CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ALEX
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ALEX
We’re sitting out on the heated patio for lunch, watching the quiet town. I take a bite of my pimento grilled cheese and sweet potato fries, while Finley dives into his chicken and waffles.
“I have to say,” he says between bites, “your peppered sourdough bread? Seriously, that’s amazing.”
I feel a little glow in my chest. Hearing him rave about something I made… it’s a good feeling.
We dive into planning the festival contest menu. After a few laughs and bites, we settle on hot honey turkey sliders on my peppered sourdough rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, and a cup of loaded sweet potato tater tots.
“I think we have this in the bag,” I say, looking at him.
He grins. “Oh, we’re winning no doubt about it.” He pauses for a moment, then continues. “Although, Annalise and her apple pie might be a close contender.”
“Oh shoot, I completely forgot to text her about selling her canned goods at the store,” I say, shaking my head.
Finley tilts his head, eyebrow raised. “Really? You’d do that for her?”
“Absolutely!” I say. “Her stuff is amazing. It would fly off the shelves.”
He smiles at me and goes back to finishing his food.
I watch him for a moment, still a little in shock. Finley—the grumpy, brooding farmer—sitting across from me, laughing.
Part of me wonders if he’ll snap back into his usual ornery self, or if this will last. Will he disappear, ghost me like the rest… or does he actually want something more?
My pulse quickens at the thought—me and Finley… together? I can’t help imagining it. A lot of things are changing in my life lately, and I’m twenty-four. Maybe it’s finally time to actually try a mature, healthy relationship. Something real.
I glance out into the street and spot one of those horse-drawn carriages the tourists always love. I can’t help but grin from ear to ear.
Finley glances over at me. “Do you like horses?”
“I love horses!” I say, a little bit too eagerly.
We gather our things and stroll down the street, stopping in a few of the shops that line the sidewalk.
Finley insisted on buying me whichever book I picked up while we wandered Nook & Fable.
Eventually we make our way back to his truck. Once inside, he pulls out his phone, taps at it briefly, then sets it down.
I look at him curiously. “So… what are we doing next?” I ask.
He smirks, “It’s a surprise.”
After talking about our hobbies, favorite foods, movies, and music, we finally pull up to a house on a big stretch of land.
It looks like we’re not too far from the farm. It’s a beautiful little place—charming, modest, farmhouse style.
We hop out of the truck and start heading toward the barn off to the left. Most of the snow has melted, though it’s still cold, at least the sun’s out.
A man steps out of the barn “hey, boss,” he calls.
I glance at Finley. Oh, it’ Annalise’s husband. I wonder what we’re doing here.
“The ole lady is working the flea market today,” the man says, “I’m Dakota, Annalise has told me all about you.”
I turn to Finley, smiling. Dakota pats him on the shoulder and says, “Have fun, boss.”
I tilt my head at him, and he just smiles again. “Come on,” he says, and we step into the barn.
My eyes widen. Horses. Everywhere. All different colors and sizes. I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. I walk over to the palomino, letting my hands brush its soft face.
Finley watches me for a moment before saying, “That’s Ginny.”
I look up at her and whisper, “Hi, Ginny,” rubbing her snout, feeling that rush of warmth and happiness that comes from being around horses.
I wander through the barn, stopping at every stall, running my hands along each horse’s nose—the ones that let me, anyway.
By the time I finish greeting the last stall, Finley has Ginny and a large blue roan mare ready. He’s standing beside them, smiling.
“Ready?” He asks.
I blink at him, a little wide-eyed. “We’re… really gonna ride them?”
He nods and waves me over to Ginny’s side. My pulse quickens as I approach them.
“Have you ridden a horse before, princess?” Finley asks, his eyes on me as he loops the reins over the horn of the saddle.
“Yup,” I say, “loads of them. It’s been a while, but I’ve got enough experience.”
He nods, “good.”
He reaches out, helping me onto Ginny. Once I’m settled, he swings up onto the blue roan with ease. He rubs the neck of his horse, “This is Mary,” he says.
“Nice to meet you, Mary,” I say.
The hillside stretches out around us, fields of gold and brown stretching as far as I can see. The trees are shades of red and brown, leaves crunch under our horses’ hooves as we ride along the dirt path.
We talk about everything—my favorite books, my friends, my family. I can’t believe he actually cares to listen, really listen. It’s… refreshing. Almost unbelievable, the way he seems genuinely interested in the things I care about.
After a while, we stop on top of a hill. The horses nicker softly as we dismount, and Finley pulls a rolled blanket from his saddle. He spreads it out on the grass, patting it like it’s an invitation.
We sit down, shoulders almost touching, and I watch the sun drift lower in the sky. The light spills across the fields like molten gold.
I turn to him, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “The view is beautiful, Finley, thank you for today. I really needed a day like this.”
He looks at me, “the view is stunning, princess.”
I blush.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask.
He’s quiet for a moment, eyes fixed on the horizon. Then, he finally speaks. “Brown,” his voice low and certain.
I laugh. “Like dirt?”
He finally looks at me, one corner of his mouth lifting. “No. Like nature. Like life. Like the golden rays of sun on Thanksgiving morning.”
My cheeks warm instantly, and I look down, smiling.
He studies me for a second, then asks, “what about you?”
“Blue,” I say softly.
His hand inches closer to mine until our fingers touch. My breath stills and I turn toward him. For a long moment, neither of us say a word—we just study each other.
Then, before I realize I’ve moved, I’m in his lap, his arms wrapped around me. And he kisses me. It’s deep, it’s warm and full of passion.
His hand strokes my back as I run my hands through his thick beard.
A large, calloused hand trails up my spine, past the back of my neck and fists my hair, tilting my head back, exposing my throat.
His lips move from my mouth down to my neck, biting and sucking at the sensitive skin as a breathy moan escapes me.
I slide off him, removing my pants with urgency as he does the same. The chill nips at my bare ass cheeks until he’s there, lifting me, his warmth replacing the cold as I wrap my legs around him.
He walks us to the large oak tree, gently setting my back against its rough bark. His mouth crashes against mine, lips moving with urgency.
His hand is firm at my neck the other anchoring me to him—strong and possessive.
When his teeth catch my bottom lip, a gasp escapes me. He looks down at his thick engorged cock pressed against me. “Put it in,” he says, voice rough.
My hand moves between us, gripping the base of him as I guide it inside of me. I moan as he fills the space of my hole, the pain easing as he stretches me.
“Can we ever just fuck in a bed?” He asks.
I laugh, “Where’s the fun in that?” Then, my fingers twist in his hair, pulling him closer, deeper. I close my eyes and let out a slow breath, savoring every inch of him as he sinks deeper with every thrust.
“Yeah, you like it when I slam this fat cock deep inside your tight cunt?” He says through clenched teeth.
I nod, speechless, as sharp moans spill from my lips in time with each snap of his hips.
He moves his hand from my throat to the back of my head, gripping my hair and forcing my gaze down. “Rub your clit and watch me fuck that pretty hole of yours.”
His words, his roughness—it nearly sends me over the edge of sanity. I obey, moving my fingers in fast circles against my clit, watching him repeatedly slam into me.
Pleasure grips me, pulling me under in waves until it bursts, sending my body into trembling convulsions.
My legs shake, every nerve alive as ecstasy floods my veins. I melt into him as he relentlessly fucks me, harder and faster.
He grips my chin tilting my head back and leans in, his breath hot on my ear. “I’m gonna set you down, and you’re gonna drop to your knees and swallow my load like the good little cum slut you are.”
He pulls away, forcing my gaze to meet his. “Understood?”
“Yes,” I pant, barely able to get it out.
Right then he lowers me to the ground, and I instantly drop to my knees, eager to obey.
He fists my hair and shoves his cock into my open mouth. After a few brutal thrusts, his hot liquid coats the back of my throat, filling my mouth until it seeps from the corners.
“Mmm, yes, good girl. Take it all.” He whispers, breathless, his chest heaving. He caresses the side of my face as I look up at him, mouth full of his cum. “Swallow, princess.”
He pulls out and runs his thumb over the corners of my mouth, gathering the last bit and shoving it into my mouth. “That’s it, every last drop, pretty girl.”
He helps me up, handing me my pants and a water bottle. “Now let's go get you some hot chocolate,” he says, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.