Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Mason
I waited for Emma to show up, tacking up both Jess’s horse as well as my own. I hadn’t intended to invite her out for the ride. I just got caught up in the moment back at the Sweets and Eats. There was something about the woman that made me lose my senses…
And now I was gonna go on a damn horseback ride with her.
However, it didn’t have to amount to much, and we could just ride down to the cabin and back. Given that the cattle were being kept on the other side, it was the safest route. We were getting nowhere in the cattle rustling investigation, and so it was better to steer clear. I didn’t want to put Emma in danger.
“So… Going on a ride?” Lucas asked me, his tone flat as he appeared from the office. “You know there’s nothing left out there to find, right? You’ve gotten all the evidence you could possibly find.”
“I know that,” I snapped, shaking my head. “I’m just taking Emma on an evening ride.” Things had grown tense between the two of us for some reason, and as much as I wanted to just pretend like he hadn’t… Lucas had changed on me. He was acting odd.
“Emma, huh?” My best friend raised a brow at me. “I haven’t heard you mention her in a while.”
“Yeah, I ran into her today,” I said, trying to avoid giving him a straight answer. “She was interested in horses when she was at the barbeque, and so I thought she might enjoy an evening ride.”
He nodded. “I guess you’ll just have to see.” With that, he spun on his boots and disappeared back into his office, shutting the door.
So weird.
I had mentioned it to Jackson, too, but he said that it was probably just the stress of everything getting to him. Losing a hundred head of cattle was well over a hundred grand, and so yeah, it was probably stressful… But it didn’t explain why Lucas was shutting me out. He never did that.
About the time that I finished getting the horses completely ready, Emma appeared in the doorway, a nervous smile on her face. I swallowed hard as I took in the sight of her in a pair of bootcut jeans, a V-neck T-shirt, and her dark hair pulled back in a low ponytail. The woman could make anything look good.
“So, you’re gonna ride my horse Jett,” I said, holding out the reins to her as she walked toward me. “He’s the safest horse in this barn—well, the safest one that can still carry a full-grown person. Some of the retired horses still tote little kids around.”
“Are there kids around here that size?” Emma took the reins from me and began to stroke Jett’s neck.
“Yeah, one of the trainers gives lessons to kids. She only gives them a few times a week and on Saturdays, I believe.” I left Titan tied where he was and offered a hand to Emma. “You can go ahead and mount up here.”
She eyed me as she accepted my help, sticking her boot into the stirrup. “I rode English horses a long time ago.”
“Oh yeah?” I chuckled. “Well, these are American horses, but they still have manners.”
She tipped her head back in a laugh. “You know what I meant.”
“I did,” I admitted, trying to ignore the fire in her touch. Although she worked in a bakery, her hands were still soft, and I fought the urge to pull her mouth to mine.
“So where are we riding to?” she asked, tilting her head at me as she shifted in her saddle. “It won’t be long before it’s dark.”
“We’re just gonna ride to the cabin and back. It’s a pretty easy trail and won’t take too long. It also keeps us away from…” my voice trailed off as I stopped myself. She didn’t need to know about the details. I wanted to keep her safe but not scare her.
She had missed the last part though, her brows furrowed. “What’s the cabin?”
“Oh, it’s where I live,” I chuckled, mounting up on Titan. He had a lot of energy, so I wasn’t quite sure how it was gonna go, but the young horse needed to get as much exposure as possible—and going on an evening ride would help with that. Lucas hadn’t been spending the time he needed to with his string…
Just another way he’s acting weird.
“I remember you saying that you live on the ranch,” Emma’s voice brought me back. She gripped the reins with her thumbs up, and it was clear by how she sat in the saddle she had ridden before. She was either a natural or the lessons had really stuck with her over the years.
Our horses fell into step beside each other once we exited the back of the barn, making our way to the back gate. I opened it for us and then shut the heavy rusted gate back, pointing to a clearly mowed trail leading off to the left.
“So we’ll just stay on this trail, and it’ll take us to the cabin. We will have to cut through some woods, but I keep the trail nice and wide. Sometimes I take the UTV here, and I hate scratching the shit out of the sides.”
Emma laughed softly, neck reining Jett to the left. “I don’t blame you…I guess I remember more about riding than I thought,” she added under her breath.
“You’re handling it like you’ve ridden every day for the last twenty years,” I shot her a wink, and under the glow of the setting sun, her blush appeared luminescent.
“Maybe as long as we remain at this pace.” She smiled as we continued on.
We mostly spent the ride chatting about her business and the town, and the ideas she had behind the décor for the place. I kept my eyes peeled on the area surrounding us, and despite not seeing anything, I couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling that the rustlers could be out there somewhere… Taking more cattle that didn’t belong to them.
“Oh wow, is this your cabin?” Her eyes widened as we came to my quaint two-story log cabin. “It looks like something straight out of a movie.”
I chuckled, surprised at the way she was gushing about it. “Thanks, I don’t think anyone has ever said anything like that about it. But I have to agree,” I added, pride swelling in my chest. “I was really proud of it. I built it myself about ten years ago or so. Lucas gave me forty-acres and told me to build a house. It’s a good place for Jess to grow up. ”
“Why don’t you keep your horses here?” Emma’s eyes were on the barn behind the house, a typical red and white.
“I work too much,” I said, feeling a pang of guilt. There was a time when all I wanted was for there to be horses in our barn, cattle in the back fields, and a few more kids in the yard…
But that was a dream that had long passed.
“I guess that makes sense. I didn’t realize how close you were to the ranch,” she continued, following me to the hitching post I had set up just off the cabin’s front porch. It was mostly for looks, but it came in handy sometimes.
“Yeah, it makes it easier to be there to help Lucas, and Jess spends a lot of time over at the ranch using the arena and practicing for rodeo season. I don’t know if she’s gonna do it next year though. She said she wants to take a break.”
I hopped down from Titan, tying him off and doing the same for Jett. They had a fresh tank of water they could enjoy while we took a short break. Emma slid off without my help, and I couldn’t help but stare as her feet hit the ground. She was by far the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. Her curves were luscious, but her waist trim… I wanted nothing more than to put my hands on her body again.
“You want something to drink?” I asked, my voice coming out husky.
She turned to me, her eyes shimmering beneath the darkening skies. “Actually, you know, that sounds really good right now. What do you have?”
“Well, not much,” I laughed, gesturing for her to follow me up the stairs. “I don’t have a prominent drinking habit, but I think there is some beer in the fridge—maybe some whiskey I can mix with Coke for you. Oh, and water. I have water.” The words were coming out in a rush, my mouth trying to outrun the erection that was hardening.
“I could go for just a beer,” she giggled, following me inside. I flipped on the warm lights, illuminating the tidy living room and exposed large wooden beams. “This is so nice,” she gasped. “I love it. It’s charming.”
I smiled as I headed for the kitchen, pulling out a couple of Coors and popping the top for her. “I’m glad it suits your fancy.”
“It does, thank you.” She took the beer from the counter, and my breath caught as her plump lips brushed the edge of the dark, longneck bottle, my mind wishing those were wrapped around my dick.
Damn, she made me feel like a horny teenager.
I downed my beer faster than usual, determined to ward off the need to touch her. Her eyes danced across my house for a few minutes, taking it all in. It gave me a chance to reevaluate why I just… wanted her so bad. Maybe it was just the fact she was the first woman I had brought to my house in years…
Or maybe it was the raging chemistry between us.
“Do you have a radio?” Emma turned to me, her eyes lighting up in a way that made my chest tighten.
“I have a Bluetooth sound system,” I said with a shrug. “Why?”
“Let’s dance.”
“I don’t dance…”
“Oh, come on,” she whined, pooching her bottom lip out. “It’ll be fun. This whole house just screams kitchen dancing.”
“Okay,” I gave in, pulling out my phone. I used it to turn the system on, and then I handed it over, the music app already open. “Have your choice. You pick the song, and I’ll dance with you.”
“Anything I want?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I guess so…”
She giggled, immediately picking up the phone and scrolling through the music. “Well, lucky for you, you’d probably be surprised to know that I am a fan of country music, and I know just the song.”
Bracing for her choice, I watched as she tapped the screen and set the phone on the counter, stretching her hand out to me. The intro to All Your’n by Tyler Childers filled the living room, and I smiled.
She had good taste.
Taking her hand, I led her to the living room and pushed the coffee table out of the way. Wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her close, I led her in a slow two step.
“I thought you said you couldn’t dance,” she teased, tipping her head back to look up at me. “You’re amazing.”
“Oh, I am definitely not,” I shook my head. “It’s all you. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Says the man who’s leading. ” Emma’s whole demeanor was so warm and inviting, the opposite of me. This woman radiated peace and had this joy about her that made me want to bask in her glow and never leave.
And I let myself get lost in the moment—in her.
I shut my eyes and leaned in, resting my forehead against hers. She let out a soft sigh, her warm breath tickling my skin. Emma’s hand on my shoulder slipped upward, her fingertips brushing the stubble on my jaw. I caught my breath as they threaded through my hair, and I dropped her hand to pull her in as tightly as I could.
Our gazes locked, and she ran her tongue along her bottom lip. I couldn’t fight the need for her any longer. My nose brushed hers before I delicately took her lips with mine. This was different from the office. I didn’t feel so fucking rushed and desperate for her…
I could take my time.
A sweet moan escaped her throat as my tongue pressed into her mouth, beginning the dance with hers. She fisted my uniform shirt, holding me in place as our kiss deepened. As if it were possible, the taste of beer on her lips was the best I had ever had, and my erection throbbed beneath my jeans.
I needed to lay this woman down and show her how beautiful she was.
Swooping her up, I wrapped her legs around my waist, and headed for the stairs, carrying her up to my bedroom. I kicked the door open and went straight for the bed, hoping she didn’t notice just how bare the room was…
But her lips on my neck were enough for me to lose that worry.
I laid her out on the bed and went for her clothes, undressing her slowly and with intent. She helped me by unsnapping her black lacey bra, and my mouth salivated at the sight of her erect pink nipples. I wanted them in my mouth, but I focused on tugging her jeans off her hips, taking her underwear with them.
The silence and tension between us as I then stripped out of my own clothes only worked to heighten my need, my eyes drifting over her nude body in waves. Her skin was creamy, her curves never ending, and her pussy was glistening with want… for me.
My cock throbbed even as it gained freedom from my jeans, and I tossed the remainder of my clothes off to the side before climbing onto the bed. “You’re fucking beautiful, Emma,” I growled, running my hands down her thighs as I crawled between her legs.
“I think you’re a sight for sore eyes, yourself,” she murmured, her voice coming out sultry and sexy.
I met her gaze and held it as I leaned over her, kissing her lips. I only stayed there long enough for a taste, before drifting away from her mouth. My lips trailed down her jaw, before making their way to the nape of her neck. I sucked her skin in, knowing that I would leave a mark. She whimpered just as I let it go, kissing her collarbone before making my way to her chest.
My tongue tasted the salt on her skin while I inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla and lavender. Her ample breasts were everything a man could want, and my cock stiffened as my mouth wrapped around her nipple, sucking it into my mouth.
“ Oh, ” she let out a moan as I sucked in as much of her as I could. My hand palmed her other breast, and I thoroughly enjoyed her for a few moments, loving the way her hips began to squirm. She was ready for me, but I wasn’t done ravishing her first.
I released her breast, groaning as I kissed my way down her soft stomach, finally dipping in between her legs. The scent of her pussy was heaven as I gave both of her inner thighs a kiss…
And then her clitoris.
“ Mason ,” she whined as I ran my tongue in circles around the little bean. “Oh my god.”
Her words only worked to drive me even more crazy, and I lapped up any moisture her body was willing to give me. My hands gripped her hips, bringing her fully to my face. She moved in rhythm as I worked my tongue back and forth, delving into her entrance and working my jaw to bring her closer to the edge.
Her moans grew louder as she rocked back and forth, lathering my lips with her juices. “ I’m gonna cum ,” she cried out, a burst of moisture spilling into my mouth as her body bared down on my tongue.
I growled as she came hard and fast, drinking every ounce of her as she rocked against my face. She let out a heavy breath, her lids heavy as I pulled away from her. Reaching around her, I ripped the nightstand drawer open, grabbing up a condom from the full box.
Tearing it open, I stretched it over the length of my cock, and then positioned myself between her legs. I bit my lip as the tip brushed against her entrance, causing her legs to tremble.
“You’re so tight,” I groaned as I pressed further into her, her pussy stretching for my thick girth.
“You feel so good,” she panted, her back arching as I filled her completely. I thrust in and out of her, loving the way every inch of her body moved as my hips slammed into her. Our eyes stayed locked as I moved faster and faster, feeling my body about to explode.
“Kiss me,” Emma nearly whispered, pulling at me. The moment I captured her hot mouth, I felt my body growing tense. The feeling of her skin against mine made me feel as though we were melting into each other, and I worked hard to keep the emotions at bay as my orgasm suddenly surged.
My heart was threatening to get involved with something that needed to only be a physical connection…
And there was no way I could let that happen.