Page 29 of Country Contract

I’ve seen her walking the property during the afternoon hours when the sun is up and the chill isn’t too bad. She just ambles around, taking it all in. She has gone to the stables and asked our hand, Jake, about the horses we have here. She hasn’t asked to ride yet but inquired with Jake about English tack. He let her know that I had gotten some from a neighboring ranch for herto use while she stays with us.

This is the fourth morning in a row that I’ve dreamed of her. Each time, whenever we get to a point where I might finally feelsatisfied, I wake up. Before we kiss, before I get to tasteher, right as she gets on her knees.Each dream is a constant battle for control with loads of heavy petting. It’storture. It doesn’t help that I haven’t gone out on any more dates, and the women on the app aren’t holding myinterest.

Broadening my horizons about the types of women I date only seems to have marginally increased the chances. I don’t understand how Hunter and Cassidy seem to have lucked out right away. Is there something I could do to get some of that kind of luck tossed my way?

A long shower pulls some of my tension away. The need to get out and go on a date is heavy. Part of me considers giving casual sex a try for the first time to see if what I need is just a fantastic lay. I have my doubts in that area.

The idea of meaningless sex seems so pointless. Making someone feel good is more than just physical in my book. The feel of a woman’s body under mine is exquisite, but the feel of a woman who I’m connected to under me is euphoria. The eye contact alone during those intimate moments can send a bolt of lightning down my spine.

Cassidy swears that people need to have their fair share of randos before getting to the one. Hunter cringed at her words but nodded in agreement. I could probably hook up with one of the girls on the app, or even download another more casual one. It can’t be that hard to find someone for a casual evening. I would consider finding someone at The Draft, but local flings never end well.

My shower is filled with thoughts of that witch of a woman. Harlow on her knees in this shower, long, wet, black hair stuck to her skin like dead vines. Onyx eyes staring into my soul with a touch of malice as she takes me down her throat. The nip of her teeth at the base of my cock in defiance. I would almost kill to have her take me once. I come thinking of her drooling as she swallows me down.

As much as I apparently desire her, she’s a guest, and that is not a fling that would end well, either. Shestill hasn’t given me an official checkout date but states it will likely be around the holidays. That’s several weeks from now. If I fuck this girl, she will leave early and possibly even leave a shitty review. Not the drama I want in my life.

Once I’m cleaned up and dressed for the day, I make my way to the stable to saddle up Star and check on the girls, the hay feeders, and the stock tanks.

Jake has taken a shine to the cattle and ranching aspects of our farm. He started out in the fields doing a lot of crop work, but in the winter he helped me with the livestock. The kid is a natural on this farm. After I have everything noted, I’ll shoot him a message to start prepping a trailer for hay.

Star is looking as good as ever, beautiful and energetic. She loves the days I choose to take her out instead of the ATV or UTV. This morning is the coldest we’ve had since fall started, and part of me wishes I grabbed a beanie instead of my baseball cap. Once I get working, I know I’ll heat up, but my ears sting a little.

Some of the cattle have wandered a little too far for my liking, so I herd them closer to the land near the cowhouse. This is another reason I’d love to have a good dog; having a little bud who could help me herd the livestock would be great. Cassidy seemed to think it was a good idea, and Hunter will act like he doesn’t like it, but he loves animals just as much as the rest of us. Having a pet has always been something I loved. After my folks took their hound with them, we’ve been too busy to consider getting another one and training him or her. Now, right as the seasons change, it seems like the perfect time.

Harlow’s strange cat crosses my mind. I’ve never seen anything like it and wish I got a better look. The thinglooked like the biggest rat I’ve ever seen, but Harlow seemed enamored with it.

The bunkhouse comes into view, and I catch a glimpse of the sorceress, reading as she does at this time of day. She’s focused and looks good. It irks me how she does nothing and still draws me to her so effortlessly. My eyes can’t seem to look away. My hands itch to pull her to me again. I want to see if she smells of fresh local soaps after her stop at Franny’s stand.

As I get closer to the rental, she lifts her head and watches me approach. I feel her eyes roam over Star, likely wanting to get in the saddle herself. She leans back in the chair and draws her legs up to her chest, perching her mug on her knees. Tentatively, she takes a sip, and I watch her lips cover the rim of the cup. They look so soft, unlike the rest of her.

Her nails are painted black, and they’re longer than usual with a slight point at the tip. It gives a dark, sinister vibe and I hate that I can so easily imagine her fingers wrapped around my length. I hate that I want to see her nails digging into my thighs as I slide down her throat.

I’ve never held such a raw desire for someone before, even girlfriends. Sure, I wanted to kiss them, hold them, sleep with them, but never have I felt so desperate. Her constant irritation when I’m around spurs me on. Her smart mouth and quick jabs entertain me more than annoy me. The only thing that makes any sense is the fact that she’s so out of the ordinary that it caught my attention. It’s like when someone tells you that you can’t do something, and you get the urge to prove them wrong.

When I stop in front of her, she offers me a nod.

“Good morning, Harrison.”

“Morning. The weather is getting cooler by the day.”

“It’s perfect out; almost seems too nice. You know when too many good days are followed by a string of rainstorms and bad weather?”

“You seem like the type to like a rainy day.” I don’t know why I said it; it’s the first time she’s offered me such a simple conversation without bite.

She tilts her head and arches a brow at me. “Is that right?” She starts to gather her things as if she’s going to head in, but she doesn’t. She makes a neat pile of her items, setting her mug on her manuscript to stop it from blowing into a mess.

Stepping down, Harlow makes her way cautiously toward Star. She runs her hand up Star’s shoulder to her crest, giving her loving, soft rubs. Star is melting under her affection.

“Jake mentioned this is your girl,” she says softly. I give her a quick nod.“She’s sweet. Loves sugar cubes.” Star whinnies a little as if she realizes that Harlow is talking about treats. It also dawns on me that the reason Star is so accustomed to her is because she has literallysweetened her up, with sugar cubes and God knows what else.

“She is sweet. Hardworking, too—hard to spook, reliable. Only stubborn during bad weather.”

“Who doesn’t love a stubborn girl?”

“My brother definitely does. He’s got two on his hands.”

Harlow laughs lightly again, and it catches me off guard. It’s a littleforeign for her to be laughing with me.

“Cassidy and Blake surely seem to be the handful.”

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