Page 9 of Loving Hard on the Highway (Love Along Route 14)

Gabbie

The blacktop was a steady rumble beneath us as the sign reading Rustic Junction, next exit, came into view.

The sun was setting over the distant mountains, painting the sky in soft streaks of amber and violet.

We were singing to whatever song was on Sean’s playlist, but I wasn’t really paying attention to any of it.

Our kiss kept playing over and over in my mind.

The hiking trail. The way the light had softened around us, the feeling like the whole world was holding its breath for that moment between us.

The way he’d looked at me. It didn’t feel like he was making a move, but like he was opening a door he’d been guarding for too long.

I could still feel the warmth of his hand in mine, the gentle press of his mouth against my lips.

The way I was coming apart so beautifully inside.

My fingers wandered aimlessly through Ollie’s soft, light brown curls as we drove, only a console between us. From the corner of my eye, I watched the way his chiseled jawline moved while he sang, and the fluid motion of his mouth. That same mouth had kissed me as if it meant everything.

I looked back down at Ollie, then out the window, and smiled, barely.

I could feel the echo of the kiss still humming in my chest. And it wasn’t the kiss that had softened my heart, making it open to the possibility; it was what came before it.

The confession. That soft, faltering vulnerability in his voice. The way we had opened up to each other.

He’d risked something.

And now, here we were, in the quiet hum of reality again as we pulled into the hotel in Rustic Junction, on the cusp of another night together. The thought crossed my mind: What if there was only one bed tonight?

I glanced sideways again. He was looking at me as he put the car in park.

Our eyes met, and for a second, nothing moved except Ollie. I wondered if Sean was thinking the same thing I was.

“This is…different,” Sean said, glancing around.

That was when I noticed this town was something out of an old western. I literally felt like we’d stepped back in time. The stagecoach by the hotel front door was the showstopper.

“The Rustic Love Hotel? Really?” I asked. “And is that a saloon?”

We both shook our heads and laughed.

“Let’s see if this place has a room,” Sean said as he hopped out of the car.

I was tucking Ollie back into my bag when my car door opened. Sean held out his hand for me, and I took it. My mind raced. He had also gotten the car door for me after our walk earlier, and I didn’t mind one bit.

“Welcome to the Rustic Love Hotel. I’m Wynona, but everyone calls me Wy,” chimed the friendly receptionist, an older woman with short blond hair and diva looks.

“I’m hoping you have a room available. And is the place pet friendly?” Sean asked.

“We are pet friendly, and you are in luck. I have the perfect room for you. How many nights?”

“Just tonight. We have to get to California,” I said as I looked around. The place was a strange Rustic Victorian cross that oozed of western charm.

She signed us in and handed us the keys. “Your room is up the stairs on the left. It’s a shame you’re not staying for a few days. You’ll miss the High Noon Gun Fights. It’s quite a show. But the entertainers will be working at the saloon tonight. It’s a hoot of a time.”

I looked at Sean, then at my puppy. “As fun as that sounds, we have Ollie to look after.”

“Oh, you can leave the precious dear with me,” Wy offered. “How often do you come to a town like this?”

“Never,” I admitted.

“I’m game if you are,” Sean said.

“I guess we’ll take you up on your offer.”

Ollie let out a cheerful yip, and Ms. Wy was tickled.

?

When I stepped from behind the changing screen in the room, Sean’s jaw nearly dropped.

The yellow milkmaid-style mini dress, paired with my only pair of boots, was the only outfit I had that I thought would fit the night’s theme.

Rick hated it when I wore dresses like this, and judging from Sean’s reaction, I could see why.

“You are so damn hot,” was all he could say.

I looked him over in his dark jeans and short-sleeved designer shirt. The man had great fashion sense.

“You too.” I gave him a cheeky smile.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a western bar, but the Guns Blazing Saloon did not disappoint.

We passed through the swinging saloon doors to the restaurant side of the bar and were met with the aroma of whiskey and roasted meat.

The red velvet curtains, wood-beamed ceiling, and piano man tinkering away set the mood.

The waitresses were dressed like saloon girls, and dancers kicked up their ruffled skirts on stage. Heck, even the bartender dressed the part in suspenders and a curled mustache.

Between the food, the booze, and the dancing, I had to admit it was a really fun time. A somewhat familiar song came on, and I grabbed Sean by the hand for a live dance. We joined the actors and several patrons as the dance kicked off.

Sean raised a brow. “This is your idea of romantic?”

I smirked, adding a spin to the simple sidestep. “Only if you survive the mechanical bull after this.”

“I will if you will,” he teased.

“Oh, I would totally ride the bull.” I gave him a wink.

His laugh came easily, surprised. “God help me.”

Boots were stomping and ruffled skirts flying as we swirled around the sawdust covered dance floor. The whole room buzzed with staged rowdiness as the actors ginned up the immersive experience.

I leaned in close to Sean and whispered, “I think one of the saloon girls just winked at you.”

He turned to her, eyes glinting. “Jealous?”

I slipped my hand into his as the line dance ended and went into a slower, bluesy song. “Maybe.”

He pulled me in close, and we eased into a sway to the rhythm. I rested my head on his chest as he sang along to the man professing his devotion to his love. I hummed along. When I glanced up, our lips met.

I wasn’t sure when the nerves I’d felt earlier, after seeing the one bed in the room, had faded. Somewhere between the dinner, the whisky shot, and now the dancing, I’d relaxed, laughed, and allowed myself to enjoy the moment completely.

Outside, under the soft glow of the antique street lantern lights, I felt a swirl of excitement for what might happen tonight. And there was no hesitation. Rick no longer held my life hostage, and I really wanted to get some.

“Look.” Sean handed me his phone. “Miss Wy says Ollie is doing fine, and he’s sound asleep. Enjoy the night and pick him up in the morning.”

“Aww,” I cooed at the pic and handed him back the phone. I looked up at him, feeling the night thrum under my skin.

“So…” I said slowly, trying to be casual. “Nightcap in the room?”

His eyes softened. His thumb traced a slow, absent circle on my wrist as we walked back to the hotel.

I smiled, slow and sure.

The room door clicked shut behind us, and the silence that followed felt louder than any music in the saloon. It felt as though something that had been heating all night was now seconds from bubbling over.

I turned on the lamp by the Victorian leather chaise, bathing the room in amber light. He stood by the door for a second, eyes on me, jaw tight like he was holding himself still.

I said nothing. Just stepped out of my ankle boot, slowly, deliberately. Let him watch me.

“They’ve got those little liquor bottles in the mini fridge,” I said, voice lower than I meant it to be. “If you still want a nightcap.”

He moved closer, not answering right away, close enough for me to see the shift in his eyes, and how the careful, easygoing version of him had given way to something hungrier.

“I want something,” he said. “But maybe before we have anything else to drink, we should see if we’re on the same page.

My pulse jumped. “I am all about consent. And I think we want the same thing.”

I reached for his collar, fingers curling in the fabric, and kissed him, because that line demanded it, and because I couldn’t not.

This kiss was deeper. Hotter. He kissed me like he’d been waiting for permission all night, like he’d barely kept himself in check through saloon girls and slow-burning glances.

Our earlier kisses on the hiking trail and then at the saloon had been intense but sweet, testing the waters. This was different. There was no testing anymore.

His hands slid to my waist, grounding me, pulling me closer until my chest met his and I could feel how badly he wanted me.

I moaned softly into his mouth, losing myself for a second in the press of his body, the way his hand found the small of my back like he already knew how I liked to be touched.

I broke the kiss first, just enough to breathe. My forehead rested against his.

“I just wanted you to know that it’s been a while for me,” I said, voice catching. “But I really want this.”

His hand came up to brush my cheek. “We can take our time and stop at any point. This is real for me, Gabbie.”

That undid me. It wasn’t how sexy his body was, or that he was an incredible kisser, but the way his words resonated with me. Like he meant it. This thing between us was real.

As I searched his face, still holding onto him, I felt a sense of clarity.

I wanted this man, not just in my bed, but in my life.

As he kissed me again, slower, I wondered if real meant the same thing to him as it did to me.

But my body was in no mood for a sit-down conversation. It was inviting him in.

He hastily pulled out of his shirt before our bodies magnetized back to each other. With ease, he slid my little yellow dress off my shoulders, and it fell to the ground around my feet. I stood vulnerable and exposed in just a lacy pair of panties as his gaze ran up and down my body.

I felt the urge to look away, but he gently caressed my chin, drawing me back to him.

“You are so perfect, Gabbie.” He kissed me tenderly, gently brushing his fingers down my back. “Every inch of you is perfection.”

Girl down!

He kissed me again, hard this time. Our tongues mingled, sending a thrilling tingle surging through my body. My legs parted as I ground into him. His large hands palmed my ass, pressing me into him as if wanting me to know, to feel how hard he was for me.

His kisses trailed down my neck as I ran my fingers through his slick, dark hair. My legs trembled, ready to give way as this man was slowly undoing me. And then he hoisted me up, my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bed and laid me down.

His hands and lips both found my breasts. His tongue curled around one nipple as his fingers played with the other. I moaned softly as he enjoyed me. His hands slid down to my slit and slid my panties to the side before inserting two fingers.

Damn, every part of me he touched felt good, and my body was reacting, pulsing into his hand, needing more and more.

Then he stood, pulling off his jeans and letting me see exactly what I was about to get. The tingle beneath my belly was heavy as his thick, hard dick sprung up. My heart pounded, racing with anticipation as he pulled off my panties and spread my legs.

His tongue darted, licking his lips as he came down, pressing his face between my thighs. His tongue flicked across my bud, then sucked. I moaned loudly. His fingers were back inside, working together, bringing me over the edge. He moved his hands to my hips, letting his tongue work me.

“Sean!” I cried out between moans as my body reached its peak and dripped with pleasure. “I need you inside me.”

Sean slipped on a condom and brought his body up onto me. He parted me with his tip, then slid his length deep into me, stretching me. I moaned into his mouth as our lips and tongues clashed together.

I clenched his muscular back as he rocked into me.

It was slow and intense, then gradually built to a faster rhythm.

He felt so good, and my walls clenched, welcoming the motion.

His pace quickened, and I pressed into him.

We rocked together harder and faster, moaning, our damp skin pressing together.

My legs quivered as the thrill of ecstasy overcame us both.

He collapsed beside me, discarding the condom before pulling me into his arms. My body was still reeling from the pleasure. But all I could think about was doing it again.

And as we moved together toward the bedroom, I knew this wasn’t just about tonight.

It was the start of something I was finally ready for.