29. The Alchemy
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
the alchemy
ROMAN
I used to bring Christa up here. She would paint the horses from a little spot on the patio, and we’d make coffee and pack a lunch and head up to the hills for the afternoon. I was worried being up here would cause more pain, but seeing Carter and Cash has only brought back good memories.
After she died, there was just too much pain associated with this place that it was hard to make the trek up, and I forgot how much I missed it. The fresh air, the horses, the cool breeze brushing past my face, it all takes me back to her, and a time in my life where I felt like anything was possible.
Imogen’s laughter echoes through the trees, the sun behind her creating an angelic glow; being here with someone new makes me feel the way I used to, before grief carved its name into my bones.
“Didn’t Carter say no hills?” She asks, a slightly panicked edge to her voice.
It helps that Polly is gentle and Imogen is calm, because Cash would be a different story. He’s a bit of a wild card, even with me, and that’s after knowing me his entire life.
“Just the price of privacy,” I chuckle.
We haven’t seen a single soul since we started riding; the only sounds around us are the wind brushing through the trees, and hooves thumping gently against the dirt. The air is so clean up here, I find myself invigorated with every breath.
We ride a good chunk of the way in silence, Imogen taking in the surroundings for the first time while I reminisce. When we reach the top of the hill I lead her to a small clearing surrounded by lush green trees, overlooking the area.
“Holy shit,” she murmurs. “Is this all Carter’s property?”
The scene is idyllic, horses grazing over gentle rolling hills for what must be miles in each direction, with barely a manmade structure in sight.
“It’s all broken up. Different ranches, run by different folks. It’s beautiful though, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” She loosens her grip on the reins and pulls out her phone, snapping a picture of the view, and another quick one of me as I stare out at the vast landscape below us.
“Fuck, you look sexy in this picture,” she says under her breath.
Imogen admires her work for another moment or two before sliding her phone back into her leggings, looking at the ground with a strained expression. It’s only after a minute that I realize she’s struggling to figure out a way down off her horse.
“What are you doing?”
“Carter taught me how to get on the horse, but he didn’t say anything about getting down.”
I chuckle, shaking my head.
“Seems like a good spot for a picnic anyway. I think Polly and Cash could use some grub.”
I hop off my horse and Imogen immediately tries to mirror me, grabbing Polly’s saddle and nearly pulling it all the way to the side. I snatch her by the waist as quickly as I can to keep her from falling off, not to mention taking the whole damn saddle with her.
“I got ya, darlin’.”
I make sure Polly’s calm before helping Imogen down, her hair a mess and her eyes already wild with expectation. She wraps her arms around the back of my neck and plants a heated kiss on my lips, my breath hitching as I kiss her back.
“My hero.”
And here I thought keeping things casual would make things easier.
“C’mon. Let’s get them tied up and fed first.”
“You got enough rope for you too, cowboy?”
“More than enough,” I murmur, my body alight with anticipation.
I teach her how to tie a good knot that’ll hold even if Polly decides she wants to wander down the hill. It’s a clove hitch that my dad taught me when I was a kid. I’ve tied this knot so many times, I could do it in my sleep. Make one loop around the branch near the end of the rope, and then a second loop just above the first. Finally, slide the free end into the second loop and pull it tight.
“Polly’s got a tendency to wander, so we wanna get her nice and secured,” I say, fastening a thick knot before quickly undoing it again. “Here, you try.”
She takes the rope from me and follows the same steps, managing to tie the exact same knot with ease.
“Were you in girl scouts or something?”
“No,” she laughs. “I learned it from a dom. You do pick up some useful skills.”
My cheeks warm and I nod, watching her hands expertly tighten the knot and wondering what exactly she has in store for me. I’ve been so focused on whether or not this was right or wrong, about what either of us might lose if I actually pursued her, I haven’t really been living in the present.
But this is exactly where I want to be.
I move on to tie up Cash, grabbing an apple and a pocket knife from his saddlebag when I’m done.
“Here, give her some of these,” I mutter, slicing the apple up into smaller pieces and handing them off to Imogen. “Make sure you keep your fingers away from her teeth. She’s usually pretty gentle, but if I remember right she gets a little overzealous when apples are on the line.”
“Got it,” Imogen replies, her face a mix of excitement and nerves.
Cash only eats a few of his apple slices before turning his nose up at the rest of them. Imogen and Polly, on the other hand, are already bonding; my girl’s a regular Snow White.
I unhook the bag from Cash’s saddle and pull out a blanket, along with a small bottle of champagne, two plastic cups, more fruit, cheese, and two sandwiches on homemade bread.
“I’m absolutely certain you said snacks in the car.” Imogen chuckles, sitting down beside me. “This is a full meal!”
“It’s not even close to what I can whip up in the kitchen.” I pop the cork on the champagne bottle, pouring us two glasses. “You want roasted turkey and bacon on rye, or on sourdough?”
Her eyes get bigger.
“Sourdough!”
I grin.
“Good choice.”
I pass it over and Imogen unwraps her sandwich, holding it up with a gasp.
“This is almost as big as my fucking head!”
She made a joke that all she eats at home when Logan’s away is waffles and chocolate bars. I decided if she’s going to be with me, she’s going to eat well, so I snuck some vegetables in there, and tied it all together with a honey mustard vinaigrette made from scratch.
She takes a big bite, resting her free hand on my thigh. She looks ridiculous, with some sauce smeared on her face, but it’s so damn cute I almost regret wiping it away. I lick my thumb clean, her cheeks pink as she cuddles up close and rests her head on my shoulder. It’s so peaceful, all I can hear is the wind brushing past the trees and the sound of the horses’ soft whinnies.
“I can’t get over how beautiful it is,” she murmurs.
“Yeah, I’ve missed it.”
It’s so nice to have someone to share it with again.
“So, you used to live out here?”
I shake my head, sipping my drink.
“My dad knew Carter from back in their bull riding days. When he died, there was no one to take care of Cash. So, I called up Carter and told him I’d pay him anything he wanted if he’d board the old man for me. I paid a shitload of money to have him driven here all the way from Montana, too.”
“How much?”
“Lots. Some people pay a few thousand a month to board a horse.”
She coughs, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
“That’s a New York apartment!” She checks herself. “Well, a shitty one.”
“I know.” I look over at Cash, smiling as I watch him scrape the ground with his hoof. “But he’s family. It’s kind of like I have a piece of my dad back whenever I get to hang out with him.”
Imogen gazes up at me, a strand of hair blowing into her face.
“You’re really sweet, Roman.”
“I’m just doing my job when it comes to Cash. Carter’s ranch has got lots of space, he can run around with other horses… It’s my responsibility to make sure he’s taken care of, and at least he’s free out here.”
“It’s still sweet.” She sets the rest of her sandwich down and cups my cheek. “You know, I keep thinking about our mini golf date and how sweet you were, even back then.”
“You made it awfully easy for a guy to open up.”
“Well that’s a relief, because you make it easy for me, too.” She pauses. “I kind of adore you.”
My mouth is dry, and my heart is pounding. This all feels so Hallmark, but I love it. Stepping out of my comfort zone and really embracing all of this has made me realize just how much more I want than I initially thought.
“I adore you too.” I smile. “This is so cheesy.”
“I like cheesy,” she murmurs as her lips press against mine.
I slide my hand around her waist to pull her on top of me, starting to worry friends with benefits might not be enough.
Imogen climbs into my lap, straddling me as she deepens the kiss. My heart pounds and a warm tingle rushes down my spine as she grinds down on my cock. Between her warmth and the sun’s, I can’t really tell which makes me feel more alive.
I think it’s her.
My hands glide up her waist, cupping her breasts while she rolls her hips and presses down onto me. Her back arches, and she moans. I know exactly what I want, and while I love the power I have over her in these moments, when I tear my mouth away from hers I’m aching to give it all away.
“Tie me to that tree.”
“What about our lunch?”
“Just think of it as working up an appetite.”
She flashes me a playful little smirk.
“Yes, sir.”
Imogen climbs off of me and I immediately start packing our sandwiches back up, shoving them into the bag to keep a certain wandering horse from chowing down. By the time I get to my feet she’s already got a spool of rope lazily hanging off her hand, sauntering toward me with a sultry sway. She places a hand on my chest, staring up at me as I sweat, my eyes fixed on the rope in her hand. Everything about her exudes confidence.
“Ever had your cock worshiped?” She asks.
“No, but it sounds… fun?”
“I think I owe you, you know, for leaving you hanging in your office the other day.”
Imogen’s hand drifts down to my cock, squeezing me through my jeans until I let out a groan.
“Be a good boy and pick a tree for me to tie you to.”
I take my hat off, gently placing it on top of her head as she flashes me a puzzled expression.
“What’s this for?”
“That means you’re in charge, darlin’.”