Chapter Four
I told Reece I wanted time with her list of rules until she came back again. And today is the day. I’ve revised her list some for my liking and hopefully hers.
Rules:
This is exclusive. No getting naked with anyone else.
This is a safe space. No judgement allowed.
Refer back to rule number 1.
No girlfriends boyfriends during our adventure.
No feelings are already involved
You are my girlfriend. End of story.
I don’t know how she’ll feel about that last one but it’s a non-negotiable for me. I already love that woman. I won’t survive this experiment of hers if she’s not mine at the end of it.
The best part about Reece coming home now for Christmas, I’ve officially gotten out of the bunkhouse. One of the other ranch hands moved off the ranch with his family so his wife could be closer to her job. Which means I have my own damn house now. No more frat life for me.
Me: I have a surprise for you when you come home tonight.
Reeces Pieces: Oh yeah? Give me a hint.
Me: >
Reeces Pieces: Oh my God! Did you finally get the cabin you’ve been waiting for?!
Me: Sure did. Moved in three days ago. Wanted to get it all set up for you to come home on break. Now we actually get to hang out like real adults instead of in the shed.
Reeces Pieces: I don’t know. I’m a little partial to the shed. Plus I really like s’mores.
Me: Don’t worry I know how to make s’mores inside and I already have a fire pit. We just don’t have to share it or ride a horse to get there.
Reeces Pieces: I could tell my parents I’m not coming home for a few days…
Me: They’d see your truck. But it is a two bedroom so you could stay here if you wanted to instead of with your parents.
Reeces Pieces: A second bedroom is just for appearances right?
Me: >
Reeces Pieces: Right. Obviously. Eeek! I can’t wait! SLEEPOVER! Peanut butter and oreos ready for me?
Me: Oh God. Is it too late to renege this deal?
You will never get me to admit that I like her weird combination of snacks. Ever. But I might sneak them while she’s gone.
Reeces Pieces: Double Stuf?
Me: Obviously. This isn’t my first rodeo.
Reeces Pieces: Yay! Leaving now! See you soooooonnnnnn.
I catch myself smiling as I put my phone on the island next to her revised rules.
I pull out the pizza dough from the refrigerator to let it rise while she drives.
She goes to college about two hours away from the ranch, so I have plenty of time to get some chores done, like putting on the new sheets my mama brought by earlier.
She said that she refuses to let me live like Dad did before they got married.
No bachelor life for me. Which is fine by me, I’ve had enough bachelor living in the bunkhouses. I’d be happy to never live that way again.
I just slid the pizza into the oven and Reece is reading over the new rules I wrote.
“So. What do you think?” I ask her, dropping the kitchen towel on the counter before I turn back to face her.
She’s sitting, staring at me with her mouth wide open. “I… uh… number six is interesting.”
“Is it?” I slip into the chair next to her.
“Your girlfriend?” She stares at me and my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. I didn’t think through her rejecting me to my face.
“Yes, Reece. My girlfriend. I’ve thought about it.
And I don’t want to hide how I feel about you anymore.
You’ve been my best friend for a majority of my life and over the last six months those feelings have grown into something different.
So if you want me to take this all the way with you, I want it all in return. ”
She continues to stare at me, not saying anything. I start to fidget in my chair, tapping my foot against the bar on the chair. “I’m sorry. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you, the man who could have any woman he wants, wants me to be his girlfriend.”
“But, you’re the one who came up with rule number five. So I figured I was going out on a limb here. You’re really making a guy sweat it out.” I wring my clammy hands.
“I made rule number five to protect myself. If I convinced myself this had no feelings then I wouldn’t wonder if you had any.” She continues to keep looking back at my revised rules.
“So, um, where does that leave you on the status of rule six?” I stand, waiting to see what her answer is before I get the pizza.
Her arms wrap around my middle and pull me into her. “I accept all your conditions, Jaycob Adler.”
“Thank fucking God.” I tip her head up to mine, capturing her lips with mine.
Before I can take it further than I intended to, the oven timer goes off.
I release her before going to pull the pizza out of the oven.
Placing it on the counter in between the two of us, I pull out the pizza cutter.
“This doesn’t change the timeline. We’re still taking it slow. ”
Even if I have no desire to go slow after that kiss.
“I don’t want Daddy to know yet. I want some time before we tell our families. There’s too much at stake. And I don’t want Daddy running you off just because of me like he does with every other guy.” She raises her eyebrows. “Even if you were his accomplice.”
“I stand by what I said. Those fuckers didn’t deserve you and I can guarantee you they don’t know how to give an orgasm.
They can’t even find the trash can, let alone a G-Spot.
” I roll my eyes. What she doesn’t know is that I was the instigator, egging Cal on with those assholes.
She continues to stare at me. “I don’t like the idea of lying to them, Reece. It could blow up in our faces.”
“I’m not saying we lie, just that we keep the truth in our own little bubble for right now. And hope they don’t ask us. But I don’t think they will. We’re together all the time.” She pulls pizza off the pan.
My brow furrows at her suggestion. “Fine. I’ll follow your timeline on this.”
“Thank you.”
I take both our plates to the sink and wash them quickly while she wanders around looking at the space.
Finding her in my bedroom, I slide up behind her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. “What do you think?”
“Definitely a step up from the twin bunk.” She giggles and spins around in my arms. “Is this real, Jay? Us. It feels surreal to me that you want me.”
“Are you kidding me, Reece? I feel the same way. I’m just some idiot ranch hand who got lucky. You’re at college with these guys who are going to get out of here, do something with their life. With me, you’re forever stuck here.”
“I love it here. I don’t want someone who’s going to take me away. I wanted you, I just never thought you wanted me.” She shies away a little with the confession.
Tipping her face to me with my forefinger under her chin, I press my lips into hers. “I want you, Reece.”
Shifting her to my side, I drop us down onto the bed. Pulling her closer to me, my tongue parts her lips, letting me in to tangle with hers. Her leg drapes over my lap and I know my hardening cock is pressing into her thigh.
Allowing my hands to roam, I grab a handful of her breasts, massaging her and running my finger over her peaked nipples. The moans that escape are the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.
I fell in love with her before this physical connection, but this… this is beyond what I could have ever imagined being with Reece could be. To have this with my best friend feels like a freaking dream.