Page 34 of Rancher's Strength

Gently, I placed my hand on her back and whispered in her ear, “Like I said, meet you at home. I’ll take Griff and Elle; it will save you a stop.” Without thinking, I kissed the side of her head and gathered my friends.

Chapter Seventeen

LEXIE

It had been years since I’d driven drunk people home from a crazy night at the bar, but here I was, my SUV full of couples who looked at one another as if they had hung the fucking moon. My stomach rolled, and I wondered how I could be the only one in this car who felt nauseated. Pulling up to Kipp and Nora’s, not one person had realized we’d stopped.

“You’ve arrived at your destination,” I said in my most pleasant robotic voice as I turned in my seat. The two couples I was chauffeuring looked out the windows.

“So, we are. Thanks for the ride home, Lexie, even though we don’t like you anymore.” Fallon grinned before she reached for the door handle. Trust that woman always to say what’s on her mind, especially when she was drunk.

“Feeling’s mutual, Fallon, can’t say I was very happy with you when you ran away.” The words spilled out of my mouth, and she froze, half in and half out of the car. She didn’t say anything; she just nodded.

“Night, Lexie,” Nora said, smiling sweetly. “Thanks for bringing us home.” I liked Nora; she was a good person, and if I were truthful, I did like Fallon too. She’d hurt many people when she left here in the middle of the night, but I understoodwhy she had to go. Her life might not have turned out like she’d planned while she was away, but it brought her home, and she and Nash seemed to be very happy. But my leaving apparently caused just as many hard feelings, so it’s not like I could pretend I was morally superior.

I watched to make sure they all got into their houses. What kind of taxi service would I be if I didn’t make sure they were safe? With a flick of his hand in my direction, Kipp walked through his front door, and I was alone again.

Thankfully, the drive to the farm wasn’t long, and I turned into our laneway and sighed. Relaxing back into the seat, I waited for the yard light to glow through the darkness as I pulled into where we always parked. I smiled when I saw the porch light on and Ryder sitting on the rocking chair waiting. I couldn’t let him know how much I liked seeing him there. “Lock yourself out?” I hollered when I got out of the car.

“Come here.” His voice was low and thick and made me wet instantly. Not one to ignore his demands, I walked slowly to the porch and up the stairs. The tendrils of smoke from the cigarillo between his fingers danced in the air. A bottle of whiskey and two glasses beside him, amber liquid already poured into them.

Ryder held out his big hand, and I slid mine into it. He easily pulled me down onto his lap, which I didn’t fight. He lifted his hand to his mouth and took a few puffs of the cigarillo, then exhaled and sweetness with a hint of tart overcame me. “Cherry,” I said as I smiled. It was a weird thing to get nostalgic about, but when we’d started dating he used to smoke them constantly, and even though I hated it, it smelled better than a cigarette.

“Haven’t had one for years, but I had a craving tonight.” The low rumble of his voice against my ear. “It won’t become a habit, I gave them up years ago.” When Ryder made his mind up to dosomething he did it, and I didn’t have any concerns he’d start smoking them regularly.

“You must have found Dad’s stash in the liquor cabinet,” I said, my voice light and oddly relaxed. I didn’t know a night when he and Mom hadn’t sat on this porch, enjoying the evening together, just like Ryder and I were now.

“That’s exactly what happened,” he chuckled and I took a sip of the whiskey. It burned as it slid down my throat, and I relaxed into him.

“How are your feet?” He asked.

“Sore.” I let my head fall back against his shoulder. Ryder wrapped his arms around me. “I was jealous,” I whispered.

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Ryder’s laughter rumbled in his chest, and I slapped his arm. Neither of us said another word again. We listened to the crickets singing in the grass and the frogs croaking down at the pond. He tamped out the cigarillo, and took my glass, setting it beside his on the table. My heart raced, and I couldn't control my breathing.

Ryder moved his hand to my hip and then dragged it up my side. His touch burned through the thin fabric of my shirt. I should tell him to stop. This was already blurring lines that were getting far too fuzzy.

“Do you want to stop?” His whispered words did nothing to break the spell I was falling under.

“No, I don’t want you to stop.”

“Thank fuck.” He moved his hand, cupping my breast in his big palm. Electricity sizzled through me, and I shifted on his lap. Needing more, I turned my head and pressed my lips to his. It still wasn’t enough. When I pulled away, stood, and turned, the question in his eyes—his furrowed brow—told me he thought this was over.

I leaned over and pushed his legs together, then straddled him and sat down again. The frown morphed into a grin, and hegrabbed the back of my head, crashing his mouth to mine as the need between us built to a combustible frenzy.

Ryder slid his hand up my shirt and flicked the clasps of my bra with expertise. It loosened, and he moved his calloused hand over my sensitive nipple. Grinding on him, he let out a moan, and I put more pressure on his lap.

“Sweetheart, you’re going to make me blow my load in my jeans,” Ryder said without pulling his mouth away from mine, so it was more like a mumble.

“Well, you’ve done it before,” I said, smiling against his mouth.

“You said you’d never bring that up again.” He looked like he was going to pout. It was one of our first times together, and I was pretty sure I’d never hear from him again after that night. We’d been making out in his truck, and I was sitting on his lap between him and the steering wheel. One thing led to another, and he couldn’t hold back when I shuddered around his fingers. It was so hot to know he’d wanted me that badly.

Letting my forehead rest against his, I giggled. “I think it was a night just like this, actually.”

“Stop talking, or I’ll leave you to finish this yourself.” He let his hands fall away from me and pulled back. Ryder didn’t take teasing well, and I didn’t like seeing him go back to those days, so it was time to change the subject.

“Well, I wouldn’t have to imagine being in the same room as you this time.” I shrugged.

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