14
T here’s a bluebird in my ear, and a dream girl on my mind.
The fog of the dream clears, although the face in my mind looks suspiciously like Reese.
“Fuck,” I groan, giving my dick a quick stroke. It could punch through drywall.
I lie in bed with my arm over my eyes, willing my morning wood to die a slow death.
Thirteen days of sunshine. Thirteen days of Reese.
She’s become part of my daily routine. Every morning, I greet her the same way—with coffee and a bagel. The rest of the day, we do chores and Reese keeps me company. I should hate it, but I don’t.
The two-way radio crackles, and a melancholy warble fills the air. I lift my arm from my face and blink.
Reese.
It’s Reese.
I latch onto the familiar tune—Hank Williams, 1952. One of my favorites. The mournful melody fills my bedroom.
That’s when I realize the button must be stuck from our conversation last night. Our MO for the last two weeks. We’ve talked about everything under the sun and then some. Her favorite color is pink, her middle name is Elisabeth, and Paris is her favorite city in the world, but I still don’t know why she’s really here or much about her past. Which is fair. I haven’t given her anything about Savannah or the shit I’ve done. Some things are better left in the dust.
That’s not to say I’m not damn curious.
My hand comes to my chest, rubbing at the sting. But it soon eases when I focus on Reese.
Shifting on the mattress, I close my eyes and listen.
My heart pumps hard, and I can’t catch my breath. For a moment, I’m paralyzed by a desire I don’t know what to do with.
Fuck. That voice.
It’s clear in her videos and on the radio that she can sing. But I’ve never heard her voice like this before. Like some old-time yodeling cowgirl. Husky and sweet. Goddamn beautiful.
Bluebird.
She’s a fucking bluebird.
Soon Reese’s voice mixes with the sound of running water.
I blink myself awake.
The shower. Reese naked. My dick perks up. I picture her wet, soaping those perfect breasts of hers. Blonde hair stuck to her cheek. That pink mouth—
“Hey, y’all hear that?” Wyatt’s drawl cuts in, breaking me out of my reverie. “Someone’s singing.”
Charlie grunts. “Ain’t me, that’s for goddamn sure.”
“Ford?” Davis says. “You there?”
Gritting my teeth, I jerk up in bed.
“Get off her fucking channel,” I snarl. It feels like an invasion of her privacy. No one hears my bluebird but me.
I wait until I’m sure the line’s clear, then I disconnect.
Fuck me.
I get out of the bed so fast it’s embarrassing.
Time to start my day. Time to see Reese.
The arched brow Davis gives me the moment I step foot in the Bullshit Box already has me pissed off.
“What?” I grunt.
“You gave her a radio?” Davis asks. His own two-way radio sits on his desk next to a cup of coffee.
“Yeah, I did. You got a problem with it, take it up with HR.”
“We don’t have HR,” Charlie says dryly.
I settle at my desk and shuffle through files and paperwork. The bane of our existence. Any of us would rather be out in the fields.
And I’d rather be out there with Reese.
Through the open door of the Bullshit Box, my gaze latches onto her. Reese struts across the ranch, curls blowing in the breeze, a basket of eggs in her hands. Like the mighty Mississippi, those legs run on for miles. She’s put on weight since she’s been here and looks healthy as hell. Sexy. A fucking bombshell. A star.
My cock flexes as I watch her bend over. I don’t know what’s worse. What she wore when she first came to the ranch or what she’s wearing now.
She’s all leather and lace. Sex and sweetness. Tiny shorts, tinier tank tops, gold jewelry, cowboy boots. And those fucking braids she wears has her looking like a down-home country girl.
Goddamn torture is what it is.
She’s running the ranch wild.
Running me wild.
I haven’t tried to touch her since our almost-kiss. Hands off is a version of Ford Montgomery I don’t even recognize.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to touch her.
I want to fuck that girl raw.
She’s so goddamn beautiful. I feel unhinged when she just breathes near me. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Damn if that girl isn’t drilled into my skull.
A sigh has me looking over.
“What?” I demand.
Davis needles that vein in his temple and holds up a package Reese was in charge of delivering. “This was supposed to go to Koty’s bakery, not here. Now I have to get someone to cart it back to town.”
I pick up a letter opener, slice through a piece of mail. “Go easy on her, will you? She’s trying.”
I’ve given her easy farm chores, but she’s been an absolute disaster on the ranch. Last week, she lost control of a wheelbarrow, and it smashed through a fence. Yesterday, she drove the UTV over Ruby’s flowerbed.
I thought for sure she’d give up after the first week, but she’s hung in there. Pride swells in my chest. She’s not the least bit intimidated, and she’s always ready to learn. I was wrong about her. She’s a damn hard worker.
“You can always take it out of her paycheck,” Charlie says.
My head snaps up, and I open my mouth, ready to rip my brother a new one when I see him grin.
I glare at him. Bastard’s trying to bait me. It’s working.
“She’s a beautiful girl.” I shrug, channeling all the nonchalance I can. “Ain’t for me.”
“Since when?” Charlie lifts a smug brow. “She’s—”
“Don’t say it,” I warn.
“Your type,” Davis finishes, his eyes narrowing.
“Yeah, she’s really fucking cute, and she’s an absolute nightmare.” I lift the guestbook. “How’s the rest of the season look?” I ask, hoping to distract them away from pointed questions about Reese.
But they don’t bite.
“Have you kissed her yet?” Davis demands.
Almost.
“Fuck off,” I snap, feeling combative.
Charlie laughs. “Holy shit, you haven’t.”
“Have you tried?” Davis asks.
I give my brothers another frosty glare. “We’re friends.”
A snort from Davis.
Charlie’s eyebrows shoot to the sky. “Friends? When was the last time you’ve been friends with a woman?”
Never. I’ve never been friends with a single woman. It’s downright torturous staying away from Reese.
“Girl’s got secrets,” Charlie says. “I’m not sayin’ it’s a bad thing, but it’s her thing. And maybe you ought to know, Ford.”
I blow out a breath, hating the reminder that she’s hiding something. Hating the fact that I want to know. “Since when did you get so smart?”
“Since you shut the fuck up,” he retorts, lifting his coffee cup to his bearded lips.
“Yeah, well, we’re gonna figure that out soon.” I drum a hand on the desk and look at Davis. “Your contact came through. He’s going to get the information to us soon.”
I got the email this morning after I showered, jerking off so vigorously to Reese that I saw stars.
Davis looks unimpressed. “Hope it helps.”
Me too.
“Got something I want to talk to y’all about.” Charlie rotates his chair to face both me and Davis. “Floyd Gunderson’s farm is up for sale.”
Currently, Floyd lets us use the land known as Old Mill’s Farm to graze our cattle. The farm is a thirty-acre spread right next door to Runaway Ranch.
Charlie arches a dark brow. “Could be good for us. Let us expand.”
“I have enough expansion.” Chuckling, Davis swivels his head to me. “What about you?”
With Reese here, I haven’t given Jim Donovan’s offer much thought.
The two-way radio crackles, and Sam’s voice floats through the speaker. “ Can we get a medic on-site? ”
“Shit,” Charlie swears, head jerking up.
“ Pasture two. Jane took a spill. ”
Panic twists in my throat like a blade, and the rational part of my brain shuts off.
Without waiting for a word from my brothers, I drop everything and run.
It feels like an eternity before I spot Reese. She’s sitting on the grass near the training pen, her basket of eggs overturned and her sunglasses lying beside her hand. Sam and a few ranch hands and guests circle her.
“What happened?” I shove my way through them before dropping to my knees beside Reese.
“I was leaving the pen, and the gate dropped too soon.” Her face is pale.
I look up at Sam, ready to strangle him. “Those gates were supposed to be fixed weeks ago.”
Reese hisses as I extend her right arm. Above her wrist, on her forearm, is a bloody slash.
“You’re okay,” I murmur, mostly to reassure myself.
She nods. Squeezes her eyes shut. “I hate the sight of blood.”
I lift my baseball cap so I can see her better. “We need to get you bandaged up, Birdie.”
Her eyes widen. “Birdie?” Her full mouth parts in a smile. “Whatever happened to princess? Honey? Brat?”
Dry-mouthed, I scrape a hand through my hair. The slip-up is damn embarrassing.
“Birdie suits you better.” I tug on her braid. “You came here to give me a heart attack, didn’t you?”
Her smile is soft. “I’m keeping you on your toes, Country Boy.”
Voices sound above us.
“Is she okay?”
“You look familiar? Do I know you?”
Reese flinches as several guests crowd around us.
“No,” I snap. “You don’t know her.” I move closer to Reese, tucking her protectively against my chest.
“I have a kit in the garage. I’ll take care of it,” I tell Sam, wanting Reese away from prying eyes.
“Ford,” she whispers. Worry in her beautiful green eyes.
“I got you, baby.”
She doesn’t argue as I pick her up in my arms and make the trek to the garage.
As soon as we’re inside, I gently place her on the workbench. She waits there while I hunt for a first aid kit.
My heart beats heavily in my ears as waves of pent-up anger sweep over me.
My head is fucked up. I never should have turned her loose on the ranch. I’m responsible for her. Those gates could have crushed her.
Finding nothing, I swear. Slam a drawer.
“You’re acting awful angry, Country Boy.” She sounds amused.
“I’m pissed,” I say, strain evident in my voice as I try to keep my cool.
“At me?”
I blow out a slow breath. “No, Reese, not at you.”
“Well, I’m pissed.” She wrinkles her nose. “I broke my eggs.”
I want to laugh at the grumpy expression on her face. I also want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her. Hell, she gives me butterflies, but she’s also guaranteed to give me high blood pressure.
“Eggs are the least of your worries.” My eyes land on her bloody arm. “You almost got crushed to death by a fucking gate.”
Finally, I find a first aid kit in a toolbox.
“Let me see.” Gripping her wrist, I extend her arm. The cut isn’t deep, thank Christ. As I reach out to clean it, I run a thumb across her bangles. The thin skin on the inside of her wrist.
Paling, she jerks away. “It’s fine. I’ll do it myself.”
Frustrated, I drop the kit onto the workbench. “Goddamn it, woman, you never let anyone help you, do you?”
With her back to me, she digs into the kit, then haphazardly slaps a bandage on her arm. Shitty work. Just like her attitude.
She sucks in an impatient breath and juts her chin. “I don’t need your help.”
My jaw tightens at the haughty tone of her voice.
This is why she turns me on. One minute we’re friends. The next, she’s pushing my buttons every chance she gets.
“I’ve had people helping me my entire life,” she says with a toss of her braids. “That’s why I’m here to help myself.The last thing I need is you.”
My chest feels like a bullet just tore through it. That fucking emerald gaze of fire burns into me as she stands and pushes past me for the door, but I’m on her heels.
“Drop the attitude.” I catch her by the hips and pull her against me. She gasps and wiggles in my firm hold.
“Rude,” she snaps.
I spin her around. “You need a little rude in your life. You also need a goddamn spanking.” For a moment, only the sound of our ragged breaths. “Cut the tantrum shit out right now,” I growl. “And sit your ass down.”
With a defiant huff of breath, she stares at me. “No.”
There’s something in my ribcage. A taut string. And the minute she steps into me, it snaps.
The fire between us finally combusts.
This maddening woman.
Fuck it.
I grip the back of her neck and slam her mouth to mine.
Reese clutches me tightly in her arms, and her lips return the kiss with startling urgency.
I melt into the kiss, my hand clasping the back of her neck to keep her against my lips. She tastes like I expected. Dangerous.
Deadly.
Goddamn exciting.
Kissing Reese is like soaking my soul in gas and setting my heart on fire.
Before I’m ready for it to end, Reese pulls away from me, her plump lips a pink pout. “We can’t do this,” she murmurs. Her lower body shifts against me.
Torturously.
“We can,” I rasp. The arch of her body into mine. The flare of her nostrils. I read her signals loud and clear. “We can, Birdie Girl.”
I drop my face into her throat and walk her backward until she reaches the side of the Chevy. I don’t need to hear the reasons we shouldn’t do this. I already fucking know them.
She’s twenty-six, I’m thirty-seven. She’s a rock star, I’m a fucking mechanic. She’s my employee, I’m her boss.
So many things are wrong between us, but it feels so right.
I’ve wanted this girl since she walked onto the ranch.
One taste of her and this obsession will be out of my system.
I press her against the Chevy and lean in, dragging my mouth across her throat. “You want it as bad as I do?”
With a whimper, she rakes her nails through my hair. “Yes,” she gasps, her words music to my ears. “Yes, God, yes. I want you.”
“That’s not my name, honey, so let’s try it again.”
Her long lashes flutter. “Ford,” she whispers.
Without taking my gaze off her, my hands run along her creamy skin. Thighs. Hips. Throat. “I’m gonna break you, baby. But in the best kind of way.”
She arches her back as my palms slide beneath her tank top. Her mouth parts in a perfect O . I yank her tank top down, exposing full, beautiful breasts and perky, pink nipples.
I edge back, taking her in, and stop breathing. She’s always stunning, but she’s absolutely breathtaking in my garage, half-naked, with nothing between us.
Perfect in every fucking way.
“Christ,” I mutter, my eyes drinking in every soft curve. “Baby, your tits look so fucking good.”
She writhes against me. Her hand goes to my jeans, cupping my erection, eager and anxious.
It makes me chuckle. Makes me hard as hell.
I dip my head and close my mouth over one pink nipple. Reese goes limp in my arms, her nails digging into the meat of my shoulder. She presses herself closer, plumping her breast in my mouth. Gently, I bite her nipple, and she releases a half-cry, half-moan.
I slide off her shorts and panties, her flawless body glowing in the soft lights of the garage. Blood surges to my cock. She’s all golden curves and wild, unraveled hair. She’s never looked more beautiful. I’m ruined. Absolutely ruined.
“Turn around,” I order.
Reese nods, her eyes glued to my face, then complies with my demand.
I grin, about to deliver on what I promised her.
I pin her bangled wrists in one hand and let my other hand fly, smacking her ass. Reese gasps and arches up on her toes. Eyes fluttering shut, she dips forward against the Chevy, releasing a small moan.
Ass still up.
Goddamn.
The realization sends a hot rush of blood to my cock. She likes it.
I spank her again, reddening that silky ass of hers and drawing another cry from her lips. “Be a good girl and take it.”
Her chest rises and falls. A feline smile curves her lips as she glances over her shoulder and husks, “Who says I’m good?”
Fuck me.
My cock punches against the zipper of my jeans.
One more bite of my palm against her bare ass, and I turn her to face me.
“I’m going to fuck you like a cowboy, honey. Treat you like a princess.” Her eyes are green orbs in the hazy light of the garage. “But first, let me touch you.”
Panting, she spreads her trembling legs.
I drop my hand and fit two fingers inside of her, watching the way her stomach sucks in, the little shivers that run through her.
So goddamn wet. Drenched.
“Birdie Girl,” I hum. “You feel as good as you look.”
She sucks me in deeper, vise-like. My fingers worship her. The scent of her arousal whips through the air, driving me insane. Feral.
“Ford.” A sob falls from her mouth.
She’s a wild little thing in my arms, writhing like she’s never had a good fuck. Which I intend to rectify. When she leaves this ranch, there will be no doubt in her pretty little head about who fucked her the best. She’ll never forget this cowboy.
“I know, baby. I know.” I settle my hips against hers, driving my hard-on against her bare pussy. I graze my mouth against hers. “It aches, doesn’t it?”
In response, she lets out a soft whine. A sexy sound that has all my control deserting me.
“You want more?” We’re both fucking famished for each other.
She whimpers and knots my shirt in her hands. “I need you. In me. Now, Ford.”
Grinning, my hands go to my back pockets.
“Fuck.” I freeze. “I don’t have a condom.”
“I’m clean,” she gasps. “I can’t have kids.”
That stops me for a minute. “We’re gonna come back to that,” I growl. Not sure why I say it. Not sure why I care.
“Kids right now . I have an IUD,” she murmurs, tugging on my lower lip with her teeth. “That’s one thing I know is in my contract. Gavin’s orders.”
What the fuck?
Before my mind can spin out of control, before anger can rise up, Reese grabs me and kisses her way down my throat. She’s everywhere. A flash of gold, trembling breath, and warm skin.
Groaning, my head falls back as she attacks my belt buckle, then my zipper. Her hands feel like flames as they stroke over my rock-hard cock.
The way she works me over, the perfect friction, drives me fucking wild. I attack her pouty mouth, kissing her like she’s my last breath. It’s like the moment before a big pitch—complete tunnel vision. Reese is all I see.
I’m fucking shaking. I want to take her in every way possible.
The old Chevy groans as I lift her and pin her against the side of the car, one arm beneath her hips to keep her steady. I fist my cock and guide it between her trembling thighs. Right into her tight little pussy.
“Fuck,” I growl, beginning to pump. “Fuck me.” I practically gasp for air as she squeezes me so perfectly. Reese is even better than I imagined. Better than my dream girl. Better than any woman I’ve had in the last seven years.
Reese cries out, her hair a golden halo as her head falls back, exposing the column of her delicate throat.
“Every inch of me fits you perfectly.” I bear down harder, pumping away. “Perfection, baby. So fucking tight. So fucking drenched.”
Her glazed eyes find mine, and her slender arms loop lightly around my neck. “More, Ford. Faster .” She lets out a husky growl that spurs me on.
I drive myself harder, thrusting into her heat. She’s so fucking slippery, her pussy sucking me in, my balls pounding off her supple ass. It’s a dream. It has to be.
“Fuck,” I grit out in between frantic kisses. “Look at me slip-sliding in the gorgeous mess all over your thighs.”
Together, we look down at where we’re joined. My heart buckles at the sight. Too perfect for words. Pulling out slightly, I drag a finger through her soaked pussy.
Reese’s pleased whimpers are music to my ears. So sexy it’s criminal.
My gaze settles on the necklace I gave her, and I gently wrap my hand around her throat. I squeeze lightly, relishing the arch of her slender body. Relishing the fact she still wears my necklace.
“Come inside of me,” she whispers, digging her nails into my back. “Like a good country boy.” Her smile is teasing, torturous.
I ignite, and a roar thunders from my lungs. I’m ravenous for this girl. Don’t know how I’ve stayed away this long.
I slam back into her, thrusting frantically, holding her tight, bearing down, like I can absorb every perfect part of this girl.
She gasps, shudders, and then she’s coming.
She screams my name. My name. It’s the voice of an angel. And it fucking terrifies me.
I like it too goddamn much.
My orgasm isn’t far behind. I roar my release, shaking violently as it flows through me. Starbursts plume behind my eyes.
Dream girl. My fucking dream girl.
Breathing hard, I kiss her temple before slowly slipping out and lowering her back onto her feet. She sways once, then smiles.
Need has me gathering her against me. I cup her cheek and stroke a thumb over her pouty lips. Searching her eyes, I take in every inch of her gorgeous face. “You good, Birdie?”
“I’m good.” A rosy flush stains her cheeks. “You?”
“Better than.” I yank up my jeans and grab a clean paper towel off the workbench. After wiping the mess from her thighs, I help her get dressed, then settle her onto a stool.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I say, nodding at the first aid kit. “And that includes the arm.”
With her lips pursed, she listens instead of argues.
As I clean and bandage her arm, Reese looks up at me. “So…what does this mean?” She bites her lip, seeming reluctant. “One time, right?”
My heart rate kicks up, the idea like a detonation in my chest.
It’s then that I realize I’m a fucking fool if I think I can stay away from her.
I shrug. “Could keep it casual.”
Her face lights up. “Sure,” she agrees. “No strings.”
Thank Christ. The relief I feel at keeping this going is borderline embarrassing.
Hell, it looks like red flags and beautiful girls are destined to run in my DNA.
Satisfied her arm is properly bandaged, I snip the end of the gauze. “Just friends for the summer,” I say, taping the bandage.
She giggles. “Friends. Do we shake on it?”
I laugh, lean down, and kiss her lips. “Bluebird, I think we just did.”