Epilogue
NASH
One week later
My daughter smiles at Diamond, excitement on her face. Today is her first riding lesson, and the smaller pony, Jessie, is still a little big for her, but I trust Diamond. Charlotte’s face lights up, and honestly? My kid’s a natural. She’s always been like this: fearless.
We thought it best that we introduce Charlotte to Diamond slowly, and the ranch was the perfect backdrop.
I know Charlotte was all gun-ho about me dating, but she’s seven.
Diamond and I both agreed that we need to get to know each other better because it’s a big step when kids are involved.
Not that I’m not ready; I am. I’m holding back because I want to give Diamond space and time.
The night she confessed about her own daughter being taken away made me not just sorrowful for her predicament, but I saw her in a whole new light.
Now I understand why she tries to save every woman who comes into her life.
In some ways, she sees her own child, and herself, in those women—some of them never had a voice. It makes me love her all the more.
Yeah, I’m kidding myself if I think this is just some fling that I’ll get over. There isn’t any getting over Diamond Velente. She’s the one for me. The more time we spend together, the more I know. The more I feel it in my bones.
The Lanzetti war may just be starting. No matter what happens, I will protect Diamond from anyone who tries to hurt her, this ranch, or her Stiletto Riders.
You could say I’ve fallen hook, line, and sinker for this raven-haired beauty, and I’m helpless to stop it.
“Daddy, Daddy!” Charlotte calls out as she holds the reins, a big grin on her face. She’s so cute all decked out in her riding gear. “Look at me!”
“I see you, honey!” I shout back, waving.
Diamond beams down at her. “I think Cookie really likes you.”
Diamond had to explain, over several giggles from Charlotte, that Cookie was indeed the horse’s real name.
It’s early days. I know that, but I can’t help but wonder what the future may hold. One thing is for sure… I’m not gonna let this woman go. She’s strong, capable—and sometimes downright scary—but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Our eyes meet across the ring, and I give her a chin lift.
“You’re next.” She points at me. “Don’t think for a second you’re getting out of this.”
I want to ride again. I want to do a lot of things, but mainly? I want to show Diamond just how much I love her.
Diamond
A week after that…
“You don’t make things fair on me,” I groan as Nash slides in and out of me. Because we’re taking things slow, we don’t meet up at his place—largely due to his seven-year-old daughter—and our newfound sex life revolves around mid-afternoon romps in the barn before school pickup.
“This would go a whole lot better if you’d agree to have dinner at my place,” he grunts. “Though you did promise shackles, and I’m yet to see them.”
He’s taking me from behind. My hands splayed on the barn wall, my jeans around my ankles, and my tits hanging out of my tank.
“That’s because we have to fuck quickly,” I remind him. “Anyway, you’re the one with handcuffs—”
“Don’t tempt me,” he mutters.
I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of his cock. And though we’ve had plenty of sex these last few weeks, we’ve also had many conversations.
He grips my hips tighter. It isn’t lost on me that we’re like a couple of horny teenagers, getting it whenever and wherever we can.
We were so pent up today, we didn’t even make it inside.
I always make sure Dustin isn’t around, which is a little hard because he lives adjacent to the stables, and the girls are busy, but Sapphire may have walked in on us last week and shrieked to high heaven. Now she knocks.
“Just there,” I cry out. “Nash, right there, don’t stop, don’t stop…” And then I’m climaxing.
He cups my tits, squeezing them hard as he stills and empties himself inside me. “Fuck, Princess,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my shoulder. “You are so damn beautiful from every angle.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I pant. “You know, ever since we met, I haven’t had to do any cardio. It’s fantastic.”
He chuckles. “Oh, if you wanted a workout, sweetheart, you know a marathon can be arranged.”
“Don’t tempt me with a good time.”
I smile as he pulls out of me, lifting his underwear and jeans. He cups my sex as he pulls my panties and jeans back up. “You get to stay like this,” he murmurs in my ear. “So you can feel what I did to you long after I’m gone.”
He tucks my tits into my tank, then spins me around.
“You’re a very bad man.” I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“I am, but you love me anyway.”
I blink, a lump in my throat. “I do,” I blurt. “I love you.”
His eyes widen. “For real?”
My lips part. “You can’t just say ‘for real’ when someone tells you they love you,” I start, but he shuts me up with a kiss.
It goes on and on, leaving me breathless when we pull apart.
“I loved you the first moment I saw you,” he admits, his voice low, his lips barely touching mine. “I just didn’t want to scare you off.”
“Never. You could never.”
“So, we’re official, then? You’re my girlfriend.”
I groan. “I think I’m a little old to be your girlfriend, Nash.”
“So, I’ll be your boyfriend, and you’ll be my hot piece of ass?”
I nip his chin. “Watch it.”
His smile only grows wider. “You and me, baby, we can make this work.”
“Yeah? Well, you’d better count on it because there is no other man in the world for me. That’s a promise.”
I mean every fucking word.