Chapter 12
Emery
Ithrew a leg over Ville’s thigh, settling myself on his lap.
He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around me, hands going immediately to my ass and snugging me in even closer.
I draped my arms over his shoulders so I could get my hands in his hair.
A head rub was exactly what he needed right now and he let out a little sigh, eyes falling closed, as I started scratching his scalp.
“Wanna talk about it?” I murmured.
Ville’s fingers spasmed on my ass and he cracked one eye open. “What’s there to talk about? I’m a grown man and she can’t make me visit her. I can deal with the disappointment and guilt trip by ignoring it.”
I tutted. “I meant the other stuff.”
Both eyes opened now and he gave me a droll look. “Your mom’s fine. You said so yourself. She may never have another problem with her heart again. I’m not scared anymore.”
“You’re right about that,” I said softly, nodding along. “But what you said about your father….”
He let out a harrumph. “It is what it is.”
“In my experience,” I began slowly. “People who use that phrase have deep wounds that haven’t healed and they don’t want to look at.”
Ville squeezed my butt again, but sort of like he was using it as a stress ball and not because he wanted to get me worked up. I mean, if he kept doing it, it was going to have that effect anyway. But for now I was more than content to be used as a fidget toy.
It took Ville at least a minute before he actually decided to speak.
When he did, his voice was low and sort of flat, as though he was purposefully leaving emotion out of it.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. He hit me until I got big enough, and strong enough, that I could hit back.
My mom felt it was better to ignore it, which I sort of get.
No need to turn his anger on her. But it’s in the past and doesn’t intrude on my present. ”
I nodded, kissed him sweetly, and then looked him right in the eye. “Except when it does.”
“Worry about Jenn brought up some things,” Ville conceded begrudgingly. “But your mom is fine. So let’s just leave the past in the past.”
I wanted to push, to poke at that wound until he let it bleed so it could heal.
But if he wasn’t ready, then all it would do was alienate him, and I definitely didn’t want to do that.
Our time together was already limited. The wedding was in less than three weeks, but Wren was arriving the week before.
When he got here, Ville’s attention would be even more split and though I knew we’d still find time to spend together—especially because Wren didn’t need twenty-four-seven protection when he was on the ranch—I wasn’t going to be able to abscond with Ville for alone time quite as much.
“Yeah, okay,” I relented and then kissed him to show I was letting it go.
With the way he was gripping my ass, I should have expected Ville to take it from sweet to heat-filled but it took me by surprise.
I gasped and Ville pressed his advantage, using his tongue and teeth to show me exactly who was in charge.
And as always, I surrendered to him, letting him take control.
He had me on my back before I realized we were moving and I couldn’t help but plant my feet and press up into him. He held me down easily, giving me his weight, just how I liked. Ville thrust against me and I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding on and squeezing him to me.
Ville ripped his mouth from mine, his panting breaths ghosting over my lips. “Keep that up and I’ll take you right here on the grass.”
My eyes lit up. “You brought lube?”
He let out a growl. “No.”
Dammit. I could have used a good pounding.
Ville knew exactly how to use me, hitting all the good spots and making me scream before letting me come.
I loved our quiet moments, our conversations, and when he cuddled me so hard we felt like one person.
But sex with him had always been outstanding and it had gotten even better since he arrived a little over a week ago.
“Let me suck you.” My voice came out as a bit of whine which changed into a wail as he ground his pelvis against mine.
Ville lifted his head from where he’d been sucking up a mark underneath my collar. He cocked one brow. “Is that how you ask?”
Oh he was feeling particularly toppy, was he? “Please let me suck your dick, Sir.”
“Better,” he mumbled, then kissed me hard and fast before pulling away. I bit back the whine of loss, because I really wanted his cock in my mouth. In that moment, I wanted it more than him pressing into my skin.
He sat back against the boulder, spread his legs, and then gestured at his crotch. “Have at it.”
I dove at him, made quick work of his zipper, and then went to town.
An hour later, we were both satisfied, a little sleepy, and made it back to the barn.
Tommy met us outside the doors as we rode up and took Arrow’s reins the instant I dismounted.
He didn’t need to grab Niko, since the big Finnhorse wouldn’t go anywhere while he was still wearing a saddle and bridle.
I gave Tommy a speculative look. “We can do grooming. You don’t have to.”
“It’s no problem,” the kid said, offering a half smile. “Gives me something to do instead of going home.”
Frowning, I took a step closer, studying him.
As far as I knew, which was honestly tangential because I didn’t have all that much to do with the barns unless I wanted to ride, Tommy had a great home life.
Harder since his dad died, but that had been a couple of years ago.
Tom Sr. had been a good man and a great hand.
“You don’t want to go home?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Tommy snorted. “Hell no.” He shook his head and then caught sight of my face.
His expression morphed into surprise. “Oh, no. Not like…Ellie is having a sleepover. There’s like ten twelve-year-olds at my house.
My sister and her friends can get pretty damn screechy.
I’m hoping to work as long as I can today. ”
Oh. Well that made sense. I grinned. “Feel free then. I’m sure Wy won’t mind.”
Tommy grinned. “She already said I could. And Hawk said I could come up to the training barn and help there too.”
I hid the smile at the way Tommy said my brother’s name.
It wasn’t quite as full of hero worship as it used to be, probably because my brother was now stupidly in love with Carter.
I felt for the kid. I’d had my share of crushes on unavailable men in my teens.
Usually it was because they were straight though.
At least Tommy chose a crush who at least swung the right way.
I watched for a moment as he led the horses into the barn, then turned to Ville, threaded my fingers through his, and smiled up at him. “Come on, let’s go check on Mom.”
He breathed out and I swore I saw a little relief around his eyes.
He might have said he was no longer scared, but the man was a protector to his soul, and I knew he felt better when he could see that his people were good.
Right now, that particularly included Mom.
He nodded and gave my arm a gentle tug. Together, we walked toward the house, neither of us rushing but not lollygagging either.
Just as we rounded the curve and the house came into view, Juanpablo started up his call.
I shook my head, a rueful smile on my face.
It’s not like we were strangers, and still, he had to bray his alarm.
But a second later, the loud sound of an engine caught my attention and Ville and I both turned toward the drive.
I didn’t know anything about motorcycles, but the one that drove into sight was definitely one made for long haul driving.
Or whatever. It had a low seat, the handlebars were at a comfortable level, and compartments attached to the side.
The driver pulled as close to the house as they could before they shut off the bike, kicked down the stand, and got off. I stared as they removed their helmet.
The man was tall and lanky, his sandy blond hair pulled back in a bun at the crown of his head.
His goatee was the same color, with a little brown thrown into the mix, and even from this distance, I could tell his eyes were green.
He set the helmet on the seat, pulled off his gloves, and only then did he turn his attention on us.
Ville stepped in front of me and I allowed myself two seconds to smirk at his back. Always in protector mode. Whoever this guy was, he’d been let in by someone because the gate had been fully operational for a day now. He couldn’t have just driven up out of nowhere.
“Hello,” I called, stepping around Ville. The big Finn grunted and changed his stance, as though he was gearing up for a fight. “Can we help you?”
“Nick Wilder,” the guy said with an air about him as though that should have answered my question.
It didn’t.
“I’m Emery Harrington. This is Ville.” I leveled the newcomer with a look and repeated, “Can we help you?”
Just then, the front door opened and Carter jogged across the porch and down the steps. He walked toward us at a fast clip.
“Mr. Wilder, thank you for coming on such short notice.” Carter held out a hand which Wilder shook. “Right this way. I’ll introduce you to everyone and show you the kitchen.”
I glanced up at Ville, who was frowning as he watched the two men walk into the house.
“Must be the cook?” I guessed.
“Carter was supposed to give me his name so I could do a background check.” And oh, Ville was grumpy about that. The scowl was kind of epic, actually. I patted his elbow, then threaded my arm through his.
“Carter wouldn’t have let him onto the ranch if he wasn’t cleared,” I assured Ville softly as we followed into the house. “His PA is very thorough.”
“Still.”