Page 24

Chapter twenty-four

Surrender

Lorilei

It’s a struggle to not pull my phone out every thirty seconds to check for another message.

I know it’s obsessive, maybe a little silly, to be thinking about it constantly.

Is this what it’s always like? I wish I could ask Sophia. She’s been in relationships before.

Am I even in one? It isn’t as if we hold hands, or watch movies together.

“Lori?” Sawyer’s voice comes from the living room into the kitchen.

I found a new recipe. Cinnamon rolls can’t be that hard, can they? No worse than biscuits.

My cheeks heat up. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to think about them the same after that night.

“Yea?” I call out to him, making Caesar’s ears perk from his bed.

“Where’d all the stuff go? Dad’s on his way back. I gotta make sure I pick it up.” He steps around the corner with his hat cocked back on his head.

“Oh, I sorted it and put the clothes in the laundry. I think they’re done?” For two days, I’ve struggled to find enough things to do so I can keep my mind occupied.

I might not tell him, but I was glad there was a pile.

His blue eyes light up with a bright smile. “Gosh, thanks!” He disappears into the back hall after narrowly avoiding crashing into Sophia coming out of her room.

“Hey, how was your nap?” I’m not surprised she’s kind of zonked today, she was up and moving so much yesterday.

She pauses on her crutches to let out a long yawn. “Felt good. Tired of being tired though. I’m looking forward to not kicking my own ass on a regular basis just by walking.”

Rubbing her bloodshot blue eyes, she works her way to the counter and leans over to inspect what I’m doing. “Is that brown sugar and cream cheese?” A mischievous grin overtakes her face.

“I found a couple of blocks in the freezer so thought I’d make some treats.” It seems like once I figured out the bread rising and kneading trick the rest is just following recipes.

“You should be a chef. You have the talent.” She picks up a banana from the fruit bowl and begins to peel it. “Have you ever thought about it? I bet you’d like it more than working in the hospital.”

“I’m already almost done with my degree. Why would I change it?” I can’t imagine the fit my mother would throw.

Not like it matters, I guess. She’s off with one of her boyfriends.

I don’t want to be like her. Flitting from guy to guy, job to job. Ever since Dad died, she’s lost any sense of direction.

Am I going to be stuck someplace I hate forever because I’m too afraid to take a different route?

Sophia takes a small bite and chews slowly. “I think you should follow your passion.”

How do I tell her that following that path involves her father?

So, I shrug. “Maybe? I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but I might hate myself if I quit while I’m this close.”

She hobbles around the counter and drops the skin in the garbage. “Or you’ll find something you love even more.” Her lips flatten and her eyebrow raises as she looks at me squarely.

My lip finds its way between my teeth.

I’m tempted to just blurt everything out. Except I know her friendly advice is aimed at career choices.

Her semi-serious expression cracks into a wide grin. “I would say ‘who,’ but I know better.”

“Yea? How’s that?” I try to keep my tone light.

“Oh, I know how much your mom has messed with you. I think you’re gonna be so picky that the guy you end up with will have to be absolutely perfect.” She giggles. “You’ll have better luck winning the lottery than finding someone who will tick all the boxes for you.”

Kneading out the dough gives me a chance to look away. “I guess.”

“Seriously, though. I can’t wait to meet whomever you do pick. I bet I’d love him. You always have insightful thoughts about the ones I try to crush on.” Her crutches click as she works her way towards her room.

After I hear her door latch, I can’t resist whispering under my breath. “You already know him.”

Footsteps signal Sawyer’s return with an armful of clean jackets. “Thanks again. You saved my hide.”

“Where ya heading?” My rolls are just about ready to go in the oven.

“I gotta put these in Dad’s room. Then get a pen ready. He said they’d be back at the butt—er, crack of dawn. I don’t want to get up that early.” His tanned face turns a deep shade of red.

I don’t want to tell him I’ve been getting messages from Mason, too.

“Are those his?” Why do I feel overly interested in anything related to him?

He bounces off the wall on his way past Mason’s room. “Yea, but I borrowed ‘em all. I’m surprised Dad has any clothes left.”

I’d be okay with Mason walking around naked. Not so sure about the rest of the household.

Actually, I’ve never really seen him completely bare. Maybe a glimpse in the flickering firelight.

My belly flips at the memory.

Will it be like that again when he gets back?

The passion? The need? Or will he get bored with me like my mother does with all of her men?

“I can take care of those. I’m going to be waiting on these to bake anyway.” I’ll take any distractions that keep me busy.

When I think, I mess with my own head.

“Gosh, thanks. I’m gonna miss you when you’re gone.” Sawyer grins as he heads to Mason’s room.

I faintly hear the front door slam when he leaves.

The reality of his comment crashes over me.

Only a couple of weeks left. If not sooner.

Once Sophia gets her cast off and starts getting up and moving better on her own, I’ll be out of a job.

Back to school. Normal life. Finishing the plan I laid out years ago.

It doesn’t carry the same appeal, but it’s all I have.

Mason’s bed is piled with fresh smelling Carhartts and light jackets. Sawyer must have taken his entire wardrobe.

Threading them onto hangars, I start working my way through them one by one.

What’s that, in the back of the closet?

A plastic wrapped garment clings to the wall with a thin layer of dust over the top.

Shit. It’s a wedding dress.

I bet it belonged to Carolyn.

From what I can see, it’s beautiful. Simple, but delicate.

It makes my throat tighten up. I’ll probably never be able to give him those memories.

Maybe one day, I’ll have my own.

Don’t be ridiculous.

Less than a month, I’ll be off in the throes of classes and trying to intern.

That’s the direction I’m going.

It’s what I’m supposed to do.

There. The clothes are all put away, but I leave his bedroom feeling emptier than when I went in.

Still a half an hour until the timer goes off. I decide to wander outside to see what kind of set up they’re doing in anticipation of Mason’s arrival.

Ford, Sawyer and a third man I don’t know are setting up a series of green tubed panels in the shape of a corral.

Ford and Sawyer glance up as I walk closer, but refocus on fastening the clamps that hold them together.

The last guy, closer to Sawyer’s age than Mason’s, saunters over with a broad grin. His light colored cowboy hat has rolled edges that look like they’re dark from being handled often.

Clapping his hands over his dirty jeans, he leans against a finished portion of the fence.

“Howdy, miss. I’ve seen you around, but haven’t had the chance to introduce myself.”

“Trevor, grab that next piece and leave Lori alone,” Ford snaps.

“Lori, huh? That’s a pretty name.” He straightens, and starts to walk to where the stack sits. “I’ve seen you riding the boss’s horse. You getting the hang of it?”

“I am, thank you.” It’s a little awkward knowing I’m doing more than that with the boss. I turn back to Ford and Sawyer. “So, whatcha building?”

Sawyer looks up from where he’s squatting holding a bracket. “Gotta get this holding pen up so we can quarantine the cows Dad’s bringing back.”

“Are they sick?” There’s so many aspects to all of this I know I’m unfamiliar with.

Trevor manhandles one of the ten foot pieces and butts it next to a standing end. “Nah, but those sale barns are cesspools. This is in case they bring back any cooties.”

“Does that happen a lot? I mean, they catch something there?” From my limited experience, it seems that a lot of animals go through those auctions. What if they all catch a bug?

“Usually not. But, the maggots who took them probably gave zero shits about keeping them healthy,” Ford grumbles as he turns his wrench.

I like him. He doesn’t mince his words.

“Shouldn’t talk like that around a lady,” Trevor admonishes, then gives me a sideways look.

Ford’s eerie gray eyes narrow and flick between Trevor and me. “Go get some more clamps out of the barn. There’s a bucket near the tack room.”

Trevor ducks his head. “Sure, boss.” His boots kick up tiny clouds of dust as he walks away.

Ford squints up at me. “I’m sure you’ll get used to all sorts of words around here.” The corner of his mouth twitches up before he stands.

Sawyer nods, oblivious to the subtle smirk Ford gave me. “Yea, I learned all kinds out here working cattle. Mom used to get mad about it, but Dad always said I just needed to learn when it is, and isn’t, appropriate.”

“Your dad is a smart man.” I struggle to hide a smile when Ford’s brows raise.

The brim of his black hat covers his face as he shakes his head.

It’s almost fun, knowing he’s in on the secret.

“I gotta go check on my buns in the oven.” When I turn on my heel, I hear Ford cough.

“Y’all right?” Sawyer asks.

“Fine. Grab that next piece.”

When my blanket moves, it startles me awake.

A warm hand finds my hip before a hot body presses against my back.

“You’re supposed to be in my bed.” Mason’s words are low into the tender spot beneath my ear.

“I didn’t think you’d be back until morning.” That’s what his last text had said. “I’m not sleeping in there without you.”

It would feel so strange.

Oh. He’s naked.

And hard.

“Then you’ll just have to stay quiet while I show you how much I missed you.” His lips brush over the base of my neck, igniting a flame within me that quickly burns away any lingering sleepiness.

“I’ll do my best,” I gasp as he pulls my lobe between his teeth.

His fingers hook beneath the strap of my panties and tug them down my thighs.

The rigid head of his cock digs into my ass when I raise my leg to help him kick the offensive clothing away.

A deep rumble vibrates from his chest as his palm works over my bare skin.

God, I love that sound. It hits somewhere inside me making me want to rub my body over him and beg for more.

Seeking him out, I reach behind me to tangle my hand in his hair and pull him closer. I have to taste him to make sure he’s real.

His lips crush over mine before his tongue pillages me.

Taking no prisoners.

He kisses the moan from my throat and pulls back with a smile in the dim light. “I’ll leave it up to you if you want everyone to know or not.” He strokes fire down my belly as his mouth finds my jaw in a tender nibble.

My knees part on their own as his touch moves lower. With a deft thrust of his waist, his engorged dick slides along my pussy until it presses against my clit.

“Were you dreaming about me so that you woke up already wet?” he murmurs against my cheek as his fingers find me soaked for him.

All I can do is nod, biting back the noises that are threatening to escape with each slow circle of his thumb over my sensitive bud.

Electricity courses through me with every loop and I can feel the tightening in my belly making my limbs feel heavier.

“Can I make you scream?” His panting gets faster as he starts to gyrate his hips in rhythm with his caress.

When I shake my head, his other arm wraps me from below and his calloused palm covers my mouth.

“Then, bite my hand if you want but I’m not stopping until you come for me, baby.” Breathy words pour over my ear. “I need you to.”

My nails claw at his scalp, pulling him closer as his movements get faster.

The intensity builds within me as his body moves against mine. His long thrusts against my slick slit churn me ever closer to the brink of release.

I let my mouth open, pulling one of his thick fingers between my teeth. My tongue mimics his pattern, rounding the tip before I suck him deeper.

What would it be like to swallow him?

There’s the growl again. That delicious buzz arcs through my body, tipping me over the edge into a wave of ecstasy that has me mewling into his hand and grinding my hips.

“That’s my girl.” He rolls his pelvis, guiding his throbbing cock into me in a single stroke.

Filling the empty place I didn’t know existed until him.

I’m his.

Every sense zeroes in on how tightly he fits. I can feel his ridged head seated deep within, rubbing in some secret well of pleasure when he shifts my leg higher over him.

“This, right here—” He pulls back, then seats himself completely into me. “—it’s all I’ve thought about. Having you back in my arms.” He withdraws, and pumps again.

Each thrust is faster. Harder.

My fingers dig into his side, and I beg him with my heel against his thigh.

I want to feel all of him. To absorb his touch and bottle it, so I’ll always have it.

“Please,” I whisper against his hand. “More.”

He rocks me forward so his weight covers me.

The hot rhythm of him moving over me carries me higher than I’ve ever been.

His desire spills into the fervor of his mouth on my neck and his palm working up and down my skin in a burning path.

It’s when his seeking fingers find my swollen clit that the flutters inside my belly overwhelm me. My limbs stiffen as the pulse of my climax crashes through, making stars burst behind my eyes.

I can’t fight the scream ripping loose. “Mas—”

His warm grip firms over my lips as my cries try to escape.

With a spasm, his cock flares and he fills me with a heavy grunt against my hair.

Our chests heave and he loosens his hold on my jaw.

Pulling my limp body with him, he curls me against his chest, still buried deep inside of me.

A tremor runs through me, and I can feel his dick twitch in response.

“I think—” He cups my breast beneath my cami. “—this is how every night should be.” His lips move lightly over my shoulder before his breathing evens out.

I feel like I’m floating as I relax against him.

“I’d like that, too.” I’m sure he didn’t hear me, but it spreads warmth through my heart to admit it.