Chapter 16
Backroads And BJs
After a long day in the fields and a quick stop at the loft to clean up, I’m parked at the feed store waiting for Birdie to get off work. Leaving her alone at her place last night was straight-up torture, and it took all my willpower not to throw caution to the wind and ask to stay the night.
I’ll never be able to erase the image of that damn vibrator sliding into her drenched pussy as she moaned my name.
Birdie’s unintentionally burrowed so deep under my skin that she’s become a permanent part of me—and I have every intention of keeping it that way.
Now the challenge is showing her that a life with me could bring her true joy and that this isn’t just a game of make-believe while she waits for someone better to come along.
That begins with more thoughtful surprises and more time spent together, hoping she craves my company as much as I crave hers.
I’m leaning back against the headrest, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel to a country song on the radio, when I get a text.
Group Therapy Halstead Siblings Edition
Briar: How are my favorite brothers doing?
Heath: We’re your only brothers.
Walker: Yeah. And we can’t both be your favorite.
Briar: Guess I have to pick one, huh?
Walker: Yup. Who’s the front-runner?
Briar: Right now? You.
Heath: I don’t recall him bringing you lunch the other day when Caleb was sick and Jensen was out of town.
Briar: No, but I’ve never seen Birdie this happy, and that’s because of Walker, so by default, he wins.
I can’t decide whether I should be flattered or insulted by her backhanded compliment.
Either way, it leaves me questioning whether Birdie’s putting on a show for her friends or if being with me genuinely makes her happy.
It’s probably wishful thinking on my part, but the way her eyes locked on me as she climaxed for the first time last night proves our electric chemistry is mutual—and has me convinced a part of her is drawn to me beyond our agreed-upon arrangement.
Heath: Are you saying I’d have to date one of your friends to be the favorite?
Walker: I hear Charlie’s on the market if you’re looking for a fix.
Heath: Only if hell freezes over first.
Charlie and Heath have never gotten along, and the tension between them has only escalated over the years. Whenever they’re in the room together their silent stares speak volume, each glance loaded with barely concealed irritation.
Walker: Sounds like you’re in denial.
Briar: Don’t think I haven’t seen the way you look at her when you think I’m not paying attention.
*Walker added Jensen Harding to the chat.
Jensen: Why do I have a feeling being added to this thread is a setup?
Walker: Couldn’t let you miss the opportunity to give Heath a hard time for pretending he wouldn’t go out with Charlie if her disdain for him wasn’t so obvious.
Jensen: He’d totally jump at the chance if he could.
Heath: Please. I’d rather break in a wild mustang before agreeing to that.
Briar: Stop being a cranky sourpuss. You’d be lucky to have Charlie.
Walker: I thought you didn’t want your friends dating your brothers.
Briar: That ship sailed once you and Birdie made your relationship official.
Jensen: As entertaining as this is, I’m still not sure why I’m here.
Walker: Because you’re one of us now.
Briar: Not legally. We’re not married yet.
Jensen: And whose fault is that? I’d marry you today if you’d let me, sugar.
Walker: He has a point, sis.
Briar: We all know Mama Julie and Charlie would have a fit if we didn’t throw a big wedding, and I want to wait to have it in the community center once it’s finished.
On top of building their dream house, they’re constructing a nonprofit where Briar can provide a safe, healing space for kids, including those with emotional scars.
She’s hosted a few pop-up events at Silver Saddle Ranch but is planning to offer seasonal camps and year-round therapeutic horseback riding.
As someone who suffered trauma when she was younger, she’s always wanted to create a place where every child could experience the kind of unconditional acceptance and healing she longed for growing up.
Briar was adopted by Ma and Pops when she was fifteen. Her biological mom was a bartender at Blue Moon Tavern and was always chasing her next high—whether it came from pills or the fleeting attention of whichever man happened to be around—and she never met her biological dad.
Ma had been her elementary school teacher and took Briar under her wing when she realized her home life wasn’t stable. She spent her evenings at our place, and even before she was officially adopted, Heath and I saw her as the sister we’d always wanted.
I look up just in time to see Birdie jogging across the parking lot, her tote slung over her shoulder as she waves at me with a bright smile on her face.
My heart slams against my ribs at how different her reaction is from the first time I picked her up.
It gives me hope that my plan to make her fall for me might already be working.
Walker: Once you set a date, let me know, lovebirds. I have somewhere to be.
Briar: Tell Birdie I say hi.
I set my phone on the dash and hop out of the truck, tipping my hat. “Howdy there, sweetheart.”
Birdie’s smile widens as she gets closer. “You came.”
“Told you I would, and I never break a promise.”
I blink in surprise when she loops her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek, but I quickly recover, pulling her into a hug and breathing in her familiar, sweet scent.
“I could get used to that kind of welcome,” I say with a sly grin.
She tips her head back, a rosy blush spreading across her face. “Sorry, I got a little carried away. I was just excited to see you. I hope that’s all right.”
“It’s more than all right.”
I lean forward, capturing her lips in a slow, teasing kiss.
Birdie responds tentatively at first, then grows bolder, letting her tongue slip past mine, her hand moving up my chest as she kisses me.
My troublemaker is quickly mastering the art of a make-out session, and I’m lucky enough to be her practice partner.
I’m hard as steel just from her taking more than my intended peck, and it’s all I can do to resist lifting her into my arms, being in public be damned.
Birdie is breathless by the time she breaks away, reaching out to touch her swollen lips like she can’t quite believe what just happened.
“I’m not sure what’s gotten into me,” she admits, glancing at the ground.
“It’s not a crime to explore what makes you feel good.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her cheek. “I’m just the lucky guy who gets to share this with you.”
She lets out a throaty laugh. “You say that to all your girls, Walker?”
I shake my head. “Just you.” If only she knew that she already has all of me. “Wanna get out of here?”
She hikes her tote higher up her shoulder. “Yeah. You going to tell me where we’re going this time?”
“Figured we’d stop by the diner to grab a bite to eat.”
“Sounds great,” she replies. “I’ve been craving a veggie burger and sweet potato fries.”
As I open the truck door, she slips her hand into mine, letting me help her into the passenger seat.
I walk around and hop into the driver’s seat, grinning when I see she’s slid into the middle seat.
“All set?” I ask.
She nods as she buckles up.
I set my hat on the dash, then take Birdie’s hand in mine, resting it on my thigh.
I’m expecting her to move away, but she just relaxes into my side as we pull out of the feed store parking lot.
It’s on the outskirts of town, and about a ten-minute drive to Main Street.
We head down the county road in silence, the radio playing softly in the background.
I take it all in—the warmth of Birdie’s hand, having her this close.
I’m determined to make the most of every second while it lasts.
My breath catches when Birdie’s fingertips skim my thigh. At first, I assume it’s unintentional until she does it again, and again. When I look over, the smug curve of her lips confirms my suspicion that she’s up to something.
She lets go of my hand and slides hers toward the crotch of my pants.
“Birdie, what are you doing?” My voice is hoarse.
“I want to touch you,” she whispers, letting her fingers drift along my inner thigh. “Can I?”
“Always,” I rasp out.
She hums as she grazes over the bulge pressing against my jeans. My grip tightens on the steering wheel as I try to focus on the road.
A low groan slips from my throat when she adds pressure, circling the outline. Even with the material between her hand and me, I’m fucking hard as a damn rock, and controlling my physical reaction is a losing battle.
“I’ve never given a blow job before. I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to have a cock in my mouth.” Fucking hell. I think she’s trying to kill me. “Will you teach me?” she asks sweetly, her fingers tracing up and down the outline of my shaft.
I clear my throat. “Now?”
She nods, unbuttoning my Wranglers. “No better time than the present, right?”
I force my eyes to stay on the road, resting my hand over hers as I shoot her a quick glance.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to,” she breathes, nipping at my earlobe. “It’s my turn to make you feel good, Walker.”
Her words strike a match to my veins, and the way she says my name while she looks at me with hunger in her eyes steals a shaky breath from me, leaving me powerless to deny her.