Page 12 of Barn Burner (Love The Game #2)

Brayden

Once we finish at Bow Lake, we return to Jesse’s truck and continue up the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake. This one is a longer, steeper walk from the parking lot to the Bow Summit viewpoint, but when we get to the top, the view is so surreal. So breathtaking, it has my steps falter.

“Wow…” I gasp as I take in the view before me. “I… Holy shit, I don’t think I can find the right words to explain how fucking beautiful this place is…”

“It’s quite somethin’,” Jesse agrees, stepping up beside me against the railing.

“They say the shape of the lake looks like a wolf’s head.

You see?” He traces the outline of the lake with his finger, pointing out the ears, nose, and body.

Lush green pine trees cover the base of the mountains and surround the body of water.

The depth of the forest almost makes the turquoise blue of the lake pop even brighter.

“It’s so blue…,” I say, then huff out a laugh at how ridiculous I sound. “I’m sorry. I just… I can’t get over how beautiful it is. It doesn’t seem real.”

He tilts his head curiously. “Do you not have places like this at home?”

“Yeah, we do.” I nod. “The Scottish Highlands is one of my favourite places to go, or Wales. And the Lake District has the largest natural lake in England, but I guess you never really appreciate the beauty when it’s so readily available, you know?

I’ve always been more excited about places outside of the UK rather than what was pretty much on my doorstep. ”

“Sometimes I think that’s just how it is in life,” he says, resting his forearms against the wooden railing. “It takes time to learn to appreciate our surroundings.”

I mirror his position. “Are you speaking from experience?”

“Somewhat, yes. Growing up, I knew the ranch was going to be my life. I was out helping my dad when I was four years old, but I never truly appreciated the beauty of it all until about six or seven years ago when I saw it through a different lens.”

“I can just imagine a mini Jesse running around in his little cowboy hat.” I grin playfully.

He chuckles. “I didn’t do any runnin’. My dad would’ve kicked my ass.

But ten years ago, you never would have caught me sittin’ out on my porch in the evening, just looking out at the fields.

” Our eyes meet again, and I swallow hard at the almost sad flicker in his eyes.

“It’s the favourite part of my day now. And enjoyin’ it with you these last few weeks has made it all the more. ”

My throat becomes thick with emotion. I lick over my lips, swallowing a few more times to try and dislodge the knot that’s forming. I don’t know what it is about him bringing me here that’s made me so fucking emotional.

Maybe it’s the significance of how far I’ve come mentally and emotionally since that day I left my house back in Calgary to come out here and find myself again.

I mean, sure, it’s been a lot easier to block it all out because being out here, I’m separated from the world I live in.

I’ve been ignoring my phone except for the odd message to my brother or my parents.

I removed all the social media apps, and I’ve resisted the urge to search my name to see what other bullshit the journalists are writing about me.

I’ve been so entranced by the man before me. Nothing else mattered except him.

Sucking in a shaky breath, I return my gaze to the view of the lake and the mountains. I don’t want to bring up what’s waiting for me back in Calgary, but there’s something inside me that wants to let Jesse in. To give him an insight into where my mind was when he found me that day.

“Do you ever feel like you’re disappointing everyone? Like everyone has these expectations of you, and you fail to meet any of them?”

“Sometimes.”

I cock my head to look at him again, surprised by his answer. “Really?”

“Mhm. I’m the eldest child, Brayden. It’s kinda natural to put all the pressure on them.”

I huff a quiet laugh. “I never really had that with Jude. Maybe it’s because there’s only three years between us. We’ve always been pretty close.”

“Do you get to see him much?”

I shake my head. “Nah. A few times a year at most. He came over for a few weeks this summer, but we’re both living our lives now.”

A few people mill around us, taking photos and appreciating the scenery. Jesse and I are quiet for a while, except for the times he points out some of the wildlife in the forest below us.

“He met this really great guy over the summer, and he’s the happiest he’s ever been, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for him…”

“Do you wish you could have that for yourself?” Jesse asks.

“Yeah,” I sigh sadly. “I guess I do.”

Being out here really puts things into perspective.

Everything else seems so… insignificant.

As humans, we spend so much of our lives worrying about the wrong things, allowing the pressures of others’ expectations to weigh us down.

We allow society to dictate what or where we should be at certain phases in our lives, but in the end, does it really matter?

When I hang up my skates, will the people of Calgary remember me?

Or will they forget about me the moment my name tag is ripped off my locker stall?

Will they remember all the game-winning goals I scored or the fact that I was a part of the team that saw the Bobcats going to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in thirty-six years?

They last won when Jesse was born.

Maybe he’s their lucky charm. Maybe he could be my lucky charm .

I inwardly roll my eyes at myself. Fucking hockey players and our dumbass superstitions.

But… What if? What if I could have both?

I startle when Jesse’s hand cups my cheek, tilting my head to look at him. The viewpoint has emptied out now with the sun starting to fall behind the mountains, creating a soft halo behind him. His thumb traces over my upper lip, then pulls my bottom lip down slightly.

“You’re thinkin’ too hard, and I didn’t bring you here to think.”

Unable to stop myself from doing what I do best and deflecting, I smirk and drop my voice to ask, “What did you bring me here for? ’Cause I saw some pretty big trees down there. Big enough for us to hide behind while I suck your dick.”

“Jesus Christ, Brayden,” he mutters, running his thumb over my lips. “You have such a wicked mouth.”

“I’ll show you just how wicked it can be.” I wink, earning myself one of Jesse’s gorgeous smiles.

Instead of answering me, he closes the distance and kisses me. I curl my fingers into the soft material of his plaid shirt and melt into him. Jesse nips my bottom lip, his signal to let me know we’re done kissing for now. I groan and reluctantly let go of his shirt.

“We should head back before it gets too late,” he says, taking a step around me, and swats my ass. “I’ve got one more thing to show you before the night’s out.”

We end up stopping at a restaurant in Canmore to grab some food before getting back on the road, so by the time we arrive back at the ranch, the sun has set. Bypassing the main house, Jesse continues up the gravel track and parks his truck near the barn.

“Do we need to feed the horses?” I ask, curious as to why we’ve stopped here rather than at his house.

“Yes, but there’s also something I want to show you,” he replies.

I follow Jesse inside the barn, and he closes the door behind us.

We walk through the back end of the barn, and Jesse leads me up a set of narrow wooden stairs.

The smell of hay becomes more prominent the higher I get.

It’s completely dark, and I pat my foot around when I sense I’ve made it to the top step.

Then there’s a quiet click, and a small lantern lights up the space.

I glance around at the stacks of hay bales as Jesse begins to organize some of them, almost creating a seating area.

“Are we having a picnic?” I ask.

Jesse shakes his head. “No, but I need you to take a seat for me.”

Feeling all sorts of giddy, I take a seat on the edge of one of the bales and watch as he opens one of the hatches in the roof. The window frames the clear night sky, almost like a postcard decorated in stars.

“Wow, look at that,” I say under my breath, peering up.

“Nice view, eh?”

“Amazing,” I agree, then avert my eyes to look at him. “Gorgeous.”

One corner of his mouth hitches, and then he’s heading back toward the staircase.

“Stay here. I’ll be back in a sec,” he says, then disappears down the stairs, the sound of his boots against the wooden slats echoing through the barn.

Leaning back against my elbows, I tilt my head to look up through the open hatch and listen to his deep murmur as he says something to the horses. Their responding huffs and snorts make me smile.

After a few minutes, his heavy footsteps return, along with the rumble of his voice when he calls up, “Close your eyes.”

Grinning, I do as I’m told and shut my eyes. “Not gonna lie, this whole secret thing is really turning me on,” I say teasingly.

“Mhm” is his response.

A prickle of awareness travels over my skin when he takes the final step. There’s a rustle of material, like he’s just dropped something next to me. The scent of his aftershave overrules the scent of hay, and my cock instantly thickens behind my zipper.

“You know I love it when you edge me, Jesse, but it’s taking everything in me not to open my eyes, knowing you’re right there,” I confess, widening my legs slightly.

“You can open them now,” he replies, and nothing could prepare me for the sight when I open my eyes.

My jaw drops as Jesse stands in front of me. My eyes trail down his bare chest, illuminated by the small lamp. His thumbs are hooked into the belt of his black chaps sitting low on his waist, and his cock hangs heavy between his legs.

“Holy shit,” I gasp, sitting upright to get a closer look. “Holy shit!”

“Is this what you were thinkin’?” he asks, dipping his chin toward his chest and looking at me from beneath the brim of his hat, looking like a fucking dream.

“Holy shit,” I repeat for the third time. I’m pretty sure my brain has short-circuited. All the blood and brain cells have gone rushing to my cock, now painfully hard in my jeans. “Jesse… I… You’re… Fuck.” I swallow roughly. “You’re a fucking masterpiece.”

His lips kick up in a smirk as he moves closer, his length hardening under my stare. He stands between my spread thighs, and my tongue darts out to wet my lips. I peer up at him and ask, “Can I touch you?”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t, Brayden.”

Lifting my hands, I smooth my palms up the leather covering the front of his solid thighs.

The way his cock twitches only inches away from my lips has saliva pooling in my mouth, but I resist tasting him.

For now. I curve my hands around his hips, letting out an uninhibited moan when my fingers meet the warm, bare flesh of his ass cheeks.

I knead the hard muscles and press my face into the crease where his thigh meets his groin, taking a deep inhale of his scent.

“Fuck, I don’t ever want to let you go,” I murmur, trailing my tongue along the delicate skin near his pubic hair.

“So don’t,” he rasps, curling his fingers into the hair on the back of my head.

Lifting my head slightly, I look at him from beneath my lashes and wrap my lips around the head of his cock.

He takes in a sharp breath, those icy eyes darkening with arousal with every second that passes.

Keeping my eyes locked on his, I take him deeper into my mouth, swirling my tongue and swallowing around him.

I suck on his balls, licking a path up the underside of his shaft before taking him deep.

He moans, all gruff and growly, gripping my hair so tight it’s almost pinching my scalp.

“Brayden,” he grunts. “You wanna ride a cowboy?”

I lift my head, leaving a trail of saliva when I release him. “Fuck yeah, I do.”

“Up,” he demands, and I stand instantly. “Get naked.”

I can’t get out of my clothes fast enough. They land on a puddle on the floor, and when I’m standing there, bare ass naked in nothing but my Converse, I watch as Jesse spreads out a couple of blankets he must have brought up with him.

“Are you gonna keep your chaps on?” I ask, praying he’s going to say yes.

“Yeah,” he replies and sits down on top of the blankets. He leans back until he’s propped up on his elbows and jerks his chin. “Saddle up.”

I all but pounce on him, straddling his waist and sliding my mouth over his. The undersides of our cocks brush together, and I roll my hips, grinding down against him.

“Fuck,” we both moan in unison.

“Did you bring lube?” I ask, on a breath.

Jesse reaches over to the pile of clothes and retrieves a packet of lube and a condom.

I take the condom from him, opening the foil before rolling it down his length.

He rips open the lube and coats his fingers.

Reaching around, his fingers find my hole and begin to work me open.

Our mouths collide again, tongues diving into each other’s mouths in desperation.

There’s no denying our hunger for one another. This unadulterated need.

“Fuck, I need you,” I plead.

“Then have me,” he murmurs.

His fingers slip free and move to grip hold of his cock. With one hand flat on his chest for stability, I slowly lower myself down onto him, eyes rolling to the back of my head as his thick head breaches the first ring of muscle.

“Wait,” he says, and I instantly stop.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re missin’ somethin’.”

He lets go of my waist and raises his hand. My jaw drops open as he removes his brown leather cowboy hat from his head and places it onto mine.

“There,” he says, a devilish smirk appearing on his lips. “Now you’re ready to ride.”

My cock pulses, leaking precome over his abdomen.

“Fucking hell, I didn’t think I could want you more,” I confess, sinking myself further down onto his cock until my ass cheeks meet the cool leather of his chaps. “Then you have to go and ruin me for everyone else.”

His hands grip my hips tight, anchoring me in place. I’m trembling from feeling so full. Every inch of my body is tingling, just like it is every time I’m with Jesse. Being with him is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. He knows me. He can read me without me speaking a word.

We’re a magnetic current, and our force is only getting stronger the longer we’re together.

“Maybe that’s been my plan all along,” he growls.

“To ruin me?”

“To make you mine.”