Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Cosmo
I pulled the truck into the yard at Red Rock, the sun dipping low and painting the hills orange as we rolled to a stop by the barn.
Geraldine sat next to me, her red top catching the light, and her legs stretched out after our taco run in town.
The day had been a blast because I watched her laugh at Carter crumbling under my charm, and then stuffed our faces at the stand and traded stories like we’d known each other forever.
My back twinged a little from hauling those feed sacks, but it was worth it to see her grin.
I cut the engine, and we climbed out, the air cooling off fast now that evening was creeping in.
“Good day,” I said, and stretched my arms over my head and winced as my spine popped. “You’re fun to drag around, you know that?”
“I’m glad I could entertain you,” she said and smirked, and brushed past me toward the house. “You’re not half bad yourself.”
I followed her up the porch steps and rubbed my lower back with one hand.
Those sacks were heavier than I’d let on, and the ache was settling in now that the adrenaline was gone.
We stepped inside, the kitchen quiet because Christian must’ve been out with the horses still, and Damian was probably buried in his paperwork.
I stopped at the base of the stairs and leaned against the wall, and kneaded my shoulder.
“Man, I’m beat,” I said and rolled my neck. “I had fun, though. You’re good company, Geraldine.”
She paused halfway up the stairs and looked back at me. “Are you okay? You’re moving like an old man.”
“I’m just sore,” I said and grinned and pressed my palm into my back. “Feed sacks got me good today. I’ll live.”
“Come in,” she said and nodded toward her room. “I’ll massage you. I’ll fix that up quick.”
“Nah, I’m fine,” I said and waved her off. “You don’t need to fuss over me.”
“Shut up and come on,” she said and kept climbing, her tone sharp but playful. “I’m not letting you limp around all night. It’ll take five minutes.”
I hesitated and kept my hand on my back, but her insistence won me over. “Alright, fine,” I said and followed her up, my boots thudding on the steps. “You’re bossy when you wanna be.”
“Someone’s gotta be,” she said and pushed her door open and stepped inside. I walked in after her, the room smelling faintly of her perfume, something sweet and light. She kicked her boots off and pointed at the bed. “Sit. Shirt off.”
“Demanding,” I said and laughed, but I tugged my shirt over my head and tossed it on the chair. My back was stiff, and I rolled my shoulders as I sat on the edge of the mattress, the quilt soft under me. She stood behind me and cracked her knuckles like she was gearing up for a fight.
“Relax,” she said and put her hands on my shoulders, her fingers warm and firm. She dug in and kneaded the tight spots, and I groaned and dropped my head forward.
“Damn, you’re good at this,” I said and felt the tension start to melt under her touch. “Where’d you learn that?”
“Practice,” she said, and worked her thumbs along my spine. “I’ve got a friend who’s always hunched over a desk. I had to figure it out.”
“Lucky me,” I said and closed my eyes as she pressed harder and hit a knot near my shoulder blade.
Her hands were steady and slid over my skin, and the ache eased up fast. But then her fingers trailed lower, slow and deliberate, and I felt a different kind of heat creeping in.
She moved to my side, her touch lighter now, and my breath hitched.
“You’re trouble,” I said, voice low, and kept my eyes shut. “That’s not a massage.”
“It’s whatever I want it to be,” she said and leaned closer, her breath brushing my neck. Her hands slipped around to my chest and then lower, and teased the waistband of my jeans. I shifted, the bed creaking, and she pressed herself against my back, her lips grazing my ear. “Are you still sore?”
“Not anymore,” I said, swallowing hard as her fingers dipped below the denim. She found me quickly. She moved slowly at first, her grip firm and warm, and I groaned louder and gripped the quilt. “Shit, Geraldine.”
“Shh,” she said and worked me faster, her other hand flat on my chest, and held me steady.
It was hot and messy, and I couldn’t think straight because her touch was everywhere and drove me nuts.
My hips bucked, and she kept going, her breath ragged against my skin.
I was close, too close, and I reached back to grab her thigh and wanted to pull her around.
“Nope,” she said and swatted my hand away, her voice sharp.
She didn’t stop, though, and I lost it, a rough sound tearing out of me as I came, her fingers coaxing me through it.
My head dropped, and my chest heaved, and she pulled back and wiped her hands on a towel from the chair like it was nothing.
“Jesus,” I said and caught my breath, and turned to look at her. She stood there and smirked, her cheeks a little pink but cool as hell. “You’re something else.”
“Good night, Cosmo,” she said and stepped toward the door and opened it. “Sleep tight.”
“Wait, what?” I said and pouted and was still buzzed and half-dazed. “That’s it? You’re kicking me out?”
“Yep,” she said and pointed at the hall. “Go.”
I stood, jeans still loose, and grabbed my shirt and pulled it on slowly just to mess with her. “You’re cruel,” I said and stepped closer, close enough to feel her heat again. “I can’t leave like that.”
“Too bad,” she said, but I leaned in fast and kissed her, hard and quick, and caught her off guard. Her lips parted, and she kissed me back for a second, soft and warm, before she pushed me off.
“Out,” she said and laughed and shoved me toward the door. “Nice try.”
“Worth it,” I said and grinned and stepped into the hall. “Night, Geraldine. Dream of me.”
“Dream on,” she said and shut the door in my face, the lock clicking.
I stood there and pouted for a bit, and then laughed under my breath and headed for my room.
My back felt good, my head was spinning, and that kiss lingered on my lips.
She’d played me like a fiddle, and I didn’t even mind.
I flopped onto my bed and was still grinning, and rubbed my shoulder where her hands had been. Damn, she was fun.
The house was quiet now, just the hum of the night settling in, and I kicked my boots off and stared at the ceiling.
That massage had turned into something else quickly, and I’d almost gotten her back.
Her “nope” echoed in my head, and I chuckled and rolled onto my side.
She was tough and kept me at arm’s length even after that, and I liked it.
It made me wanna try harder next time. I closed my eyes, the ache in my back gone and replaced by a different kind of buzz.
Sleep came easily, and yeah, I dreamed of her.