Page 25 of Saddles and Snowstorms (Sagebrush Cowboys #4)

Rowan

T he moment I stepped out of the front door that morning, I knew the snow wasn’t long for this world.

Despite the deep drifts and the glaring white covering the world, the sky was clear and there was an unmistakable warmth to the sunlight streaming down on my face.

By the time I’d trudged my way out to the barn to feed the animals for the morning, I could feel the sweat forming under my jacket.

As soon as I stepped in the barn, I shrugged it off and got to work.

The animals seemed restless, like they could sense the sunshine outside after the two days of endless snow.

It was clear they wanted to be let out, but considering the drifts, I figured it was best to keep them inside for just one more day.

They weren’t happy about that, and I got several annoyed moos as I finished up the chores and headed back toward the door.

However, just as I was about to pull it open, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and saw the message from Lucas.

You alive? I stopped by the clinic and didn’t see you there.

I couldn’t help smiling as I typed my answer.

I’m fine. Still snowed in for the moment. Couldn’t get the truck out of here if I tried.

It took less than ten seconds for Lucas’s reply to come through.

Ooh la la. Hopefully Brooks hasn’t been too much of an asshole. We’re using some of the tractors to clear the roads in town now. Once we’re done here, we’ll come out and dig you out.

I stared at my phone for a full thirty seconds feeling the knot twisting in the pit of my stomach. It was nice of them to think of me, but I wasn’t sure I really wanted them to help me just yet. As foolish as it was, I wanted another night with Brooks before I had to go back to the real world.

Don’t rush on my account. Maybe, if you can… give me just one more night.

Three dots bounced at the bottom of the text thread for a moment before the reply came through.

We’ll be there in the morning then.

I couldn’t help but smile as I pushed my phone back into my pocket.

One day more with Brooks in our little cocoon of privacy.

It was a selfish move, I knew that. Brooks needed an x-ray just to rule out any fracture in his ankle, although I was fairly confident it wasn’t broken based on how fast it was recovering.

Still, I didn’t want to give up this hard-won peace just yet.

I hadn’t had a break in a long time and Brooks, as far as I could tell, hadn’t smiled this much in years.

Maybe it was good for both of us to have one last day to prepare for getting back to real life.

I pushed the barn door open and squinted against the brightness.

The snow had already started to melt, forming little rivulets that dripped from the barn roof.

The drifts that had been up to my thighs yesterday were now only knee-deep in places.

Nature had a way of reclaiming itself, even in the harshest conditions.

When I got back to the house, Brooks was in the kitchen, his ankle propped up on a chair as he attempted to make coffee.

His dark hair was mussed from sleep, and his scruffy jaw looked even more rugged in the morning light.

He’d thrown on a flannel shirt but hadn’t bothered to button it all the way, giving me a tantalizing glimpse of his chest.

“Animals all fed?” he asked, his deep voice still rough with sleep.

“Yeah. They’re not happy about being cooped up, but one more day won’t kill them.” I hung my coat by the door and moved to help him with the coffee. “You shouldn’t be on that ankle.”

Brooks grunted. “Been on worse.” But he didn’t protest when I gently guided him back to his chair.

I took over the coffee-making, feeling his eyes on me as I worked. There was something different about his gaze this morning, a softness that hadn’t been there before. It made my heart skip a beat.

“Lucas texted,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “They’re clearing the roads in town.”

Brooks’s face remained impassive, but I caught the slight tightening of his jaw. “They coming out here today?”

“No,” I replied, pouring the coffee into two mugs. “Tomorrow morning.”

A beat of silence passed between us. I handed him his mug, our fingers brushing momentarily. The contact sent a jolt through me like it always did.

“One more day then,” he said quietly, those deep brown eyes searching mine.

“One more day,” I agreed, feeling suddenly breathless.

Brooks took a sip of his coffee, then set it down on the table. “Come here,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.

I moved toward him without hesitation. He reached out, hooking his finger into my belt loop and pulling me closer until I was standing between his legs. Looking up at me, he seemed to be considering something serious.

“Never had much use for snow days before,” he said, his hands sliding up to rest on my hips. “Never really saw the point.”

I couldn’t help but smile down at him, my fingers itching to touch his sleep-mussed hair. “And now?”

“Now I’m thinking they might be the best damn invention since barbed wire,” he murmured, tugging me closer until I had no choice but to straddle his lap, careful to avoid his injured ankle.

His hands moved to cup my face, those calloused fingers rough against my skin in the most delicious way.

There was something different about Brooks this morning, a vulnerability that made my chest ache.

Maybe it was knowing our time in this bubble was finite, or maybe it was something else entirely.

After our honest conversation the night before, I knew he was scared of what we could be.

But that didn’t stop me from being hopeful.

“You’re thinking too loud,” he said, his thumb tracing my bottom lip .

“Just wondering what happens tomorrow,” I admitted. “When they dig us out.”

Brooks’s eyes darkened slightly. “Do we have to think about that right now?”

“No,” I whispered, leaning in until our foreheads touched. “We don’t.”

He kissed me then, slow and deep, tasting of coffee and something uniquely him. His hands slid under my shirt, warm against my skin as he explored every inch of me he could reach. I groaned into his mouth, already feeling the familiar heat building between us.

“One more day,” he murmured against my lips, “means we got a lot of time to fill.”

I smiled and shifted my weight, careful of his ankle but bold in my intentions. “I have some ideas about that.”

Brooks’s eyes darkened with desire. “Bet you do, city boy.”

The nickname no longer carried the disdain it once had. Now it sounded almost like an endearment coming from his lips. His hands moved to my thighs, squeezing gently.

“Your ankle,” I reminded him, though my body was already responding to his touch.

Brooks chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “Didn’t hurt it everywhere, doc.”

Before I could respond, he was kissing me again, more urgently this time. His stubble scratched against my skin as his mouth moved to my neck, finding that sensitive spot just below my ear that made me shiver.

“Brooks,” I breathed, my fingers tangling in his dark hair.

“Been thinkin’,” he said between kisses. “About how good you looked ridin’ me the other night.”

“Want me to do it again?” I replied, already too eager to oblige.

“Actually,” he said softly, pulling away for a moment. His face was suddenly red, flushed with embarrassment. “Actually… I was wonderin’… well, what it felt like.”

I gave him a good once over, trying to figure out if he was just pulling my leg. “You serious?”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Well, you ain’t riding anything with that bum ankle. And we don’t have to rush anything, Brooks. It’s not like today is the last time I’ll ever see you.”

“I know that. I just… I wanna know what it feels like. I’ve never done anythin’ like that before.”

I felt a warmth spread through my chest that had nothing to do with desire. The trust he was showing me, this guarded man who kept the world at arm’s length, made me want to hold him close and never let go.

“Well,” I said softly, cupping his face in my hands, “we can take it slow. Real slow.” I brushed my thumb across his stubbled cheek. “And we’ll stop anytime you want.”

Brooks nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. There was vulnerability there, but determination too. “Don’t want to stop,” he murmured. “Just... go easy on me.”

I smiled and leaned in to kiss him gently. “I’ll make it good for you, I promise.”

We made our way to the bedroom, Brooks leaning on me slightly despite his protests that he could walk just fine.

I helped him onto the bed, arranging pillows to support his ankle before I started undressing him, button by button.

His breathing quickened as I pushed the flannel shirt from his shoulders, revealing the tanned skin underneath.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, and he scoffed, but I could see the pleasure in his eyes.

“If you say so.”

“I do,” I smiled. “And what I say goes.”

He scoffed again, but didn’t look away. In fact, his eyes stayed fixed on me as I slowly worked off his sweatpants, letting his gorgeous cock free at last. Already, there was a bead of pre-cum forming at the tip.

Clearly, he was excited about this new experience.

I just hoped I could make it a good one for him.

“Lay down on your stomach,” I instructed, helping him onto the bed. “It’ll be the easiest on your ankle while I get you ready.”

“Get me ready?”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Of course! You didn’t think I was just gonna shove it in and hope for the best, did you?”

Brooks’s eyes widened, and a flush crept up his neck. “I... didn’t really think that far ahead,” he admitted.

I chuckled and leaned down to kiss him softly. “Good thing one of us has. Trust me, preparation makes all the difference.”