“Just a bit, then I escaped.”

“That was the most bizarre conversation of my life.” I shake my head still amazed at Cassidy Devon’s pimping ways. “There will be no wedding between Rosaleigh Devon and Rhett Sullivan. Not ever.”

“Okay. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, how do I know you haven’t been married—and divorced—four times with nine kids running around the Lone Star State with the same piercing green eyes as yours.”

My eyebrows hit my forehead. “You noticed my eyes?”

“Skirting the question?”

I laugh. “You asking me if I’m seeing anyone?”

“Pretty much.” She pins her fist to her waist.

Feisty. And smart.

“I’m single. Have been for years.” I cock a brow. “Your husband’s waiting for you in the big city?”

“Good retort.”

“I know. Why don’t you answer the question?”

“No husband. No boyfriend,” she says, lifting her chin up.

“Lucky for me.” I wink.

“You’re such a charmer.”

“Nah. I’m a simple country boy who’s spellbound by a big city girl.”

“See, you’re trying to sweep me off my feet again.”

“Guilty as charged.” I smile wide. “So, we’re both single?”

“It seems like it. I assume you have honorable intentions in my regards, Mr. Sullivan?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And I can trust you?”

My eyebrows rise with feign indignation. “I’m wounded you’d think so little of me.” I even clench my chest for effect.

“To be fair, Mr. Sullivan, I don’t know you yet.”

“You’re right. Let’s remedy that.”

“I’m sure you say that to all the girls.”

“I’d only say that to the prettiest of them all… you.”

Her perfectly painted lips form an O.

“Miss Callahan, I’ll treat you with the utmost respect. You have my word. Anything less would be uncalled for. I am a gentleman, after all.”

“Now that you’ve put my mind at ease, it would be a pleasure to spend some time getting to know you better,” she says in a formal tone.

“Well now, miss, the pleasure would be all mine.” I reciprocate her formality. “Shall we?” I extend my arm to her and she snakes hers through mine. The contact of her skin against my bare forearm sends an electric charge all the way to my balls.

“Handsome and gallant.”

I cock an eyebrow.

“What? You’re not the only one who’s full of compliments, Mr. Sullivan.”

I tilt my head back and roar.

With everything that’s happened to me in the last six months, my heart hasn’t been in a real laugh out loud kind of mood. This is the first time I let out a belly laugh.

Sweet darlin’.

“C’mon,” I say, guiding her through the crowd.

Her dress is so long, she has to pull it up with her right hand.

I catch a glimpse of her dark blue painted toes and her gold sandals. “Where are your cowgirl boots?”

She arches a brow. “Is it a requirement out here?”

“Hell, yeah.”

“Miranda was just teasing me about it,” she says. “I’ve only been here five weeks and I spent two of them working long hours in Fort Worth. It’s been too busy for me to think, let alone shop, but it’s on the list. I shall give up my city slicker footwear for some proper cowgirl boots.”

“Now you’re talking. Dallas or Fort Worth are the best place for you to buy them.”

“Next time I’m there, I’ll make sure to grab a pair.”

“I can take you,” I say without thinking.

She looks up at me and smiles. “Really?”

“I’m a gentleman like that.”

“That’s the only reason?”

“That, and I’d love to spend an afternoon with you, Carina.”

She lowers her eyes to her feet for a beat. “Did you really come back looking for me?”

“I did. Why would I lie?”

Her eyes sparkle. “It’s surreal.”

“I couldn’t last week with the new job and all, but the week before that, I did. I even stopped by Happy Belly to get my fill of their Spitfire Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Damn that thing is incredible. Imagine my disappointment when April told me the chef who prepares them was out of town.”

She stops in her tracks, forcing me to do the same.

“What’d I say?”

“I’m the chef. That’s my recipe.”

“No way. You came up with those?”

“It’s an old family recipe. My family has a few restaurants in New York.

We’ve been in the food business for four generations.

Nonna Ludovica’s parents started the first restaurant after they moved from Philly to New York.

My family are purist—don’t mess with perfection.

I shook things up and that’s what landed me on Food Network’s Best Sandwich Ever competition.

Riley was one of the judges, and now, I get to work at Happy Belly for a year as part of my prize. ”

“That’s quite the story, and you’re one hell of a cook.”

“Thanks. I love to cook and I hope it’s reflected in my food.”

“Trust me, it is,” I say. “One bite and I was seduced.”

“I’m pleased.”

“C’mon. We’re not far.” I grab her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. “It’s nothing fancy, but we won’t have to shout at each other over the music as the decibels go up.” I steer us towards one of the barns before rounding it.

I pass the covered outdoor staff eating area.

It’s setup with a large screen TV, couches, tables, chairs, and benches.

The indoors game room is something else.

There’s a Samsung “The Wall” TV that cost as much as the price of a house in a small town.

That blew my mind. Right outside of it, there’s a firepit for cooler months.

During the winter months, we all retreat inside a large staff barn.

Jake and Hunter know how to treat us well.

She glances up at me. “We’re going to the firepit with blue glass rocks?”

“How did you know?”

“I live on the ranch in one of the small houses over there.” She points.

“You mean where some of the ranch hands live?”

She nods.

Well, hell.

“I can’t believe you were this close and I was looking all over for you.”

“I guess tonight wasn’t a coincidence,” she says.

“I think God had big plans for you and me, darlin’.”

She nods and smiles before averting her gaze. “I love the area around the firepit with blue glass rocks. It’s one of my favorite spots on the ranch. It’s so peaceful. I can chill out in the cozy sitting area for hours reading a book on my days off.”

“So, you’re good with that idea?”

“I am,” she says as we approach.

“Why don’t we sit on the couch over there.”

“Sounds good.”

We sit next to each other. I scoot closer to her so our thighs touch.

She laughs at my lack of subtlety.

She moves her gaze up. “One of the best things about living on a ranch is the sky.”

“How so?”

“I’m from New York. You’re so busy all the time, you never look up…

and when you do, the buildings are so tall and shine so bright, they trump the sky’s beauty.

I lived for a bit in LA and it’s true the buildings aren’t as tall and life isn’t nearly as chaotic, but you’re still busy.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned to look up at the stars. ”

Even with all the electric lanterns illuminating the area, it’s impossible to remain oblivious to the twinkling sky.

“I guess I take it for granted,” I say. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and this is all I know. I don’t see the stars anymore unless I’m lying on my back when I’m camping or after fishing.”

“You’ve never been to New York?”

I shake my head. “No, but I hope to go some day.”

“You’ll have to ring me up when you’re up there.”

“Or we could go together.” I flash her a grin and a wink.

“You’re so bold, unafraid of putting it out there.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve stared death in the face. Maybe that’s why I don’t hold back anymore...” Not that I ever had much of a filter before when it comes to a beautiful woman.

She knits her eyebrows together. “What do you mean by starring death in the face?”

Shoot. “Nothin’.” Going down that road would be a mood killer. Time to change the subject. “You like it out here?”

“I do. I didn’t get it before coming here, but I understand why a Chicago girl like Allison would never dream of going back home. The same for Miranda. LA is beautiful, but it’s not the same as out here.”

“You think you could become a cowgirl?”

“I’m not sure about that. I think I flunked already since I don’t even have appropriate footwear.”

I laugh. “We can fix that real quick.”

We don’t speak for a few long seconds, enjoying the evening’s quietude. Music from the garden travels all the way out here, and I can’t help but tap my foot to “Die a Happy Man”.

“Just like the stars and dark skies, I’m starting to appreciate country music,” she says.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” She nods.

I shift in my seat so our eyes meet. “There are so many other things country you should appreciate, Carina.”

“Like what?” She smiles with a twinkle of mischief.

She’s a playful one.

A warm breeze blows, sending a wave of her floral perfume my way. Her scent is enchanting. The longer I sit next to her, the more I want to lose myself in her.

“You know what I said earlier about your sandwiches?” She frowns and offers a small nod. “It only took one bite…”

“Ah, yes, I remember.”

“It’s the same about you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“One look… and I was charmed, Carina.”

She casts her eyes down. “Mr. Sullivan, you keep saying things that make me blush,” she says from under her lashes.

“I already warned you, I love the rosiness on your cheeks.” I’m dying to see other parts of your heavenly body blush.

The wind blows locks of her dark hair, and I reach out and tuck them behind her ear. Her eyes widen, probably astonished by my audacious move.

I make no apologies. I can’t help myself. I’ve wanted to touch her for ten excruciating days.

She makes this little sound. It’s a cross between a plea and shock.

A moment so electrifying it could set a match on fire passes between us.

“I agree with Thomas Rhett,” I say.

“Who?”

“The singer.” I point upwards. “I agree with the lyrics.”

“I didn’t catch them.”

“Your dress makes it hard to breathe.”

The urge to have her underneath me is stronger than ever.

“Rhett.” My name comes out in a breathy pant.

“I barely know you and I’m completely obsessed with you.”

“You are?” Her eyes widen.

“Damn right I am. You do things to me, Carina,” I say, dropping my eyes to my crotch, enticing her to do the same.

She gasps. “Oh, God,”

I’m so fucking hard, it’s painful.