Chapter Nineteen
Riley stroked the grey’s neck while he settled his new horse. He chuckled as he listened to her talk.
“You’ll enjoy your new home. It has nice green pastures, and the barns seem sturdy enough to handle bad weather.
Your new owner can be an ass, but deep down, he’s a good guy.
Garrett won’t take you out during hot weather.
I don’t agree with his idea of not naming you right away.
You resemble a grey cloud after a storm.
The beginning of where light overtakes the dark.
Your coat’s beautiful, and I bet you ride like a dream.
One day, I hope to have a horse like you.
Maybe, when Garrett’s with his big old brute, who can’t hold a candle to you, I’ll take you for a ride. ”
“I can hear you, you know,” Garrett said, adding feed to the bin.
“If you bat your eyes at him, you might talk him into an apple. He’s got a soft spot for females. Don’t take offense because he fed Brutus before you. He sometimes forgets his manners. I don’t know how many times he walks across the floor after I mop it. Maybe he was born in a barn,” she continued.
Garrett added water and closed the gate. He strode over to the grey and pointedly gazed at her. “Are you done telling my horse all my faults?”
Riley stuck her nose up in the air. “I don’t consider them bad things. She’s a beauty, Garrett. I imagine she’ll be a joy to ride,” she said, peering longingly at the horse.
“I have work to do on the ranch in the morning. Maybe if I get done, we can take them out and test them,” he suggested.
Beaming from ear to ear, she nuzzled the horse before he took her to the open stall.
Riley leaned in, checking on the other horse.
“He holds his tail like he knows he’s handsome.
” The animal’s ears perked up as if listening to her.
“Yep, I’m talking about you. Brutus fits you.
I’ll make sure to fix sandwiches for dinner tomorrow.
Then, we can stretch those legs for you.
I can’t wait to see how fast you fly,” she murmured.
Noticing the hay seemed a bit low, Riley made her way to the area, hoping to fill the wheelbarrow up for Garrett while he cared for the second horse.
She took the pitchfork, stabbed it into the pile, and threw a load into the barrel.
After her fourth round, someone snatched the pitchfork from her hand, scaring her.
She jumped, putting pressure on her bad leg.
Trying to correct it, she lost her balance.
Riley clutched at the arm, reaching for her.
She missed it and fell into the hay. Glancing up, she saw Garrett standing with his hands on his hips.
“Did we have an agreement?” he asked.
“You,” she seethed. “I can’t believe you scared me to prove a point.”
“If you keep this up, your leg will never heal. I’ve given you a ton of leeway today and you can’t seem to stop yourself,” Garrett exclaimed.
“You’re not the boss of me,” Riley snapped. “I only meant to help you finish faster.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right,” Garrett conceded. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It worried me to think you might fall and get hurt.”
“In hay?” she asked, not believing him.
“Let me help you up,” he said, extending his hand.
She smiled sweetly and held her good arm out. He clasped her and as he was about to pull her up, Riley gave him a hard jerk, sending him flying down beside her.
“Why, you little wench,” he said, tickling her. “You got me. Now, it’s my turn to get even.” His fingers ran up her sides as she squirmed to get away.
“Stop it, stop,” she said, laughing. “I mean it, Garrett.”
“Or what?” he challenged as he leaned over and tickled her with his beard along her neck.
Riley inhaled sharply and stilled. Garrett stopped and sat up, thinking he might’ve hurt her. His gaze fell on hers, and he saw his desire mirrored in her eyes. His hand wrapped around her neck, pulling her closer. He hovered over her mouth, giving her time to change her mind.
They danced around each other all week, little touches, eyes meeting, but he reeled himself in, not wanting to make the same mistake again.
Every time he fell for a woman, they ended up disappointing him.
But Riley seemed different. She loved to work and shared his likes.
When he thought of returning to his cabin, he pictured coming home to her.
“If you don’t want this, say so now,” he whispered.
Instead of the denial he expected, Riley crushed her mouth to his.
The flame she slowly stoked all day in her pretty dress now combusted into an explosion of desire.
Their tongues battled with each other as he pressed her body against his.
He left a trail of heated kisses down her neck as she clutched at his shirt and moaned.
“Touch me, Riley. I want to feel your hands on me,” he murmured as he slowly untied her bodice, letting the straps fall to her arms. His hands cupped her breasts as she fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
Tired of struggling, she yanked it open, sending buttons flying.
Riley kissed his chest, and he almost laughed at the innocence of it.
His thumbs brushed her nipples, and Riley’s eyes grew wide. Her body trembled against him.
Realizing where they were, Garrett shook his head. “Come on, let’s go home.”
“No,” she protested, shaking her head. “I want you now.”
Garrett scanned the barn, spying blankets. He lifted her up and helped her to stand. Throwing the blankets on the bales, he turned toward her. He held out his hand, wanting Riley to choose him.
Riley didn’t hesitate as she moved toward him. When she reached his outstretched hand, she clasped it, and he picked her up and set her on the bales.
“I want to see you, all of you,” he whispered as he crouched before her.
She nodded jerkily as she raised her arms in the air.
Garrett took off her boot and sock and gently lifted the dress over her head, setting it aside.
Pressing her to lie back, his hands traced the shape of her toned legs and up to her waist, where he hooked his fingers under her white cotton panties.
Riley raised her hips, letting him slide them down.
She bit her lip as he knelt and spread her legs, gently propping them over his shoulders. Garrett nibbled around her knee, letting his beard stroke her skin as he made his way to her center.
“Don’t stop,” she pleaded, moving restlessly. “Please don’t.”
Garrett’s mouth covered her core, making Riley jump. “Ohhh,” she said softly as he explored her delicate pink skin. Slowly sliding a finger inside her, he curled it upward as he sucked on her nub.
Riley leaned on her elbows, watching him with keen interest as her hand gripped his hair. “Are you supposed to do that?” she asked, as her breath hitched. “It feels good. Don’t stop,” she urged him on.
“You’re soaked, Riley,” he said softly. “You taste sweet and spicy.”
Her walls clamped against his finger, and she seemed tight.
He used some of her slickness to lube a second and added it with his strokes.
Riley moaned and moved with his rhythm. Garrett watched her face, enjoying her flushed cheeks, the way her mouth parted, and how she watched him.
He licked and sucked, eliciting louder moans from Riley.
“Let go, Riley,” he commanded before curling his fingers and increasing the rhythm.
Her mouth parted into an O as the orgasm rolled over her, and she trembled slightly while smiling at him.
“Can I taste you?” she asked.
Garrett raised, kicking off his boots. Riley scooted to the end of the bale, and her hands hesitated at his belt for a second before she helped him remove it. She tugged at the button of his jeans as his hands roamed through her silky strands. He bent, capturing her mouth.
“Can you taste yourself on my tongue?” he asked, kissing her.
Riley only whimpered in response, pulling his jeans and underwear off and sliding them down. Garret pulled back, stepping out of the hindering clothes. He tossed his wallet on the blanket.
When he straightened, Riley’s heated gaze stayed pinned to his cock, making him even harder.
She reached up, running her finger down his shaft.
It felt like a current running down his spine when she grasped it in her hand and gently stroked him.
Garrett covered her hand, showing her how he liked it.
She smiled at him as a pearl of precum sat at the tip, and she leaned in, gently swiping it away with her tongue.
“You taste good, too,” she whispered, as she licked him, making him groan. If she continued, he knew he’d go over the edge before either of them wanted. He intended to explore every part of her body.
Garrett picked her up and sat down, placing her on top, careful not to disturb her cast.
Riley smiled hesitantly as she ran her hands through the hair on his chest and moved downward, exploring the rigid muscles of his abdomen. Garrett tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, adjusting Riley around his midsection. Cupping her breasts, he sucked her nipple into his mouth.
Riley inhaled and squirmed against him. Garrett closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her against him.
“Since you hate not being in control, why don’t you ride? After all, if you’re taking out one of my horses, I need to make sure you know how to do it,” he teased and winked at her.
Riley faltered. Thinking she might be nervous because it was their first time together, he moved her hips up and down his shaft, letting her slick heat pleasure them both.
“You’re beautiful, Riley. Don’t be nervous. It’s only us,” he assured her.
“Garrett…I’m not on birth control,” she hedged, licking her lips.
“I have a condom,” he said, reaching for his wallet. Taking out the packet, he ripped it open and rolled it over his cock. Riley watched avidly, making him anticipate it as much as she appeared to.
“Ride me, Riley,” he softly encouraged.