Chapter 28
28
WESTON
C arlee parks the side-by-side in front of a tall red barn.
She smiles at me as I fall in line beside her. “Can you horseback ride?”
I meet her gaze. “Yes, I’ve played a lot of polo in my life.”
“How did I not know that? You should consider rescinding my Calloway crown,” Carlee remarks, her tone teasing.
“It might be permanently attached at this point,” I say, glancing at the top of her head, almost envisioning the jewels adorning it. Diamonds and emeralds for my girl.
We walk toward the barn, and she intertwines her fingers with mine. A light breeze blows, sending strands of her hair dancing in the wind. She leads me into a room filled with Western saddles and colorful pads. The air is rich with the scent of leather and fresh hay and dirt.
Carlee moves past me to grab a rope from the wall. Her perfect ass, in those tight jeans, grazes against my cock.
“Still playing games?” she asks, returning to me.
“Have been for a while, gorgeous. You know that,” I respond, my lips hovering close to hers. “Are you ready to give up the chase? ”
“Not sure,” she replies, a spark of determination in her voice.
The early morning sunlight streams through the slats above, casting warm rays throughout the room.
“Soon though?” I whisper, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
She blinks at me challengingly, then smiles sweetly, stirring something deep within me. My hands rest on her waist, and my mouth finds hers.
“Yes, soon,” she whispers. Her tongue slips into my mouth.
She’s so fucking greedy for me.
I lean her against the saddle rack and sink to my knees before her. My hands glide to the button of her jeans, and I unzip them. With my fingers tucked in the waistline, I slide the material down to her ankles, making sure her panties go too.
“Give me that pretty little pussy.” It comes out deep and husky.
Carlee leans back, resting her elbows against the saddle rack to steady herself better. I dive my tongue inside her, savoring the desperate gasps that escape her lips. She grinds against my face as I flick my tongue gently across her swollen clit.
“Wes,” she whispers when I slide a finger deep into her cunt.
She’s so fucking wet for me already. It feels religious, being here, worshipping every inch of her. I should, though. She saved me from the hell I had been living in.
Just as her body begins to seize, I pull away.
“No, no, no, you’re not coming yet,” I growl, my eyes darkening with desire. “Too soon.”
It’s an exhilarating game of cat and mouse with her, where we constantly switch between predator and prey.
“You always know what I like,” she hisses breathlessly, suspended in time with her back arched and mouth open.
With just a flick of my tongue, I could bring her to the brink and have her crumbling.
My gorgeous girl wants to come so badly. I can see every muscle clenched, including that cute little cunt. I kiss the insides of her thigh, relishing in her intoxicating scent and taste.
“I’m in love with you,” she confesses, her voice nearly ragged.
I feel as if I’m dreaming. I stand to meet her gaze, and a smile touches my lips. “What did you say?”
She’s breathless, nearly frantic. “I’m in love with you, Wes. I don’t know how this happened. I realized it last night and then again this morning and?—”
Our lips crash together.
I gently cup her face in my hands to calm her racing heart. “I’m so damn glad you’re joining me. It’s fun on this side of things.”
My fingers thread through her hair as our tongues twist together in a passionate dance.
“I’ve been in love with you, Carlee,” I confess, hoping my honesty doesn’t send her running.
She needed to be the one to make any sort of confession that included the four-letter word. She opened the door though, and I’m walking through it.
Carlee grabs my shirt in her fists, pulling me closer. “Say it again,” she says, kissing me so passionately that she steals my breath.
“I’m in love with you, Carlee Jean Jolly. Leelee. My Firefly. My gorgeous, smart girl. I can’t deny it anymore. I don’t want to.”
“Please don’t hurt me, Wes,” she nearly begs, peppering kisses on my eyes and cheeks and mouth.
It’s an emotional turn of events I didn’t expect. But it’s music to my fucking ears.
“Never. I promise,” I say, returning to my previous position, kneeling before her, worshipping her.
I want to scream to the world that she feels the same as I do for her.
My tongue dives into her drenched pussy, giving her everything she needs and desires. Her fingers weave through my hair as she grinds against my stubble .
“Yes, yes,” she says. “Keep going.”
In the distance, I hear the unmistakable sound of an engine roaring. Carlee hears it too.
“I’m so fucking close. Please. Don’t stop,” she urges, sinking into my mouth.
I coax her to the very edge.
Just before she comes, I plunge two fingers knuckle deep inside her, and she screams my name, lost in her pleasure. Her body shakes with ecstasy, and I hold on to her tightly, feeling power surge through me. As she rides out her orgasm like a good fucking girl, a grin spreads across my face.
Carlee’s head falls back on her shoulders, laughter spilling from her lips—light and free. That sound is addictive.
Seconds later, a deep voice calls out from behind, “Hello? Who’s here?”
Carlee stiffens, glancing over her shoulder as worry etches itself onto her face. Her lips are swollen from our kisses, and her cheeks are flushed.
“Shit,” she mutters under her breath.
She quickly pulls up her panties and jeans, then shoots a glance at my still-hard cock straining against my jeans.
“Do something about that.” She winks suggestively.
I adjust myself as a smirk spreads across my face like wildfire. “Better?”
“Not really,” she replies confidently, chewing on the corner of her lip. “Stay here.”
She turns back to face me, one eyebrow raised in challenge.
“How do I look?” Her voice drips like honey mixed with whiskey as she runs her fingers through her messy hair.
“Guilty as fuck,” I growl in response, channeling every ounce of dominance within me. I want her so fucking bad.
I cross my arms over my chest and shake my head. There’s no denying what we just did. Her face gives her away every time.
Carlee strides toward the deep voice with purpose, hips swaying subtly under the weight of my gaze. She knows exactly what she’s doing, knowing she’s completely irresistible to me.
Carlee steps into the middle of the barn, and I watch her face transform. “Hudson.”
“Hey, little cousin,” he says, moving forward to hug her. He glances over and catches sight of me. “Ah, didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”
He stalks over to me. An air of confidence surrounds him, and I understand precisely why Emma married this man. It’s the no-fucks-given attitude he exudes.
“Weston Calloway.” I stand, offering my hand.
“Hudson Jolly. Nice to meet ya,” he says with a firm grasp.
We stare at one another, standing eye to eye.
“I assume I don’t have to threaten you?”
I shake my head. “Nah, Dean and Matteo took care of it.”
“Did it work?” he asks.
“No,” I admit.
He grins, but I see the underlying meaning behind it. “Ah, well, you know the drill. I’ll fuck you up.”
I nod. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know,” he replies. “Emma told me.”
Hudson turns back to Carlee. “So, you and this guy?”
Carlee smacks him, and he pulls her into a hug.
“Missed you. Been staying out of trouble?”
“Always,” she says, laughing.
He releases her, grinning. “What are you two up to?”
“Thought we’d go for a ride. The weather is nice; the sun is out. It’s a great day to be free from shitty exes,” she says, winking at me.
“Yes, it fuckin’ is,” Hudson agrees. “Dakota and Thor are saddled and ready to go. They’re in the trailer right now.”
“You’re a literal angel,” Carlee says, waving to me to follow her. “We’ll take them off your hands.”
Hudson’s eyes remain fixed on me as I approach Carlee. When I’m close, I wrap my arm around her and kiss her forehead .
She chuckles, pulling me along with her. “He really will kick your ass.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” I say.
A truck with a gooseneck trailer attached is parked outside the barn. Inside the trailer are two horses, patiently waiting, fully saddled.
“Where’ve ya been?” Carlee questions Hudson as he steps out of the barn.
“Lucas and I checked the fences on the other side of the property. We rode for about an hour,” Hudson explains. “Anyway, have fun. Unsaddle when you’re finished, please. I’m havin’ lunch with Emma.”
“Tell her I said hello. We’ll see ya,” Carlee tells him.
“Nice meetin’ ya, Weston. You two should come over for dinner,” he says.
“Maybe,” I tell him. “I’ll have to check our schedule.”
“Sounds good.”
He climbs into his truck and backs the trailer in place. After he unhooks it next to the barn, Carlee grabs a pack from the side-by-side and ties it to the saddle strings.
“Are you sure you know how to ride?” she asks when we’re alone.
“Babe,” I mutter.
“Look, Dakota loves to run and spooks easily.” She shakes her head. “No, you should take Colby’s horse. You’re used to proper little ponies because of your polo playing.” She bursts into laughter.
I scoff. “Was that a burn?”
She winks, trading reins with me. “You’re not a cowboy.”
“And you are?”
“Damn straight,” she says, lifting herself onto the saddle with ease. Carlee clicks her tongue, glancing at me over her shoulder. “Come on.”
“Okay, that’s hot,” I tell her, climbing onto Thor .
He doesn’t seem to give any fucks as we move along leisurely down the trail.
I catch up to Carlee, trotting behind her, unable to take my eyes off of her.
I fucking adore seeing her in her element like this.
She glances around at the rolling hills and woods. Sunshine beams down on us, and she closes her eyes, soaking it in.
“Home,” she says, smiling. “I’ve missed it so much.”
“I can see why,” I admit. “The weather is great for February. It’s an oasis here. Your family is incredible, and I can tell how close you are with everyone. They love you.”
She smiles. “Yeah, but they tend to forget about me too. It’s the out-of-sight, out-of-mind type of thing. If I could, I’d have a place here and my apartment in the city, splitting my time between the two. Writing my blog. Just loving my life.”
“So, let’s do it. We can search for property while we’re here.”
A cool breeze blows through the tall grasses as we follow a trail that leads into an opening in the trees.
She turns to me. “Weston.”
“Would it make you happy?”
“Property here is very expensive and hard to come by.” Her hips rock forward as she rides. “Things don’t get listed for sale often.”
“Everything is for sale with the right price.” I study her. “Also, our definitions of expensive aren’t the same.”
“You know I don’t care about any of that, right? Money, fame—none of that will ever make me happy. I just want you.” Carlee smiles so sweetly as we continue to mosey down the dusty trail. “I can just imagine us here, escaping the weight of the world together, breathing in fresh air, enjoying the sunshine. It brings me comfort.”
I lose myself in thought as we continue into the dense forest. The temperature drops in the shadows, and the horses follow the trail without guidance. I reach out and take her hand, kissing the ring. Sunlight leaks through the branches, and I inhale the fresh scent of earth and dirt .
“This ring—it was your grandmother’s?” Carlee asks.
“Yes,” I admit. “You know, I always said I’d give that ring to the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with.”
She licks her lips, glancing at it. “I shouldn’t have this.”
“You absolutely should,” I say.
“Why doesn’t Lena have it?”
I give her a small smile. “She refused to accept a secondhand diamond.”
Her happiness fades. “When I thought I couldn’t hate her more.”
“There were big flashing signs that it wasn’t going to work out. I should’ve known then.”
“Like you said, touch the watch, wear the ring.” Carlee shoots me a wink.
Fifteen minutes later, we approach a clearing with a running stream. Carlee slides off the saddle and leads Dakota to the water. I follow her lead with Thor lazily walking behind me.
Once the horses have drunk their fill, we tie them to a post fifty yards away. Carefully, she unhooks the pack and carries it into the clearing. On her knees, she unties it and lays out a checkered blanket. Carlee sits on the blanket and pats the space next to her, and I join her.
“I should’ve brought cake,” she tells me. “Next time.”
“You are the cake, babe,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms and sliding my lips across hers. Knowing she’s in love with me makes it feel that much fucking sweeter.
We fall back on the blanket. I meet her gaze, my finger brushing her cheek, feeling so grateful for this moment with her.
“The look,” she whispers.
“I have something to tell you,” I say.
“Okay.”
“I paid Samson to see you in New York,” I blurt out.
She smiles. “I know.”
“What? How?” I ask .
I prop myself on my elbow. She’s so breathtakingly beautiful, lying like this, her dark hair spilling around her head.
“He told Lucas because they’re best friends. My cousin called me and spilled the tea. Small-town rumors spread wide and far. Knowing you wanted me to be there was the only reason I agreed. Now, you being the owner? I didn’t see that coming. I was surprised,” she admits, chuckling, and I love the sound of it. “It was a respectable move. Impressive, actually.”
“You didn’t say anything,” I whisper.
She shakes her head. “I wanted to see how long it would take you to tell me. You passed the test. I guess I can trust you after all.”
Carlee pulls me down to her. She tastes like cherry lip balm. We pull apart.
“That cloud looks like a drumstick,” she says, pointing.
I burst into laughter. “Okay, I see it.”
She moves closer to me, relaxing in my arms as we enjoy the meadow. The breeze blows, and fresh air surrounds us. Being with her like this feels like home, and I could do this forever. I don’t remember the last time I felt this at ease. My fingers brush along her skin.
“Did I ever tell you how I originally learned about your blog? Years ago?”
She shakes her head, and I catch the sweet scent of her shampoo.
“No, you haven’t.”
“Lena,” I state.
I watch Carlee’s expression harden.
“She was enraged with fury over articles that LuxLeaks had posted about us. She decided she’d find your identity and destroy you for hurting her ego. Nothing was going to stop her.”
She sits up and faces me. “What are you talking about?”
I have to get this out right now. I can’t wait any longer.
“Lena hired a hacker who found out who you were. I paid a lot of fucking money to him to feed her a lie and to keep your identity a secret. Then I paid for your site to become more secure than the goddamn Pentagon. Why do you think people believe LadyLux is a divorced late-forties socialite? Just because?”
“You started that rumor?” She glares at me, but I can see concern wrapped tightly around her. “Why would you do that?”
“To protect you,” I state.
“Why are you telling me this?” The carefree girl who was just with me is now gone. Her face hardens.
“Because it matters. We both know this is more than just friendship. There is more I have to share with you. And I’m fully aware you might not like what you hear and might never want to speak to me again. But if I don’t tell you the truth, it would make me a piece of shit. I respect you too much to keep this from you,” I admit. “The truth sets us free. I want to be free, Carlee. With you. No more secrets.”
“What if I don’t care?” she asks, worry etched across her face. “I don’t want to think of you any differently than I do right now.”
“We can’t move forward without us discussing this. Please,” I whisper, not wanting her to fully push me away. I can already see her rebuilding that fortress around her heart.
“I don’t like this,” she says, her voice cracking. “It feels very much like you’re breaking this off.”
I catch a glimpse of the woman I fell in love with, the one who doesn’t have walls built from earth to heaven.
“I’m not breaking this off.” I shake my head. “But I’m so fucking scared you might.”