Page 62 of Gotta Dig Deep
He moved closer, running an appreciative hand up her belly to cup one breast. The dark nipple was roughly peaked in an instant, pressing against the palm of his hand. Her breath caught as her throat worked, and the eyes she lifted to look into his face were dark, pupils wide with desire, and muscles in her face strained with want.
“Yeah, there’s some news. Sounds like we’ve got a few hours at most before things might get busy around here. My friend in Alabama is going to alert key folks, and I’d like to take a run into town to see if there’s anything to report from our end yet.”
He tweaked her nipple between thumb and fingertip, lifting his other hand to her waist to pull her a little nearer, then tugged to bring her closer yet. She came willingly, her hips pressed against him with a heat he could feel through his jeans.
He’d had her again this morning, lying behind her in the bed and rocking into her slowly. Building her pleasure until it bubbled over in a series of long, low moans accompanied by rippling movements of her body. Then he’d lifted her leg over his hip and thrust harder, finding his orgasm in moments. She’d strained to reach the back of his head, turning her face to watch him and urging him on until he’d filled the condom with cum.
“I’m not ever goin’ to get tired of you, Glenna. Got me wrapped around your little finger. Hell, all your fingers.” He bent to kiss her deep and slow, tongues working in a lazy dance. “Hope you know that.”
“I do now,” she offered, lifting her chin in silent demand.
He descended on her mouth again, lapping at her tongue, nipping her lips until she groaned softly.
“Horse, I know it’s fast—”
“But it’s right.” Her smile at him finishing her sentence warmed him from the inside out. She was confident of her place in his arms, and he loved seeing that look on her face. He kissed her again, dipping his mouth to trail more kisses along her jaw to her ear. Whispering, he told her, “I think I love you.”
She turned her head to place her mouth next to his ear, fingers tightening on his neck to hold him in place. “I don’t think. I know.”
Horse crushed her to him, wrapping himself around her protectively and possessively, holding her close as emotions rushed through him. Relief, followed by a joy so ecstatic he had to catch his breath.
“Can’t. Breathe.” She was laughing through her put-on wheeze, and he shook his head as he laughed along with her.
“Get used to it.” He leaned back at the waist, keeping his arms tight around her. “I don’t know what I did to deserve an angel like you.” Shamu’s hard nose pressed at his hip, and he glanced down at the dog. “Or what I did to earn a spot with your dog.” His words were answered by a silent snarl, the dog lifting one lip to show teeth to him. “He’ll get over it eventually.”
“Eventually,” she agreed, then laughed lightly. “Probably.”
“Much as I’d like to take this to the next logical step, we should shake off the dust and head out.” He wrapped her hair around his fist, angling her head backwards with a gentle tug, not surprised to see deep lust instantly appear in her expression. His woman liked things rough and rowdy, and it thrilled him each time he uncovered another facet of her personality. “We can save this for later.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, chuckling when she made a greedy sound and turned her head to line up their lips, tugging against his hold to lift her mouth to his. “Promise you everything you want, Glenna mine. We’ll break the bed tonight.” He took her mouth in another long kiss. “Promise.”
“Gonna hold you to that, Horse.” Thrusting her hips forward, she left no question about how she felt with the delayed gratification he was demanding. “Because it’s not gentlemanly to leave a woman wanting.”
“Never said I was a gentleman.” He nuzzled her neck and pulled away, carding his fingers through her hair. “I’m a good man, but that’s as far as I’ll go.”
“Coffee, dressed, then a truck ride.” She whirled to lead the way back into the kitchen and lifted the mug already waiting for her. “I’ll take this into the bedroom with me. Coffee never disappoints.” Casting a coy smile over her shoulder, she caught him looking at her ass. Exaggerating her walk, she swayed down the hall and out of sight.
Shamu barked once, bumped into Horse as he reentered the house, then followed his mistress with clicking nails that somehow shouted disapproval.
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. But you’ll get to ride in the truck with us.” He was laughing as he called after the dog. “I hear you like french fries. That should earn me some points.”
Twenty minutes later, they were driving into the little town of Belle, and Glenna angle parked the truck just up the street from the feed store.
Horse clipped Shamu’s leash onto his harness and exited the passenger door, meeting Glenna at the front of the truck. It was the first time they’d been into town since starting to sleep together, and he planned to leave any demonstration of affection up to her.
Glenna didn’t disappoint. She stood on the curb and looped a hand through his arm, then lifted her head. He was happy to meet her halfway with a soft kiss, chaste as could be. Shamu pushed between them, shoving Horse backwards a step. Glenna laughed and took the leash, scolding the dog as she grabbed Horse’s hand with her other one. She threaded their fingers together and led the way up the sidewalk and into the store.
Their entrance was met with a bubble of silence, followed by a round of applause begun by the older man behind the counter. Horse looked on with amusement as Glenna was folded into his arms, the man holding her tenderly before releasing her to Horse’s arms again.
“’Bout time, kiddo,” the older man said as he pulled himself up to sit on the countertop. “We were runnin’ out of gossip about town doin’s. Tell us everything.”
Several older ranchers gathered in a semi-circle nearby laughed from their seats on overturned buckets and folding chairs. A couple of them chimed in with versions of “Hear, hear,” and Glenna giggled, turning her face against Horse’s shoulder.
“Everyone, this is Graeme. He’s with me, as you can see.” She made an expansive sweeping motion with her arm. “Graeme, this is everyone. I won’t give you names, because they’re being nosey parkers. They can introduce themselves when the time comes.”
As one, the men smiled at Glenna, and Horse saw the caring in every face. They knew her, had known her husband, and had watched her go through a terrible experience. None of them would fault her for finding happiness again, no matter how much they’d respected Penn. Acceptance like that was a gem to be polished and kept safe.
“Hi, everyone. I hope to have a chance to meet all of you again.” He nodded to each in turn, feeling like he was in church with his brothers. “We’ve had some trouble out at Glenna’s place and wondered if any of you knew anything about what’s going on. If you’d seen anyone new in town.” When the store owner cleared his throat, Horse tossed a grin his direction. “In addition to me, I realize I’m from away too.”
“Snyder’s place seems to be a beehive of worthless pot stirrers.” That came from one of the group of men, and Horse turned to face him. “Seen any number of new faces when I delivered a trailer of roll hay to them. Weren’t any of them hands either. Didn’t have a clue how to run a tractor.” He hooked a can towards him with one foot and spit a stream of brown liquid into it. “Hopeless. Made an old man like me get out and do it myself. Useless as tits on a boar hog.” His lips shifted into a wry grimace. “Heard them talkin’, though. Thought themselves big men. Shakin’ each other down with threats and promises. I’m thinkin’ it’s more a big man, little pond thing.”
