Chapter Eleven #2
“Hey, Harlyn,” I replied, my voice softer than I intended. “Hope I’m not too late for dinner.”
“Not at all,” she assured, leading me to the kitchen where the table was already set. The aroma of roasted chicken and vegetables wafted through the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation.
Harlyn placed a bowl of chicken on the floor and I watched as Sheba inhaled the goodness before making her way to where Harlyn kept a basket and bowl of fresh water for her in the living room. Any day now I was sure my dog would decide she’d rather be with the lady than with me.
As we sat down, the conversation flowed easily and before long I brought up the topic I was eager to hear about.
“How’s the calf doing?”
“Mira’s doing good and has been taking her feeds from Ebony, the name I’ve given mama, really well.”
“That’s great news,” I said, genuinely relieved, because being honest with myself, after the shock she must have suffered in the fall, I wasn’t sure she’d make it through the first twenty-four hours.
Harlyn nodded, her expression softening.
“It’s been distracting having her here, I want to sit and cuddle her all day, but I’ve given her and Ebony space to get used to each other.
Mira’s been up on her feet and is moving around a lot more.
Cash said if she continues to make progress over the next week we’ll be able to turn them both out in the pasture. ”
“Ebony comes when she’s called for feeds?”
Harlyn lowered her head and looked up at me with a guilty expression. “I’ve been tempting her with apples and bananas. Instead of wandering over in her own time, she now comes running.
I threw my head back and laughed. “Why doesn’t your spoiling her surprise me?
“Well…She is doing us a favor by taking care of Mira.”
I sat silent for a moment, watching Harlyn take a bite of chicken. When she noticed, she asked, “What?”
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“I reckon if you had your way all the animals here would be pets with names. You have a natural love and affinity for them.”
“I adore animals, no matter how big or small. Finn would never allow me to have a dog or cat, he said they were filthy creatures who had nothing to offer. That should have been my first clue that he wasn’t a person I wanted to know let alone become involved with.”
“Nothing stopping you from getting a dog now. The woman that bred Sheba often has litters. I could ask if she has any pups for sale if you like.”
“What breed is Sheba? Sorry, I’m not well versed in any outside labradors, poodles, or corgis.”
“Did your parents not allow you to have a dog growing up?”
Harlyn laughed. “Are you kidding? They barely tolerated me!”
“Oh…We always had dogs and cats around. Most were strays that just moseyed on in and decided to stay. Sheba is an Australian Shepherd.”
“She’s gorgeous colors and I love her icy blue eyes. How old is she?”
“She’s what’s called a red merle and just turned three. My last Aussie—Jack, died a little after his sixteenth birthday. They are super smart, easy to train and the best herding dogs there are in my opinion.”
“So, they come from Australia?”
“Nope. Supposedly they come from a merging of sheepdogs from Spain and Collies from Australia and New Zealand that were imported with sheep. That’s how they got the name. The breed originated in California in the 19 th century.”
“That’s interesting. Sheba seems to be as happy to lie around as she is to run.”
“Sheebs, my nickname for her, loves to run and more than that, she needs to run. Being cooped up would drive her mad. But she is happy lying around, being a lounge lizard at the end of the day.”
“Hmm, I think I’d be very interested if there are any pups available. Can you ask your friend and will you help me train one?”
“Of course. Male or female?”
“Not particular. I’ll love it no matter what.”
“I’ll give Macie a call in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. “I’ll do anything to help out…within reason of course. Or…maybe I would do anything,” I grinned.
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and for a moment, we just sat there, hands entwined, the unspoken connection between us growing stronger with each passing second.
After dinner, we moved to the porch, the evening air still warm as it brushed against our skin. We sipped at cool drinks and talked about everything and nothing as the stars twinkled in the dark sky overhead.
I took a large gulp of beer and sat for a moment, picking at the label.
“What’s on your mind, Jensen?” Harlyn asked, noticing I was distracted.
I turned sideways on the love seat and faced her, gathering the courage to ask the question I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer to but one that had been niggling at the back of my mind.
You’ve been here three months…”
“Three months, three weeks, and four days to be exact,” Harlyn interrupted with a smile.
“Summer’s done, although you wouldn’t know it. I think Mother Nature is off her meds,” I chuckled.
Harlyn sipped at her soda and said, “Spit it out, Jensen.”
“Are you going to stay or is what we’re doing short term?”
Harlyn twisted the soda bottle back and forth in her hands, fixing her gaze on the label.
I felt an ache begin in my chest. When she fixed her eyes on mine, I knew she was leaving…
But hang on, why was she speaking about getting a dog if she didn’t intend staying?
I waited…Hoping. If I’d been religious I’d have been saying a prayer.
“When I first arrived and saw the state of the place, my only intentions were to fix it up and sell for the best possible price. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the land, the people, the animals…” She put her bottle on the ground, took the beer from my hand and set it alongside the soda, and gathered both of my hands.
“With you, Jensen. I’ve fallen in love with you. ”
Tears of happiness burned my eyes as I pulled her against me and kissed the ever-loving fuck out of her. When we drew apart to catch our breath, I admitted, “I love you too. I want a future with you by my side.”
We kissed again. “Bed,” Harlyn said breathlessly.
She squealed when I swept her into my arms and wrapped her arms around my neck as I carried her inside and upstairs to her bedroom.
“Stay, Sheebs,” I called as we passed her on the way to the steps. Harlyn giggled when my dog didn’t lift her head in acknowledgement or even bat an eyelid.
I huffed and shook my head.
In the bedroom I placed Harlyn on her feet and slowly peeled each item of clothing from her. Working the ranch had caused her face and hands to turn a golden brown, in stark contrast to the creamy whiteness of the rest of her body.
Harlyn plucked open the buttons of my red plaid shirt and pushed it from my shoulders. Stepping back I removed my clothing piece by piece slow enough to make a stripper proud and Harlyn’s eyes smoldered with lust.
When she lowered her eyes to my dick and licked her lips, I almost came on the spot.
Stepping forward, she took me in hand and I groaned.
Harlyn was a picture of concentration as she fondled my length with one hand and my balls with the other.
The head of my dick, already an angry shade of purple, dribbled precum.
Harlyn looked me in the eyes, a mischievous glint dancing in her own. She jerked her head to the side, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement at the challenge in her gaze. What game was she playing now?
“Bed,” I demanded.
Harlyn lay on the bed, her body a canvas of desire, her skin flushed with a delicate pink hue. I settled on my knees by her side. Her breath hitched as my fingers traced the curve of one hip, sending shivers down her body that caused a waterfall of goosebumps to appear.
My every touch was deliberate, a slow exploration of her body, as I worked to ignite a fire within her.
Heat radiated from me as I pressed against her and my lips found hers in a hungry, passionate kiss, a collision of mouths that spoke of our unspoken longing.
Harlyn moaned softly, her hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer, trying to erase any distance between us.
The kiss deepened, our tongues entwining in a dance that mirrored the rhythm of our hearts.
My hands roamed over her body, exploring every inch with a reverence I hoped made her feel cherished.
My touch was firm yet gentle, attempting to set her skin on fire with every stroke.
Breaking away from her lips, I trailed kisses down her neck, my stubble rasping against her soft skin in a way that made her gasp. The roughness of my jawline contrasted with the tenderness of my kisses against her silky softness.
Harlyn tilted her head back, exposing her neck further, a silent invitation for me to continue.
I nipped at her collarbone, my teeth grazing her skin just enough to make her shiver.
My hands cupped her breasts, both thumbs circling her nipples with a precision that caused Harlyn to writhe.
She arched into my touch, her breasts swelling beneath my palms, her nipples hardening into tight peaks.
“You’re so beautiful…so perfect,” I murmured against her skin, my voice a low rumble.
Harlyn’s breath quickened when I leaned forward and lowered my mouth to her breast. My tongue swirled around her nipple, teasing and tantalizing, before sucking it gently between my lips.
She moaned, her hands gripping the sheets as I lavished attention on her, my mouth moving with a rhythm that was both deliberate and urgent.
I alternated between soft licks and firm nips, driving her wild with desire.
One hand fondled her other breast, kneading and caressing, ensuring she felt every ounce of my devotion.
As I moved further down her body, my tongue traced a path down her stomach, both hands roamed her body with a possessiveness that had her pulse racing beneath my fingertips.
My fingers found her center, the touch both confident and tender.
While my fingers slid in and out of her with a rhythm that was both steady and relentless, one thumb circled her clit and Harlyn’s hips bucked against my hand.
Her breath came in short gasps as I built her pleasure with every stroke.
I watched as her orgasm built like a tightening coil of tension deep within her.
“Jensen…” she whispered, her voice hoarse with desire.
I looked up, seeing the hunger within her eyes, before replacing the fingers with my mouth. My tongue licked and sucked her clit, while the fingers continued their relentless rhythm inside her.
Harlyn’s body convulsed as waves of pleasure washed over her and her cries of ecstasy filled the room. She was lost in the sensation, her eyes clenched closed.
As her orgasm subsided, I slid back up her body, my lips finding hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. I positioned myself at her entrance, my eyes locking with hers, feeling raw with emotion. “I need you, Harlyn,” I growled, my voice thick with desire.
She wrapped her legs around me, pulling me deep, our bodies joining in a primal, passionate dance.
I entered her slowly, my eyes never leaving hers, as if seeking permission to claim her entirely.
The sensation of filling her was overwhelming, a perfect fit that made her gasp.
Our breaths mingled as I began to move, my thrusts steady and deliberate, our bodies slick with sweat.
Harlyn moaned as another orgasm built and moments later her body tensed as pleasure washed over her once more.
My thrusts became more urgent, my breath coming in short gasps as I lost myself in the rhythm of our bodies. Our movements were synchronized, a dance of flesh and desire that spoke of a deep connection. Harlyn dug her heels into my back, urging me deeper, her nails raking the skin.
It was too much. Tingling washed over my swollen balls, my dick pulsed, and I almost squeezed the life out of Harlyn as I blew apart.
Spent, I slipped my dick out of her, and rolled off to one side, taking Harlyn with me. I held her in my arms, pondering how fate had brought us together.