30. Jaxon
JAXON
We pack up our things and start heading back to the main part of the ranch, but I’m distracted by a singular thought.
This evening took me past the point of pretending this is just a fuck buddy, even though that title is less than forty-eight hours old.
I have feelings for this woman. But before we get into that, or the conversation of where she’s sleeping tonight, because the answer is with me, both of our phones ring.
Hazel
If you’re not doing anything, come by… we’re having a fire. Everest, Molly, and a couple of other people are here.
Everest
I know you’re not doing anything productive. Get your asses here.
She looks at me with her mouth parted. “Why am I on here?” she asks.
“My family’s a huge fan of the group text.
But that’s a big deal, Tatroe; you should feel honored.
Most people never make it on.” I don’t know why I say that.
My family is a case study in accepting people with open arms. We put everyone’s significant other in our chats as quickly as we take them out when the relationship is over.
But I want her to feel like she’s special, so I lie about it.
“But I’m temporary,” she says.
“Twist the knife,” I grab my chest. “I’m hoping not quite as temporary as you initially thought. I don’t know what I’m going to do without those lips.” I murmur, sweeping mine across hers. This is getting weird because I can’t, for the life of me, seem to stay away from her.
She laughs, but scoots closer to me on the bench seat in the truck, and I put my arm around her like we’re driving around in a different decade. All we need is a milkshake and two straws, I laugh to myself as we make our way back towards the cabins and houses.
“Want to stop by?” I ask. My guess is that some of our favorite people have gathered for a drink or five.
“For sure. But I want to change first. I was getting chilly out there.”
So at the fork in the road, I take the path that leads to the cabin she’s in.
I don’t even get out of the truck when she does, because if I end up in her room with a soft bed when she’s shedding clothes, we’re not making it to my sister’s.
I can’t stop thinking about how tightly she squeezed my fingers during her orgasm and how that’s going to feel when I’m fucking her.
Shaking my head, I have to stop those thoughts, or me, Della, and Sir Magnum Biggs are showing up at my sister’s house.
She changes quickly and is out of the cabin within minutes. When she turns to lock the door, I enjoy the way those emerald green pants sculpt her ass before she turns back toward the truck and smiles so brightly I swear it lights up the dusk sky.
“Should I bring anything?” she asks through the window before hopping in.
“Nah, Hazie is always well-stocked.”
With that, we make our way to my sister’s.
Parking, I have a half-second delay of wondering how I want to publicly convey what’s happening between us.
But I realize I can’t chance the entire ranch not knowing we’re together.
What Molly said is still ringing in my head; everyone is curious about the new, hot girl.
I need to stake my claim early, even though I’m not exactly sure what I’m claiming her as.
My girlfriend? My fuck buddy? The person no one else can touch?
Regardless, I’m feeling a little possessive, so I jump out and walk to her side, opening the door.
After stealing a kiss, I help her down, but don’t let go of her hand as we’re walking up.
We’re hard-launching this thing.
She looks at our joined hands before looking at my face again. I take it as a good sign that she’s not pulling away and brace myself for the amount of shit we’re about to walk into.
“Yay!” Molly lifts her glass when she sees us. I’m sure that I’ll hear about how she’s the one that made this happen at some point tonight. There are about fifteen people here, and as I guessed, it’s our closest seasonal workers.
“Della!” Everest comes to hug her. His eyes are a little glazed over, and I’m wondering how long people have been drinking here.
After introductions go around, we join the party, taking two shots each to catch up, and no time is wasted before people are pushing to play flip cup.
This group likes to party, especially when we all first gather.
There are a few reasons I encourage staff to come before the high season opens, but one is that we can get this initial craziness out of the way.
I position myself next to Della as the game begins. Like the night we played dice, every time she flips it, she jumps into me. The difference is, this time I can take every opportunity to shamelessly put my hands on her.
She’s laughing and flipping and shit-talking like she’s been here as many years as the people at this party.
The way Molly and Hazel have taken her on as their third wheel boggles my mind.
Neither of them have been so open to anyone, and I know they are partially responsible for the shift I’ve been seeing.
Each time I see her, more of her personality shows, and these days she’s so much more confident than the woman who stood in front of me with the wrong snow chains.
After slamming my drink, flipping the cup, and winning the game, everyone goes wild.
This time, Della jumps fully into my arms and wraps her legs around me.
Before I know it, she takes my hat off my head and puts it on hers.
Maybe she knows what it means, maybe she doesn’t, but the the hoots and hollers from around the table confirm that everyone else knows that if you wear the hat, you ride the cowboy. Hard launch indeed.
The night rolls on and we are all getting sauced.
I don’t recall the last time I saw Everest full on drunk, or Molly for that matter.
It’s a raucous party, and at some point, I look around and smile.
That full feeling I get every year fills my chest. The one where all the chaos of high-season stress takes a backseat, and I feel the bits of excitement about the legacy my family and I are continuing.
We are surrounded by a phenomenal team that makes the best things happen.
And I’d be lying if I said this year doesn’t feel a bit more exciting with Della next to me.
I know it’s fleeting, but damn, I wasn’t aware that flings were supposed to feel so strong.
Around midnight, my sister stands on her patio and announces that the party is over.
This isn’t new behavior for her, and, to some degree, people close enough to get an invite to this party expect it, as both groans and laughs ring out from the group.
Della looks at me for clarification, and I just smile because I’m the person she looks toward first.
“Is it over?” she asks.
“Yeah, Hazel is headed to bed and the majority of people here are just going to crash in her house or walk home,” I nod in my sister’s direction, and she and Molly are saying their goodbyes.
But when I walk to the driveway, I’m completely blocked in on all sides.
Knowing this will take more time than I’m willing to commit to unfucking, I suggest walking home, and she agrees.
“I had a lot of fun tonight. And today. And with you, Jaxon,” her glassy, buzzed eyes and smile make my knees weak as she holds on to my elbow. What the hell is it about this woman?
“Me too. The picnic was the best date I’ve been on in a long time.”
“Jaxon Wills, are you telling me there was someone before me?” she laughs in a fake overreaction.
And I know it’s meant to be silly. And stupid. And flirty. But my response slips out just the same. “No one that mattered, Del.”
The words stop her in her tracks.
“Oh, no. I know, I was just joking. I’m not insinuating…” she stammers with a slur.
“But I’m not, Della,” I quietly insist, waiting until she brings her eyes to me. “Do you feel this? Between us?” The alcohol is making me bold with my words.
“We can’t feel anything,” she whispers. “I’m not staying.”
The words are ones that live in my head, but I hate acknowledging. No, she’s not. And I wish I could factor that into the equation, but I fucking can’t. I can’t control these feelings.
“Don’t say such cruel things, Tatroe,” I say, tipping her chin to me. “I like you, and I want to know more about you each day.”
“What, do you want to date now or something?” she jokes again.
“Abso-fucking-lutely I do,” I respond, then bend down and kiss her.
“What will people say?” she asks when she pulls away.
“Pretty sure word will travel fast after tonight.” I brush my fingers over the hat she’s still wearing.
It looks damn good on her, too. “From what I’ve heard, people are more concerned with getting to know the hot new girl.
But I’d much rather let everyone know the hot new girl is taken.
Loud and clear.” I kiss her again, but gently grab the front of her throat to keep her on me.
She moans quietly as her tongue dances with mine, before leaning further in.
My free hand grips the curve of her ass, and I pull her closer.
Even her body dragging the slightest bit against my dick has me primed to strip off my clothes.
“Okay. Yeah, okay,” she mumbles against my lips. “We’re dating then.”
“Good,” I say. “Now, I need to get your ass home so I can have my way with my girlfriend.” I pick her up and continue walking. She squeals and pushes to get out of my grasp.
“What way do you want to have?” she asks.
“Well, I want to fuck you tonight, but we’ve been drinking.”
“People who are dating have drunk sex all the time,” she argues.
“Yes, they do. And once we cross that bridge, I will happily engage in drunk sex. But since we haven’t had sex yet, I want to be sober when I rock your world.”
“So you won’t sleep with me on a blanket.
You won’t sleep with me when I’ve been drinking.
What other stipulations do you have? For someone who supposedly enjoys sex, you’re sure finding a whole lot of excuses there.
That’s suspicious. Unless… you’re not as good as they say? ” she challenges me with a smile.
“Tatroe, do you think I underperform in the bedroom?” I raise my eyebrow, challenging her right back.
The laughter bubbles out. “No, but I’m trying to bait you so I can experience this big game you’re pushing. What if we’re not compatible and we have to end our dating relationship even though we just started?”
“Because everything we’ve done so far screams incompatibility?” I laugh.
“I just want to sleep with you!” she says with theatrics. “Remember that car ride home from the bar? I’m desperate. Is there anything I can do to prove my sobriety?”
Saying no to her is killing me, but I have to stand by this conviction. “What kind of boyfriend would I be if I slept with you when I was drunk? I bet I couldn’t even get it up.”
Her hand flies to my crotch. “You’re already hard, you liar,” she says, moving her hand up and down.
“Mmm…” I laugh, enjoying her touch. “But I probably couldn’t finish.”
“I accept your challenge,” she says with mischief in her eyes, and before I can say anything else, she drops to her knees again.