Chapter 18 #2
Although he seemed so intent on Averie… it doesn’t make any sense. “Did something happen—”
Ryker stands in one swift movement, letting out an exhale. Sometimes I forget how fast he can move. His days in the military may be gone, but the soldier in him remains. “Stop trying to analyze me. I’m fine. I’m happy. Now, I’ve got a date I need to get ready for. You need to go.”
“Fine.” I stand, sighing. He isn’t going to talk to me about it anyway, so there’s no point. “I need to check on a dog, anyway.”
He glances at me, questioning.
“Sadie’s corgi.”
His expression lights up. “You guys are too cute.”
“Shut it,” I shove his shoulder.
“I hope you get laid, brother!” he shouts over his shoulder. Heading inside with Oreo at his heels.
After pulling into my driveway, I double-check Sadie’s message about where to find the keys to her house.
I’m not sure why she even bothers to lock her door.
There’s nothing out here but wild animals and forests as far as the eye can see.
And seeing as I’m her only neighbor, there’s no reason to.
Is she worried about me trying to break in?
I grab the key from under a rock near her front porch and open her door. Fox runs up to me. When she realizes I’m not Sadie, she steps back, confused.
“It’s okay,” I croon, but she’s unsure about my presence. “Your mom is out at the moment.”
Bandit steps closer to her, and Fox perks up, wagging her tail. Well, at least they’re getting along.
As I step through the door, frowning at her Christmas decorations, the temperature feels the same as the outside.
Is her furnace broken? I debate on lighting a fire, but who knows when Sadie will return, and I don’t want to leave this little dog all alone.
Least of all, alone and surrounded by Christmas decorations.
My irrational nightmare.
“Come on, Foxie,” I call to her.
She perks up, daring a step closer.
“You’re sleeping at mine,” I offer a warm smile, which makes her long, fluffy tail wag with happiness.
When I turn around, something bright pink catches my attention. An eye-catching color compared to the muted tones of her cabin. Sitting on top of a wooden coffee table, underneath a newspaper, is a bright pink vibrator.
I know this is her private space… but I’m curious, and I’m not going to deny I’m aroused just thinking about Sadie using it. Besides, curiosity killed the cat, and all that, and I’m curious as hell to inspect it closer.
The article headline of The Silver Lake Gazette pulls me in: “Charitable Donation from Lone Pine Ranch.” My eyes widen, and the smile that reaches my lips is uncontrollable.
Maybe it’s not what it looks like, but I’m pretty sure it is.
And I’m pretty damn sure that Sadie was pleasuring herself to a photo of me from last year.
Where did she find this article?
“Do you think she left this out on purpose?” I ask Fox, who responds with a sneeze.
She did leave it out. And she did ask me to check on her dog. Maybe she did? Maybe she wanted me to find it? If she’s trying to get my attention, she fucking has it now.
I chuckle all the way back to my place. Fox and Bandit trot along at my side.
After cooking dinner, which I shared with both dogs, Fox finds herself in my bed. Curling up on my feet next to Bandit as the fireplace in my room wraps us in warmth. I snap a picture of Fox and send it to Sadie.
Proof of life.
Sadie:
Are you trying to make me jealous?
Kit:
Is it working?
Sadie:
I’m framing this.
I send a photo of my recent discovery.
Kit:
And I’m framing this. How long have you had that picture, Tequila?
Sadie:
FML. You were not supposed to see that!
Kit:
I’d like to do that first part, but after I watch you use that pretty pink vibrator.
Sadie:
Now I’m hot and embarrassed.
Kit:
Don’t be embarrassed.
She has no reason to be embarrassed. Finding her vibrator next to a picture of me is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen, and the biggest compliment.
Now, with my hand on my throbbing dick in the bathroom, I relive it. Just the thought of her using it and thinking about me, getting wet and aroused, brings me to a quick release, spilling myself all over the shower.
My body wakes up at four, but I force myself to sleep until six.
It’s Sunday after all, and thankfully today’s my day off.
Golden sunlight streams in, and then I’m on my feet, letting out the dogs through the glass sliding door in my room.
They do their business and run straight back inside, shaking off snow from their fur.
After throwing on a T-shirt to match my flannel pajama pants, I head to the kitchen to feed the dogs and prepare breakfast. Looks like it’s going to be an omelet day, because it’s about all that’s left in my fridge.
I’m also out of dog food, but Bandit and Fox don’t seem to mind having leftover steak and veggies.
The omelet is halfway done when Sadie’s truck pulls up. Back much earlier than I expected. She knocks twice and enters after hearing my voice.
“Hey, Cowboy,” she smiles. Fox rushes up to her, eager for her affections.
“Hey,” I say back, standing at the stove.
She breathes in deep, taking off her coat and hanging it on the rack. “It smells so good in here. I could smell it outside.”
“You’re back earlier than I expected.” If I’d known, I would’ve already had breakfast prepared.
She places a hand on her hip, eyeing me speculatively. “Did you have plans with someone else?”
“Just you.” Unfinished business, more like it.
“Good,” she blushes, scratching Fox behind the ears before making her way towards the kitchen. “I like this look on you,” she gestures to my pajama pants. “Although it’s too bad you’re not standing there naked doing that.”
“Maybe next time.” I transfer the finished omelet to a plate, pushing it towards her. “You hungry?”
She stops, brows contorting in confusion. “What?” She seems generally surprised I asked.
“Are you hungry?” I repeat.
She glances at the plate and back at me, hesitating. “No one’s ever cooked for me before.” Really? “Well, besides the dinner at Cole’s, but I barely ate anything that night.”
Something I’ll always feel sorry for. “I’m really sorry for how I acted that night.”
She shrugs. “It’s okay, you hated me then.”
“I never hated you, Sadie,” I correct.
I only hated seeing her with someone else. It burned me up inside, wanting someone who I thought didn’t want me.
Her mouth quirks to the side. “Could’ve fooled me.”
I glance at the plate in my hands, still not believing no one has cooked for her. “But didn’t your mom ever—”
“No. She died,” she says quickly, fiddling with her gold horseshoe necklace, unable to meet my eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I murmur. “Mine did too.” One of the worst days of my life. A scar I’ll carry with me forever. “Car accident. I was thirteen.”
Her gaze is soft and sad as her mouth opens and shuts. She stands there awkwardly, looking like she doesn’t want to continue this conversation. Arms crossed around her.
I set the plate down, pulling out a chair at the dining room table, gesturing for her to sit. “Let me be the first to cook for you.”
She bites her lip, unsure. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Come sit,” I smile.
She sits, and I get to work on one for me.
“This place is stunning, by the way,” she says after a breath. “Rustic and moody, just like I imagined it.”
“Moody?” I huff a laugh.
“The dark greens and blues, soft lighting, antlers on the walls, and the fur rug in front of the fireplace? Moody. You must have a lot of sex on that rug, Cowboy,” she winks at me from across the room.
I stifle a laugh, flipping the omelet in the pan. “Not as much sex as you’ve had in your living room, I’m sure.”
Her face turns bright red as she covers her face with her hands. “Can we just forget about that?”
“Nope,” I smile. Best discovery of my life. There’s no chance I’ll ever forget about it. “Where’d you find that article, anyway?”
“I umm—I collect newspaper articles about Lone Pine.” My eyes widen in surprise. “I have been for years. I’m sort of a fan. That article was the first picture I’d seen of you.”
Sometimes I forgot just how big the ranch is to people. Just how many people from all around the country appreciated this place and what it stood for. “You must really like Lone Pine,” I murmur, though I already know her answer.
She nods. “I love it.”
Tension builds in my chest.
“Go on, eat something.” Since she sat down, she’s been staring at her omelet. She glances at the stove like she’s waiting for me. “Mine’s almost done. Dig in.”
She takes a bite. “You made this?” I’m slightly offended she’s surprised, but the fact she’s enjoying it matters more. “Damn, it’s amazing.” She takes another bite.