Lassoing the Virgin Mail-Order Bride (5 page)

“What about when you got older?” I push, wanting to know more.

“She’d still try to get my attention. I always just thought it was because I was indifferent towards her. More of her ego wanting me then her. When I did start thinking about maybe finding a girl of my own, I wanted something like my ma and pa had. Then they passed.”

I see the pain flash across his eyes. I lean forward, placing a kiss on his lips, wanting to be closer to him.

“It was fast. A car crash when they’d taken a road trip. It was a lot to deal with then. Throw in that, and now I had a farm to run. People depending on me. All other shit went out the window.”

“Why now?” I ask.

He brings a hand to the back of my head, pulling me to him and making me lay my head on his shoulder. He starts playing with my hair. The sensation makes me close my eyes.

“All I do is work. I have these men by my side, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get lonely at night. I still wish I had what my parents had. I didn’t think I could get that with a mail-order bride, but I wanted to try. I definitely knew I wouldn’t have that with June. Not to mention I can barely tolerate her voice. She’s always yapping.”

I smile at that, relief flooding my body.

“Never even kissed her?”

I feel him chuckle.

“No, sweetheart. Never even kissed her. Have to say, I hear men complain about jealous women driving them crazy, but I happen to like you getting jealous over me.”

“I’m not jealous,” I protest as a yawn leaves my mouth.

“I’ll make sure to stay away from her since you don’t like it. Seems like the right thing to do.”

I snort, not missing him taking another chance to remind me that I’m supposed to be staying away from Brandon.

I know one thing for sure. I’m going to make sure Cash isn’t so lonely anymore. I know what that feels like. I may not be cut out for farm life, but this is something I
can
do.

R
eluctantly
, I leave Clare in the house to, as she said, “organize the kitchen,” while I go back outside and get to work. I made some calls before I left the house, watching Clare wiggle around the kitchen as she worked to put away everything she got at the store. God, I could sit and watch her all day, her little body moving like that. I had to go. I couldn’t keep watching her and not take her, so I left, locking the door behind me.

I climb onto my horse and head out to the west side of the farm to check on some of the guys and help out. They’re branding some of the cattle, and I just want to make sure it’s all going okay. When I get there, I see Earl on his horse and ride over.

“Any sign of Sammy?”

“Not yet. Did you talk to the Johnson farm?” Earl asks.

“Yeah. I talked to their new foreman, and he said he’d keep a look out.” I take a deep breath, shaking my head and looking out beyond the rolling green land. “Not sure I trust him. Old man Johnson hired a shady guy to run the place, and I’m not so sure this new guy has his best interests at heart. I’m starting to suspect Sammy going missing and the fences coming down at the same time is a little suspicious.”

“I’m afraid you might be right. I’ll put some of the guys on late-night watch. See if we can catch whoever it is that’s doing this.”

I look over at Earl and nod my head. It’s a shame it’s had to come to this. After all these years of running this farm, we’ve never had anything like this happen. Instead of dwelling on it, I get down and help the guys out, knowing that the faster we get this done, the faster we can go in for chow tonight. And the faster I can get my hands back on my woman.

W
e walk
up to the big house, and I wash up with the guys like normal. But this time, I’ve got a smile on my face and an anticipation growing in my heart. I’ve never had something like this before. Something to look forward to. I get satisfaction from a hard day’s work and taking care of the land, but having someone to come home to at the end of it makes it all worthwhile.

“Something sure does smell good. I’m glad you’ve brought Mrs. McCallister out here, boss. I was getting real tired of Earl’s cooking.”

We all laugh as one of the big guys nicknamed Tiny rinses off and heads inside. I take extra care to clean my hands and nails, wanting to look good for Clare. I’ve never felt that need before: wanting to look good for someone. But I find myself needing to impress her. I want her to look at me and see everything she wants. I want to walk into a room and have everyone disappear for her. Because that’s what she does to me. She’s rapidly becoming the center of my world, and I want to be the same.

“Brandon’s out in the barn with Fluffy. I think she might be going into labor anytime now,” Earl says, walking up beside me to clean up for dinner. “I’ll have one of the boys bring him a plate.”

I just grunt in response, thinking it’s for the best. I really don’t want him around Clare right now. I don’t know where this jealous streak inside me is coming from, but it’s in there and it’s loud. I try to shake it off knowing that he’s a part of this farm, but so is she, so I’ve got to trust her and let it go. But for the life of me, I can’t do what my head is telling me to. My caveman is a lot louder than my sense when it comes to Clare, and for some reason I don’t give a shit.

I nearly run into the house when I’m finished, wanting to get to her as soon as possible. When I get inside, I see the table all set up with plates and food ready to be served family style. I take in a deep breath and my mouth waters at the smell of pot roast. She’s made enough for an army, and all the fixings with it. Even homemade biscuits. Looking into the kitchen, I see her setting out a chocolate cake on the counter. I head straight for her.

Once I reach her, I don’t stop as I pick her up and carry her into the pantry. Once there, I press her gently against the shelves, and I feel her legs wrap around me for support.

“Cash,” she whispers, but it’s a half laugh. “What are you doing?”

“Just wanted to thank my woman for a mighty fine dinner.”

I lock my lips with hers, licking her lips and feeling her open up for me. I taste a hint of chocolate on her, and I moan at the flavor. So sweet and so good. All I want to do is fall into this kiss for all eternity.

I feel her fingers go to the nape of my neck as she pulls me closer to her. It’s as if she can’t get enough either. Her legs tighten and the ridge of my cock starts to grind against her as the kiss turns into more than I ever intended. Well, who am I kidding? I always want more than just a kiss when it comes to Clare.

This quick moment turns into so much more as we cling to one another, trying to get as close as possible. My lips need more, so I move them down her neck and lick her there, wanting even more of her sweetness.

“You haven’t even tasted dinner and you’re doing this. What will you do after you’ve tasted it?”

Clare’s words are coming out in little gasps as my tongue moves lower.

“I think we both know what’s going to happen after I get one bite.”

She moans and grinds against me, teasing us both into a frenzy.

“Cash,” she whispers, and it’s then I have to pull back.

Hearing my name on her lips is so intimate and filled with sex that I don’t want to risk anyone overhearing it.

Taking my lips away from her neck, I look into her eyes and see just how much she needs me.

“You want more, baby?”

Clare licks her lips and nods her head rapidly without hesitation.

“Tonight. You’re in my bed. I won’t take you until you’re mine on paper. But I want you in my bed tonight.”

She nods her head again, taking in air fast and hard as if out of breath.

“I want you to show me what’s mine. And I want a taste. You won’t deny me, will you?”

It’s not a question, but she closes her eyes and nods, as if the thought is too much to handle.

I let her down slowly as my hard cock rubs as much of her as it can. I want to rub it all over her naked body, but now is not the time. After a second, we both smile at one another. The hurried tension is gone and a comfortable need settles between us. After she’s got her clothes back into place and I’ve adjusted the beast in my jeans, I take her hand and pull her out of the pantry and over to the where everyone is eating dinner.

I help her settle down in my lap at the head of the table, serving us two plates of her delicious food.

“Eat, baby,” I whisper in her ear. She’s so tiny. She could afford to have a little more weight on her, and I’m going to make sure that happens.

All the guys are talking and laughing, enjoying the home-cooked meal. It warms my heart and makes this place feel complete. Squeezing Clare closer to me, I smile as we eat. All the men rave about her cooking. I’m filled with pride, and jealousy but I try to let the pride win out. She’s the best thing that’s happened to this place since I can remember, so I focus on the positive instead of being an asshole about it.

Suddenly, Brandon comes into the dining room, and my arm around Clare tightens.

“Sorry to interrupt, boss, but looks like Fluffy is breech. I think I might need you on this.”

Brandon doesn't so much as look at Clare. This goes a long way to ease some of my unwarranted irritation with him. He’s a good worker, and I like having him around. It’s just going to take some time to get used to having Clare and my jealousy in the same room.

“I’ll take care of it.” I look over at Clare, thinking this might be something she wants to see. “You want to come watch, baby?”

“Sure. I’ve helped a few times with the animals. I’ll see what I can do.”

We stand up, and I take Clare’s hand, pulling her behind me.

“Go ahead, clean up, and get yourself some chow. We’ll take care of Fluffy tonight.” Looking over to Earl, I see him nod his head. I know he’ll take care of things in the house and make sure whoever is on clean up does their job.

Pulling Clare behind me, we walk towards the barn closest to the house. I hold her hand as we walk, and the simple action makes me smile. It’s weirdly comfortable and feels like something we do every day instead of something that’s completely new to us.

“So who’s Fluffy?” Clare asks as we enter the barn.

“She’s one of the ewes we keep around here as kind of a pet. We don’t have enough to really make money off their wool, so we donate it to the knitting group in town and they make use of it.” I walk Clare to the back stable and see the ewe lying down.

When we go over to her, she’s a bit skittish, but I put my hand on her and feel her belly. The lamb has indeed turned from what I feel, and I look to see how close she is to labor.

Looking up, I see Clare get down in the hay with Fluffy and put her head in her lap. She starts to gently stroke her and make soft sounds to try to calm the soon-to-be mother.

“It’s too late for me to turn the lamb, so she’s going to have to deliver feet first. This is going to be painful for the mama, so if you want to help, you’ll need to hold her for me.”

Clare looks up and I see sadness on her face, but it’s quickly banished and she nods, now determined to help. She holds Fluffy and starts talking to her as if she’s a real mama about to give birth.

“You can do this, Fluffy. I know you can. Be brave. We’ve got you.”

Seeing her like this melts something inside of me, and the thought of her having our babies runs through my head. I shake it off before I can fall too far over the edge, thinking I need to concentrate on what we’re about to do. I’ve delivered a few breech animals before, but it’s never easy. We’ve lost a few mamas before, so there’s always worry with this kind of thing.

“Okay, little mama. Let’s have ourselves a baby.”

“
W
hat are
we going to name it?”

I look over to see Clare holding the lamb as she cleans it off. The labor took hours, and it was rough on all of us, but Fluffy came through like a champ, and now we’ve got the newest addition to the McCallister farm.

“Whatever you want, baby. It’s a girl.”

Clare beams at me, and it’s the sweetest sight. She helps the lamb start to nurse, and once we’ve got them settled, she comes over to my side.

“She looks like a little cotton ball. Can I name her Cotton?”

It’s too much. I wrap her in my arms and hold her to me. “Yes. I think Cotton is perfect. Fluffy and Cotton. It’s nearly too damn cute.”

Clare playfully slaps my arm as we exit the stable, letting the mom and baby get some sleep. We walk hand in hand back to the big house, and by this time, night has fallen upon the farm. All the stars are out, and it feels romantic being out here with her like this.

It took hours to deliver Cotton, and it’s late, but I still remember what she promised me earlier. And I intend to hold her to it.

When we get to the big house and go inside, I turn behind me and flip the lock into place. The sound of it has her turning to look at me, and I can almost feel her heartbeat pick up speed.

“I think we could both use a shower before bed.”

She looks down the hallway where the bedroom and bathroom are and then looks back at me. I can see the nervousness in her eyes, but she nods slightly, and it’s enough to make me go to her. I wrap her in my arms and wait until she looks up at me, locking eyes with my own. I want her to always feel safe with me.

“Let me wash you, baby. Show you just how good I’m going to be to you. Give you a reason to marry me come Friday. Not just because you need to, but because you want to.”

“Cash,” she whispers, and my name comes out with so much behind it. Nervous need and shy desire all mixed together.

“Do you trust me?” I ask, needing to know and needing to hear her say it.

She smiles, and I see it in her eyes before she says it. “Yes.”

I scoop her up and carry her to the master bathroom. I set her down on the counter next to the sink and go to the shower, turning on all the heads to let the water heat up. When that’s finished, I go back to her and see her sitting there biting her lip.

I unbutton my shirt while I kick off my boots. Then I stand there in just my jeans. She bites her lip as she watches me reach for my belt, and it drives me wild. Just having her eyes on me like she can’t look away makes me crazy.

When my belt is undone, I unzip my jeans and push them off my hips along with my boxer briefs. Might as well go ahead and show her all of me, seeing as I’m the last man she’s going to see naked for the rest of her life.

Standing before her naked, my hard, aching cock pointing at her, I feel like a god. She’s looking at me with big eyes. She licks her lips, and it takes everything in me to stay rooted in place.

“Clare.”

Her eyes snap up to mine, and her cheeks burn red as if she’s been caught staring at me. I want her looking, and I hope she likes what she sees, but I need more. I need to get my hands on her.

“Take off your clothes, baby.”

After a second of hesitation, her nervous fingers go to her shirt and start to unbutton it. It’s the sweetest torture. Each button she undoes shows me a little more of her perfection. When she’s finished, she slips it off her shoulders. I walk over to her, unable to hold back. I need to touch her. She’s there in a simple white bra, her soft skin glowing.

I reach down to her feet and help her slip off her boots before she stands up and undoes her shorts. She pushes them off her hips, along with her white cotton panties, and I keep my eyes locked on hers. I don’t want to scare her or make her feel embarrassed, so I don’t look anywhere but in her eyes. I see her move to take her bra off, and once I hear it hit the floor, I take her hand and walk us into the shower.

When the warm water hits us, I pull her to me. She closes her eyes and leans back, letting the warm water run through her hair. I reach up and pull the pins out for her, setting them on the shelf in the shower. Her tight blonde curls fall past her shoulders. I run my fingers through them, and she opens her eyes to look at me.

“Let me wash you,” I whisper, as I reach for the shampoo and go to wash her hair.