Page 39 of Spurred On

Her breathy pants fill the room, unable to speak, as she just nods her head. Thank fuck, because I am seconds from exploding inside her. Seconds later, she grips down so hard that I can’t hold my orgasm back. Thrust after thrust, I fill her up, branding her as mine.

I look down as I pull out, a primal sense filling me as I watch my cum drip out of her. It’s a silent claiming, fucking her like this. No one else will see it, but I’ll know that she will be thinking of me all day tomorrow.

When I finally catch my breath, I look down at her perfect body, still panting and catching her breath. “Sometimes, I can’t believe that you’re mine.” I lean down and seal her lips with a kiss, pulling her up to a seated position.

Her arms drape around my shoulders. “You know, I’m feeling pretty lucky these days, too. Did you know my husband is a hot rodeo star who’s completely obsessed with me?” The teasing grin on her face makes my heart swell. This fucking woman.

“That he is, and proud of it.” I shouldn’t like her calling me her husband. In fact, it should terrify me, but the only scary thing about it is the looming court date. I’m hers as long as she’ll have me, and I can only hope we figure out how to make that last. “Let’s get you cleaned up, sweetheart.”

Guess I should probably take off my pants and shoes now. I kick off my boots and pants aiming for the corner. Grabbing her legs, I wrap them around my waist and carry her to the shower.

Once we are all cleaned up, we crawl in my bed and turn on a movie. I never thought I’d look forward to simple nights like this, so accustomed to the active lifestyle on the road that leaves little time for rest. But with Ava, I want to slow it down and enjoy every single second I get with her. She’s too damn good for me, and I thank the lucky stars she hasn’t figured that out yet.

Chapter 23

Ava

Isit on the front porch, sipping my coffee and propping my feet against the spare chair—a book in my hand and the crisp breeze through my hair. The air out here feels different, the subtle scent of pine mixed with a certain sense of clarity. I survived my first mountain winter. Wyoming winters can be brutal anywhere, but even the short spree I had here was rough. I shouldn’t hold my breath, though. Just because it’s finally June doesn’t mean we’re free and clear from the snow. But today, the sun is out and the birds are chirping, so I can feel the seasonal depression leaving my body.

My eyes close as I lean my head back, resting my book in my lap. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed. My bills are paid, I finally have a steady income, and training is going well. For the first time in forever, I don’t think I have anything to worry about. Well, except for Maverick getting his ass killed by a bull. The time he’s away for rides always passes slowly, mostly because I’m paralyzed by the fear I’m going to get a call that he’s been hurt, or worse. But he’s on his way home from a week away, so even that isn’t a worry. My breathing levels out, and I sink deeper into the rocker. The gentle squeak of the chair against the wooden porch lulls me to sleep.

I feel a hand running through my hair and snuggle into the touch, still halfway in dreamland. My mind slowly comes back to reality, my eyes fluttering open, and I can’t help but smile.

“You’re home.” Sitting up, I stretch my arms over my head, taking Mav in. His T-shirt hugs his chiseled chest. He squats in front of me, gear bag still slung over his shoulder as he rests his hand on my thighs. I love that about him, his constant need to be touching me. His touch makes me feel a little bit safer than I have ever before. Grounded, steady, and seen.

The edges of his eyes crinkle with his smile. “You must be really bored if you’re passed out on the front porch.”

“Just comfy. How was your drive?”

“Too long. I missed you.” He leans forward and presses a quick peck to my lips, leaving my heart galloping in my chest.

When my lips pull back from his, I smart off, “Of course you did. I am a delight.”

He dramatically rolls his eyes. “Ohkayyy, well I was going to see if you wanted to go for a horseback ride around the ranch, but clearly you are too tired and I was not missed. I’ll ask Weston." He winks before he saunters into the house.

I’ve been itching to see more than I can see while wandering around during my walks. I get a little scared I might get lost or, I don’t know, find a bear or something. Death by bear is not how I plan on going out.

I launch out of the chair, quick on Mav’s heels into the house. “I’m awake, and I missed you.” The floorboard creaks as I come to a halt in front of the bed.

“Where do you sleep when I’m gone?”

“What?” My brain takes a few seconds to understand what he is asking. My cheeks instantly blush when he asks because I sleep in his bed. It smells like him and makes it feel like he’s still here even when he’s gone. I don’t care if it’s weird. We sleep together when he’s here,so I guess I never thought much of it when I officially broke up with the futon.

The smile that stretches across his lips tells me he hears all the words I’m not saying. “Yeah, you missed me alright.” He walks to me, slowly, as his hands encircle my waist, wrapping his arms around me. Contentment fills my body. I get on my tiptoes and throw my arms around the back of his neck.

“Maybe just a little.”

“I like the thought of you warming my bed when I’m gone.” He leans down until his forehead rests against mine.

“Well, in that case, I may have slept in it a time or two.” More like every single night, but he doesn’t need to know how down bad I am.

“The messy sheets gave you away, sweetheart.” Damn, the one time I forgot to make the bed. He leans down to kiss my lips, and I melt into his embrace. I’ve been so tough for so long, but finding someone I can be soft for feels safer than anything else ever has. He pulls away and studies me for a second. “So you want to go?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, it might get a little chilly, so throw on a sweater and we can head to the barn.”

We start the trot up a trail that cuts through trees. Without the sun, it does feel a bit colder. I lean back into Maverick’s warmth as the horse trots below us. Taking it all in, with the snow gone, the grass has started to green and leaves are growing back on the aspen trees. The sound ofthe horse’s hooves hitting the ground is the only sound around. It’s a different kind of peace. Serene.

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