A Taste of Country Read online

  She smiles. “Purple.”

  “Movie?”

  “Gone with the Wind.”

  I smile. “Favorite time of the day.”

  “Sunrise. I love the feel of a new day and being alive. Now, I love sitting at the bay window and watching it rise over the mountains. It’s so beautiful here.” She looks out onto the land, over her shoulder. She’s a vision, beautiful inside and out. I can’t help myself. I lean into her as she turns back to me, and I capture her full lips. She tastes of strawberries. Her hair smells of her unique aroma. She fills my mind, my body and soul, all my senses. She surprises me, leaning against me, her hands pushing against my chest until I lay down. My arms wrap around her slim waist as she straddles me, her hair falling down, veiling our faces. We continue to kiss, and I start rubbing her back. “God. The things you do to me. I want you,” I whisper against her mouth. She smiles as we look into each other’s eyes.

  We’re interrupted by Ditto lickin’ our faces, and we start laughin’. She sits up, my hard cock pressin’ right where it aches to be, and she starts playin’ with him.

  “Looks like we’re not gettin’ much work done this way.” Our heads turn and see Trevor leanin’ against the barn, smilin’.

  “All work and no play isn’t any fun,” Shiloh smirks at him.

  He laughs then looks at me. “Thought maybe with the weather so nice, we could go over and look at that land for sale?” I give him a curt nod, knowin’ I’d promised him. He nods back and walks off and I look at Shiloh.

  “Thank you,” she whispers and climbs off my lap but presses herself against my side. She leans down and kisses me, runnin’ her fingers through my hair. God, I love when she does that.

  “For what?” I can’t help how big my smile is. It’s like it’s frozen on my face.

  “For being you. Unselfish, loving, caring. I’ve never known anyone like you.” The look in her eyes melt my soul. Her beauty is beyond anything I can describe.

  I push my hand underneath her soft hair, cuppin’ the back of her neck, and pull her to me, my mouth capturin’ hers. I release her mouth and put my forehead against hers as we catch our breaths. “You’re the one that is selfless, strong, lovin’, carin’, beautiful inside and out. I thank God I placed that ad and that you found it.” She smiles, her chin quiverin’ a tiny bit, and then kisses me again. We both sigh at the same time. “Ha, I guess we’re both like college kids that found what they were finally lookin’ for, huh?” She laughs. Sweetest sound. “Well, I guess I should take Trevor over to see that land.” I stand and extend my hand. She takes it and I pull her up, her chest hittin’ mine. We stare at each other, our breathin’ still heavy. “Okay, I better go or I’m never gonna want to leave you.” We start walkin’ back, hand in hand. “Do you want to come with us?” She shakes her head and I stop, turnin’ to her. “I don’t want you here by yourself, darlin’. It’s too risky. Later today we should also go talk to Henry.”

  She takes my other hand and now we have both hands together in front of us. “How about I call Sadie and you can drop me off there, just staying long enough until you two get back. Then we can go into town and see Henry.” Damn, she’s so fucking smart.

  I pull her to me, kissin’ her lips, then we walk to the house. Life can’t get better than this. How can it when I have the perfect woman by my side? Now, we just need to get over to Henry’s and get him lookin’ for the asshole that has been terrorizing her. That needs to be put to an end and quick before somethin’ bad happens. I won’t let her go through that anymore. I won’t let anythin’ happen to her. She has a great support system here, and I know we’ll get through this. We have to.

  Shiloh

  I feel exhilarated and happy for the first time in my life. I feel like I can do anything, and I refuse to let anything dampen my mood. We get in his truck and he drops me off at Sadie’s. It was hard to watch him leave, but I know he’ll be back soon. Sadie had the door already open, looking disheveled, and we walked straight to the kitchen. I stop and look around at the mess. Flour everywhere, pans, canisters, rolling pin covered in white powder. I turn and look at her, standing there biting her lip. “What the heck is going on here?” I laugh, not being able to help myself. She stands there with a worried look on her face. Something’s going on. My heart speeds up. “Sadie. What’s wrong?” She has flour all over her. A lot of her hair came loose from her ponytail and is hanging down her chest. She’s a mess.

  She gives me a strange look. “I’m pregnant!” she bursts. I blink rapidly, and then smile.

  “That’s great!” Another odd look and biting her lip again. “Right?”

  She starts pacing the floor, stepping in flour that’s spread out beneath her. “Yes. No? I dunno.” Her arms wave all around then stop abruptly, and she looks at me. “I haven’t told Memphis yet.” I walk over to her and grasp her arms, trying to hold her from pacing again.

  “Why not? Surely he’ll be excited. Right?”

  She bites her lip again and sighs. “I think so? I mean, we haven’t really talked about having kids, how many, any? Ugh! I should have been more careful, but I ran out of my pills and kept forgetting to get them refilled.” Tears fill her eyes and as I release her arms, she puts a finger up to her mouth and presses it against her lips. “Oh, Shiloh. What am I gonna do?” I put my arms around her, and she hugs me back.

  “You’re gonna fix him a nice dinner tonight, candlelight, flowers, whatever romantic stuff you can come up with. Then you’re gonna take his hand and look into his eyes and tell him he’s gonna be a daddy.” I push back and look into her eyes. “He’s gonna be so excited, Sadie. I don’t know him that well but I can tell he’s a good man. Loving, kind, and he worships the ground you walk on.” I smile, thinking about how nervous she is but she’s going to give life to another little person.

  She nods and smiles, then stands up straight and shakes her head to get the hair out of her face. “You’re right. I’m being silly.” She turns her head and looks around the room. “Damn. This place is a disaster.”

  “I’ll help you clean up.” I laugh.

  We spent the next hour cleaning up the kitchen and finished baking some of the things she had made while creating that mess. I’m a little worried the guys aren’t back yet, but we sit down and I have a cup of coffee to her bottled water. She decided already to remove the caffeine from her life. Another hour later and I start to get more concerned. Why would it take so long to go see a farm? “I’m sure they’re fine, Shiloh.” She looks at me nervously. After another half an hour goes by, I’m about to start pacing the floor when the front door opens, deep laughter comes closer until they all walk into the kitchen.

  “What took so long?” I run over to Colby and throw myself into his strong arms. They wrap around me as he looks down, his face changing to worry.

  “Sorry,” he whispers, putting his hand on my face. “Are you okay? You’re really pale.”

  I step back and try to smile. “I’m fine. I just…. What took so long?”

  Trevor steps up to me, his smile brightening his handsome face. “Didn’t mean to worry ya, darlin’. I just bought a farm. Took a little longer than we expected.”

  “What? Oh, my gosh, Trevor. That’s great! You must have really loved it. I know you and how you scrutinize everything.” I laugh, feeling a little relieved but so happy for my friend. Colby moves closer, putting his arm around me, smiling. “We should celebrate and I can’t wait to see it.” I look over at Sadie. She’s staring at Memphis from the corner of her eye. “But now, I think it’s time we go home. It’s almost dinner time,” I say a little too loudly, looking at her. She looks at me and smiles, nodding slightly.

  “Sounds good to me. I’m starvin’.” Colby states looking down at me. He bends down, close to my ear. “Home. I love the sound of that comin’ from your mouth.” I can’t help smiling back. The feelings of love and excitement wash over me. He squeezes my shoulder, and we stare into each other’s eyes.

  “Thanks fo
r goin’ with us, Memphis. ‘Preciate all the advice,” Trevor says as he walks over and shakes his hand.

  “No problem, man. Will be great havin’ you as a neighbor. Glad that place is finally gettin’ someone to take care of it. Been sittin’ there for years. Needs some work but we’ll all help out,” Memphis says smiling.

  I walk over to Sadie while they talk and put my hands on her shoulders. “Good luck but I don’t think you’ll need it. Come over tomorrow, will you? I want to hear all about it.” She smiles, nodding her head eagerly then leans over and kisses my cheek.

  I walk over to Colby and he puts his arm back around me as we walk out of the house. The drive home is full of excited talk as Trevor explains the farm to me. I couldn’t be happier for him. He so deserves to be happy.

  Once we get home, we decide to have some leftovers for dinner, so I heated up a bunch of stuff, and we sit down at the table and eat. We talked about going into town tomorrow to visit Henry and tell him everything that’s going on since it took them longer than they expected getting the farm. Trevor said he had no idea he would end up buying it right then, and it took longer getting the paperwork filled out and all signed. After dinner, Trevor went outside to check the animals in the barn. I told Colby I wanted to do some writing, so he went into the living room to catch the news on TV, and I went up to my room. I sit down in my favorite spot at the window and power my laptop on and immediately an instant message appears.

  Egirl: Thank goodness! I haven’t talked to u in so long. How r u?

  Shit! Mandy. I should have gotten with her. She’s right, it’s been too long. She must have been worried sick.

  DS: OMG! I’m so sorry. Things are great, for now. Oh, sweetie. I have so much to tell you! I’ve fallen in love.

  Egirl: Mr. Blue eyes?

  I let out a laugh.

  DS: Yes. Only, he’s so much more. I’ve never felt this way before. I’m so happy. I’m about to burst inside. Is this how it always is when ur in love?

  Egirl: Ha! Yes, honey. I’m so happy for u! U deserve it and so much more. Oh! BTW, when this is all over and that madman is found and put away, there’s a bunch of huge signings being slated for next year. I know you can’t commit until later, no worries. Just wanted to give you a heads up. I know you told me once this is over you wanted to come out of the closet. So to speak.

  She’s right, I did. I just hope I’m still alive to do that.

  DS: When this is all over. Sigh. I hope it’s soon. We’re going into town tomorrow to fill in the sheriff here. I hope he can help locate him.

  Egirl: Good. It’s about time you take help from others. I’m going to try to get things settled around here. You’re exploding with everyone’s anticipation for the last book in your series. Things are crazy right now here but soon, I’ll be coming there. I can’t wait to see you and this man who’s taken your heart.

  DS: That would be great. I love u!

  Egirl: I love u 2!

  DS: Oh! I have another story idea and am getting ready to start on it.

  Egirl: Wonderful. K. Gotta run. I’ll talk soon and make it soon this time. U know how I worry.

  DS: I will. Bye.

  I click out of the pop up window and pull up a blank document then look out of the window. The sun has almost completely set over the mountains, making a breathtaking view. I look down and watch Trevor walking back from the barn, Ditto following happily beside him. God, I want this to be over, so badly. I want to quit living in fear, live a happy life. This place, this man, it’s like a dream come true, one I don’t ever want to wake from. I look down and put my fingers on the keys.

  The days are long, the nights longer, but living in the country has exceeded my expectations, my dreams. It’s like living in a beautiful painting. There are mountains. There are trees as high as you can see and a lake that the sun shines on making the water sparkle. Serene doesn’t even cover what it’s like here. Not only is the scenery breathtaking but being here gives you the sense of the beauty of the land. What God created. It’s beyond beautiful, magnificent; really, there are no words worthy to describe it. Life can be hard. The work to keep up the land can be back breaking. But in the end, knowing you’re doing something significant in your life, no prouder moments can be had by doing a good day’s work. You help keep animals thriving. You help upkeep on the barn and the house, making everything you do to keep everything alive and well makes you feel like you’ve helped in some small way. It’s true that it’s not for everyone. The town isn’t that close. Your nearest neighbor is a little ways off but close enough to visit. Some might be lonely, filling a house with just themselves, but if you find the right person to spend your life with, it makes it all worthwhile.

  His eyes so blue, his body muscular. A tattoo adorns his large shoulder, one that must have some meaning to him as they normally do. His smile is one that would take a woman’s breath away while his eyes could melt her heart. He’s had his womanizing days, well gone now, and wishes he could find the right woman. The one that would melt his heart and give him what he longs for. Love. Deep, undying love. He aches for it but is so far removed from the world living on his ranch. Working hard each day to keep it up that he has no time for a normal life, one that would help him find the woman of his dreams.

  I stop and look out the window, the darkness only lit by the few lights around the yard and barn. I begin thinking of Sadie. How her talk went with Memphis and if right now they’ve celebrated her news and are making love, commemorating their undying love for each other. I look down at my writing and smile, only thinking of one person and what it would be like to carry a baby inside me. His baby. Our baby. Is that something in our future? Will that ever be in store for my life? My head turns when my door opens. He stands there staring at me, and I smile, hitting save on my document then powering off my computer. I set it down, never taking my eyes from his, and walk over to him silently. His eyes darken with desire as I take his hand and lead him to the bathroom. He takes over, knowing my thoughts, and reaches into the shower turning on the water. It begins to warm in the small room, but I know some of it is from the heat that’s already building up within me.

  He turns, his eyes smoldering. He takes the one step to me, his hands at the hem of my shirt and pulls it up until it’s over my head. My hair blows from the movement, my heart already beating fast with my own desire. Colby’s hands move behind me, unclasping my bra. He slides the straps from each shoulder, and I let it fall to the floor. I place my hands on his big shoulders as he unbuttons my jeans, followed by the zipper, then he pulls them down, my lacy panties following, until I step out of them. His eyes scan my nakedness. I don’t feel shy or nervous by his scrutiny. It only feeds to the fire that’s already kindled inside me, the flame burning with more intensity. He reaches out, tracing my ugly scar, and I shiver. Without a beat, my hand grasps his hardened cock. He hisses as I stroke it firmly. My hand is so small in comparison to its size, its length. He leans down, his mouth presses hard against mine as I continue to stroke him, my fingernails grazing the tender skin on the way down.

  “Fuck!” He moans into my mouth, deep and guttural.

  My hand pulls away abruptly as his grab my waist. I gasp as he lifts me with ease, his cock slides inside me as he walks us into the shower, turning around so the water cascades down his back. His hands move to hold me up by my bottom, he squeezes the cheeks while I hold onto his shoulders and move up and down. He turns us again, pushing me against the cool tiles. One of his hands leaves me and pushes against the wall beside me as he rams into me hard. “God, you feel amazing. We fit together perfectly. Like we were made for each other,” he breathes out, panting into my ear. Our chests are rising and falling with the same beat of our movements. I feel him grow even more inside me, my climax coming near. The butterflies fluttering within me take off, spreading their wings, and begin soaring up my body. My head tilts back. His mouth immediately begins sucking the skin on my neck. “Let go, darlin’. Let go for me.” My eyes close t
ight as my orgasm hits me hard, seeing spots behind my eyelids, my nails digging into the flesh of his shoulders.

  “God! Colby!” I scream into the small area, the sound of my voice reverberating off the tiles. I’m sure it was extremely loud, but my ears are full with the pounding of my heart, making the sound seem muffled in comparison. I feel like I’ve lost all senses, my breathing erratic, my ears plugged with the sounds of my heart. I barely hear him yell out my name as he releases inside me, his hips bucking against me. His hands move underneath my legs as they feel weak. My entire body melts into him, my head lulling down between his neck and shoulder.

  “I’ve got you, baby,” he whispers.

  I feel us move but can’t seem to open my eyes. They feel heavy, weighted. Then I feel the softness of a towel around me but still can’t seem to move. By the time I feel like I’m coming back from the unknown, I open my eyes and look up at his gorgeous face. I’m wrapped in his arms, still naked, and in bed under the covers. “Wow!” is all I can manage to get out of my mouth. He leans down and kisses the top of my damp head.

  “Thought I lost you,” he whispers.

  My mouth turns up into a smile. “I was here but not.” He smiles back, his hand rubbing lovingly across my forehead and over my head.

  “I watched you as you climaxed. Never seen anythin’ like it. I got a little worried as you seemed like you’d passed out or somethin’. I’m glad you respond to me that much. Believe me, you do the same to me. Good thing one of us was still a little lucid.”