shirtless…again.
On my signal, Bella rears up, whinnying and tossing her head majestically. It’s going to look fantastic on film, but I’m barely paying attention to her because Ranger. Is. Shirtless. Again.
“Do you think he’s doing this on purpose?” I give her a carrot and pat her nose. “If he came over here to seduce me, all he had to do was say so.”
She snorts and nuzzles my palm, looking for more treats. “Take a break,” I tell her, giving the side of her neck a little push. She bumps me with her nose one more time, then trots off. I climb over the fence, definitely not trying to look like a cool cowboy or anything in case he’s watching, and saunter through the pasture to where Ranger is working with Benny resting in the shade a few feet away.
He doesn’t seem quite as skinny as he did when we first met. His skin has a little bit more color to it too, which I’m willing to bet is the result of him spending time outside with Benny.
The beads of sweat on his back beckon me to lick them off, and that’s not where my fantasies end. By the time I reach him, I’m fully hard, a prominent bulge in my jeans.
“How’s it going?”
He glances over his shoulder and grins at me.
“Almost finished.”
I crane to peer past him. The fence does indeed look just about back in tip-top shape.
“That was fast. This would’ve taken me most of the day.”
He furrows his brow. “It’s just cutting wood and nailing it together.”
“Yes, but you have to factor in time for splinters, losing the hammer, a trip to urgent care when I smash my thumb. It’s a whole production,” I explain, and he laughs.
“Well, I’m happy to help out if you need it.” He finishes hammering the last nail into place and then stands up. I drool shamelessly over the flex and stretch of the muscles in his back as he uses his arm to wipe sweat from his face.
“Will you be shirtless the whole time?” I let my voice dip low, along with my eyes, which linger on the perky curve of his butt.
“If you want.”
“Mmm, in that case, something in the barn just broke.” I manage to tear my eyes off his bouncy behind and back up to his face. He arches an eyebrow.
“Is that so? What exactly is this new broken item?”
“I’ll have to show you. It’s very technical and…hard.” I lick my lips. “Hard to fix, I mean.”
“By all means, then, we’d better go check it out.”
Ranger gives Benny the signal to stay, and then the two of us dart off to the barn like the farmhand and the heiress in a tawdry historical romance.
Once we’re inside, I lead him to the feed room, where bales of hay and alfalfa are stacked high against the walls. I’ve always wanted to fool around with someone in here, and I’m about to carpe the cluck out of this diem.
“The broken thing is over there.” I point vaguely, biting back the wicked smile threatening to give me away. Not that I think for one second that Ranger isn’t onto me, but pretending is half the fun.
“Over here?” He wanders in the direction I indicated.
“Mmhmm.” I close the door behind us and follow him deeper into the room.
“Where exactly?” he asks, turning back toward me when he reaches the smaller stack of hay bales.
“Right here.” I grab the back of his neck and crash my mouth into his.
17
Ranger
Julian’s kiss is eager and hungry without showing any hesitation. His hand unashamedly pulls my head toward his, and I love it. Almost as much as I appreciated the way he was ogling me, not even masking he wasn’t checking me out. It feels good.
His tongue slips between my lips, invading my mouth, sweet and seductive. He tastes fresh, minty, as if he’s had Tic Tacs or something. But he’s also uniquely Julian, with that flavor that’s all him: sunshine and happiness.
I hesitate for a moment, then wrap my arms around him and cup his ass. That luscious ass I’ve dreamed of. He rewards me by plastering his body against mine, and all my senses are full of him. How he feels just right in my arms, his sweet taste, his intoxicating smell, the hot sounds he makes as we kiss and kiss and kiss.
He’s taking his time, thoroughly exploring my mouth, and I’m just as eager to do the same to him. I love how he’s