Page 8 of Long Hard Ride
“That you’ve got my cock so fucking hard I could bend you over that table and pump you full of cum right this fucking second?”
Brooke’s mouth drops open in shock again.
“Well, now you know.” I gather up my paperwork and try to ignore my painful hard-on. Shit. What is it like tonotbe hard around her? I start to head out of the kitchen but turn back around. We have a long road ahead. As long as she behaves herself, I don’t want her to be afraid of me. “Hope you have a good day.”
“Thanks.” I see the relief trickle through her body as she relaxes. “I’ll probably do a little painting and hang out with Gramps for as long as he’s awake.”
“That sounds like a plan,” I say, heading out. “I’ll be back after dark.”
“Be careful out there, cowboy.”
Chapter Four
May
It’s dark, but the porch lights are on. The whole day’s been a blur. I’m so exhausted I can barely lift my feet. My dressy black heels scuff over the gravel as I trudge from the car to the front door.One foot in front of the other, I remind myself, step by step.
Shane is by my side, and even though he’s not saying anything, his silent presence gives me strength. We’ve been getting along pretty well since I’ve been making a point not to wear anything too revealing around him. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been tempted to entice him.
That morning, when Shane grabbed me and played with my nipples and told me every filthy thing he’d do to me, I’d never wanted anyone more in my life. No one has ever talked to me like that. I still get wet just thinking about it.
In fact, last week I told him I was nervous that morning, but that I still want him to be the first one I sleep with.
Mr. No Commitment refused, of course. I see the hunger in his stare sometimes and still feel the sparks pinging between us. But Shane hasn’t touched me since that one and only time.
On a positive note, there isn’t any awkwardness between us, which is a good thing right now, because I can’t imagine coming back to this house alone.
I’ve been crying nonstop since Monday, when Ethel tearfully gave me the news. Gramps passed sometime during the night in his sleep. She doesn’t think he was in any pain.
I glance over at Shane. His black hat is covered with raindrops, and the brim shades his eyes, just like it did during the service. I can’t tell if he’s been crying, not for sure anyway. But I know Gramps’s death has to be hitting him hard too. How many times has he told me Gramps was like a father to him?
Shane opens the door for me. I catch his eye, and in that brief instant, those blue eyes of his penetrate my soul. There’s vulnerability and compassion shrouded behind the deep blue glimmer. I’m whisked back to those cheerful summer days, when I was ten, helping Shane with chores. He was just a little older than I am right now. He seemed so much more mature than I feel.
“Coffee?” he asks, tossing his keys on the living room table before heading into the kitchen.
“No thanks.” I kick my heels off and ease into the soft cushions on the couch.
