Page 33

Chapter 33

Ford

Watching her drive the snow machine while I keep a hold of Roscoe, she impresses me all over with how easy she controls it through the deep powder.

I need to remember to ask her what other hidden talents she has.

Fuck, if the wind wasn’t so damn cold, I’d get hard trying to imagine them all.

She navigates us back following the trail she and the boys made yesterday.

It’s so much faster than by horseback. Maybe next winter I’ll just wait for it to snow.

Well, that wouldn’t have worked last year when there was barely enough to make the ground white.

What am I going to do next fall? Will April be able to tolerate me that long?

Fuck, I’ll worry about it when it gets here.

At this point, I’m along for the ride, and I sure like the one that’s sitting between my thighs…and it ain’t the Skidoo I’m thinking of.

When we cross the small bridge leading to the backside of the main ranch house, my stomach flips.

Back in the real world. Will it be the same with her out here with all the distractions?

Ah shit, Mason is leaning against the bottom step of my house, waiting for us.

We coast to a stop and Roscoe jumps off to run towards Caesar and romp in a drift.

The sour look on Mason’s face tells me he won’t offer quite the same greeting that the dogs have.

“Ford, you have no idea how happy I am you’re here.” He pulls me in for a hug. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” He leans back, his hands gripping my shoulders as if he’s trying to crush them through my thick coat.

“April, thanks for bringing this asshole back. Things aren’t the same without him.” Mason gives me a crooked smile, but I can see the sadness in the lines around his mouth.

His dark eyes glance at April, then into mine. “You got a good one, worth sticking around for,” he whispers before he lets go and walks away.

It’s strange that he already knows her, and comforting that she’s accepted.

I’m the only one trying to fuck everything up.

April tugs off her helmet, her short hair standing up in every direction like a halo.

“What?” Her smile adds the radiating glow.

My palm cups behind her neck to pull her close enough to press my lips to her forehead. “Welcome to the Black Gulch. Your home for as long as you want it.”

She squints up at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “You know that old saying ‘home is where the heart is’? I never understood it until just this second. I liked it here before, but now that you’re here, it feels…different.”

“Better.” I correct her. This is the first time I look forward to spending time inside.

I’ve always hated being alone with my thoughts. Hell, that happens everywhere.

But leading her up the short set of steps and into my living room, it makes everything seem much more real.

She’s here.

It isn’t a dream.

“I think it’s pretty amazing how much your friends care about you.” She tugs on the heavy zipper under her chin. “Mason and his family have been incredible.”

“They are great. I’m not sure why I rate, but I’m lucky.” I don’t care if I never find another penny, if I shatter every mirror, or whatever superstitious bullshit I had to do to earn her, but I’m positive I’ve used up every ounce of four leaf clovers and horseshoes I’ll ever encounter.

As her body emerges from the cocoon of the snowsuit, blood rushes into my jeans.

Now that I’ve had her, I just want more.

“So, I was supposed to meet up with the sheriff this afternoon.” A grin ticks up her cheek after she hangs up her gear near the door. “But I’d love a nice hot shower after last night.”

Her fingers dance down the buttons of her snug flannel shirt, then she slides it off to reveal the goosebumps racing across her bare chest.

I lose track of what she’s saying to fixate on her hard nipples poking out from the silk of her bra.

But when she grabs a hold of my belt buckle, I’m laser focused.

“Care to join me?” She doesn’t wait for my answer, but turns with me in tow and heads towards the bathroom.

“If I ever say ‘no’ to that question, it’s time to bury me.” My shirt flies off, and I resist her pull just long enough to kick off my boots.

She lets me loose once she reaches the tub to turn the water on.

By the time she turns back, my Wranglers are in a pile on the floor along with my boxers.

When she takes a long look at my hardening cock, it twitches to full mast under her heated gaze.

“I’m curious—” Her voice is husky as she bends in front of me to slide her leggings down. “—did it hurt?”

Her cool fingers drift over the row of barbells, pushing a low moan out of me with her touch.

“Fuck yes. But after seeing how hard they make you come…worth it.” I won’t tell her how much I bled, or how long I kept ice on my crotch and drowned myself in whiskey until I could sleep.

Her lower lip tucks between the white flash of her teeth. “What was that thing you said, barn sour? What would it be called if I’m ruined for any other dick but yours?” Both of her hands wrap around my shaft and she leads me under the steamy spray of water.

My palms cup her cheeks, wedging my granite cock between us as I pull her close, hovering my mouth just above hers.

“Mine, April. That’s what it’s called.” Crashing into her, my tongue wars with hers for ownership.

I want to consume her so fully that I can taste her forever.

Her arms curl around my neck, pressing our slick bodies tighter under the scalding shower.

It’s so hot it sears my skin, but neither of us peel away to turn down the tap.

She’s won me, and I’d go through hell for her, even if it’s melting under water in her burning embrace.

With a gasp, she reaches for the spigot. “I think we’re being cooked,” she giggles, and lowers the temp before lathering herself with soap.

I let my hands trace down to her breasts, letting one lightly pinch her engorged nipple while the other works its way lower.

“Let me check.” Nibbling the lobe of her ear, I push a finger into her wet slit.

But her tiny wince makes me pause. “Are you sore?”

Her brows knit, then her forehead settles under my chin.

“Maybe a little.” Her words are muffled against my chest. “I’m not used to your…accessories yet.” Her face tilts up with a sly smile. “But I will be.”

“I’m like a kid with a new toy.” I keep my strokes slow and steady, moving my thumb to rub her clit as she clings to me. “It might take some practice to learn how rough I can get without breaking you.”

Fuck, I can’t wait.

“I love a challenge,” she pants, spreading her thighs so I can push deeper.

“Do you?” Raising my middle finger, I press it against the pucker of her ass. I’ll give her a moment to decide if she wants it.

A whimper escapes her lips when she rolls her pelvis and wraps one of her bubble-clad legs over my thigh.

I’ll take that as a yes.

“Oh shit.” She shudders against me when I plunge it in.

My nuts ache with the need to be in her.

There’s time for that later, when she isn’t as tender.

For now, I just want to find all of the ways I can bring her to ecstasy.

She quivers with each churn of my hand and her small cries flit across my throat.

Bracing her between my body and the wall, I prop her up to drag her closer to the brink.

“I think you like this,” I rumble into the sensitive skin of her neck. “I know I do.”

She’s even more beautiful when she’s lost in passion.

“Yes,” she breathes, then it transforms into a long moan as the first wave of contractions squeeze my fingers.

“That’s it, Frosty. I want you to come so much you never want to leave.” With a few rapid thrusts, I push her into a fierce climax that makes her scream my name and dig her nails into my arms.

I hope they leave scars.