"It's the truth, city girl. I don't want casual hookups either. I've never had this with anyone, but I want it with you."
"You know this is a bad idea, right?" Her head shakes and I lose eye contact with her as she mutters, “Such a bad idea."
I step closer to her, still able to smell that damn strawberry shampoo and bring my fingertips to her chin, forcing her to look up at me.
"You're worried about two strangers fallin' for each other? 'Cause that's about all this is, city girl." I press my lips to hers gently. "We just gotta play it cool till we can figure out Donna and my dad. But I can fuckin' promise you that you're the only one I want." I kiss her again and wrap my arm around her, gripping her ass. "As in the package, exclusive and all that shit. No one else."
The look across her pretty face is skeptical. Stepping onto a bale of hay almost brings her eye level with me. "This is better." She chuckles. "Step brother boyfriend...sounds really fucked up." She starts to laugh but her arms slide around my neck.
"Or ya know, you could just call me your boyfriend." I press my lips to her nose. "And I can just call you my girlfriend. There's nothin' wrong with what we have, Jo. Actually, it's kind of fuckin' spectacular."
"I understand we didn't grow up together. I get that just over a month ago we didn’t know each other, Brandt. But for some reason, I'm scared shitless of what our parents will say." She leans in to kiss me, pressing her body against mine. She’s scared, but not scared enough to deny me.
"How about we don't talk about our parents right now?" With her pressed against me, I remind myself it's been too long since she's paid any attention to me and I hated every minute of it. Right now all I can think about is fucking her where we stand. I cup the back of her neck and kiss her deeply, groaning when she pinches my nipple through my shirt. "Fuck, crazy!" I laugh, moving back. "How do you feel about a little barn nookie?"
She laughs and her head throws back before she glances toward the doors and whispers, "What if Garrison comes in?"
"We'll make it quick. I've been without you for too long." I wait for her to give me a sign and the minute she grins and bites her lip I'm undoing my belt buckle, not even worrying about my shirt. I grip my cock in my hand, watching her shimmy out of her thong from under this dress she's wearin'. "You're gonna have to wear more of these things around me," I whisper, pulling her to me and sliding my hand between her legs to find her ready.
"Oh god," she moans and her eyes close. "Brandt, I'm nervous."
I groan and bring my fingers to my lips, tasting her. "Turn around and grip onto that beam." I nod toward one of the beams right behind us. She slowly turns and the minute her hands hit the beam I hike up her dress and grip her ass. "Hell, Jo. This is almost picture worthy."
"Don't you dare take a picture right now," she quietly blurts then wiggles her ass and urges, "Brandt, fuck me!"
"You gotta quiet down, sweetheart." I glance over at the door and then back to Jo. The way she's ready for me has me throwing all care out the window. I push into her, gripping her hips and letting out a low growl, loving feeling this connected with her.
She gasps and quietly moans then suddenly goes tense, really tense. Tense enough she tightens around me but there's no way she's already coming.
"Brandt," she blurts my name and I stop moving. "Are you wearing a condom?"
Oh shit.
"No," I pant. "Fuck, no. Fuck!" I don't move. I can't pull out, she feels too fucking good! "Jo, I—"
"Fuck," she moans then thrusts back down over my dick. "Fuck, fuck." She's having this internal battle with what to do but all the while still sliding her pussy up and down my dick. "God, fuck, don't stop. Just pull out...pull out when you're gonna come." One of her hands grabs her tit through her dress and the other holds the beam tighter.
I pump into her, my hands grabbing her ass. Over and over, I slam into her, her pussy squeezing tight around me. The noises she's making can more than likely be heard outside this fucking barn but I can't stop now.
"I'm close," I groan, "Fuck, Jo."
"Fuck, wait," she pants, begging me. "Just don't stop, Brandt. I'm going to come. Fuck." Her head drops and starts to shake as her body starts to vibrate. "I'm going to fucking come," she whispers and her nails scratch down the beam. "Oh fuck, Brandt. Fuck, fuck, fuck!" That was definitely too loud but she's coming on my dick and I hate this, but I have to fucking pull out because my balls are tightening and I'm about to lose it inside her.
"Shit!" I yank out just as my orgasm sends jolts through my fucking body. "Holy shit," I pant, my dick shooting ribbons of my intense orgasm.
She spins to face me, but I'm not done coming and I can't stop while it hits her legs, her fucking black converse, and her dress. She gasps and when I look into her face, her eyes are wide.
"Jo?" my dad's voice calls like he's running for the barn.
Fuck! I panic and I know she's standing there with my come on her but I can't fuckin' let my dad find me here! I bolt to the backside of the hay bales, hiding and putting my goddamned dick away, praying she's somehow hiding the mess on her legs.
"Jolene?" My dad blurts and throws the doors open, sending light everywhere so I crouch down as much as I can. "Are you okay? I heard you hollering."
She stammers and I don't know what she's doing, but she's not able to talk.
"Aw, Jo," my dad says then starts to laugh. "Did the cow get ya?"
I snort out a laugh and try to muffle it. The fuckin' cow? Fuck, my dad's staring at my come on her legs thinkin’ it’s cow milk. This is so fucked up... But way too good to slow down now.
"Yes! It's fine. Oh god," she blurts. "I'm fine." Her voice is retreating like she just hightailed it out of here and I hear my dad humph.
"Damn youth gets weirder and weirder as the years pass," he goes on muttering, leaving the barn.
I wait until the doors are closed to come out of hiding. That was close, but that was hot as hell. Rounding the bales, I see her panties on the floor and my eyes go wide as I stare at them. Shit, he coulda seen these and we'd have been fucked. Or she would have, 'cause technically she was alone.
I grab the dark red lace and shove them into my pocket before trying to finish my day without thinking about the panties in my pocket, but it's no use. She's on my mind and I can't get her off it. And I don't want to.
On my way out of the barn for the night, my dad stops me.
"Hey, dad," I say, shoving my hands into my pockets and my eyes go wide when my fingers delve into the soft fabric. Nice one, Brandt. Your step sister's panties are in your fist while you attempt to have a conversation with your father. Perfect.
"Judith is going to give birth any day now, son." He puts his hand on my shoulder, talking about the heifer that'll be delivering her first calf soon. "You think Jo could help you out when it comes time for the delivery?"
"Ah, uh... Yeah, I don't know about that. I heard she's lookin' for jobs." I shake my head and try to stamp down the jealousy and anger that she's not going to be spending all that time with me. Add into the equation the fact my fucking brother's stalking her and asking her out and I'm a mess of nerves. Something's gonna happen to her when I'm not there to keep her safe.
"What happened to her helpin' out 'round here, Brandt?" The disappointment in his tone is like it's my fault she won't. "If we can keep her busy, keep her mind off the drugs and the...God knows whatever else, maybe she can get her act together. Clean up her life. She's a mess right now."
I start walking and shake my head slightly. "The girl's not a mess, dad. And she's not a drug addict either. Not anymore. She's trying to get her life on track by getting a job. I'll keep workin' on keeping her here, but we can't force her to be here if this isn't where she wants to be. Plus, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but she's not a big animal person."
He laughs and rubs his chin. "I don't know what the hell she was doin' in the barn earlier, but I think she was trying to milk the cows." He shakes his head and laughs again. "She was covered in milk."
I internally groan and force out a chuckle, but I honestly feel like dying.
"I'll show her how to do it next time so she's not so careless." I can see my back door, and soon he's gotta head into his house, but the walk feels like it's taking ten times as long as it should and it's all because of the situation. Jo's right, this isn't gonna be easy, but easy isn't always the best way out.
"You two getting along? What was that bickering about earlier?"
"She's just a typical city girl," I lie, rolling my eyes for emphasis. She's not typical at all, and that's what I like about her. "She knows what buttons to push, that's for sure."
"I believe that. She's probably just like her mom used to be. Know how to rub you, get you hot and make you blow your top. Women do that for attention sometimes, son."
"Ha!" I bark then take a deep breath. You could fuckin' say that again. "Yeah, she's definitely somethin'." I nod, fisting her panties in my hand as I shake my head.
"Maybe you should see if you can get her out of the house. I know she just spent the week with Donna, but let her make some friends. Just work on her getting straight. It'd be nice if she sat down for a family breakfast at least once. Donna's been talkin' about a new family portrait for the...grand room." He shakes his head. "But I don't see Jo being willing for that."
I laugh a real laugh, because he's damn right she won't. "Dad, one thing at a time." I don't like him talking like she doesn't have her life straight. I mean no, she's not there yet, but she's a hell of a lot better than day one. A hell of a lot better, because now she’s mine.
The minute I walk in the back door, Jo skids around the corner and I know what to expect. Those big eyes glare at me and the panic on her face is kinda cute.
"Your fucking dad saw your come on me!" she quietly shrieks and covers her face with her hand. "And Lucky watched us fuck!"
I chuckle and wrap my arms around her. "You worry too much, city girl. And Lucky don't know no better. I'm gonna get you on him one day."
"Like to ride?" She's looking at me like it ain't gonna happen.
"One day. We'll just have to get you your own horse."
"Donna did ask if I wanted a car. Maybe I can just ask for a horse instead. Become a real cowgirl." Her eyes roll and I grin, pressing my lips to hers.
“Goddamn, city girl, the thought of you actin’ like a cowgirl does bad things to me.” I bite at her neck and she giggles.
“I want to do bad things to you.” She pulls away and takes my hand, pulling me toward her bedroom. “Were you going out tonight?” Her lashes flutter and the best part is she didn’t even mean to do it intentionally.
“No.” I’m shedding my dirty clothes while I let her guide me to her bedroom. “I’m stayin’ home with my girlfriend.”
Spinning to walk backward, she bites her lips but it doesn’t hide her grin. “I’m your girlfriend.”
“Yeah you are.” I scoop her up and kick her bedroom doors closed behind us.
I toss a rock into the water and take another swig of my beer as I watch the creek ripple by. I should be back at home, but Donna’s tryin’ to teach Jo how to iron, or some dumb shit that I’m sure is gonna just piss Jo off, so I’m stayin’ away from that mess until it settles down. It’s been a couple weeks since Jo and I’ve been official and it’s the hardest damn thing to keep quiet about. I’m sitting here, listening to Chase brag about his latest conquest, and all I want to do is brag about Jo. But I fuckin’ can’t. Because that’d fuck shit up even more than it already is. It’s hard enough sitting at breakfast with Donna and my dad, listening to them talk about us as siblings. How Donna should find Jo someone to date to maybe take her mind off things. How I should take her out more often. Help her see the town as a positive place instead of a burden. The woman’s not going to be happy until Jo fits into her own definition of ‘normal’, and I have a hard time biting my tongue when it comes to telling them how I feel about her.
“You comin’ up to the fair tonight?” Chase stands and walks over to a tree to take a piss.
“Nah.” I check my phone when he’s got his back turned, my lips turning up into a smile. I fucking love the selfies Jo sends, especially when they don’t involve clothes.
City girl: House is empty ; )
“Bo’s ridin’ tonight.” I hear him zip then he walks back over and sits down at the riverside. “You sure you want to miss that?”
“I’m sure. I have plans.” I feel bad for missing Bo’s ride, but I know there’s one scheduled for next weekend too, so I’m not gonna be missing much. I type out a reply to Jo that I’ll be home shortly and slide my phone back into my pocket.
“Hot girl type of plans?” Chase nudges me and I hold back a laugh, rubbing my jaw and sighing.
“Yeah.” I laugh. “Your sister.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and he punches my arm pretty damn hard.
“Fuck you. You fuck my sister and I fuck your face up.”
I almost make a remark about how he’s currently got a list a mile wide of faces he needs to fuck up and I’m already on it, but I hold back. No need to piss him off tonight. Instead, I shake my head and fall silent.
“What about your sister?” he says, finally breaking the silence. I take a long swig of my beer and my nostrils flare briefly before I mask the rage simmering.
Chase Haring setting his eyes on Jo is the last thing I need. Not only is he one of the better looking assholes in our group of friends, but honestly the two of them look like they belong together. Tattoos, attitude, the whole nine. Jo and me are complete opposites when it comes to that type of stuff.
“Same rules apply. You fuck my sister, I shoot you in the face.”
He barks out a boisterous laugh. “You wouldn’t fuckin’ shoot me, Kenshaw.” He shoves me to the side. “She’s hot though.”
“She’s different, that’s for sure,” I say, almost under my breath. That’s gotta sound like I’m not interested.
Different isn’t really a word to describe Jo, even though she is different from me. She is hot. Hot as sin. Sexy as hell. The body, face, tattoos, hair. I clench my jaw trying not to think about it, but I’m a glutton for punishment because now her personality comes to mind. I love everything about Jo. She’s fierce but sweet, to me at least. God, I’ve never wanted something as much as I want Jo.
“She’s hot. That’s all that matters.” Chase shrugs and this time I push him over.
“Asshole,” I grumble, laughing as he lies back on the grass.
I know he’d never touch her, but I also know he’d try. The minute her attitude ripped into him though, he’d turn it off real quick. Chase is a lady killer, so to say, but he knows when to call off the pursuit.
“Frog.” Chase launches one at my head and I catch the thing, tossing it toward the water. “That coulda been your prince charming, Kenshaw.” He laughs at me.
“Dumbass.” I snort and pick at the grass deep in thought about all the girls that have passed through this town. No one’s been able to hold my attention like Jo.
This place has been our stomping ground since we were in Kindergarten. Chase, Bo, and I have a friendship that just kind of…stuck. We’ve changed throughout the years, and those two seem to drift apart at times, but we’ve tried to stay close. With a small town like ours we were pretty much bound to be friends. There were only about twenty guys in our graduating class but only the three of us had been together since the beginning.
“Hey, guys!” I hear Kinlee’s voice before I see her and inwardly groan.
I love the girl, but she’s got the worst timing sometimes. I was just about to tell Chase I was heading out, because that picture Jo sent is making my mind wander to places it shouldn’t be when I’m out here with him.
“Hey, Kinlee.” I stand and walk over to her, giving her a hug. “Thought you worked today.”
“I got off early. Wanted to come down for a swim. I didn’t know y’all were gonna be here though.” She pulls off her tank, tossing it into the back of her car before shimmying out of her shorts.
Kinlee’s been with us since sixth grade, but she fits right in like she’s been one of the gang since the early years. She’s more of a sister than anything to me, so watching her pull off her clothes to reveal the two piece swimming suit she’s wearin’ is nothing like watching Jo strip her layers off.
Fuck, I gotta get home.
“Yeah! That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Chase says, giving her a crooked smile.
She scoffs and shakes her head. “Don’t be a jerk, Chase. It’s hot as hell and I worked outside all damn day. I’m ready for a cool off.” She giggles and runs toward Chase, knocking him upside the head and laughing as she splashes him with water
“Aw hell,” Chase grumbles.
“Come on in! Water’s awesome!”
“I’m actually headin’ home. I think Jo made dinner.” I point toward my truck and Kinlee’s eyebrows shoot up.
“She cooks?” She pauses then shakes her head. “Sorry, that was rude. But, like…she cooks?”
Chase laughs and I shove my hands in my pockets, shrugging my shoulder.
“Apparently. Prolly peanut butter toast, but I’ll take it if it means I don’t have to sit through dinner with Donna and my dad, listening to them whine that Jo’s not there.”
“I hear ya. I was picking up some eggs the other day and all Donna did was complain Jo doesn’t seem to like it here. You guys get along though, don’t ya?”
“Uh…yeah.” I rub the back of my neck. “I’m heading out. Y’all have fun swimming. Maybe I’ll bring Jo out later after dinner.”
“Oh yay! Do that!” Kinlee giggles when Chase pulls off his shirt, pretending to be annoyed that he ‘has’ to go swimming with her.
I nod at them and hop in my truck, pulling out and heading back home. If I know Jo, there’s no way she’s going to want to leave the house tonight, but I’m one hundred percent okay with that. If I could spend every minute of the day with her, I would. I already have to force myself to leave the girl alone sometimes.
It’s been a long day. I only saw Jo at five this morning when I was leaving her bed. Her and Donna went to the city all day and I miss her. Things are going great between us. Most nights I fall asleep next to her then wake up next to her. We steal kisses during the days if she’s around, and she even helps me do the run to Rural King to drop the chicks every week without complaining. The drive into town gives us alone time that we aren’t hidden in our house. We can actually be out in the daylight and touch the short ride in. It’s only getting harder hiding this, but if it’s the only option, it’s the option I’m choosing. I'm one hundred and ten percent on board with being everything Jo needs, and then some, but the whole being open about us to the public may be a slower transition.
"Tomorrow’s your birthday. Maybe Jo will bake you a cake." My dad smirks and I let out a chuckle as we close up the barn for the night. "Don't forget you don't gotta wake up early in the morning. Donna wouldn't let you on the ranch if you tried. And don't forget family dinner tomorrow. Jo will be joining us whether she likes it or not."
I huff and grit my teeth, hating the threatening tone. "I got birthday plans tonight, dad. Gotta go get ready for 'em."
"If you're havin' friends over, just keep the noise to a minimum."
"Yes, sir. Night." I nod and jog off, needing to see Jo.
What I really have planned for tonight isn't something I intend on letting my dad find out about anytime soon.
"Honey! I'm home!" I holler, grinning like an idiot to myself. That's sure to annoy her, and as much as I have feelings for the girl, I also like to drive her nuts.
"Brandt!" she barks, rounding the kitchen corner with a jar of peanut butter in her hand. "Shut up! What's wrong with you?" She's looking around at every window, making sure they’re closed.
Letting out a low growl, I lick her lips. "I like the taste of peanut butter on you." I take a step back, pulling off my boots and stripping my shirt. "I gotta take a shower. You?" Grabbing the peanut butter jar out of her hands, I scoop out a heaping spoonful and put it in my mouth.
"Me? Shower? With you upstairs?" she asks, her eyes dropping to my lips.
She’s got this thing with going upstairs. We’ve never spent time together in my room because she says if our parents show up, there’s no excuse we could use why she was up there. Down here we have more places to hide, or pretend we weren’t spending time with ‘each other’, we just so happened to be on the same level of the house. I almost see her point, but it doesn’t make it suck any less.
I unbuckle my belt and unzip my pants. "You haven’t seen my shower up there yet." I raise my eyebrows as I drop my jeans to the floor with a clank of the buckle hitting the tile. Pushing down my boxers, her eyes dart to my dick. "So...shower?"
"I showered." Her eyes keep flicking to my dick and I know she doesn't want to say no.
"Oh." I nod.
"If they come over here..."
I'm tired of having the worry of my parents stopping me from what I want.
"Whelp...you know where to find me." I wink and head up the stairs, butt ass naked, and kind of butt hurt that she's not up here with me.
Halfway through my shower I figure she'd join me, but no such luck. I speed through, cleaning the important parts, and tossing on a pair of boxer briefs before heading back downstairs. I find her on the couch, still eating that damn peanut butter.
"Plans tonight?" I drop next to her and take her legs on my lap.
"Oh, yeah. Big, big plans." She swipes her finger into the jar, sticking it into her mouth while staring at the TV. “Hey, saw Cash when me and Donna stopped into town.” She glances at me and I grit my teeth.
He hasn’t been around much, but then again, Jo hasn’t left the house much.
“You talk to him?” I ask more aggressively than I meant.
“No. We made eye contact and he flashed his knife.” She rolls her eyes.
“Fuck,” I huff and her hand rubs my chest.
“Shh, hey, don’t let thoughts of your brother ruin our night. I just wanted you to know.” That means drop it and though she was calm when she said it, I know it’s a firm demand.
Grabbing her hand, I kiss her knuckles. When I let go, I watch her finger swipe into the peanut butter jar again and before she can reach her finger to her mouth I snatch her hand and bring it to my lips, sucking the peanut butter off her finger. Grinning, I press my lips to hers.
"Tastes better off you," I say across her mouth.
I'm in no mood for plans tonight, not right now at least. Right now, I want her under me and I want her legs shaking like they did in the barn. I slide her shirt off and groan in approval when I realize she's not wearing a bra. I pinch a nipple between my fingers and she arches into my touch. She's so responsive to me it makes me so goddamned hard just watching her come unraveled. Her shorts are next and I'm happy to see there's no underwear, which reminds me...
"You left your underwear on the kitchen floor last night," I whisper, letting my fingers trail down her wet pussy. "I grabbed them this morning. They're mine now. Second pair I own of yours." When she opens her mouth to bitch at me for stealing her shit, I press two fingers inside her and her head falls back to the couch.
I glance over at the peanut butter and grin to myself. Keeping my fingers pressing all the right spots inside her, I reach over and grab the jar without her noticing. With one hand I swipe out a good amount and kneel over her, spreading it on one nipple, then the other, before immediately dipping my head to suck them clean.
"Oh my fuck!" she blurts and glares at me, not sure how to react, but judging by her words, she didn't not like it.
"I told you it tastes better on you." I dip my finger back into the jar then swipe some on her hip. Capturing her gaze, I curl my fingers inside her as I dip and lick the long streak of peanut butter.
"I don't fucking care if you have to cover me in it, just don't stop licking me," she demands, her breathing picking up while I continue to finger her.
"That's the best demand that's ever fallen from those sweet lips," I murmur, swiping more between her tits and curling my fingers again to hit that one spot that makes her go crazy.
When I dip my finger again, I realize the jar's empty and chuckle. "We killed the peanut butter." I toss the jar and huff. "I guess that's it for the sex tonight." I smirk at the look on her face.
"You're going to fuck me with or without the peanut butter, farm boy." She grabs my arm and starts pulling me up her body.
I chuckle and move so I'm hovering over her. "Jo?"
"What?" she moans while I keep pumping my fingers.
"Can we get you on some birth control? What we did in the barn a few weeks ago, I need that. Maybe with a little less of a mess for my dad to see." I’ve fantasized about being bare inside her again, fucking her hard in the barn, it hasn’t happened since.
She groans and covers my mouth with both hands while I laugh. "Brandt, don't. Don't talk about your dad right now." I meet her lips that reach for mine. "I'll figure out how to get birth control, but you know it’s condom until I do."
"Understood. Just don't forget." Hopping off the couch, I head to her bedroom since it's closer. Gripping my dick, I walk toward her and hold a condom out. "Would you like to do the honors?"
"You seem to have the condom fetish." She chuckles and drops to her knees, her mouth sliding over me before she places the condom.
"I have a you fetish." I grab her ass with both hands and lift her. Her legs wrap around me and I sit on the couch, letting her sink down over me. "Fuck, Jo."
She whimpers and pushes her forehead to mine while her eyes close. Her hips start rocking, her pussy tightens around my dick, and her lips press to mine. I hold her tight to me; each time she rocks back I feel like I could blow already. I shift us and lie back on the couch to get a better view of her fucking me. When she gasps and her eyes lock with me once she realizes how much deeper my dick hits when she's on top, she starts riding me faster. Her fingertips rest on my stomach while her hips thrust back and forth. With her eyes closed, she lets her head fall back. She's so fucking gorgeous like this I’d hate to end it but fuck, her pussy's milking me.
"Turn around," I groan, gripping her thighs.
She gives me a weird look then narrows her eyes. "As in don't face you?"
I chuckle "Trust me. Reverse cowgirl. Probably the only time in your life you'll be one hundred percent okay with being a cowgirl." I push her leg over and spin her. When she starts to pivot her hips, I hear her moan and her hands hit my thighs, gripping hard.
"Fuck," she breathes and her head drops, her hair falls over her shoulders to my legs while she pumps harder and faster, moaning with every thrust.
"Fuck, Jo. Shit, I can't hold off much longer," I moan, holding tight to her waist. "You gonna come on my dick, city girl?"
"Yeah," she whimpers, trying to keep rhythm. I grab her hips, holding her still and start pumping so she doesn't have to and she can focus on coming before I fucking lose it. "Oh god," she gasps and I feel the prick of her nails digging into my flesh before that vibrating starts in her body. She blurts something and my eyes widen when she lifts her hips up and I feel the wetness of her orgasm slide out and cover me.
"Fuck!" I lose it. Completely and utterly, this girl's pussy has brought me the strongest orgasms I've ever experienced and I yell things even I don't understand. "Holy fuck," I pant, trying to wrap my head around what just happened. "Jo, did you just...squirt?"
She's panting still, my dick still deep inside her and her hands still tight on my legs.
"I...guess." She slowly looks over her shoulder at me like she's embarrassed and whispers, "Sorry."
"I—" I've never done that to a girl before. "Shit, Jo," I blurt. "Come here." I pull her back to me and she twists just as I slam my lips to hers. "That was heaven. That was...hell, I can't even explain how amazing that was."
"You make me come so fucking hard." She huffs then chuckles and presses her mouth to mine. "And I think it's on the couch," she says over my lips, but not making a move to get off me.
"We'll flip the cushion." I chuckle. "No one will ever know." Kissing her temple, I take a deep breath, not letting go of her. "You wanna hit up the lake tonight? I think there's some people heading out there."
"Um." She shifts off me and grabs her shorts then t-shirt. "You can, but I don't really want to go out. I'll be here when you get back." She heads for her room.
I sit up and watch her ass until it disappears then let my head fall back onto the couch. This girl's taken over my goddamned house, mind, and…dare I say…heart and now that she’s here I really don't want her to leave. It scares me that she still randomly talks about life like it something she's just gonna wake up one day and walk away from. And it scares me even more that she may not even make it to that deciding day if my brother gets ahold of her.
I walk across the house after I hear her shower turn on and check my phone. It’s a brand new phone that just came yesterday because my old one wasn't fixable after Cash smashed it a few weeks ago. Imagine that, Cash ruining something else in my life. First it was the day I was born because we share a birthday. Then my pet hamster when I was six. Then it was a bike I got for Christmas when I was twelve. There's a countless number of shit. Now it's onto technology and if I don't stop whatever he's hell bent on doin’, it'll be my girl.
I have a few texts from Bo and the crew about coming out tonight, but I really don't feel like it. I want to be here. With her. Or I want to be out there at the lake but only if Jo comes too. Call me an idiot, but I'm set sitting home with her and not doing much of anything. I’d love if she wanted to go out and embrace what I like to do, but she hasn’t wanted to so far and it hasn’t bothered me yet.
I shoot back a quick text to Bo.
Brandt: Not up to it tonight.
It’s not a lie. It's not like me though, because I'm with the crew every birthday. But if Bo was listening closely the night we fought Cash, he knows full well what's goin' on between Jo and me, but he's smart enough not to say anything. He hasn’t said anything to me about it yet.
I set my phone down and glance at Jo's room. I toss my jeans on, leaving the buckle undone. The shower isn't going anymore so I grin and grab my Stetson from the hook on the wall and walk in, leaning on the doorframe for her as she swings open the bathroom door.
"Someone call for a super sexy cowboy?" I ask, grinning.
She laughs and walks toward me. "I hate I find it sexy as hell. And I don't mean the hat, I just mean the cowboy." Her arms wrap around my neck.
"The hat's part of the whole package, sweetheart." I press my lips to hers and she laughs.
"I accept the whole package." She kisses me again then pulls away and starts to towel dry her hair. "You gonna head out?"
"Nah," I answer. "Kinda just wanna chill here tonight." With you. Because I want to do everything with you. "Hope you won't mind the company."
She lifts an eyebrow and glances at me. "I don't. But...if you're just hanging here because you think you need to baby me, you don't."
"Shit, woman." I laugh. "You're not good at taking a hint are you?" I yank her against me and press my lips to her collarbone. "I want to hang out with you, Jo. No one else but you."
"I like that idea. But incase you haven’t noticed, I'm not one of those girlfriends that expects you to ditch your friends for me, and I’ve noticed you’ve been doing that a lot lately." Her teeth clamp to my ear before she moans, "You smell good."
"It's my cowboy label cologne I get in my subscription box every month."
"Stop." She laughs pushing away from me and going to her drawer. "So movie or something?"
"Sure. You eat anything yet? I'm kinda hungry. I skipped family dinner tonight 'cause I wanted to get my chores done." I frown when she slips on a pair of underwear. "Hey, I'm not a fan of these clothes. Just to let ya know." I pout out my bottom lip when she slides a tank top over her head, hiding her perky tits.
With a chuckle she says, "I'm not a fan of getting caught by your dad or Donna. It's still their house and Donna sure as hell thinks she can go anywhere she pleases at any time. At eleven I woke up to her touching my hair. At first I thought it was you and almost moaned your name." Her wide eyes peg me. “That woulda been awkward.” When she walks past me, her fingers trail across my stomach. "I'll make us something to eat."
"Oh shit, but that reminds me." I follow her to the kitchen. "Maybe uh...tomorrow we could do dinner? With them?" I rub the back of my neck because I haven't told Jo about my birthday yet. "I uh...I also have the day off tomorrow if you're free to do...somethin'."
"Wait, first, you want to have dinner with them? Like all of us? Why? You don't plan on telling them, do you?" she blurts, her eyes wide while she holds a frozen dinner in her hands.
"No. God no. Not...no." I shake my head. "My dad just mentioned how it'd be nice if you would join us for breakfast once in a while. I know you and your love of sleep so I kinda figured that's not happening. So dinner it is." I shrug and fail to mention the whole fact that my dad's pretty much dead set on forcing her to come. I figure making her go willingly is better than forcing her against her will.
She frowns and pops the plate of frozen lasagna in the microwave. "I really don't want to, Brandt."
"Oh come on, Jo," I whisper, moving closer and wrapping my arms around her from behind. "Do it for me?" I let my hand slide under her shirt and find her tit, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Please?" I whisper in her ear and I feel her whole body sigh when my fingers pinch her nipple.
With a quiet moan, she reaches back to my neck and presses her ass against me. "For you." Turning her head, she kisses my chin and her hands slide up the back of my neck up to my hat and I freeze, waiting for her to throw it in the stove and catch it ablaze. But when she puts it on her own head, I can't stop the smile from spreading wide. And other body parts start to react just seeing her semi-embrace it. Sure, it's just a damn hat but that's the most interest she's shown.
"Do you know how sexy this is right now?" I press my lips to her shoulder and push her against the counter.
Just as I'm about to say screw dinner, let's fuck again, there's a knock on the back door that makes both of us go rigid.
"You expectin' someone, Jo?" I whisper, wide eyes and scared to death they're gonna look in this kitchen window and it's gonna freak Jo out so bad she’ll start talking about splitting.
She puts my hat back on my head then shoves me away and rolls her eyes before darting out of the kitchen and to her room. I hear the doors click closed and furrow my brows. I hate having her closed off right now, but she ain't wearing pants, and the peaks of her nipples were coming right through that tiny tank top.
I toss my hat then pick up my shirt and throw it on, buckling my pants before swinging the door open.
"The hell you guys doin here?" I ask, pasting on fake excitement for my friends.
Bo grins and holds up two cases of beer. "It's your birthday celebration. Like we do every year. You can't skip out just 'cause you're tired, man." He pushes past me and my eyes fly to Jo's bedroom doors because behind them is a girl I want really fuckin' bad. All by myself tonight. Not with everyone else here.
"Yeah." I rub the back of my neck. "Hey, Kinlee," I say, trying to look happy that there's a crew piling in the back door, but I'm more annoyed that I didn't even get a heads up.
Chase walks in and when his twin sister Fiona follows, I try not to scowl but apparently Bo caught it.
"She was already hanging with us, man. I couldn't not invite her. Here. Have a beer." He shoves a bottle into my hand and I take a long swig.
Fiona and I only fucked once. And ever since then she's thought I owe her something like a relationship. I've been ignoring her because she's too damn clingy and when Jo showed up, I’ve really only been thinking about her. Now Fi’s here, with a smirk on her face like she's gonna get lucky tonight. All the while the girl I really want to fuck is hiding in her room and probably won't make an appearance tonight because she doesn't like hanging out like this. That, and you know, she's my fucking step sister and we can't let on that we're together.
"It'll be fine." I take another long swig and walk into the kitchen.
"You were making yourself frozen lasagna? The night before your birthday you're eating a meal like this?" Kinlee spins. "Let's get you somethin' a little more acceptable." Her eyes twinkle and all I can think about is peanut butter.
I just want to be eating peanut butter. Off of my step sister.
"I'm fine. I got beer now." I take another swig.
"Where's your sister?" She glances around the house and looks at me confused. "She still lives here, right?"
"Yep." I nod. "She's hiding in her room. Prolly sleeping. Maybe you should leave her alone." I try to change the subject, but I can't think about much else except Jo right now.
"I'll get her out. It's your birthday! We need to party!" Kinlee chirps and I groan.
She's gonna be pissed that I didn't tell her about my birthday. And that these guys just dropped in. And the fact that Chase just turned up the country music loud and it's gonna give Jo a twitch.
It's useless stopping Kinlee once she's on a mission, so I watch and wait for the fight to ensue the minute she barges into Jo's room. Jo ain’t gonna be happy about any of this, and I don't blame her. I’m not thrilled with it either.
"Hey, you," Fiona purrs when I walk into the living room. "Birthday boy." She stands and walks over to me, her hand sliding down my arm and I bring my beer to my lips to shrug it off.
"That's me." I take another swig and my beer's already gone. Perfect. At this rate I'll be stumbling drunk before I can even apologize to Jo for tonight's 'us night' turning into a fuckin' party.
"I brought you somethin' tonight." Fiona bats her eyes and I realize she's wearing jean shorts that could qualify as underwear. "I can give it to you in your bedroom."
I chuckle and shake my head. Just as I'm about to turn her down, Jo's door opens and Kinlee comes walking out with a smile on her face. "Let the party begin!" she yells, walking over and turning the music louder.
I can't take my eyes off Jo though. She's not scowling... Quite the opposite actually. I'm not sure what's more unnerving. Wondering if I pissed her off and expecting the scowl, or watching her play this game that she loves nights like tonight. It's eerie seeing her this...social.
Jo's eyes land on me then dart to Fiona who's standing practically pressed against my side. She's still smiling as she walks up then grabs the sleeve of my t-shirt and pulls me into the kitchen.
"Way to not tell me it's your birthday." She chuckles and grabs a bag from the counter. "I’m surprised Donna didn’t even mention it.” Grabbing two glasses, she fills them both halfway before handing one to me. “Let's do shots."
"Uh..." I watch her hold the shot out for me and shake my head. "You're not supposed to be doing this." I take both shots and set them on the counter. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my birthday. It's not a big deal. But don't start drinking now just because you're pissed tonight turned into this."
"Oh god, Brandt." She laughs and her eyes dart toward the living room. "I'm not pissed. I can't fuckin' be pissed! It's your fucking birthday!" She looks at the glasses again then grabs them and holds one out to me. "I can't drink. But you can. So...cheers." She holds up the glass and the second Kinlee walks into the kitchen, Jo grabs her wrist. "Do this shot with Brandt." Jo's eyes lock on me and I can't tell if she's serious. She doesn't look pissed but how the hell can I be sure?
Kinlee squeals and takes the shot glass eagerly. "Yay! Birthday shots!" She nudges Jo and Jo laughs a real laugh. Maybe she's not too pissed.
"You confuse me sometimes, city girl." I grin at her then clink glasses with Kinlee before letting the shot burn its way down my throat. "The hell was that?" I ask, cringing again at the burn. I've drank plenty of times before, but that shit ain’t like anything I've had. "Is that licorice?" I make a face. "That was nasty."
"Jägermeister!" Kinlee blurts. "I heard it's made with real deer blood!"
Jo looks at her. "Jägermeister, farm boy. Made with real deer blood." She winks and walks away, leaving me completely confused as she joins the crowd of my friends.
It's hot as hell she's trying to be nice to my friends...and I can't even fucking touch her in front of them. Shit.
"Jo, Kinlee was making fun of our lasagna," I say, walking into the living room and sitting on the arm of the chair that Jo's sitting in.
"Susie Q!" Jo boasts. "I slaved over a microwave for that lasagna, which reminds me. I'm fuckin' hungry." She pops to her feet, her knuckles brushing my hand. The second Fiona skims past her and pushes between my legs, Jo glances back and her face falls to the floor. She practically tripped on it trying to get to the kitchen.
"Fiona's had a little too much to drink. Already," her brother speaks up from the couch where he's lighting up a joint. "The hell's on your couch, Kenshaw?" With a cringe he adjusts himself to get away from the wet spot Jo made.
"No clue." I push off Fiona and head to the kitchen. "Gonna eat some food."
I walk in and Jo's searching through the cupboards with Kinlee right on her heels.
"You two best friends now?" I ask, leaning against the counter and cracking open another beer.
Jo glances at me but doesn't even smirk. "I like Kinlee," she quietly claims, opening the same cupboards.
So now she's pissed.
"Kinlee, can you get Fi another beer? She needs it." My eyes stay on Jo.
"Yeah, sure!" She's always happy to help.
When she leaves the room I walk over to Jo and wrap my arms around her from behind, trapping her against the counter.
"You said you weren't pissed," I whisper, my eyes flicking to the doorway.
"Brandt!" she quietly snaps. "Get off me. Stop following me around. People are gonna know!" Her elbow nudges me away. "Stop. I'm not pissed. And who the fuck is that girl?" She whips around but her eyes go wide then she shakes her head. "Never mind. Don't answer that. That was weird." Flustered, she moves away from me.
"It's not weird. You have a right to know. And she's nothing to me. She's annoying, but she's nothing." I really don't want to say the words 'we've fucked' in order for Jo to realize why this girl's being so annoying. I just need her to realize she means nothing at all to me. And never will. "She's not my type."
"It's totally cool." She awkwardly laughs and grabs the jar of peanut butter. "Not going to be the crazy girlfriend. Go have fun."
"I'd be having more fun if we were in your bed. Or my bed. Come to think of it, my bedroom's better."
Kinlee walks in, startling us both. "Oh my god, Brandt, don't rub it in her face you got the master suite!" she chides. "Stupid big brother. I tell ya, he's always been a little smug. You'll get used to it." Kinlee is talking to Jo like I'm not standing right fucking here.
"I'm not smug." I take a drink and glance out to the living room where everyone else is. "Kinlee, don't they need anything?"
"I love playing host!" she squeals and grabs beers. "Jo, you want me to make you a virgin?"
"A few years too late for that." Jo chuckles. "But, I'm fine. Thanks." She looks at Kinlee then glances at me.
I've got nothin'. My mind wanders to who her first time was with, how many people she's screwed, and praying her first time wasn't one of those times she told me about the other day. Now I know why she asked me how many people I've been with that one day. It doesn't make a difference about how I feel about her, but that's just that many people I have to be better than.
"Six," I blurt.
Kinlee's eyes fly to me and she laughs. "Are you drunk already?"
Jo looks at me curiously.
"Huh?" I mutter stupidly.
Kinlee laughs and leaves the room with more beers, leaving us alone again.
"That’s your count…six." Jo repeats.
I nod and take another swig of my beer. The buzz is flowing from that damn shot and I should probably slow down, but I don't have to work tomorrow. I can sleep off the hangover. Probably. The problem is the gang knows my dad doesn’t make me work on my birthday and so the night before we always party. Hard.
"Kinlee?" Jo asks as she gets a spoon.
"No!" I bark out a laugh, grabbing another spoon and stealing the peanut butter jar from her hands. "It's my birthday," I say with a mouth full.
She looks up at me. "I wish you would have told me," she whispers and moves a little closer. "I could have stolen something for you when I went into the city with Donna."
"Or." My eyes light up because I know exactly what I want from her. "You can toss on a pair of cowboy boots, some sexy little lingerie you probably have, and my hat and do a strip show for me. That's better than anything you could've stolen for me. And way more legal." I push off the counter and want nothing more than to move in for a kiss but my luck Kinlee will walk in on us.
Still smiling she looks away, dipping her spoon again. "So six, huh? Any of those six here right now? And don't say me."
Before I can answer, Fiona saunters into the kitchen, headed right for me. When she reaches us, she latches on and looks at Jo. "You're Brandt's sister, aren't you?"
Jo's smile is long gone and her eyes dart from me to Fiona. "No," she dryly says to her, then looks at me. "And I think I just got my answer." Jo walks out of the kitchen and sits next to Bo on the couch.
"Let's play a game!" Fiona blurts as she follows right behind me on the walk to the living room.
I can't fucking shake this girl. I mean, I've never had to try too hard to get the girls, but I've never had to try this hard to get them away from me either.
"I’m not a game player." I chuckle, plopping down on the couch on the other side of Bo. Jo glances over at me and Bo's eyes widen slightly.
"Oooh games! Fun!" Kinlee claps. "What're you thinkin' Fiona?"
I watch Fiona's eyes dart around the room and she grins slowly. "Spin the bottle."
"No. Not happening. My birthday, my call. We're not playin' spin the bottle."
I'm out numbered while all the girls beg to play, and a few of the guys start joining. I look at Jo and she has a smirk on her face, but she's not saying anything.
"Jo, do you want to play?" Kinlee asks giddily, like she's the deciding factor.
"Why not?" She sits back on the couch and lifts her feet up. "I haven't played this since I was fifteen."
"Because it's childish. We're too old for this." I look at Bo's face and he's nodding silently but Chase is grinning like a wolf that's set his sight on Jo.
Hell. No.
"You used to be fun, Brandt," Fiona says with a roll of her eyes.
"Come on, Brandt. It's just for fun. It'll be funny!" Kinlee chimes in.
"Yeah, come on, Brandt. Even though you see her all the time, Jo’s kinda new to all of us. What better way to get your sister acquainted with everyone?” Fiona starts to laugh.
"I love a good spit-swapping to try and get to know someone," Jo says.
Shit, this can't be happening.