Chapter 5 #2
The drive and digging Eve out of the mud took a hell of a lot of energy, more than I expected. I devoured my food before I bothered answering the man I'd developed a strong dislike for.
“As long as it takes.” Forever, asshole.
“You got family up this way?” Why are you here?
“Only the people in this room.” Keep your hands and eyes to yourself.
“Good to know there’s a measure of trust already established. Don’t fuck with what I have.
“I’ve got a history with Red Hart.” I sat back and sipped the beer Jude handed me, sliding onto the long bench seat at my side to solidify my claim in silence.
The unspoken conversation Joe and I hosted died a quick death.
I hoped he got what he looked for from his probing, as much as I took from his side.
The silent run of messages were a two way street.
Jude leaned back with his arms folded, his eyes closed as men finished up with their plates and began to disperse for the evening.
“Ten minutes, tops. Get your shit and get out. Leave the lady of the house alone for the night,” he called, his voice rasping with disuse.
“Does that include you?” Joe stopped beside us, seemingly unwilling to let the conversation drop. Someone sniggered nearby as I held his gaze and let my beer bottle rotate slowly in my hand.
“I have business with Archer.” Eve appeared on my other side.
The beer slipped from my hand, hers grazing mine as she took a sip.
“But Jude’s right. The big house is closed for the night.
There’s a few things I need to catch up on.
” Her gaze swept around the table until it landed on me. “You. Stay.”
Jude’s hand clapped my shoulder. He leaned in. “Good luck. I’ll see if she’s mauled you in the morning.”
“Fuck off,” I muttered back under my breath without any heat.
The rest of Joe’s crew filed out of the house, their conversation raucous. I never shifted from my seat on the bench, not until the last man left the house, Jude shooing them out of the ranch’s double doors. Only then did I start to rise, my plate in my hands.
“Sit,” Eve ordered abruptly. “I didn’t tell you to go anywhere.”
I returned to my seat as she stood over me. “I thought we had a different conversation before, honey.”
Her hand grazed across my shoulders before she took Jude’s spot beside me, sitting with her legs tucked beneath her, facing outwards, opposite the way I did. “We did. I’m just… I’m so tired, Archer.”
She turned her head to face me, some of her hair tumbling out of the messy bun she’d tied it into over dinner. I risked capturing one, winding the silky strand around my finger. Breath stalled in my chest with her so close that I couldn't take another.
“I know, honey. You want me to sleep down here so you know you’re safe tonight?” It was a poor offer. I would have done it anyway, and we both knew that.
“Maybe.” Her fingers twisted in her lap. I fought the urge to draw her closer. “The house is always so quiet now.”
“You kicked them out,” I said reasonably.
“But they aren’t the company I want.” She faced me in full, pulling her hair from my grip, angling one knee up on the bench. “What happened, Rhys? What changed when I wasn't looking?” Her eyes widened, searching my face for answers that I couldn't give her.
“I don’t know, honey. But I promised I’d stay, and I’m not leaving you alone again, alright? I promise you, Eve,” I said in a low voice. “Not even if you kick me out. I’m here.”
“But I’m not the girl you can have forever with,” she whispered, her pretty eyes shimmering until the burnt cinnamon color was consumed amongst a sea of shattered hazel.
I cupped a hand at her nape, massaging small circles there until her eyes closed. The tears she’d held at bay spilled over. I brushed those away carefully with the pad of my thumb. “You want to tell me something, Evie?” I murmured. “Anything at all?”
She shook her head, denying what I knew was coming. My stomach clenched, waiting on the inevitable. “I—”
But she couldn't. What wasn’t said hung between us. I slid my hands around her as she stilled, letting me lift her onto my lap. I kept every movement slow and even, giving her plenty of time to push me away or tell me no. She never did, even when I checked in with her.
“Eve, tell me to put you down any time, alright?” I kept my massage on her nape a constant.
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to stop.” The tears flowed harder as I nodded, pressing butterfly light kisses to her eyelids and cradled her to me.
“I’m not gonna let you go, honey. But I want to kiss you. You can say no—” I swore my heart broke on that offer alone. “—If you want. Anything you need to say no to, you go right ahead. Alright?"
She nodded, and tipped her head back. “Please?”
The sound that ripped from my throat was feral and low. I bit it back, unwilling to scare her. My mouth touched hers, the kiss soft and sweet and brief. I pulled back after the lightest contact, but she shook her head.
“More, Rhys. Like the night in your cabin.”
I breathed hard, every fantasy I’d had of this woman for the past minute coming true at once.
But she seemed so fucking fragile and the thought of hurting her scared me.
“Evie, I don't want to cross any boundaries with you.” I nuzzled at her throat as she moaned for me, twisting on my lap, seeking my mouth.
I finally let our lips contact again, gliding my tongue across the seam of her mouth.
She gasped for me, arching in my arms. I let out the groan I’d been holding back, and covered her mouth with mine, pushing my way inside.
Just the thought of being close to her was intoxicating, The feel of Eve beneath my hands became my new religion.
I pulled her body against mine, needing to feel her closer.
The warmth of her body seeped into mine.
“Christ, I need you,” I rasped into her mouth.
The tip of her tongue flicked against mine, her soft sigh as she let me in, sending a shot of pure need straight to my cock.
Her breasts pressed into my hands, and I played with a taut nipple, plucking and pinching until she writhed in a hot mess over my legs.
I flicked one button on her dress, then the next, rubbing her cheek with my chin, the rasp of my stubble enough to draw a gasp from her.
I dipped my head to lick her exposed cleavage, sucking on her flesh hard enough to mark.
Eve moaned for me, holding me to her as I sucked her nipple free from the material and flicked it with my tongue. She moaned, twisting beneath my ministrations. The dress material twisted as I pulled on it and raised my head.
“Eve, let me take you upstairs. Somewhere better than this—” I gestured to the long table with its hard wooden benches.
Eve’s hands on my chest, pushing back were a douse of cold water.
“Stop,” she murmured, shoving backwards.
I caught her before she fell off my lap, helping her readjust her dress. “Eve,” I rasped, near shaking my head to clear it. “I scared you. I’m sorry. That was too fast.”
“No. I shouldn’t have. I know better.” She stared up[ at me still panting. “I just— I miss human contact so much. I miss you.”
I frowned at the double negative, trying to work out what she needed most. “Last time we were together in Texas, I damn near proposed to you.” I traced the bare skin at her throat. “I gave you a necklace made for you. That was my promise I’d be back. Remember?”
Her hand raised to cover my fingers. “I remember,” she whispered. “I don't wear it, I’m scared it will break and that matters.”
My rapid heartbeat slowed a little. “I get that, Eve. But wear it. For me, if you want. Please?” I leaned in, hesitated, and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
Her sharp inhale left me spinning as her lips parted and she licked my bottom lip.
“Eve…fuck,” I cursed, pulling her closer. “If we keep going I'll take you upstairs and we’re gonna end up in your bed, honey. I can take it slow for so long but… Hell.”
Eve kept exploring, running her hands along my chest, licking at my mouth. “You taste sweet.”
I growled, lifting her to straddle my hips and pushed myself up to stand. “Remember what I said about your bed, honey?"
She made a soft sound in the back of her throat that I took to mean that she didn’t object to me carrying her up the stairs.
I took each step carefully. One arm wrapped around her as I walked, still kissing her.
Every time our lips and tongues met, our kisses grew rougher.
Sure, we started slow but as every time with Eve, my control frayed.
I kissed her harder until we crashed into the door of her room—fuck, I hoped it was her room.
“Is this one yours?” I asked, breaking the kiss long enough to give her air.
“Mmhmm.” She glanced about to give me confirmation, then her tongue slid back into my mouth.
I groaned, my cock pressing hard against her heat that rubbed my jeans. The denim dress she wore hiked around her hips, flowing over her bare knees. I gripped beneath her thighs, holding her tight to me as I kicked the door open and found her bed, lying her down onto it.
“Tell me to stop, Eve. If you don't, you know this changes everything.”
“I need you tonight, Rhys.”
I stared down at her in the darkness, light filtering in through the doorway from downstairs. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful. I've thought about you every damn day,” I murmured, spreading her thighs wide with my legs, settling into her heat.
She arched for me as I worked the buttons on her dress, her hands tugging at my shirt. Desperation drew us both forward, our kisses hot and rough, open mouthed and wet licks. She shivered and panted as I ground against her.
“Fuck, beautiful. You’re gonna come for me already?”
Eve mewled beneath me as I spread her dress open, baring swollen breasts and the swell of her soft tummy.
I dipped my head, sucking and licking her nipples as I rubbed against her, the seam on my jeans grinding against her clit.
She shivered, whimpering as heat and the scent of sex flooded her bedroom.
“Christ.” I swore, releasing her nipple with a pop and slid my fingers along the dampness spreading over her panties. “That was fast, honey. Can you do that again with my fingers inside you?”
Her answering moan left me hard enough to disgrace myself. I coated my fingers in her slick and slid two inside her. Eve’s pussy clenched down as I drove her to the next edge. Her cries shattered around the room, her tight body milking my hand as I worked her over.
I growled my own need, shucking my shirt off. “Lie back, honey. I’m not done yet." I knelt between her legs, throwing one curved thigh over my shoulder.
Eve’s hands tangled in my hair as I licked her pussy, cleaning her orgasm from her swollen flesh.
The sweet scent of her permeated the room, leaving my head spinning.
I swore I’d come in my jeans at the mere thought of sinking into her, but I kept my head in the game, focusing on the task before me.
Her thighs clamped around my head as I lapped at her folds gently, focusing on her sensitive spots.
“Please, Rhys,” she screamed, as I sucked on her clit, flicking the nub back and forth. “Please—”
I flicked her clit again, sliding a finger inside her pussy. She came hard for me, soaking her sheets.
“Such a good girl,” I praised her.
Sliding in beneath her boneless body, I tossed her clothes out of the way, tucking her naked body against mine. The quilt had slid a long way down. I hooked that with my foot, pulling it over us, and pulled my shirt back on, leaving it unbuttoned as I cradled Eve to my chest.
“Archer?” she murmured, pressing her lips to my chest.
“Shh, honey. Sleep.”
“Mm. Why aren’t you—”
I smiled, stroking her hair gently as I tucked her into me and closed my eyes, propped up against the headboard. “Sleep, Eve. I promised you that I’m not gonna leave you. And if you want that every night, then I’ll give you that.”
“But I want–”
“Go to sleep, honey," I said firmly, knowing that was exactly what she wanted. If she kept asking I might not have the strength to not roll her over and fuck us both into blissful oblivion. “Take what you need from me.”
“I’ll tell you what I need,” she grumped at me prettily.
Her breaths deepened and with the amount of orgasms her body took from me, she dropped into sleep within scant minutes. Eve curled around me, her warmth and scent the sweetness I stole a few hours’ sleep rest with my arms wrapped around the woman I loved.