Another morning's worth of chores was behind me, but no matter how hard I tried to focus on the work, the memory of Ryan's lips on mine kept sneaking back into my thoughts. It was maddening, the way one moment could replay so vividly, like a song stuck on repeat.
A soft nudge on my shoulder pulled me back to reality. I glanced over to see Denim's muzzle pressing against me, his big brown eyes full of quiet insistence.
"All right, buddy," I said with a small laugh, scratching his neck affectionately. "Let's get to it."
I led him into the corral, the familiar rhythm of our routine soothing my restless mind. Denim loved training—always eager, always focused. He seemed to know how much I needed this, needed him.
We'd been working on level four tricks for months now, honing moves that could truly wow the crowds. Things like side passes, flying lead changes, even some fancy spins. Denim took to it all like a natural, his intelligence and spirit shining through every step.
I let myself get lost in the training. Nothing else mattered—not the chores, not my swirling thoughts—just the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the ground and the powerful connection between horse and rider. The wind whipped through my hair, cool and wild, and for those fleeting moments, I felt truly free. This was everything. The thrill I lived for.
The spell broke when the dinner bell rang, echoing across the ranch. The guys were back from the field, which meant if I wanted this meeting with Ryan to actually happen, I had to move. Fast.
Sliding off Denim, I gave him an affectionate pat on the neck. "Good boy," I murmured, even as the realization hit me—I reeked of horse. The earthy scent of Denim clung to me like a second skin, and I wasn't sure how romantic I could feel smelling like a barnyard.
I jogged toward the house, the excitement of seeing Ryan again mingling with a nervous energy. There was no time to waste.
A short while later, the grime of the day had been washed down the shower drain, and I stood in front of the mirror, towel wrapped around me. It wasn't a date, I reminded myself. It was something else. Something more. The weight of that realization made my chest tighten.
Then it hit me. I needed to find Jamie or Lee. They'd have what I needed. I didn't want to get caught up in the moment only to realize I wasn't prepared. Ryan was thoughtful, sure, but just in case he didn't think of it... I had to.
I threw on some clothes and headed down the hall, knocking on Jamie's door. "Hey, I need to ask you something, and you can't tell Dad," I said firmly.
"What is it?" Jamie opened the door, his face drawn and tired like he hadn't slept in days.
"You okay?" I asked, stepping inside. His normally neat room was a disaster—papers strewn across the desk, spilling onto the bed.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Just going through the books. There's not enough to cover feed for the winter." His voice carried a sharp edge of panic.
"We'll figure it out. We always do," I said, trying to reassure him. His worry was contagious, but I couldn't let it show. "Take a breath, and we'll look at it together."
Jamie shuffled through the paperwork, pointing at numbers that blurred together in my head. He wasn't explaining much, just venting his frustration.
"You're gonna hate this suggestion," I told him, meeting his stressed gaze. "Call Beth. This is more her area than mine."
"You're right," Jamie said, his voice a little lighter. "I do hate that suggestion."
I gave him a small smile, hoping to lift his spirits. He picked up a paper from the bottom of the stack and pointed at it. "This," he said with cautious optimism, "this will pull us out."
I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but relief flickered across his face, so I figured it was progress. Suggesting Beth must've nudged him in the right direction. Jamie and Beth's relationship was... complicated. Strenuous didn't even begin to cover it—they couldn't stand each other. Still, sometimes the friction sparked solutions.
"What was it you needed, Alex?" Jamie asked, his voice calmer now.
I hesitated. Jamie already had enough on his plate, and I didn't want to add more. "Uh... I'm not going to be at dinner. Can you cover for me?"
"Yeah, sure," he said, though his furrowed brow hinted at confusion.
"Thanks," I replied, slipping out of his room.
I made my way to Lee's cabin, steeling myself for the inevitable teasing. Lee was my eldest brother, and while he had a knack for making light of everything, I knew he'd help me.
I knocked, then pushed the door open before he could answer. "Lee, I need help!"
"What's wrong?" His expression was instantly serious. "What happened? Do I need to grab my rifle?"
A grin spread across my face. "Nothing like that. I just need to borrow a condom."
"Borrow?" He raised a brow, his lips twitching with amusement. "You planning on returning it when you're done?" He headed into the bathroom, rummaging through his medicine cabinet.
"Only if you want it back," I quipped, leaning against the doorframe.
"I'll pass," he said, handing me a package. "We're not that close."
"Thank you," I said, slipping the box into my pocket. "Please don't say anything to Dad or Beth."
Lee shook his head with a chuckle. "Yeah, I'm not getting involved in that, Bitsy. Just glad you're being careful."
The childhood nickname made me feel like I was eight years old again.
"I gotta go," I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Thanks again."
"Anytime," he called after me as I headed out the door.
Finally, I was ready—or as ready as I could be, not knowing exactly what Ryan had planned for the evening.
The gravel crunched under my boots as I stepped into the dim barn. There he was, waiting. My heart skipped a beat as I took him in. He'd made an effort—new button-up shirt, fresh jeans. I smiled. Guess he didn't want to meet me smelling like a horse either.
"Hey," I said softly, my voice almost lost in the quiet. "Sorry if I kept you waiting."
Ryan's eyes swept over me, his gaze lingering. "You're worth the wait," he murmured, stepping forward to rest his hands on my hips. He pulled me closer, and I tipped my head back to meet his eyes. Standing on my toes, I pressed my lips to his.
The kiss was just as hypnotizing as the first, soft but brimming with unspoken promises. When he broke away, his voice was low. "My truck's out back. You ready to go? Not that I mind this..." He gave my hips a playful squeeze, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smirk.
I quirked a brow, letting him lead me outside. "You didn't actually get a room, did you?"
He opened the truck door and helped me climb in. "No," he admitted, "but the thought did cross my mind." Sliding into the driver's seat, he added, "Still have to be up at 4 a.m. to run cattle."
"Right," I said, my heartbeat picking up. "So...what did you come up with?"
"You'll see," he replied with a grin.
The truck rumbled to life, and we drove out into the field. The night stretched wide and clear, every star twinkling against the velvet sky. He parked and climbed out, heading to the back of the truck. I watched him rummage for something, curiosity bubbling.
By the time he came to my side, I'd already climbed down. His brow furrowed, a flash of disappointment crossing his face.
"Sorry," I stammered. "I'm just so used to—"
"It's okay, Alex," he interrupted gently, his hand slipping into mine.
He led me to the back of the truck and lowered the tailgate. My breath caught. Strings of soft, golden lights lined the edge, illuminating a bed of blankets and pillows. It was cozy, thoughtful, and more effort than anyone had ever put in for me.
"It's perfect," I whispered, my heart thundering in my chest.
Ryan's gaze softened as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "You are."
Before I could respond, his lips met mine again, soft and deliberate. His hands found my hips, lifting me effortlessly onto the tailgate. I slid back onto the cushions, bringing him with me without breaking the kiss.
The world faded away—the stars, the field, the night itself. All that mattered was this moment, here and now.
Ryan's lips met mine again, but this time there was no rush, no urgency. The kiss deepened as his hands explored the curve of my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I could feel the warmth of his skin radiating through his shirt, a barrier he was quick to remove.
He slid his shirt off in one fluid motion, and I couldn't help but pause, taking him in. My lips parted as I traced his chest with my fingers, feeling every ridge and scar. He was rugged and beautiful, a man molded by the land he worked and the life he lived.
I raised my arms, letting him help me out of my top. The cool night air kissed my bare skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat of his touch. His lips found my neck, lingering in that spot that made my breath hitch, and I melted into him. His hands were steady, confident, as they slid the straps of my bra down my shoulders.
His kisses traveled lower, tasting the curve of my collarbone, then further still. When his mouth found my breast, a soft moan escaped me. He moved slowly, savoring each moment, each reaction he coaxed from me. His tongue teased one nipple, then the other, until I arched into him, silently asking for more.
Ryan shifted, his lips trailing down my stomach, stopping just above the waistband of my jeans. He looked up at me, his eyes dark with desire but filled with an unspoken question. My heart raced as I nodded, my consent clear.
He unbuckled my belt, the sound loud in the quiet of the night. His hands worked methodically, tugging my jeans and boots off in one smooth motion. I was bare before him, exposed in every way, but I didn't feel vulnerable—I felt wanted.
Ryan's breath was warm against my skin, each exhale sending shivers through me as his lips trailed lower, exploring with unhurried reverence. When his mouth found its destination, a gasp escaped me, sharp and involuntary. His tongue moved with purpose, tasting and teasing, drawing a soft moan from deep within me.
He shifted, his hands gripping my thighs firmly, holding me steady as his tongue delved deeper, mapping every inch of me. Then he found it—that perfect spot that sent a spark of electricity coursing through my body. My legs trembled against his hold, my fingers clutching at the blankets beneath me as I tried to ground myself.
Ryan's movements were deliberate, each flick of his tongue and gentle press of his lips coaxing me closer to the edge. He seemed to savor every reaction, every sound that spilled from my lips, as if my pleasure were his sole purpose in that moment. His name tumbled from me in a cry as the tension inside finally shattered, the waves of release rippling through me.
I lay trembling, my breaths uneven, as Ryan's lips pressed gentle kisses along my thighs, grounding me as I came back down. He looked up at me, his eyes dark with satisfaction and something deeper, something unspoken but felt in every touch.
"Just as sweet," Ryan murmured, his voice low and thick with desire, as he kissed his way back up my body. His lips brushed mine, soft and searching, grounding me as I floated back down from the high he'd pulled me into. My hands roamed over his chest, tracing the hard lines and flexing muscles beneath my fingertips. They drifted lower, finding the buckle of his belt.
I fumbled with it, my need building with each passing second. I ached for him, for more than this electric anticipation. Sliding my hand beneath the waistband of his boxers, I found him, hard and warm against my palm. He growled softly into my neck, his breath hot against my skin, as I stroked him—slow, deliberate movements that matched the rhythm of our hearts.
"Baby," he rasped, his hand catching my wrist, "if you keep that up, I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself."
I met his gaze, my voice steady despite the trembling anticipation coursing through me. "I don't want you to stop."
A slow smile spread across his face, and he pressed his lips to mine before leaning back, settling beside me on the truck bed. His eyes shifted upward, taking in the star-filled sky as he spoke, his voice tinged with regret. "I know. But I didn't have time to get to town."
It took a moment for his words to click, and when they did, I sat up, reaching for my jeans. Fishing the small box from my pocket, I dropped it onto his chest before curling back beside him.
"Fortunately," I murmured, a playful grin tugging at my lips, "I have two brothers who don't ask too many questions."
Ryan glanced at the small box on his chest, his lips quirking into a slow grin. He picked it up, turning it over in his hand like it was some kind of treasure.
"Well, I'll be damned," he said with a low chuckle, his eyes glinting with a mix of humor and affection. "You came prepared, didn't you?"
I give him a smirk, my cheeks warming under his gaze. "I didn't want to take any chances."
He leaned closer, cupping my face gently, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. "You think of everything, don't you? Guess I better make this worth your while."
Ryan leaned in, capturing my lips with his in a kiss that reignited the heat between us into a roaring flame. He shifted slightly, discarding his boots and jeans with a sense of urgency that mirrored my own. His eyes, ablaze with desire, met mine as he positioned himself between my parted thighs.
The sound of the wrapper tearing was brief but electric, a prelude to what came next. He rolled the condom down his length with practiced ease, then leaned forward, his hands steady on my hips.
I hooked my leg over his waist, feeling every inch of him as he pressed into me slowly, deliberately. I held my breath, savoring the connection that had been building for what felt like forever. My fingers dug into his back, anchoring us as he sank deeper, filling the space between us completely.
Our bodies moved in unison, a perfect rhythm guided by the thundering beats of our hearts. Each thrust, each gasp, drew us closer to the edge until we finally reached it together, a shared moment of bliss that left us both breathless.
He collapsed against me, his weight comforting as our bodies intertwined in the aftermath. The silence between us was soothing, a tangle of legs and arms and the kind of peace I hadn't known I needed.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that with you," Ryan finally broke the silence, his voice low and content as he rolled onto his back beside me.
I propped myself up on one elbow, gazing at his face with a teasing smile. "You? I've been dropping hints for years."
Tucking myself against his side, I pulled the covers over us, letting the warmth settle in. "You must've fallen off your horse one too many times not to notice."