Page 51 of The Wrong Ride Home (Wildflower Canyon #1)

duke

I took her out on dates.

I took her on picnics.

I spent time with her.

It was sweet, like we were teenagers. I’d kiss her goodnight outside her bunkhouse and go home and jerk off to her. I’d hold her hand, and she’d let me.

We dated , enjoyed each other, and got to know one another. Our kisses became heated, and our old chemistry became new, also red hot.

I talked to her about the ranch's issues, especially Piper Novak's determination to acquire my land. She listened, encouraged, and supported me. When I told her about my company, she said she was proud of me, and I felt like I was ten feet tall.

I ignored my mother, who called and texted, and eventually, I blocked her. I told Cheyenne to contact me if the shit hit the fan .

“She’s doing fine, Duke,” Cheyenne assured me. “Going to parties and such.”

“Right.”

“I overheard your conversation with her when you were here,” she admitted.

I had no doubt. Cheyenne knew everything that was happening with my mother and that house. “Did you know?”

“Some.”

“You didn’t tell me?”

“What could I say? You put Miss Gloria on a pedestal. You had to find your own way to the truth.”

“And what is the truth?”

Cheyenne sighed over the phone. “She’s not normal . She isn’t doing anything to you—she’s just doing what she needs to do; you don’t factor into her calculations. Her circuits are different, Duke, she doesn’t have empathy.”

“And I didn’t see that at all, which makes me a dumber fool than I thought I was.”

“She’s your mother,” Cheyenne said simply. “You can’t change her, only yourself.”

Dealing with my mother was complicated, but Fiona, that was easy.

My team found several irregularities in Fiona's work. Having tangible proof to present to the authorities would take time, but I knew we’d get there.

I was getting more and more comfortable with ranch life—in fact, more comfortable than I’d ever been in the city.

My colleagues from Dallas teased me that I’d entirely stopped wearing suits and was on Zoom calls in a button-down, looking beat to shit because I’d been riding half the day with Hunt, herding cattle or something else.

More often than not, I made time and made Elena make time to spend with me. Not that it was easy or always possible. But this time, I’d been victorious as I’d managed to get Elena away from the stables for a picnic dinner that Itzel had put together.

We’d eaten, and now we lay like we used to, on a blanket on the riverbank in the shade of a towering cottonwood, its silver-green leaves rustling softly in the warm breeze.

“So much has changed,” she murmured.

I propped myself on my elbow so I could look at her. She was on her back, her eyes closed. I traced her face, forehead to chin, with a finger. She kissed it when I touched her lips.

She was right—a lot had changed. Nearly three months ago, I came here ready to tear down my father’s legacy.

But being back, surrounded by endless skies and mountains that stretched toward forever, felt like reclaiming a piece of myself I’d tried to bury.

And then there was Elena. The fire between us had never truly burned out, and every damn day, I thanked the gods for that.

She looked radiant and peaceful. The anger, confusion, and lingering sadness that had once clouded her eyes seemed to have finally eased, fading into something softer.

She laughed more and each time she did, I felt like I won an award. The hands knew we were together, and they teased me mercilessly, but not Elena. As Roy said, he’d never seen her this happy, and he’d never say anything to diminish the joy inside her. I, however, was fair game.

I know I hurt her when I left, and she had every right to be cautious of me now. But she gave me a second chance, and I was going to always be grateful for that; in fact, so grateful that I would never need another.

"Elena," I whispered her name, feeling the familiar warmth spread through my veins. She turned to face me, her eyes searching mine.

We hadn’t made love—even though we both wanted to, but we were putting it off, waiting for the right moment to consummate what we knew was our forever.

But each day, it became harder to stay away, to not bury ourselves in each other.

"Duke." I saw a hint of vulnerability in her gaze that made my heart clench in my chest.

The sexual tension between us was palpable. The energy pulsing between us was unrelenting in the best way possible. It was as if being here where we first made love was where we’d start this new journey.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Our lips crashed together fervently, igniting a fire within me that hadn't been extinguished for over a decade.

As we break apart for air, our foreheads rest against each other, and our breathing synched up as if we'd been doing this all our lives instead of just picking up where we left off so long ago.

Without a word, Elena brought my face closer for more kisses. Her grip on my cheek tightened as if she feared this moment might disappear at any second–a fear I shared wholeheartedly because losing her again would destroy me.

“I love you,” I vowed.

“I love you, too,” she breathed.

Now, it felt inevitable that we would succumb to our cravings: closure from the past and redemption for a future through our love for each other.

“There is no going back,” I told her. “There are no ghosts from the past haunting us.”

She nodded, her eyes bright. “We will not be cowards, afraid to grab our happiness with both hands.”

I kissed her lips softly. “We will not fear what tomorrow will bring but embrace it because when we’re together, Elena, we can move mountains.”

She pushed me on my back and straddled me. I put my hands on her hips and felt happiness spill inside me. I couldn’t believe my good fortune, I thought as I looked into her soulful chocolate-brown eyes.

Fate had pulled us back together after years apart, and somehow, together, we were healing—patching up wounds left by the very people who should have protected us. Instead, they had used us like pawns in their twisted games of power and manipulation.

With a soft sigh escaping from between her lips as she caressed mine gently as a lover's sweet promise whispered against them–she began undoing my belt buckle slowly before unbuttoning my jeans, revealing my growing desire underneath them .

My cock sprang free.

I hissed at the sensation, my eyes closing as I focused on the feel of her hand on me. But soon enough, Elena's mouth replaced her hand as she took me inside eagerly. Her tongue swirled around the tip before sliding down my length. I groaned as she worked magic with her mouth.

She took all of me deep inside, making my hips buck involuntarily at the intense pleasure coursing through my body. Her free hand cupped my balls gently while she sucked and licked.

“Elena,” I groaned, my hands in her hair, destroying her braid. My hips rose to meet her mouth. “Baby, I want to come inside you.”

She ignored me and continued to savor every swollen inch while massaging my balls with one hand as she expertly sucked on me, drawing moans from deep within me, begging for release but not wanting this intimate connection between us to end too soon.

I tugged gently at Elena's hair until she looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes. “What?” she asked cheekily.

“Not coming in your mouth this first time, darlin’.”

She rolled her eyes and licked her lips. “Whatever.” Then she moved back and removed my jeans and boxers in one swift motion. “Take off your shirt, cowboy.”

“I will, but…could you stand a little away and…now, I don’t mean to be insensitive or anything, but if you could slowly take your clothes off and just imagine there’s a pole somewhere and music is playing?—”

She swatted my chest.

I pulled her down and rolled her underneath me. I tugged at her clothes. “Good thing we took our boots off first,” I teased, marveling in touching her naked flesh, the smooth skin of her legs, her thighs. She was muscular now and still utterly feminine.

I took a moment to just admire her—to commit every curve and dip of her body to memory once again. I hovered over her as I kissed along every inch of skin that I could reach—from the soft curve of her neck down to the swell of her breasts.

She moaned softly beneath me, urging me on with each touch and caress. And when I finally reached between her legs, she was already wet and ready for me. Without any hesitation, I slid two fingers inside of her, causing Elena to gasp and arch upwards towards my touch.

“Christ, baby.” I watched as my fingers pumped in and out of her, her walls clenching around them. “So wet, so….” I couldn’t resist her and had my mouth on her. Her hips rocked against my lips. She tasted like she always did: sunshine and wildflowers.

“ Mi cielo ,” she murmured the old nickname, and I knew she was giving me back everything she’d kept from me. I was her everything, and she was giving that to me. She was giving me her love.

“Yes, my Elena.”

It didn’t take long for her to come, and it was like old times but also brand new , delicious, all-consuming.

Without saying a word—because none were needed between us right now—I moved up to her body and kissed her, letting her taste herself. Our mouths melded together like two lost souls finally finding their way back home to each other, where they belonged.

As we continued to kiss, she wrapped her fingers around my cock, pumping slowly as our tongues danced together in a heated embrace.

I let out a low growl of pleasure, my hips moving against her hand as she stroked me. But soon enough, I wanted more; no, needed complete intimacy.

“Now,” I said to her.

“Now,” she agreed.

With one swift movement, I entered her completely, sinking balls deep into her hot, tight core.

“Fuck, baby, I’m home,” I said hoarsely, our bodies finally reuniting after being apart for so long.

I started to move slowly at first, savoring every moment of being inside of Elena once again. Her hands gripped my shoulders tightly as she looked up at me with pure pleasure and love in her eyes.

“Harder, mi cielo ,” she pleaded.

I picked up the pace, thrusting with more force, going deeper.

She met my movements with equal intensity.

Our bodies move in perfect harmony, each touch and kiss only fueling our already fiery desire.

We lost ourselves in each other—the sounds of our moans and gasps of pleasure mingled with those of the river and the land.

We came together, and when we did, it was as if nothing else existed in that moment but us. We were completely consumed by each other, and I knew nothing would ever compare to this feeling.

“I’m keeping you forever,” I mumbled into her neck.

She stroked my back, her thighs lazily moving against mine. “Never letting you go again.”

We took our time getting dressed because we kissed, hugged, held hands, and touched. The need to stay close was intense.

“You’re moving in with me,” I ordered.

“Okay.” She didn’t fight me. I knew she wouldn’t. I was her “mi cielo” again, and she was my “ Florecita ,” nicknames that we gave each other as kids—that still meant something to us.

She turned to me, eyes bright, lips curling into that small, knowing smile of hers, like she could read every damn thought in my head.

Suddenly, she ran up to me and lifted her chin. “Kiss me before we have to ride back.”

I leaned in, ready to taste her again, ready to?—

Crack .

The sound split the late afternoon, sharp, unnatural.

Elena jerked and then crumpled.

I caught her before she hit the ground, my arms wrapping around her as she sagged against me. Her weight was wrong—too heavy, too loose.

Then I saw the blood. It spread fast, a dark stain blooming across her shirt, right over her ribs.

"Elena!" My voice was raw, panic slamming into my chest as I lowered her to the ground. "Stay with me, baby. Stay with me. "

I looked around in panic. There were zinging sounds, and I covered Elena, rolling with her, hoping to God I wasn’t hurting her. We found refuge behind a cottonwood tree.

Her eyes fluttered, unfocused, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

A distant, detached part of me knew I needed to call for help and move, but all I could see was the red of her blood on my hands, slick and hot.

This couldn’t be happening.

She blinked up at me, lips parting like she was about to say something. I had to move. Had to get her out of here.

The zinging stopped, but it took precious minutes. I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking so badly I almost dropped the damn thing.

“Hunt!” My voice was barely human. “Elena’s been shot! We’re coming in!”

I didn’t wait for a response. I scooped her up, cradling her against me as I stumbled toward Whiskey Rush. The horse startled, nostrils flaring at the scent of blood, but he held steady.

Good boy.

I climbed into the saddle, holding Elena tight against me, keeping her upright as I spurred Whiskey into motion.

Faster. Faster.

She let out a small sound, barely there.

"I'm here," I whispered, pressing my lips to her temple. "You're gonna be okay. I swear it, Elena. Just hold on for me, baby."

The ranch lights were ahead now, but my vision was blurry because my eyes were burning, and my throat was closing up. The second we got into the yard, Hunt was already barking orders.

"Get her inside!"

I handed Elena to Hunt and dismounted even before Whiskey came to a stop.

“Here.” Itzel had cleared the large dining table. Hunt placed her there and began to take her shirt off.

Itzel gasped at the blood and used a towel the best she could to mop Elena up.

"Through and through," he said, his voice that calm, no-nonsense tone he used when working on a wounded animal. "I think the bullet missed vitals. We gotta get her to a hospital.”

Itzel’s hands were steady, far steadier than mine, as she pressed a towel to the wound. “You get the truck, and I’ll staunch it best I can,” she told Hunt.

I couldn’t look away, move, or leave her, so I let Hunt go. It felt like hours before I heard the truck up front and the slamming and opening of doors, but it had only been minutes.

“ Gracias , Itzel.” I carried Elena out, my grip firm but gentle, holding her like she’d break.

She already has, I thought, panicked.

Please, God, Please save her. Because if she goes, you better take me ‘cause I won’t survive losing her.