Chapter 39
Knox
She’s taking deep, gasping breaths, and I can still feel the aftershocks of her orgasm fluttering around me. I slow my pace, and plant kisses up her spine, giving her a moment to catch her breath.
“I love feeling you come on my cock.” I pull her back to me so her back is pressed to my chest. “Give me one more,” I whisper in her ear as I trail one hand down her side.
She leans into me and breathlessly chuckles. “I don’t know if—” I cut her off by pressing a finger to her clit, causing her to gasp and throw her head against my shoulder.
“I think you can,” I practically growl into her ear. I don’t know what it is about this woman that turns me near feral, but I can’t stop it. No woman has ever turned me on, made me want to please them so much.
Kacey is my undoing, and I revel in it.
I feel her tighten around me in response, and I have to focus on not coming right now.
I lay her on her back, but I don’t waste any time sliding back into her.
Fuck. She feels amazing. I’m never going to get enough of her.
I take full advantage of being able to kiss her in this position. I run my tongue along hers, tasting how sweet she is. When she sucks my tongue into her mouth, I almost blow. She knows it, too, by the way she moans into my mouth and wraps her legs around me.
I learned earlier she likes it when I lose control.
The fact that she has the power to turn me on, sucking me better than anyone ever has, turned her on.
And next time, I fully intend to lick that arousal off those pretty little thighs it was dripping down, working my way up until she’s screaming my name.
I pick up my pace, knowing I won’t last much longer. She’s too wet, tight, and warm, with her legs wrapped around me and our mouths tangled together. I can feel her getting closer and I pull back, tucking my head to suck one of her nipples into my mouth.
She cries out in pleasure, and I feel her come undone. She tightens around me, causing me to lose control. I release her nipple and thrust into her—hard—over and over again, letting my orgasm rip through me.
“Fuck, Kacey,” I say in a shout as I continue to thrust in and out of her, riding out my orgasm.
I collapse next to her and pull her into my chest.
She absentmindedly traces one of my tattoos, and after a minute of holding each other, she lets out a big, dramatic sigh. “Okay, I admit it. You were right. You’re perfectly healthy.”
I burst out laughing and so does she.
We spend the next two days tangled up in each other. We watch movies, order takeout, and only leave the camper when absolutely necessary. I’m going to owe Trey new sheets for the lower bunk.
Having Kacey on the road with me has been even better than I expected. We’ve finally gotten the time we needed together, and she’s opened up to me. She’s told me childhood stories, talked about her teenage years with Jessie, and even brought up stories of her mom a couple times.
I told her about my parents’ divorce and been honest about how much my dad leaving and building another life with a new family hurt me.
I’ve worked through it, but there are still moments when I wish he cared and was there to see me accomplish my goals, meet Kacey, and was invested in the life I’m building.
But he’s not, and I’ve come to terms with that.
I have so many people who love me and care about me—I’m extremely blessed that way.
We talked about this fall and made plans for the months I won’t have rodeos.
She wants me to come back to the ranch for a while, and while we didn’t make any set plans, I want her to come to Oklahoma and meet my family.
My mom, sister, nephew, and brother-in-law are dying to meet her. I haven’t brought a girl home in years.
This morning, while she was asleep, and I was studying the soft lines of her face, I whispered to her how much I’m in love with her.
The more time I spend with her, the deeper I fall in love with her.
I haven’t told her yet, I’m still not sure she’s ready to hear it, but I know what I feel.
Now I just have to figure out how to hold on to it.
I don’t think I could handle losing her, not now.
Not after everything we’ve shared, the way she’s supported me and encouraged me. I can’t lose that, I refuse.
We’re driving into Ellensburg, Washington, for their Extreme Bulls event.
It’s the largest one of the season and Trey flies in today.
Thankfully, I got the rodeo performance the day after the Extreme Bulls, so we can stay here tonight.
Kacey will fly out tomorrow, and neither of us is ready for her to leave, but she needs to get back to the ranch and Trey is chomping at the bit to get back on the road.
The closer we get to her leaving, the quieter she gets. I’m not sure if it’s just the fact that she’s leaving or if there is more to it. I know she bottles things up and I’ve tried to give her time to open up, but we pick up Trey in an hour and our alone time will become extremely limited.
I need to know how she’s feeling.
I reach across the center console and take her hand, giving it a squeeze. “What’s going on in that head of yours? You’ve been quiet.”
She turns to face me and says the last thing I expected.
“My dad never once asked me if I wanted the foreman job. He offered it to Carson three times, but he continued to refuse. Then one day, Chet showed up out of nowhere. He hadn’t even worked for us before taking over most of the day-to-day operations, and he never talks about where he came from or what his experience is.
All Dad said when I asked was ‘he knows what he’s doing.
’ Dad focuses more on growth and the overall business now. ”
She leans her head back against her headrest and sighs.
“I don’t know why he didn’t ask me. Am I not good enough?
I grew up there, working alongside him and Carson.
I know I’m good with cattle and horses, and sure, I didn’t go get an agricultural business degree, but neither did Carson.
I know everything about that place, so why doesn’t he think I could handle the job? ”
Whoa. She’s hardly brought up the ranch since she got here. I know she isn’t a fan of Chet, but the way she talks about this, I can tell it’s been eating at her for a while. “Have you ever asked your dad?” I ask her gently.
“No,” she grumbles under her breath.
I fight to keep the smirk off my face; she’s cute when she grumbles. “It sounds like this really bothers you. I think you should talk to him. I’ve seen you on that ranch—you’re more than capable and he knows that, too. There has to be another reason he hired Chet.”
“When he saw I was worried about you, he practically bought my plane ticket and shoved me out the door. He had no issue with me taking three weeks off. I’ve never taken a week off, let alone three.
No one on the ranch takes that much time off.
Chet hasn’t so much as taken a long weekend since he started with us. ”
I glance her way and see she’s biting her bottom lip. I’ve learned she does this when she’s upset. “Has Chet mismanaged anything or done something wrong? I picked up quickly this spring that you don’t get along.”
She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes in annoyance.
Shit, maybe that wasn’t the right question to ask.
“Other than being a sarcastic ass, no. He’s not very patient with young horses, but great with cattle, the ranch hands all love him.
Dad thinks he’s great. Heck, my freaking dog likes him.
Technically, he’s the perfect foreman.” She huffs.
“I just don’t understand. It’s been bothering me for two years and now I’m about to go back there, and I don’t even know if they really need me.
My dad acted like losing me for three weeks wouldn’t hurt them at all. They’d be just fine without me.”
I give her hand a squeeze and choose my words wisely.
“Kace, your dad loves you and wants the best for you. The way he talked to me about you when you weren’t around—” Her eyes flick over to meet mine, not full of anger, but hurt.
“He’s so proud of you. And I believe there is a reason for everything that man does.
If he told you to come out here, he had a reason for it.
For the record, I think you would be a damn good foreman.
If you want the job, you need to talk to him about it.
If he doesn’t think you’re ready for it, then at least you’ll know.
He’ll be wrong, but you’ll know.” I look over and give her a wink, trying to relax her.
I honestly don’t believe Cody has any doubts about his daughter. He has to have a different reason for hiring Chet. But Kacey needs to know I’m one hundred percent on her side. I believe in her; she would do an amazing job as ranch foreman.
She takes a deep breath. “Thanks. I know I need to talk to him, it’s just hard. I don’t want him to think I’m whining or entitled. I want to earn it.”
“He knows you better than that. There’s nothing wrong with having an honest conversation with him about how you’re feeling. You love that ranch, don’t let this take that love away from you.”
She gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand back. “You’re right. I’ll do it when I get home.”
We pull into the airport to get Trey thirty minutes later.