Chapter 12
EMBERLYNN
Over the next few days, we visited various places nearby, doing festive things.
Hot cocoa at a cafe, picking out a Christmas tree, ornaments, and decorations for the house.
Then there was learning things on the ranch as well.
There were more lessons, more care for Diesel, and even the other animals.
Hardison bought me proper ranch gear so that I wouldn’t mess up my pretty little clothes.
This trip seemed like we were building much more than memories.
Sharing our time and bodies and communicating our likes and dislikes led to talking about our future and what we expected in a relationship.
I saw how he handled the animals, balanced control, and even how the more time he spent with the animals, it seemed to nurture his soul.
Hardison asked me on a date and insisted that I buy something nice to wear.
Unable to accept that, I’d thrown a tantrum because he didn’t understand that I was uncomfortable taking money from him all the time.
He’d purchased quite a few things for me while I was here, and I didn’t have it in me to return the gesture.
That tantrum had gotten me stripped and on the bed while he drew delicious orgasms from me with his mouth.
Now, his fingers were deep inside me, stroking a fire that he controlled. He was using his other hand to stroke his hard flesh. I wanted it. Badly. I licked my lips, wanting to suck him off or ride him until he released inside me.
“See something you want?” He smirked, and it drove me crazy how easily he controlled my body and actions. Hardison was a demanding son of a bitch that kept me on my toes and rewarded me with affection and a tenderness that was hard to deny.
I growled in frustration. He wouldn’t let me come, and I wasn’t allowed to touch his erection. I wanted it. Needed it.
I whined, “Please, sir.”
“No, bad girls aren’t allowed to touch my dick.”
I slapped the bed beside me.
“Temper tantrums put you in this position. Do you think you should throw another?”
“I’m sorry. I won’t… ooooh!” I moaned. He was taking me higher, and my hips welcomed the thrusts of his fingers. What was I saying?
“I don’t trust the promises of a greedy girl.”
I wanted to touch him, and my hands sought him, but I stopped them, needing to follow his instruction. This was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I was a fien, and he was the best drug. Who could deny that?
As the spasms wrecked my body, my eyes were heavy, and I licked my lips again. “Please let me suck you.”
“No.”
What did he mean, “No?”
Frustrated, I reached for him, and when I was almost there, his expression of a disappointed scowl was enough to make me freeze.
I gripped my head, feeling insane. I was getting angry.
Despite that, I rode his fingers. They weren’t as amazing as his lovely penis, but a girl had to deal with what she got.
“Kittens that throw hissy fits don’t deserve to feel my dick inside them. Do you not remember any of the lessons that I taught you, bratty girl?”
I panted, wanting it. Every time Hardison said no, I wanted it more.
Maybe I didn’t deserve it. I should’ve acted better.
Not pull all my clothes out of the closet to show him I already had things to wear.
Maybe I should have controlled my anxiety better.
After being scolded, I’d cleaned it all up and made it nice and pretty. That was a start. Right?
I saw a bit of cum shoot from him, and I leaned forward.
He shook his head as he removed his fingers from my dripping cunt.
He sniffed the fingers he’d used to fuck me and switched hands, jerking with my juices on his hand.
I wanted to object. I wanted him to use me instead.
I was jealous. Anger fueled the intense emotions pulsing through me.
Why is he doing this to me?!?!
It was upsetting yet so flipping sexy. I was mesmerized by how he enjoyed me without—me. I watched as he came, making a mess on his thighs, groin, and stomach. It could have been inside me, but maybe he’d let me clean him?
His eyes were closed, and he savored the moment. Conflict ricocheted through my mind. I wanted him always to find his pleasure. I just wanted it to be with me. When he was finished, he pulled a towel from behind him and wiped away the evidence of his orgasm. I pouted silently. How could he just…?
“Go get cleaned up. We have to get to dinner on time. Your clothes are hanging on the back of the bathroom door.”
I nodded and scurried away.
I wiped the tears from my face as the punishment finally hit home.
This wasn’t about money. He’d wanted to do something nice for me, and I’d rejected it selfishly.
Not considering the reasons he’d done it.
Hardison had explained that he enjoyed spoiling his woman, and though we weren’t officially together, I’d have to be blind not to know that it was what he wanted.
I turned on the water in the shower and felt him enter the bathroom. I turned to face him.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He nodded and walked over to me. The simple kiss on my forehead warmed me. He followed it with kisses to my nose, cheeks, and finally, a long lingering kiss to my lips.
“Get dressed.” With that, he walked out.
I got in the shower, not wanting to waste any more time.
I thought about his body as he came and how his erection arched into his hand.
A hand that was coated with my essence. He’d wanted me just as badly, if not more.
There was satisfaction in that. One that ran so deep I questioned if I could handle walking away from him in less than a week.
Hell, the connection and energy were so intense I’d felt nothing like it before.
Not even from my ex-husband. Not from anybody else.
After dinner, we sat at the table in comfortable silence while looking at one another.
Words didn’t need to communicate that we were in a bubble where only the two of us existed.
I learned what he was like as a child and about his ex-wife.
Hardison explained the different reasons their relationship was doomed from the start, including the fact that he’d been in the military as a career, re-enlisting until he was due for retirement.
Well, that was until he was injured. She hated he was gone for long periods and expected him to finish his last tour and come home.
That was when he decided things wouldn’t work between them.
“Emberlynn, I’d really like to make this thing that we’re doing official.”
“This thing…” I giggled. “Dinner?”
“Yes. And everything else, too. It’s been over a week, but I can honestly say that I know I’m falling for you.”
I was supposed to say something clever. Something that would make me not sit there like some giddy woman unable to utilize words to describe what she was thinking or feeling. No, instead, I just smiled at him as if I’d just won the lottery for a gazillion dollars.
“Say something, Queen.”
“How official?”
“I don’t want either of us to question what’s happening here. I want to grow with you into something so good that we’ll never want to let it go. You’ll be my woman, and I’ll be your man.”
“I don’t know if I want that,” I responded honestly.
“Why not?” His mouth dropped open, and I giggled, unable to keep it inside.
“I don’t want to be downgraded to being your woman when I’d rather keep being your queen.”
Hardison groaned. “Baby, say no more. Cause I’d love nothing more than that.”
“So I can call you my king?” I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hands.
“Fuck yes.” His eyes lit up with wonder as he confirmed our new arrangement.
“Well, then it’s done.” I winked.
“Yes, it is.” He sipped water from his glass before asking, “Have you figured out what you want for Christmas yet?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Actually, I have. You’ve actually given it to me already. I’ve just wanted you. Nothing fancy, just a real chance with you. Dating and enjoying each other the way we have. I don’t need anything else. This time with you has been more than enough.”
“It’s not over, Queen. We still have more of it. Nice try, too. Sweet even. But you can’t ask for something you’ve already got. I’ll need a different gift request.”
“That’s my final answer, though. You’re asking me what I want, how about you? What would you like for Christmas?”
The waiter returned with the receipt for him to sign for our food. When that was finished, we left. Instead of going to the car, we walked to enjoy the fresh air.
“You’re not off the hook.” I bumped him playfully as I held onto his arm.
“I want a nice, simple Christmas dinner. It’s been a while since I’ve had that. It doesn’t have to be a huge spread. Hell, I’d be happy with a lunch meat sandwich with cheese.”
“Easy enough. What’s your favorite dinner? Something besides steak.” I nudged.
“Lasagna. My grandmother used to make an amazing one that we’d fight over. After she passed, that tradition died, too. My mother can’t cook, and that left nobody to keep her traditions going when it came to the food realm.”
“Garlic bread?”
“Mhm… Salad, garlic bread, blueberry pie, and a wheelchair to roll me into bed after I’m so stuffed that I can’t move.”
I giggled at him as he pushed out his stomach and pretended he couldn’t walk.
“Very funny, Hardison.”
“Mhm. It was.”
After a while, it became too cold, and we went back to the car to warm up.
At home, we cuddled in bed, talking into the late-night hours.
There was a storm outside, and the rain against the windows was relaxing.
Hardison had left for a little while to check on the staff and the animals, but with everything in check, he’d returned.
He showered and came back to bed, where he held me as I rested against his chest.