Reiner’s chuckle filled Jada’s ears when she gasped, staring at the private jet they were walking toward.
“A private jet?” she whispered in awe, holding on to his arm.
Once he’d helped her down from the truck, he’d entwined their fingers as if he needed to touch her. She felt the same and relaxed against him while they walked toward the plane.
“I want you for myself,” he joked. “I’m too big for commercial flights, and at least this way, I can spread out my legs.”
“Okay, but where are we going?” she asked, excitement filling her chest. She knew that he had said that he would whisk her away, but she didn’t think that he’d meant literally.
“Texas.”
Her eyes flew to his as she looked at him. She’d never been to Texas before. Hell, she had never really traveled much before. She’d been to New York City, Atlanta, and a few other cities for conventions in her industry and a vacation or two, but never just up and went somewhere on a splurge. Her career had pretty much taken up her life, and it didn’t leave much time for play.
“I’ve never been to Texas before,” she admitted whilst being ushered into the plane. She took in the plush cabin with wide eyes.
“Welcome, Ms. Dalton. Mr. Strickland,” the stewardess greeted them with a wide smile. She looked to be in her early forties, and her nameplate gave the name Barb.
“Hey, Barb. How’s the family?” Reiner asked, coming up behind Jada.
His hand settled on her hip, and she couldn’t help but notice his subtle way of touching her every chance he got. Heat rose in her as his fingers rested on her.
“Everyone’s fine. My husband told me to thank you for his tickets. You would have thought he won the lottery. He’s been telling everyone how he has fifty yard line seats for the season opener.” Barb smiled, waving them into the cabin.
“Not a problem.” Reiner laughed as he moved past Jada.
“Mr. Strickland. How are you?” The pilot came out of the cockpit with his hand outstretched. The other man in the cockpit twisted around and waved before turning back to the control panel in front of him.
“Hey, Lance. I’m good. How are the skies looking?” Reiner asked.
“Clear and beautiful. It shouldn’t take us long to get to Waco. Enjoy the flight.” Lance smiled and nodded to her.
She was achingly aware of the way Reiner’s hand brushed along her back to grab her hand and pull her behind him.
“This is amazing,” she gushed, looking around. She’d never been on a private jet before. She could definitely see the reason why he loved to travel this way. There was plenty of room. Six plush recliners and a small couch in the back of the cabin faced a panel of televisions. She took in the door labeled bathroom and another one without a label.
She’d only ever traveled commercial and was used to being cramped in the economy section. There was no way that Reiner would be able to fit in those small seats on a commercial flight.
“Hard work paid off,” he announced, guiding her over to a pair of recliners.
She took the one by the window.
“I see what I have to work toward.” She laughed. But she knew no matter how successful her salon became, she didn’t see herself flying via private jet. “Do you own this or did you rent it?”
“Own it. My brother and I went in and purchased it together. We have a schedule for when we each need it, and so far it works out.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.
“We should be ready to leave soon, Mr. Strickland,” Barb announced, walking past them.
“We better buckle up.” Reiner nodded to Jada’s seat belt. He reached over and grabbed it.
Her eyes met his as he snapped it, securing her.
“You’re such a gentlemen. Are all Texas men like this?” she joked. She loved his protective nature around her. She wasn’t used to this from the men she had dated previously.
He stole a quick kiss with a growl. She laughed, watching him snap his belt in place.
“Let’s not worry about any other men.” He reached for her hand and entwined their fingers together.
She smiled, glancing down at their hands and squeezed his tight. The different hue of their skin color didn’t bother her at all. She loved the way his lighter one looked against hers.
“This is about me and you,” he said.
“I’m so excited. I don’t know if what I packed or have on is appropriate. You should have given me a better idea of what we are doing?” She elbowed him and waved her legs for him to see her heels.
“You’re perfect,” he murmured then laughed at her shoe choice.
She had to fight to keep from squirming in her seat with the look he gave her.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “If you don’t have any other shoes, it’s fine. You don’t really need shoes for what I have planned.”
Her heart slammed in her chest while her imagination went wild. She may have never given the gift of her virginity to anyone, but she wasn’t a complete innocent. She’d shared hot and heavy moments with men in the past but had never taken the plunge to give herself fully to them.
They’d only shared a total of three kisses, and already, Reiner had blown past every man in her past. If their good morning kiss was any indicator of how sex between them would be, sign her up. She’d finally found a man she would be willing to bestow her gift to. She just hoped he was able to handle the notion once she grew the balls to tell him.
Reiner glanced over at Jada as she watched the scenery fly past. A couple of the ranch hands who worked for his parents had dropped his pickup truck off at the airport. He guided the truck down the highway toward his family ranch.
“The land is beautiful,” Jada announced. Her face had been pressed up against the glass from the minute they’d pulled out of the airport parking lot.
“I try to get back every chance I can,” he murmured, fiddling with the radio. He turned on one of his favorite local country channels and settled back in his chair. Giggles filled the air, catching his attention. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to picture you as a country boy. Where’s your cowboy hat, cowboy?” Her eyes twinkled as she tried to hide her laughter.
“Well, if you must know, my Stetson is back at the ranch in the barn. We’ll be there soon enough, city girl.” He smiled, loving the sound of her laughter. “And there is nothing wrong with country music.”
She laughed even harder. “I didn’t say there was. I’ve never been around a real-life cowboy. We don’t have those in the city.”
“How about that? You’ll get your first taste of ranch life this weekend, city girl.”
“Are we going to your family’s ranch?” Excitement lined her voice.
He glanced over at her and found her practically dancing in her seat.
“Yes, ma’am.” He flicked the blinker and guided the truck into the right lane. Their exit would be coming up soon. “Before we go back to the city, we’ll make an honorary cowgirl out of you.”
“Can I pet a horse?”
He snorted at her question. Yup, she was a city girl down to the core.
“We don’t pet horses. You ride them. Correction, we are going to ride horses today.”
“Really? I’ve always wanted to try.”
He had to keep his eyes on the road. It wouldn’t help if they were in an accident because he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
“But what if I fall off?” she asked.
“You won’t have to worry about that. I have the perfect little filly for you that is gentle. Sammy is good with kids, and she’d be perfect for you,” he said, reaching for her hand to reassure her. Sammy wouldn’t hurt a fly. The filly thrived off attention and had the patience of a saint when it came to kids and first-time riders.
He gripped her hand tight in his, realizing that he couldn’t stop touching her. His cock had yet to settle down since arriving at her home a few hours ago. He wanted her but he didn’t want to rush her. If nothing happened this weekend, he’d just have to take care of business on his own. There would be no way that he could go through the entire weekend with a stiff cock. Blue balls would not look good on him.
“So if this is your family’s ranch, are your parents going to be there?” she asked.
He glanced at her and saw worry etched on her face. After his conversation with his mother about Jada, he wanted his mother to meet her so that she could relax about what might happen. He was confident that once his mother met Jada, all would be fine.
“Actually, no. They flew up to visit my father’s brother and his family for the weekend up in San Francisco.”
“So we’ll have the ranch to ourselves?” she asked.
He knew that being alone with her was going to be dangerous. The kisses that they had shared was proof. There was an explosive attraction between the two of them that he wanted to explore.
“There will be a few hands on the ranch this weekend, but other than that, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”