Page 4 of The Curvy Girl's Father of the Bride
The bright Montana sun bathes everything in a golden glow, the lush greenery of Pleasure Ranch sparkles under its rays, but nature and all its beauty is nothing compared to Louisa. We’ve mounted our horses for the trail ride, and I can’t keep my eyes off her.
She has her thick hair wound up in a ponytail, a few light wisps have escaped to frame her exquisite face. She’s looking straight ahead, listening attentively as the guide yammers on about the sights and the history of the ranch. But it’s impossible to concentrate on what he’s saying.
Every time Louisa’s mare steps over a root or stone, she adjusts her seat with ease. Her jeans cling to her curves like plastic wrap and all I can think about is peeling those pants off her and finally tasting the warm honey between her thighs.
Her hips sway in a seductive rhythm that is pure torture to watch. And strike me to hell for noticing the way she licks her lips and how her nipples are poking through that summery top of hers. I’m a man and whenever I’m near her, I feel alive again. More than alive. I’m like a teenager filled with the most perverted grown man thoughts … like fucking my best friend’s daughter.
She’s so irresistibly sweet. But at the same time, I’ll bet there’s a little devil brewing under that innocence. I want to bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in. I still can’t believe I jacked off fantasizing about her in the cabana yesterday and was almost late for dinner. I shouldn’t have the balls to even look at her father after what I did. Jesus. Vance is my best friend. What would he do if he knew his twenty-four-year-old daughter was the star of all my X-rated fantasies?
How would I react if the tables were turned, and I were in his shoes? I shake my head, hoping to clear my thoughts and keep my focus on the trail. The horses are moving slowly and steadily, and I hear Louisa’s giggles as she chats with the other riders.
A loud rustling comes from the bushes on my right and my horse for the day begins to prance. Vance’s ride does the same and rears up, big brown eyes wide with fear, which causes mine to do the same.
“Easy now, Champ,” I say softly. “You’re okay.” I cling to the reins and pat his neck to calm him. Gillian’s at the front of the group with Thomas lost in their own world, unaware of the commotion with the horses behind them.
Fear runs through the animals like a contagion. Louisa’s mare is ready to get the hell out of here too and has no intention of keeping her in the saddle. The animal’s powerful muscles tense as she snorts and angrily jerks her head. Then she arches her back, ready to toss Louisa.
Fuck.“No!” I yell, losing my mind, which doesn’t do a bit of good to calm anything or anyone down. My goddaughter’s horse is in a panic, bucking her with an intensity that’s scaring the crap out of me.
I guide Champ forward, keeping my voice composed and relaxed this time. “You can do it, boy. Just a few steps.” I need to get to her without biting the dust myself. Louisa’s ride loses her shit and leaps in the air before I reach them. The mare’s hooves kick out wildly as I hold my breath, watching Louisa struggling to maintain her balance. The next buck might be the one to throw her off. Christ, does she remember how to fall and avoid the rocks?
Reacting instantly, I dig my heels into Champ’s flanks. The animal thankfully obeys my command and I rush to her side with the thought of anything happening to Louisa terrifying me. But she knows what she’s doing on a horse and immediately gains control. Vance protectively comes to her other side.
“Are you alright?” I shout over the sound of the wind. Louisa nods, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“I’m fine. Sugar was just a bit rattled,” she admits as her startled blue eyes find mine.
“I’ve got you Louisa. I won’t let anything happen to you,” slips from my mouth in a low rasp, before I think twice about saying it.
She holds my stare, questioning me silently.
“You okay, darlin’?” Vance assesses me suspiciously for an instant, but quickly smiles when his daughter sends him a placating grin.
“Nothing I haven’t handled before, Dad. It’s a good thing my godfather bought me my first pony when I was four.” She winks at me and I swear to God my heart melts.
“And your father almost went bankrupt paying for riding lessons for three girls,” Vance reminds her with a teasing smirk.
They share a private look and I think back to the day I secretly walked the pony into Vance’s back garden with a huge pink bow around her neck. I even had a pink saddle custom made. Louisa shrieked and must’ve jumped three feet into the air, she was so surprised and thrilled.
It was a pretty in pink themed party. Pink dress on little Lou, pink cake, pink flowers, and pink presents. Where did all the time go?
I was in my twenties then and had no clue how beautiful Louisa would be, or how strong a woman she’d become—and no inkling how my feelings for her would change.
Vance moves on and yells, “be careful” over his shoulder before he catches up with the rest of the group. I’m left with Louisa, our horses now side by side as we continue on the path.
“Thanks for coming to my rescue back there,” Louisa says, her voice soft and melodic.
“What can I say? Consider me your knight in shining armor.” What the hell am I doing? Am I really going to hit on her here? Now? The weekend of my daughter’s wedding? Louisa gives me a double take and I shrug, immediately backtracking. “Just doing my job as father of the bride,” I tease, down playing what I said. “Can’t have any of our wedding guests ending up in the hospital.”
“At least not before Gillian and Thomas sayI do...” Her gaze lingers on my face making the heat rise in my bloodstream and my heart jackhammer. I’ve never felt like this before. We ride on for a few more minutes and take a left into a grove of pine trees. The sun filters through the thick green canopy and I can’t help but steal glances at Louisa.
“So you think you can manage to save me a dance tomorrow at the reception,” just spills from my mouth.Jesus. Get a grip. Stop playing with fire.She pivots to look at me, her sparkling clear water blue eyes widen in surprise. “I mean, since I came to your rescue and practically saved your life.” I continue digging my hole.
Her smile morphs into a sly grin as she tilts her head to the side. “Well, I suppose it’s the least I can do, after all you did introduce me to the first love of my life.” I wait on baited breath for her to explain. What is she trying to tell me? Louisa coyly bats her eyelashes. “Ralph.” She sighs with a faraway look and it finally dawns on me. That was the name of the pony I gave her.
Relief washes over me as I let out a nervous chuckle. She isn’t fazed in the slightest by my come on. “Perfect then.”
“I’ll try not to step on your toes, but I’m holding you to that dance,” she teases and makes a clicking sound, urging Sugar forward, which of course gives me an excellent view of her rear end in those tight jeans again.
