Backroads Read online

  “Fuck, that feels so good,” I mumble as she strokes me again. Grabbing her hips, I shock both of us as I come. In my pants. Tremors rack my body as I look at her. “Shit, that wasn’t supposed to happen that way.”

  I’m a grown-ass man and I just came in my fucking pants. “Fuck,” I repeat, shaking my head.

  I chance a look into her eyes, and she runs her fingers up my shirt to my beard, tugging me down to her. “That makes me so hot knowing you can’t control yourself from my touch...” She doesn’t finish as I press my lips to hers.

  This fucking woman had me from the first moment. Now she has me by the balls, and the thought of how much I like it should scare me, but it doesn’t. I want more of it. I want more of her.

  Not being able to control my laughter at our situation, I break our kiss. She’s biting her bottom lip and smiling up at me with her perfect tits hanging between us. It doesn’t take long before she’s laughing with me. My lips needing hers again, I steal small kisses here and there.

  “Does this mean that you’ll let me take you on a date now?” I ask confidently.

  Her eyes flash and she can’t make eye contact with me. “I don’t know... what I want.”

  “Letting this go as far as I did right now wasn’t a good idea. I want you for more than sex, Holly. I want to spend more time with you. Build this, whatever it is, between us.” Her eyes finally look back to me. “I want you to want this too. Then I want to worship your body with my tongue and make you come so many times we lose track. Then after that, I want you to climb on top of me and ride my cock till you’re screaming again.”

  My wicked thoughts have an effect on her that is written all over her body. Her heavy breathing, hard nipples, and blush rising from her chest says she wants that too.

  “You say you don’t want me for just sex, yet your dick is already rock hard again. What do you call that?” She leans back, unashamed of her naked tits pointing right at me.

  “I’m fucking horny and a sexy-as-fuck woman is half-naked with her amazing breasts begging for my attention... again,” I reply, leaning forward to playfully nip at her nipples.

  Biting her lip, she playfully avoids me and shoves me back.

  “I’m asking to let me show you everything you are to me. Everything we can be.” Saying the words out loud sounds cheesy as hell, but I don’t care. I mean every single one.

  “One condition,” she says, holding up a finger and pointing at me.

  “Anything, Princess.” Fucking anything.

  “You give me your shirt right now, and you never tell anyone what happened when I got off the horse.” She’s so serious and so fucking adorable.

  I wrap her in my arms and pull her close to my chest, and we both laugh about her dangling act on the saddle. “It’s a deal, baby. No one. You can’t tell anyone I came in my pants either. The guys will never let me live that down.” I pull my shirt off over my head and hand it to her.

  “First princess, now baby? Maybe we should stop with the endearments.” The way her eyes drink in the sight of me without my shirt on will stay with me forever.

  “Nope.”

  Rolling her eyes, she slips the shirt over her head and covers herself.

  “Damn, you look sexy in my shirt.” The way her nipples tease me through the material has my hand reaching up to rub my thumb over one of them, and she trembles.

  “Stop—I said yes. No more sexy stuff till you take me out on a date.”

  I breathe out in frustration. “Okay, deal. Tomorrow night? Should I talk to Linda?”

  “What? No, don’t talk to her. I don’t want to get the third degree till we know what this is. Just because I said yes and I’m extremely attracted to you doesn’t mean this is anything more,” she huffs out.

  “I only heard ‘extremely attracted to me,’ and that’s all,” I tease.

  She blows a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Chase,” she warns.

  “I won’t talk to Linda. But I am going to work it to my advantage you told me how attracted to me you are.” I help her down from the bench and need to adjust myself in my pants. Shit, I need to change clothes and take a shower. Like a teenager I made a mess and need to clean up.

  Holly is buttoning her pants and tying my shirt at the bottom off to the side.

  “Baby, nothing is going to hide your tits in that shirt, but damn you look good.” I can’t get enough of her.

  Throwing her hands up in defeat, she saunters her ass out of the barn, leaving me with an even bigger hard-on than before as I watch her curves move with every step.

  Hearing one of the horses whine, I remembering they still need to have their tack taken off and to be brushed. I get to work, knowing nothing will take this feeling away from me.

  She said yes.

  “What the hell did I just do? What the hell did I just do?” I chant in my head as I make my way back to the main house.

  Chase has become an addiction I can’t get under control. No matter how many times I say I won’t go there, I do it anyway. It’s the way he looks at me. The way he devours me with his eyes—I crave it.

  My wet panties stick to my skin and remind me of what we just did. I begged him to make me come. He knew what buttons to press with his fingers inside me.

  The only thing I’m ashamed of is how badly I want it to happen again.

  Bypassing the great room, I quickly get to my room. I need a shower. All I can smell is him, above the smell of leather and horse.

  I strip my clothes and walk into the bathroom. One glance in the mirror screams I was up to no good. My cheeks and chest are still flushed with arousal, my nipples still hard and sensitive.

  As I climb into the shower, there is no denying my addiction just became so much stronger than needing his eyes on me. Now I want his hands on me too.

  I’m trying to get my morning chores done before Chase finds me, but I can barely walk after my first ride yesterday.

  I woke up early after falling asleep at a ridiculously early time last night, actually rising without my alarm clock. When I tried to roll out of bed, I literally fell on the floor and lay there for a moment before I could get up.

  It took some stretches to get limbered up, and Linda couldn’t stop laughing as I limped into the kitchen.

  The date has been all I can think about, and I don’t think I can go through with it. Mostly I don’t think I can resist him.

  Truth? I know I can’t.

  Standing outside the chicken coop, it takes a little bit of a pep talk to get myself to walk in alone. I almost forget about Sadie and jump back just in time as the crazy hen leaps from her perch above the door. With that out of the way, I begin refilling water and feed. Now to gather the eggs.

  Talking soothingly to the hens, like Chase did, I’m surprised at how easy it really is. Several seem to enjoy when I rub their heads and talk to them.

  “Almost done,” I keep telling myself.

  I know I’m going to see him sooner or later, and the thought is making me a nervous wreck.

  I hope to have this feeling tamed down before I see him. What am I even thinking? I need to get out of the date. The classic “I’m washing my hair” isn’t going to work.

  Standing up from gathering the last of the eggs, I feel his eyes on me. The butterflies in my stomach go crazy as I slowly turn to face him.

  My breath quickens as my body remembers his hands on me, how quickly he brought me to orgasm. My face is hot, and I know my blush is visible.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he says. His deep voice makes my body vibrate.

  Clearing my throat, I reply, “Morning.” I try to scoot past him. “I need to get these up to the house and help Linda and Beth. Full house and all.”

  “It is.” His eyes twinkle with humor.

  How can he look so good in his plain white shirts and jeans every day? I need to be strong here and cancel tonight.

  “Be ready by six tonight. I’ll come get you in the truck.”

  “Chase, I’ve
been thinking... I just don’t think...”

  “Tonight at six, Holly,” he says, cutting me off. The gleam in his eyes is waiting for me to try again. Taking a step toward me, he reaches out and strokes a finger down my arm. The smallest touch is breaking down all my reserves. “No expectations. Let’s just see what tonight brings. At six, be waiting at the back porch while everyone is eating supper.”

  My fight left me the moment he touched me, and I nod yes.

  The moment is so intense I jump at the sound of feathers hitting something hard. The bark of a hen clucking as if she is dying breaks us apart. Turning, I almost drop the eggs.

  “Oh my god, he’s trying to kill her!” The rooster is on top of one of the hens and looks as though he’s pecking at her head while he holds her down. “Shoooo, shooooo!” I say, trying to get them apart with my foot.

  “Chase, don’t just stand there—do something!” I bellow at him while he looks at them in amusement. “Chase!” I plead, ready to kick them apart.

  Holding me back and taking the basket of eggs from me, he laughs in my ear while holding me from behind. “Princess, that’s their way of making love.”

  “What!”

  He laughs harder. “Okay, that’s their way of fucking. How do you think little chicks are made?”

  As I watch a bit more, I’m horrified to admit I can see now what is going on, though it doesn’t seem like she’s enjoying it. “That is not the way to make cute little fluffy chicks. That’s... barbaric!” Feeling foolish for my outburst, and like a voyeur watching them, I turn to leave.

  “You think that’s bad—wait till you see the cows do it.” He chuckles, handing me the basket as we exit.

  “Do you stand around watching all the animals do it? Don’t tell me if Linda has sheep.” It just slips out; I didn’t mean to say it.

  He spins me around and pulls me close. “Funny. And you’re the only animal I want to do it with,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.

  He leans down and kisses my cheek tenderly. “Six. Be ready.” And then he strides away as if he didn’t just say that.

  “I’m so screwed,” I say to myself, enjoying the view as he walks away.

  All day I fight with myself. One minute I am dreading tonight; the next I am looking forward to it.

  I keep thinking back to how I felt about my dates with my ex. I wasn’t nervous like this before any of them. Daniel and I were always with a group of people—his people. It was another reminder of how our relationship was controlled by him. It seemed like the life of luxury: fine dining, travel, expensive everything. He wanted others to be jealous of what we had. None of it was really mine though. He wanted everyone to be jealous of what he had, and that included me.

  My nerves won’t settle down. I’m running around doing all the things Linda needs me to, while trying not to trip up and tell her or Beth what I’m doing tonight. I can’t handle getting grilled by them. I’m nervous enough.

  Before I know it, it’s nearing four in the afternoon. Linda and Beth are finishing supper for our weekend group and chatting animatedly about future plans for the ranch.

  Trying to join in on the conversation, I can’t seem to keep up as I try to decide what I’m going to wear tonight. I don’t know what we’re doing or what would drive him crazy seeing me in.

  A dress and heels are my standard, and I’d only need to decide on accessories. But unless I wanted to risk falling on my ass, heels aren’t going to work.

  “Holly. Holly?”

  I haven’t been paying attention to Linda talking to me. “Huh?”

  “Never mind, dear. We got it from here if you want to get ready for supper.”

  Crap—I always have supper with her or the group, and I forgot I needed an excuse not to be present. “Umm, I’m actually really tired. I may just lie down for a bit and grab something later if that’s okay.” Sweat beads form near my hairline while I lie to her. Maybe I should just tell her the truth and risk the questions.

  “You feeling okay?” Her voice is laced with concern as she comes to feel my forehead.

  I wave her off with a nervous laugh. “I’m fine. Just tired. Thank you.” I turn and walk out of the kitchen quickly before she can ask me any more questions.

  While I shower, I’m still having a wardrobe war in my head.

  Standing in front of my closet wearing my favorite matching bra-and-underwear set, I decide on tight jeans and a low-cut loose blouse. Tonight I’m preparing for the unknown; next time I’ll wear a dress if I know what we’re doing. Wait, next time?

  Letting my long blonde hair hang loose to show off my natural waves, I put makeup on for the first time in what feels like forever. I feel sexy. It’s been so long since I made myself up I forgot how a little eyeliner and mascara can make me feel.

  Looking myself over in the mirror, I can’t help but smile at my boots. They make me look like the country girl I’ve been living; plus, I know Chase likes them.

  I glance at the clock and see I have ten minutes before I need to meet him. My nerves kick into overdrive as I try to apply some gloss. This is it.

  Have I ever been this nervous before?

  My mother was never home most of the time to know what I was doing. Tonight would be my first time sneaking out of the house to meet a boy.

  Hearing the noise of the guests as they talk during supper down the hall, I tiptoe out the side door no one hardly uses. Chase is already outside waiting, leaned up on the truck’s passenger door. His appearance stops me dead.

  His beard is trimmed even shorter on his cheeks more like a five-o’clock shadow. His long, wavy hair that falls past his shoulders has been layered below his ears. He’s wearing a blue plaid button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tucked into designer jeans I have never seen him wear before.

  He went to a lot of trouble cleaning up for me.

  He looks even hotter now. There was no way I could resist him before... now, I fear we won’t make it down the driveway.

  I can’t take my eyes off his lips and his sculpted jaw that makes his grin even cockier. Stumbling forward toward him, I shiver as his blue eyes drink me in.

  He hums his approval as he holds his hand out to me. “You look beautiful, Holly.” His smile isn’t cocky anymore; it speaks how he feels and shows how nervous he is too.

  “Thank you. You look very... groomed tonight.” Oh god, that was awful. “Nice. I mean, you look very nice tonight. Handsome. I like it.” That was not a good recovery.

  Chuckling, he runs a hand through his short hair and around the stubble on his face. “I don’t know if I like it yet. The hairdresser in town got a little carried away. I asked for a trim. Do you think it’s too short?” He’s really nervous about his appearance and my approval. Why does that make me like him more?

  “I like the shorter beard. I can see your smile better now. The hair is growing on me.” I wink at him, noticing how he visibly relaxes.

  “I’m glad it’s Holly approved. We better get going before someone notices us,” he says, looking back at the lodge.

  He guides me to his truck with his hand on the small of my back, then helps me in before running around and hopping in.

  The smell of his cologne in the cab of the truck has me wanting to lean into him. I want his smell on me.

  Shaking my head, I scold myself for already wanting to throw myself at him. I need to decide what I want from him.

  “This is for you.” His voice breaks through my thoughts. He’s holding up a single white daisy. “It’s not nearly as pretty as you, but I’ve noticed you liked the wild ones growing near the river.”

  My hand trembles as I reach out to take the flower from him. My chest aches thinking how he noticed something so small about me. I do love the daisies along the river. My cheeks are already starting to hurt from the smile he put there.

  “Thank you, it’s beautiful.” Our eyes meet, both of us trying to say more than our words can.

  “Okay, where to?”

>   I’m so bewildered at his question that I drop my hand from his. “What?”

  Grabbing me by the hand again, he squeezes it. “I’m joking, I’m joking. I had to break the seriousness for a second.” He clears his throat. “I had to before I drug you over here where I can get my hands on you and kiss you. I need to wait to kiss you, ‘cause I have a feeling the moment I do, I won’t be able to stop. And I promised you a date tonight.”

  The way he looks now, I know I wouldn’t be able to stop either.

  “You looking at me like that isn’t helping my resistance.” He smiles, putting the truck in gear.

  I shake my head, and he gently squeezes my hand again.

  The conversation flows as we loosen up on our way into town.

  I haven’t had much time to explore Springfield since I spend so much time on the ranch, only running in when Linda needs me to grab some groceries or pick up packages at the post office.

  I lived in the city for so long I had a hard time adjusting to the quiet of the ranch, but it didn’t take long to appreciate the serenity it provides. Coming into town, even a small one like this, reminds me of how much I am enjoying being on the ranch.

  He pulls up to a small diner with a large picture window in the front that let you see the patrons inside.

  “Hold on,” he says, jumping out to open my door and offering his hand to me.

  Placing my hand in his feels like time is playing in slow motion. The smile on his face matches my own, and I can’t help but think there is so much more to this man than I’ve been giving him credit for.

  Leaning down to whisper in my ear, he says, “Have I mentioned how much I like you in those boots?”

  I roll my eyes and laugh. “Yes, you only mention it to me every day.”

  “It’s because I can still picture you in that skirt wearing those boots. They are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen a woman wear. Now every day I thank my lucky stars you prove how damn sexy you look in everything.” He leans in and steals a quick kiss.

  I shouldn’t be shocked; his crude statement is pure Chase. What shocks me is that he actually remembers what I was wearing. Most men wouldn’t.