make yourself come,” he says, his wicked eyes dancing, “Oh, and I want to make sure I tell you one thing.” His eyes darken as he strokes a finger over my nipple. “I love it when you call me ‘baby’ - makes my dick hard every time. Shit, I feel like going at it again thinkin’ about it.”
I look down and apparently he is telling the truth.
His phone beeps from the floor. Wrestling his phone from his jean pocket, he studies the display. “The first calf is coming.” His soft smile, full of regret compliments his sad eyes. “He needs me out at the ranch. I’m sorry, darlin’. I have to go.”
“I understand. Go, I’ll be fine.” I smile, trying to reassure him. “We’ll be able to talk on the phone or text, right?”
“Most of the time I’ll be in a pasture so leave me messages. I’ll call you back. It might be at some mighty strange times. I’ll try to text but it may be a while before you hear from me. The reception out there isn’t reliable.”
“Ok, it’s going to be fine, right? It’s only two months.” I smile while trying not to cringe at the same time. Reality closes in. I won’t be able to see or talk to him whenever I want.
“Calving season will be over before you know it.” His leer is back. “I’m sure gonna miss that sweet ass of yours.”
He kisses me and slides his jeans on, pulling his t-shirt over his head. He kisses me thoroughly and whispers, “It’s only a few months. We’ll talk and text. It’ll be fine.”
I give him my bravest smile and wave goodbye as he walks out the door.
Chapter 14
“Hey, have you heard from Tommy?” Sally asks.
“Yeah, I sent him a text this morning.” I look down, embarrassed. I study my eggplant bedspread, sliding my hand across the top remembering our last night. The heat rises up my neck, and I smile.
“Amber, look at me.” Her voice is soft, compelling me to look at her.
“What?” I look into her eyes trying like hell to keep my best poker face on.
Sally studies my face for a moment and says, “You like him. I mean, you really like him, don’t you?”
“It’s too soon for all that. Please.” I feel the heat on my face as I glance away. Damn it! I am so busted.
“You do!” she says. Her girlish giggle surprises me, sometimes she is so silly.
“Whatever. So now you want to braid each other’s hair and sit up talking about boys all night?” I say, picking up my phone willing myself not to look at it in front of her to see if I have a text from him.
“Oh my God. You should see your face. You are itching to look and see if he’s sent you a text. Aren’t you?” Snatching my phone, she holds it above my head, easily keeping it away from my reach.
Man, I fucking hate tall people.
“Give me my fucking phone, Sally!” I say, as I vainly try to jump up for it…snatching it at the same time…and failing miserably.
“Maybe you need a little help from your friends, Amber,” she says as she types something in, easily typing despite my tugging and attempts to knock my phone out of her hands. When she’s done, she hands me my phone.
My phone pings:
I miss you, too, darlin’
***
“What are you doing this weekend?” Karen asks as we gather our books. “Jerrod and I were going to ask a few people to The Hole in the Wall. Sally’s going. I don’t know if she’s bringing someone or not. Some of Jerrod’s friends might come, too. We’re heading over about eight on Friday.”
“Sounds good.”
After a long, dry lecture from the professor we walk out to the quad. The soccer team is leaving the field, and Jerrod jogs over. “Hey Babe.” He kisses Karen and slides into step beside her, his long legs slow to almost a crawl. Karen’s tall, but Jerrod makes her look tiny.
Grinning, I say, “Hey Jerrod.”
“Hey Amber.” He looks at me expectantly, “You’re coming with us on Friday, right?” His mouth forms into a grin, and his hazel eyes crinkle as he nudges me. “I think Bobby might swing by.”
“So?” I challenge him.
Bobby jogs up to us, flashing me a white smile. “Hola, pequena.”
Rolling my eyes, I mutter, “Uh – hi, Bobby.” Glancing at Karen, we lock eyes. Really? So, now he knows me? What a douche.
Bobby smiles and asks, “You’re going on Friday? I