Unstable (37 page)

I’m ready.

Brooke is gushing on and on to her parents about Barley, and I hate to interrupt, but it’s getting late. So, I take a seat and clear my throat.

“Brooke, sweetie, I know you’re excited, but can I talk to your parents alone for a minute?” I politely ask.

“Yes, sorry. Do you need my help or can I go play with Bourbon?”

Oh, Brooke. If you only knew how much you’ve already helped me.

“I think I’ve got it from here.” I smile, just short of a laugh. “But ask your parents about going to play.”

Her dad tells her it’s fine and when she’s out of the room, I adjust my posture, fold my hands in my lap and begin.

“Mike, Bri, I’d love for your family to live here, on this farm.” I peek over at Keaton, sitting across the room, grinning from ear-to-ear…not missing the smoldering satisfaction in his eyes.

And the reason for it. He’s not over there simmering in his own juices of primality because I picked his farm to live on, he really wouldn’t care which I chose. No, he’s currently eaten up with carnal territorialism that
I
chose
to live with him anywhere.

“And,” I continue, “I don’t want to overstep my boundaries, but I’ve got some thoughts on logistics that I think will suit all our needs.”

“Okay,” Mike speaks hesitantly, shooting his wife a glance riddled with worried suspicion.

“You can’t work a job and keep up with a farming life that produces a good income at the same time. There just aren’t enough hours in a day. So, I’m proposing this—in lieu of paying any rent for the first year, you tend to my horses and what cows I leave here as payment. You can use my bull, to breed and build up a stock of your own, and split the money you make off calves with me to pay for use of my bull and mamas.

After one year, we can discuss you buying some of those cows and the bull outright. You’re welcome to the hay I already have put up for feeding, but you’ll need to pay any vet bills for calves you breed. Also, I’ll pay the property tax each year, but you’re responsible for utilities from day one. As of year two, your rent will be one thousand dollars a month. I will never sell you this farm, but I’ll make it as much yours as possible. You can live here forever if you’d like, but I just can’t sell it. I hope you understand.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Barley, one of the horses, will belong to Brooke, no charge. And she’s already got her room picked out. It’s important to me she have the one she’s chosen, please.”

Finished, I sit back, able to get a full, deep breath now that I’ve gotten it all said and off my chest, waiting for someone else to speak.

Which doesn’t happen as quickly as I’d anticipated. Rather, I have three people just staring at me, all seeming shocked with their matching slack jaws and wide eyes.

Amidst their silence, the sweetest little head pops out from around the corner. “Barley is mine?” Brooke’s voice is shaky, as though she doesn’t believe it could possibly be true.

“I don’t know,” I turn to her parents. “Is he?”

“Brooke, what’d I tell you about eavesdropping?” Bri gently reprimands her. “Now go play, like you
said
you were going to the first time.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Her chin drops…but not before she gives me a “‘thank you” and a thumbs-up.

Precious.

“Henley, this is a
very
generous offer,” Bri says, unable to meet my eyes. “We don’t want any charity or to take advantage of anyone. Are you sure about this?”

“Henny,” Keaton interjects, “look at me.” When I do, his eyes are as questioning as his next words. “She’s right, baby, very generous offer. Maybe you and I should speak privately for a minute?”

But his suggestion is nothing more than an obligatory double-check. He already knows my answer. And when I give him
the look
, the patented one created and reserved for Keaton alone, that says wordlessly “I mean business, Mister,” he laughs and gives me back a supportive smile and wink.

“Yep,” he tells the Kings, “she’s sure. No charity or taking advantage here, so stop worrying about that. This is what my woman wants, and I’ll warn ya both, she’s not fun to argue with, nor will she be changing her mind.”

“Yay! I have a horse and a princess room!” Brooke shouts from…still right around the corner, if I had to guess.

I toss back my head and laugh, memorizing the sound of sheer joy in her voice.

Bri shakes
her head and mutters, “I wish I could tell myself it’s because she doesn’t know what eavesdropping means, but we all know that’s not it.”

“Mr. Keaton just has a loud voice! I can’t help it!” Brooke chimes in again.

“She’s right,” Keaton chuckles. “Totally my fault.”

“Henley, you forgot to tell them about my promise!”

“Oh, she’s right again,” I can’t help but laugh. “I hope you don’t mind, and I’ve already made sure she knows to ask one of you first, but I’ve made Brooke promise to come over and visit me regularly. If it isn’t already obvious, I’m pretty taken with her.”

“I’d say the feeling is mutual,” Mike grins. “And,” he takes his wife’s hand, “we will never be able to repay you for your selflessness, but we’ll sure try. If you’re
positive
,” he pauses, probably giving me one last chance for a retraction that’s never gonna come, “we’d like to accept your offer.”

“I am,” I smile then motion toward the hallway with my head, to which he nods. “Brooke, you can come in now,” I call out with his permission.

She darts in the room, straight to me, and jumps in my lap, throwing her arms around my neck. It’s the best hug I’ve ever gotten, and I return it with everything I am.

“Thank you, Henley. You’re the nicest farm lady in the whole world and my new best friend! Except for my Mommy and Daddy. You all tie.”

“I’ll take it, sweet girl. And you’re very welcome.” I kiss the top of her head, that smells of strawberry shampoo and innocence. “Welcome home, Brooke.”

“MIGHTY NICE THING YOU
did tonight, baby.” Keaton murmurs against the back of my neck as we lay in bed. “You think maybe you got a little carried away though?”

“Do you?” I shoot back.

“Oh Henny,” he laughs. “You have to cover up your trap with more leaves than that. No way I’m stepping right into that one. I asked you first.”

“No, I really don’t. It felt right, so I went with it. They’re a wonderful family who just need a chance to jumpstart their dreams. I can give them that, so why wouldn’t I? Unless of course, you changed your mind and don’t want me to move in with you?”

Let’s see him make his way past that trap
—laid right out in the open, with no bait even…it’ll snag him up, guaranteed.

“Gonna start packing ya tomorrow,” his baritone laced in primality, sliding a hand down my stomach. “Want you in
our
house,
our
bed, as soon as possible.”

Caught within seconds. Knew it.

“Speaking of
our
bed,” I cover his sneaky hand with my own and remove it, at least until I have my answers I want. “We taking this one or using yours?”

“I don’t really care, but mine’s already there and put together. Seems easiest to use it.”

“Have you ever had sex with another girl in it?”

“Your bed it is,” he immediately clips. “You know, I think I like it better anyway, more comfortable. Been meaning to burn mine, actually.”

“Right answer,” I purr and move his hand back to where it was. “I won’t even ask about the couch or any other furniture over there. You know what to do.”

“Mhmm,” he sucks on my neck and shoulder. “I get it. And you’re damn right I know what else to do, almost forgot.” His hand disappears and I’m flipped over to my back, his body hovering over mine.

“Arms up, sassy,” his raspy demand is irresistible, and I comply, my cami top over my head instantly. He slides his hands up my arms and twining our fingers together, lifts my hands to the headboard. “Grip the bars, and no matter what, don’t let go. If you do, I’ll tie ‘em up there.”

“K…Keaton,” I breathe heavily, finding a hold like he’s told me to. “What are we doing?” I know he hears the tremor of excitement in my voice. A healthy fear of the unknown and how good it will feel causing every erogenous zone of my body to tingle.

“I’m able to
uncalm
your tits, baby. And after you come for me, I’m gonna fuck ya long and hard. You’ll be all warm and wet, begging for my cock, and I’ll slip right in and stay there, as long as I want,” he promises in a voice of seduction, kissing his way down my chest.

“Oh God,” I keen, arching my back. I absolutely adore his mouth, whether it’s deliciously torturing my flesh or seducing me with deeply groaned promises.

Or smarting off, challenging my wit and lifetime desire to bicker with him. Or speaking softly, kindly, settling my soul.

I actually can’t think of any time I
don’t l
ike it.

Yeah…Keaton Fucking Cash gives good mouth.

He laves his tongue around the first nipple, then the next, pushing his erection between my thighs while he does so. I want to touch him so badly. Run my hands over his toned back, squeeze that tight ass and scratch my desire into his skin, but I resist, keeping my hands locked on the spindles in the headboard as commanded.

Which gives the interaction a whole new forbidden,
taken,
aspect that has me panting with vulnerable anticipation.

“I think my baby likes this,” he hums, still teasing his tongue around my nipples. “You want me to tie you up one day? Put you under my complete control, where I can do anything I want to this unbelievable body, and you just have to take it?”

“Yes,” I moan. “God, yes. But right now, I want you to stop talking and—”

“And what?” He gives me that sexy, knowing smirk of his, thrusting against my core again. “Say it. Say it dirty for me, baby.”

“Suck them, Keaton. Suck on my tits, hard. Grab ‘em and squeeze, pinch my nipples, anything. Everything. Just…get me there so I can have you.”

“Oh yeah,” he groans. “Love my naughty Henny. Gonna kiss that sexy talkin’ mouth first though.”

And he does, nothing slow or thoughtful about it, only pure hunger. His lips are hard and demanding, and I open for his crazed ravishment. Tongues battling in frenzied passion, his strong lips bruising my own while his large, expert hands massage and grope my breasts just right.

He leaves my mouth on fire and with one long, slow lick, finally moves down and sucks a blood-filled, pulsing nipple between his lips. He teases the tip with flicks of his speared tongue and tiny nips with his teeth, while using a hand to adore the other one.

He lifts his head to switch and hisses, “I fucking love your tits, woman. Perfect, plump, and so responsive. Pretty pink nipples just begging me for more. But I need you to come,
soon
.”

“What, you giving up?” I taunt.

“Hell no, and you know better than that. I’ll go all night if I have to, but I can smell how ready you are, and damn if I don’t want inside that sweet pussy of yours right now.”

“Pull my panties off,” I whisper.

When he does, and by “pull,” he obviously thought I meant tug and rip them off me, I spread my legs wide open and bend them at the knee, my feet flat on the mattress.

He shucks his jeans and boxer briefs unbelievably fast, then climbs back on the bed, sitting back on his haunches. Staring down, he slowly licks his lips and takes his dick in hand, rubbing the engorged tip up and down my slick center.

“Whatcha want now, baby?” he rumbles, eyes staying put.

“You know exactly what I want, and you want to give it to me.” I wiggle a bit.

“Wanna hear you say it, Henny. Drives me crazy.”

And less surprising each time, I
want
to say it. Lustful, erotic things that get me as amped up as they do him. My baser instincts feeding off his animalistic reaction and flaring hotter within me.

Indeed, I have a naughty side.

“Fuck me, Keaton. Fuck me good like only you can. Let me feel your weight on top of me and use my hands on your body.”