Chapter 20 Slay me, baby
Slay me, baby
Oliver
My guys are busy mudding and taping the two less damaged rooms, so I head out to the barn to tack up my gelding.
I have to be in Tacoma anyways for the competition, although Sophia doesn’t know that.
That means today I have to move in my heifers to the closer pastures in case any start calving while I’m gone.
Even though I have a hefty amount of acreage, I don’t have nearly the number of head of cattle that Black Gulch does.
But every year I can gift each of my employees a full freezer of beef. And it keeps my land zoned agriculture.
It also keeps my horse in shape.
Falling into an easy walk, my hips rocks with the steady plodding. Only when I get the notification noise of a text does my heart start to race.
It always does with her.
RacingQueen: Want to see what I found for the wedding?
TheBigO: I’m starving for it.
Fucking cell service.
The spinning circle of the loading picture takes an eternity.
Then it takes a damn month of Sundays to finally un-pixelate.
Well, shit.
She’s holding the camera away from herself so I can only see her from her pretty throat down. A soft purple hugs her slim lines and lifts her breasts, filling the frame.
“Soph, I wish like hell I could touch you right now,” I murmur to the wind as my thumb traces the line of her neck.
TheBigO: Promise that you’ll wear that dress for me someday.
RacingQueen: I will.
I want to take it off her, one inch at a time.
My cock bulges uncomfortably against my zipper making me shift in the saddle.
When my phone dings again, I almost tumble off.
She has the lavender fabric bunched in her hand, exposing her smooth belly and a violet pair of thin panties that barely cover the mound of her pussy.
A groan escapes me.
TheBigO: You’re killing me in the best way.
RacingQueen: Well, they say that the word orgasm means ‘little death’, so maybe we can both die in each other’s arms over and over.
I love her dark humor.
TheBigO: Slay me, baby.
RacingQueen: I showed you my tools of destruction. Your turn.
With a sigh of relief, I free my stiff cock from the tight confines of my Wranglers into the cool winter sun. I’m already leaking just thinking about what I’m going to do to her when I see her in Tacoma.
Leaving myself covered with just my gray boxer-briefs, I make sure to angle the camera lens to get the damp spot over the head of my dick.
TheBigO: This is what you do to me.
RacingQueen: I can kiss it to make it better.
How much longer until she gives in and admits to me how she feels?
That she really is mine.
Except I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal myself quite yet. Not until she doesn’t hate me as Oliver.
The only headway I’ve made there is that she doesn’t visibly scowl at me every single time she sees me.
Until there isn’t such a huge divide, I don’t know if it’s safe to show her.
No matter how badly I want it.
“Mason? We’re just about ready for paint in the first two rooms. Did you have your colors picked yet? I need to know today since I’ll be gone until Monday.” I wave my hand idly over the array of color cards spread over the plywood table.
“I gotta get back to you on that one.” He nods towards the closest door. “Sophia hasn’t decided. The other, either of these is fine.” Pointing at the eggshell white sample sheet, shuffles the rest into a sort of rainbow swath, then pulls out his phone.
“Soph? You need to make a decision on what color your room will be.” He pauses, giving me a sad smirk. “Yes, now. Come over and pick.”
My pulse rapid fires while he ends the call.
She’s coming here.
Every time I see her, it’s getting harder to resist the urge to pin her to the wall and kiss her.
Tomorrow morning we’ll both have to leave for Tacoma. Then I’ll get to taste her again.
He moves towards the kitchen and pulls a Coke out of the fridge, then gestures it towards me. “You’re on the same rodeo circuit as her? For the most part?”
“Yes, sir.” I think he’s probably ten years my senior, but it’s more out of respect. “I’m on the roping team, my brother does bull-dogging too.”
Mason’s cheek lifts as he tosses me a soda. “Hell of a lot of fun. I did a summer or two when I was younger.” His arm raises in a wide circle. “It’s rough on the shoulders,” he chuckles, then pops his drink open. “I get my kicks wrangling kids nowadays.”
The door bursts open with a bluster of snow, announcing a very well wrapped Sophia into the building.
“Dad, I told you this isn’t a big deal. It’s not like I’ll be living here forever.” Her bright blue eyes roll, then narrow when they land on me.
Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
“Moving out soon?” I’m fighting a smile as if my life depends on it.
She has a better poker face than I do. All she does is shrug and focus on the table.
“Never know,” she mutters, peering at the cards.
Mason leans against the corner nursing his drink with a frown tugging down his lips. “Did you pack the tire chains in the truck?”
“Yes, Dad.” She doesn’t glance up, staring intently at an emerald green card.
Clearing my throat, I step past her so she isn’t in my line of vision.
It’s too hard to watch her and not want to reach out.
“I heard the pass is clear. It’s supposed to be warm for the next few days.” I’ve been watching the weather more than usual.
Maybe it’s because I know she’s going to be driving in it?
“What time are you leaving, Oliver?” His jaw tics as his gaze is fixed on his daughter.
“Pretty early. It’s best to hit that stretch in the daylight.” I’ve seen Snoqualmie turn into a skating rink at night.
He shifts to look at me. “What would be the chances you’d follow Sophia? Sawyer used to ride with her, but considering he just got married—”
“I don’t need a babysitter, Dad,” she snaps. “I’ll be fine.”
I try flashing her a charming smile. “I gotta drop off whatever you pick—” I wave my finger like a wand towards the table. “—so if you’re ready by eight, I don’t mind being a chaperone.”
Her lips thin as she straightens. “I’m not a child. I’ve been driving a truck and trailer since I was thirteen. Just ask my dad.”
Mason laughs. “No one is doubting your ability, Soph. It’s everyone else on that highway I worry about.
” He smoothly slides between us and plucks the color sample from her hand.
“Please?” His voice drops as he moves closer to her.
“With everything going on, it’d make me feel better knowing there’s someone there if you need the help. ”
I’ve only touched her once, but I already know I’d do anything to keep her safe.
Shit.
Am I the one falling first?
“Fine,” she exhales, poking out her bottom lip in a full pout.
Fuck, I want to bite that bratty mouth.
When her gaze lands on me, fire licks its way up my groin to settle in my belly.
“You’re not in charge of me.” She turns on her heel and leaves in a similar swirl of wind as she arrived.
Once she really knows, she’s going to let me be.
“Thank you.” Mason holds out the white paint card. “I really do appreciate it.”
“I get it.” My nose tickles, searching for the last of her flowery scent. “Winter roads can be shit.”
He nods slowly, then wipes his palm over his face. “It’s just…sometimes when you get as big as this ranch, enemies have a way of finding you. The last thing I want is to clip her wings, but it’s hard as hell to know she’s out of reach sometimes.”
“Enemies?” The thought of anyone wanting to hurt her makes my gut roll.
“Who do you think caused this?” His words are hushed as he gestures towards the fresh drywall, yet carry the weight of an anvil crushing me from above.
“Do you know—”
My question is cut short by his curt shake of his head.
“Just do me this favor, please?” His amber irises are so different from Sophia’s.
But they burn with the same intensity.
I struggle to appear nonchalant as I answer him, when inside I want to shake him for more information. “You can count on me.”