Chapter Twenty-One
Ty couldn’t stop smiling. He hadn’t expected this. After the way things had worked out in her apartment – with Cash sleeping on the other side of a very thin wall – he’d been hoping that Shay wouldn’t feel uncomfortable in his bedroom at the big house. The walls there were way thicker, and Ford’s and Tanner’s rooms were at the other end of the hallway, but he’d understand if she was leery.
But this? This worked out so much better! He could tell by the look on her face that she’d fallen in love with the cabin from the moment she saw it.
Wade rested a hand on his shoulder. “It didn’t seem right for you guys to have to stay in the big house. And this cabin worked out well for Sierra and me.”
“It’s great. Thanks, Wade.” His smile faded. “But don’t you have bookings?” He knew that Wade had renovated the cabin to provide another option for guests. Apparently, it was ‘quaint and authentic’ – whatever that might mean. All Ty knew was that it was better than the other cabins that Wade used for guest accommodations because it was off by itself and had a great view.
Wade grinned. “Not anymore. I moved all the bookings to the other cabins – and took this one down from the website.”
Shay and Sierra came back to the living room after Sierra finished showing her around. There wasn’t much to show. Just two bedrooms and a bathroom off the hallway. The living room opened to the kitchen, and Wade had recently added a wraparound porch.
Shayna came to him with a huge smile on her face. “This place is gorgeous! Thank you so much for letting us stay here, Wade.”
“It’s not a case of just staying here,” Wade told her. “It’s yours for as long as you guys want it.”
Ty raised his eyebrows and Wade nodded. “I feel bad about the big cabin.” He turned to Shayna. “We’ll get Ty to bring you over to our place. We were going to use it for private events – and give Ty the chance to do catering and the like, but …”
Sierra smiled. “When I arrived here, and then the children joined us, the big cabin turned out to be the perfect place for us to make our home.”
“And then we worked on another big cabin – and history repeated itself when Kolby and Callie came – they got their perfect home, and Ty missed out on another chance to expand into catering and events.”
He shrugged when Shayna looked up at him. “I’m not worried about any of that – I’m just glad that you all chose to live here on the ranch.”
“And maybe you guys will do the same,” said Wade. “I know this cabin isn’t like the others, but we could build …”
“This cabin’s absolutely perfect!” said Shayna.
Wade chuckled. “It’ll do you for now. And I’m sure it’ll feel even more perfect once you have it to yourselves. Come on, Sierra. Let’s go and rescue Rocket from the kids and get them home.”
“Thanks again,” said Ty.
“Not a problem. And I don’t need you tomorrow – I’ve got Christian covering the kitchen. But whenever you’re ready, come on over to the lodge and we can talk about what you want to do, Shayna.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Sure. See ya then.”
Sierra went to Shayna and hugged her. “You have my number; you can call me anytime. I’d love for you to come over and visit – and the children have fallen in love with you.”
Ty grinned. Mateo and Maya had taken a real shine to Shay, and as much as it surprised him, that had him wondering how she felt about kids.
After he closed the door behind Wade and Sierra, he turned back to her with a smile.
“What do you think? Will this place do?”
She grinned. “It’ll more than do! I wasn’t kidding – it’s perfect. I love it, Ty. And it’s so kind of them.”
He stalked toward her and cupped her face between his hands when he reached her. He brushed his lips over hers before pulling back so that he could look into her eyes. You’re perfect, Shay. Perfect for me, and I love you.”
Her arms came up around his shoulders. “I love you, Ty. And I don’t know if I’ve said it yet but thank you. Thank you for bringing me home with you, for looking out for me and for … For sharing your family with me – they’re awesome!”
He chuckled. “I’m glad you think so. I was worried they might be a bit much for you.”
“No! I used to be jealous of friends who had big families when I was a kid. They seemed to have so much fun together, and I was on my own. After my dad … you know, it was just my mom and me and I used to wish that we had someone else as well. A brother or a sister or …” She shrugged.
“Well, you’re going to have more brothers and sisters than you know what to do with here.”
“I think I’m going to love it.”
He ran his hands down her sides, wanting nothing more than to finally get her into bed to do more than sleep but …
“Do you want to get in touch with your family? Let them know that you’re okay.”
“Yes. I want to give them a quick call. I’ve been texting, but I said I’d call before I go to bed tonight.”
He squeezed her hips. “Best do it now, then, because unless you say otherwise, I’m taking you to bed and I’ll be keeping you busy till morning.”
She grinned. “It’ll only be a very quick call.”
He chuckled. “Take your time.”
~ ~ ~
Shayna had to swipe the tears away as she ended the call with Alexis, Davin, and Booker. She missed them already. They’d had a family brunch this morning before she, Ty, and Cash had left. But it wasn’t the same as their usual Sunday afternoon family time.
She blew out a big sigh. Yes, she was going to miss them, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her from enjoying life here. Life with Ty! She looked up when the door opened, and he came back in – he’d gone outside while she talked to them. She’d told him he didn’t need to, but he said he wanted her to feel free to talk about him or his family or whatever she wanted without feeling like he was listening in.
He frowned when he saw her wet cheeks and came straight to her. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“Nothing. I’m good, I just … you know … I’m a bit emotional. I love them, and this was all so sudden and …”
“Do you want to go back there?”
“No. I don’t. I’m safer here, I know that. And besides, I want to be with you.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “If you want to go back, I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks, Ty. I’m good.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Are you ready for bed?”
She nodded.
“I’m not trying to pounce on you while you’re emotional. We can just cuddle. I thought that might make you feel better.”
She laughed. “If you’re not going to pounce on me, I’ll have to pounce on you. You were so honorable in Salt Lake, and then this weekend was just too awkward with Cash right there on the other side of the wall. Now …” She looked around. “We have our perfect little cabin all to ourselves and …”
His arms tightened around her, and he started walking backward, taking her with him toward the bedroom. When they reached it, he closed the door behind them before pressing her up against it.
He dropped his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss that soon had her rocking her hips against him. His hand slipped under the hem of her T-shirt, and the feel of his callused fingers sliding up over her ribcage sent goosebumps racing over her skin.
She clung to his shoulders as he kissed her deeper and moaned into his mouth when he covered her breast with his hand.
He lifted his head and breathed, “Fuck, Shay!”
She laughed. “I hope you’re finally going to! So far, you’ve been the biggest tease.”
He grinned and pulled her T-shirt off. Then he dropped his head and pulled the cups of her bra down so that he could tease her nipples with his tongue and fingers.
“Ty,” she breathed.
He grinned up at her. “Say it again.”
She held his gaze. “Ty.”
He nodded. “You can say you choose me, if that’s what you want. But I know how it is for me – you own me, Shay. Heart, soul, all of me.”
She slid her fingers into his hair. “Then stop teasing me – take me to bed and own me right back.”
His eyes filled with lust as he spun her away from the door and toward the bed. He tugged his shirt off and she got rid of her bra. She shimmied out of her jeans while he kicked out of his boots, and then they were on the bed with only their underwear between them. He propped himself up on one elbow and ran his hand down her side.
“You’re beautiful, Shay.”
She reached up to touch his pecs. “So are you!”
He closed his eyes. “I guess we should have talked about this before now – it’s not like we haven’t had the time. I’m clean. I … Shit, I don’t know how this sounds, but I got tested before I went to Salt Lake. I wanted to be able to tell you that you have nothing to worry about – and you don’t.”
“Oh! That didn’t occur to me. I … I guess you could say that I’m out of practice – it’s been a long time for me. I still get tested as part of my annual physical, though. I’m clean, too. And …” She frowned. “I’m on the pill. I have been since I was eighteen. It’s to regulate my periods, not because I’ve needed it as a contraceptive.”
He held her gaze with an intense look.
“What?”
“Are you saying that I don’t need to suit up?”
“Yeah. I guess I am – if you’re good with that? I mean, there’s always the chance …”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Never in my life have I wanted to take that chance, but I have to tell you, Shay – if you were to get pregnant, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.”
She inhaled sharply.
“Shit! Sorry. I …”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve always wanted kids, but I want to get established in my career first. I’m not …”
He ran his hand over her hair. “I know, and I’m not saying I want to knock you up and keep you barefoot in the kitchen! But … you think it’s a possibility for you and me – down the line?”
She grinned. “I’d love to think that it might be – if you want to be a hands-on dad. After growing up without my dad around, I don’t want that for my kids.”
He nodded vigorously. “Now that you’re here, you’ll hear all about my dad. For now, I’ll just say that I want to be the best dad I can be – because I know what it’s like to have the worst. If we get pregnant before you’re ready – if it’d mess with your career, I’ll stay home with them.”
She ran her hand up over his chest and curled it around the back of his neck. “That may be the sexiest thing any man’s ever said to me.”
He chuckled. “Sorry. I …”
“I’m serious, Ty! But can we stop talking about it and finally …?”
She didn’t get the chance to finish. He lowered his head, and his lips met hers in something more than a kiss. It felt like he was making love to her mouth. The sensual slide of his tongue against hers had her pushing his underwear down. When she curled her fingers around him, he lifted his head and shifted his hips away from her.
“If you touch me, I’ll blow. I wanted to take this slow and get you off a couple of times first but …”
She wriggled out of her panties and pointed at his boxers for him to do the same. “It’s like you said, Ty. We have the rest of our lives to take it slow. Right now, I want you – I want you fast and hard and …”
The next moment, she was looking up into his eyes as he positioned himself between her legs. “I wanted to …”
She put a finger to his lips. “Fuck me, Ty.”
She gasped when he thrust hard and held deep.
“You okay?” he whispered.
She nodded breathlessly. “You’re … big.”
He closed his eyes, and she could see a pulse ticking at his temple. “And you’re so tight! I should’ve waited, should’ve …”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on – this wet. There was nothing to wait for.”
He dropped his head and nuzzled his lips against her neck. “You feel like coming home.”
She wrapped her arms around him and rocked her hips gently. “You feel like you were made to fit me.”
“Because I was. You ready?”
“Yes!” The word turned into a gasp when he pulled back and then thrust again deep and hard.
She wrapped her legs around him and hung on for the ride. He stretched her and filled her as he moved in and out, driving faster and harder. Every thrust of his hips carried her higher and higher. Her inner muscles fluttered around him, as if trying to draw him deeper inside – so deep that he became part of her.
It felt as though every nerve ending in her body tingled. With every thrust, the slide of his hot, hard length heightened the pleasure.
“I’m not going to last, Shay. I …”
He slid his hand between their bodies, and she gasped when his thumb roughly strummed her clit.
“Ty!”
“Come for me, Shay. I … I’m gonna …”
“Oh Ty! Oh god … Yes!”
Her orgasm crashed over her. She felt him tense and grow impossibly harder and then … “Fuck, Shay!”
Their bodies seemed to meld into one as he held deep, giving her everything. Her hands grasped at his back as her whole body spasmed with pleasure. She felt like they were soaring away together – away to a place she’d never been before.
When they finally came back down, he slumped over her, careful not to crush her with his weight. She tightened her arms around him and pulled him down onto her, needing to feel his skin against her, his pounding heart matching hers.
“Ty!”
He lifted his head and grinned. “If you didn’t own me before, you do now. Damn! I love you, Shay.”
She ran her fingers through his hair. “And I love you, Ty. So much.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Not as much as I love you.”
She shook her head with a smile. “We don’t need to get into who loves who more, all I know is that I love you.”
“And I love you – heart and soul, Shay. I’m yours.”
~ ~ ~
Later that night, they sat out on the back porch. Ty loved the big wooden rocking chairs out there. Shayna was in his lap, with a blanket wrapped around her, and they were sitting in silence, just watching the stars.
He couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy or this peaceful in his whole life. He tightened his arms around her. “You okay, sweetheart?”
Her eyes shone as she smiled at him. “So much more than okay. I have you, we have this gorgeous cabin, we’re here under this amazing sky with all those stars. I knew they called Montana Big Sky Country, and I thought I understood why. Now, I don’t think you can ever really understand it until you see it.”
He kissed her, taking his time about it, feeling like the bond between them grew as they told each other so much more than words ever could.
“You think you could get used to living under this big sky with me?” he asked when they finally came up for breath.
She held his gaze for a long moment before she nodded. “I know I could. I could get used to living anywhere if it meant I got to be with you.”
He held her closer. “We’re going to make this work, Shay. I love you. I’m going to do everything I can to make you happy. I know you’re going to miss your family, and we’ll figure something out so that you can see them as often as possible.”
Her next words soothed a worry that he hadn’t been aware he had. “I know. I’m not going to lose them – and now, I have your family, too.”