“You look stunning in that dress.”
“Really?”
I nod my head, “Really.”
“It’s just when you saw me in it; you just turned away. I was kind of worried that maybe it was too sexy for me.”
Shit, she doesn’t have a clue about how hot she is, does she?
I’m about to get up to get some water when she blurts out, “Anyway, I’m going to have a shower.”
Shit, a shower without me, I can’t even respond to that. My cock’s rock hard as I watch her walk away and then as she enters the bedroom. I see that she doesn’t shut her door. That’s an invitation, but one that I shouldn’t take. Then, I hear her running the shower. She’s left that door open for me to.
I hear to the open-plan kitchen and grab some water. I take a big sip of my drink, all the time thinking that this is granddad’s trap. He wants me to fall for her. I can’t do it. No, I fucking won’t. I feel as if I’m standing for hours debating about going into her room, but then as I hear the shower stop. I feel relieved that she didn’t stay in there any longer. She walks into the living room in a snow-white robe with her hair done up in a white towel; I almost shoot my load she looks so fucking hot! I don’t say anything as it seems our bodies are being pulled together as though magnetized.
I walk to the living room; we stand to face each other. No words are exchanged as our lips touch, rekindling the passionate memories of the other night’s kiss. I don’t think we can bring more passion to our lips, but we do. I want to devour her. My tongue feels like it’s wiggling around in liquid fire as we kiss.
I want to reach down inside her robe but am afraid that she will stop me and end the enchantment. But I can’t stop myself from sliding my hand into the opening of her robe and touching her belly button.
Instead of protesting she sighs loudly, “Yes.” She wants me to take her, but I don’t know if she knows what’s at stake. This isn’t by chance. Somewhere in the midst of it, we’ve been set-up, but I can’t resist her, not anymore. Especially, knowing that this is our last night together. I let my fingers move down her flat stomach. I feel a surge of excitement when my fingers touch her pussy hair. God, she is an old-fashion cowgirl. I touch the mound around her pussy. My cock throbs wildly!
Olivia moans as my index finger locates her pussy lips. They are tight as I push my index finger inside her. The moan that escapes her causes my cock to bob up and down.
The tip of my finger touches her clit. Olivia’s entire body shudders. Suddenly, her big breasts are pressing against my shirt.
I start pumping my finger back and forth inside her moist, hot pussy as Olivia moans softly in her throat while I fuck her mouth with my tongue.
I pull back from our embrace, this is wrong, she deserves better. She’s innocent isn’t she. That’s why I’ve been holding back. Not only because granddad’s been pushing us together, but because I know that she’s a virgin.
“You’re a virgin, right?”
“Yes,” she purrs as she wants me to take her once again.
“Maybe we shouldn’t,” I say even though my cock is bouncing up and down wildly.
“I want you, Isaac,” she says as she pulls her robe apart and steps out of it.
The sight of her naked as she drops her robe to the floor flips on every sexual switch in my body that I can’t resist the temptation. I slowly take off my shirt, peeling away at it. Waiting to change my mind any moment, but I can’t as I unbuckle my belt and my pants drop to the ground. Her eyes grow larger as she sees my long fat cock jerking up and down. Without a word, I lift her into my arms and take her into my bedroom. I kiss her softly on her full perfect lips before lying her on her back.
I have only eyes for her breasts and red haired crotch as I climb on top of her. I start to kiss her lips but my mouth diverts to her right nipple. I take it in my mouth and run my tongue over it.
“Isaac, oh, Isaac,” she calls my name. My name’s rolling off her tongue is one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.
With my mouth clamped over her nipple I reach down and guide the head of my cock to the tight lips of her young, unsullied pussy. I press the head against the quivering lips guarding the entrance to her pleasure hole. They block my entrance. I press down harder.
Olivia moans as she tosses her head from side to side.
The big head of my cock pries open the lips of her pussy slowly, gently. I get my first taste of the hot moist flesh that her tight lips are reluctantly giving me access to.
I cry out with my mouth still enclosed around her nipple as the head of my cock enters her hot flesh. I try to be gentle, but my cock has tasted the pleasure between her legs and wants more. I hunch my hips downward. My cock head spears into her pussy smashing through her hymen.
Olivia cries out as I drive my cock as deeper inside her pussy.
“Shit, does it hurt?”
She whimpers, “You’re so big.”
I pull my cock out of her completely thinking that I must be hurting her and then I start to rub the head against her entrance and slowly enter her. She starts to hold on to me. She’s no longer crying out of pain, but only pleasure as I hold her hands and we’re on her bed. I’m rocking into her as her wetness eases me into her sweet innocent pussy.
I start to change into powerful strokes as I can’t hold back my frustration any longer. “Yes!” she screams out as I know that her first orgasm’s starting to rip through her. She’s crying out as if her life depends on it.
I shift an angle to penetrate her deeper and bring her closer to the edge, but I have no intention of stopping. Not until every I milk every drop of her climax over and over again.
“Shit, you’re so fucking tight,” I blurt out as I start to pick up the pace. I grunt as I’m completely inside of her. There’s no holding back as I fill her up completely.
I should have used a condom, but I couldn’t resist her. She was butt naked in front of me, fucking begging me to take her. She handed her virginity to me on a fucking plate.
I start to tremble as if the animal inside of me has been set free. My strokes are no longer powerful, but quick thrusts as I can see that any minute I’ll be joining her as my body takes on a mind of its own.
“Fuck, I’m coming!”
I blurt out as her breasts rub against my chest. There’s a flash of heat that feels as if the whole fucking bedroom’s about to come apart as the bed bangs furiously against the wall. I can’t remember the last time I had sex. It’s been a while, my cock’s been practically dead with the amount that I’ve been drinking lately. Yet, it’s alive whenever Olivia’s near me.
It seems to go on a lot longer than I thought it would as I keep thrusting into her and her cries have turned into screams of pleasure.
That’s when I hear a rumble in my chest and my body stiffens, I slam into her so hard as my come spills inside of her. It fucking jerks so many times wanting her to milk every last piece of my come.
I know that I should have been careful, I should have taken precaution, but I didn’t and as I stiffen and my cock keeps jerking I know that I’ve crossed the line. The one that I’ve fought so hard not to do.
Finally, it comes to an end and I move to the side of her. I leave her naked body next to mine and I laugh, “God, that was good. I haven’t done that in so long.”
I’m out of breath and trying to get my thoughts together, should I go to my room or just lie next to her. I haven’t done that with anyone, not since Dede died, the idea of it all makes me feel as if I’m cheating on her. I would never do that to the one woman that I’ve loved, but as I look at Olivia and see her innocence. She’s smiling as if all her dreams have come true.
She wanted this, but before I was suspicious thinking that she knew granddad’s plan. She gently kisses me on the lips and says, “I’m so glad that I saved my virginity for someone special. I thought it would hurt, but I just feel alive now.”
No one put her up to this, she’s attracted to me in a big way. I don’t know what to do, because I know that the last few days have been a reflection of the old me. The one that fell in love with Dede, but then that’s not the real me. The only one that exists is the one that broke her heart.
Chapter 10
Olivia
I’m woken up by something soft and moist touching my back. Isaac’s lips, he’s wakening me up with kisses. I wait wanting to feel more kisses before I give in to his lustful desires. My wait is rewarded as his lips tattoo my shoulders and then lower back with moist spots as they move toward my butt. I wait, wanting to see how far downward he will plants his warm moist kisses. He doesn’t stop. At the last moment, I turn around so that his face is even with my crotch.
“Naughty, naughty,” I say as I grab his hair and pull his face toward my patch of red pubic hair. Shoot! I should have shaved, but I never expected things to work out like this. I thought that Isaac wasn’t into me, but last night he proved me wrong. I expect him to refuse as he glances up into my eyes. He doesn’t. Suddenly. his tongue is wiggling between the tight lips of my pussy.
I call out in unexpected pleasure. Suddenly I’m wild with lust as though I am alone. My inhibitions dissolve. I grab both my nipples and start twisting them as I hunch his face.
Yet as good as his warm moist tongue is, my memories of his big cock surface and I reach down and lift his head. I pull on his shoulders. Isaac follows my directing. But his lips don’t make it to mine. They brush my finger and thumb from my left nipple. He opens his mouth to my throbbing nipple. I expect him to suck it. Instead he bits down on the tip.
God, it hurts but feel good at the same time. I don’t try to stop him. His teeth are against my sensitive nipple have me hunching. Isaac takes this moment to guide his rock-hard cock to my crotch. I can feel the head of it throbbing.
“Fuck me! Fuck me, Isaac,” I cry out crazy for his big cock inside me again where it belongs.
Isaac isn’t gentle, not like he was last night. He spears the head of his cock into me. It’s as if he’s claiming me. I want him so badly, I want to be his.
I hunch back even if it sends his big pulsing cock so deep into me that it hurts. I’m out of my mind with lust. Pleasure is flooding my mind from both my nipples and my pussy. I can’t believe that I was so confident last night. I went into the living room, wanting him to take me. He hesitated at first, but then he knew that this is what I want, and moreover this is exactly what he needs. Me. I was hoping that he felt the same way about me as I did him.
“Isaac,” I chant his name. Suddenly I feel an electric current racing though my body. I’m having an orgasm. My God, I’m having an orgasm My body starts jerking like I’m having an epileptic fit.
“I’m coming!”
I don’t want it to end, but as he starts to pump me harder, I know that he’s going to come too. Damn! It’s only been one night, but yet I can’t get enough of him already.
“Wow! You’re something else.”
I just lie there looking up at him as he gets out of bed. Then he breaks away, the same thing that he does whenever we have a moment together.
“Get showered and then we’ll head to the ranch.”
“Together?”
Because part of me feels as if he’s sending me away.
He kisses me on the forehead like a child, “Yes, together.”
“Neil, will be so happy. You know he’s like a father to me and I really want this to work.”
“What to work?”
He asks suspiciously as he raises an eyebrow.
“You and him to reunite as you did before.”
“Oh, yes….now go and get ready so that we can be on our way.”
I climb out of bed slowly wondering if he’ll join me in the shower. He’s watching me and I wiggle my butt. An open invitation for us both to come inside.
“Do you want me to join you?”
I smile, “What do you think Isaac?”
I put on the shower and then wait patiently for him to enter. He doesn’t at first and then I feel a wave of disappointment as a cloud of steam has engulfs inside the shower. I slowly walk in and then I see movement behind the glass of the shower stall, but only a hand then a face. I can’t see Isaac’s entire body. I don’t hesitate as I slide open the door and a cloud of steam escapes the shower.
I smile as I see him coming inside, then moving by touch, I kneel beside Isaac just outside the strong spray of the shower and grab his hips.
“Olivia? What are you doing?”
I don’t answer with words. I wait until his crotch is facing me and then open my mouth and take in the head of his limp cock.
“You don’t have to do that.”
I ignore him as I start sucking on the head of his cock. Isaac tries to pull back, but I have both hands on his hips and hang on as I continue to suck.
“Fuck, you can rise the dead,” Isaac calls out a moment later when his cock is so thick that I can no longer fit the entire head into my mouth. He reaches down and lifts me to my feet. “Why you little sex maniac!”
“You created me Dr. Frankenstein! Now take care of your little monster and give me what I need, you want this as much as I do. Stop trying to deny it!”
Isaac laughs as he reached down and grabs the shaft of his cock and guides its big head to my leaking pussy.
“One for the road,” he whispers in my ear as he sends his now fully erect cock into me.
I gasp. Damn it’s so big. I don’t think I will ever really get used to the size. At least I hope I don’t.
He starts to pump my pussy back and forth. We kiss as water runs off our heads. I can easily imagine we are having sex under a water fall in a steamy jungle.
“Yes, yes,” Isaac is chanting like some long-ago savage fucking his mate.
“Don’t stop!” I shout suddenly feeling his body suddenly tensing.
“Too late!” he shouts as he grabs me and pulls me to him.
I suddenly have my climax again and I slump down. Isaac quickly grabs me so that I don’t fall down. Then he whispers in my ear, “You wanted this, you know that you don’t have to do it. There’s nothing saying that we have to have fuck.”
I’m disappointed by his words, because I thought that he wanted this as much as I did, but he used the word fuck and not making love. I thought that’s what we were doing, connecting sexually. But maybe I read the signals wrong yet again. He’s an experienced man and I may be twenty, but I haven’t had any life experience not like him.
“I just want to go to bed. I’m tired now.”
I don’t want to be in the car for the long journey with him. Not like this, if all he thinks we’re doing is having sex.
He laughs, “You can sleep in the car, besides Granddad’s waiting for us and I thought you wanted breakfast?”
I nod, and then head out of the shower. He does the same whistling as he leaves the room. I dry my hair and put on my limited closet. I decide on the summer dress that he bought for me yesterday. I don’t feel like wearing jeans and the other dress is too much to wear to the ranch. It’s a yellow flowery dress. Something that I wouldn’t wear, but then again all I have in my closet in the cottage are jeans too.
He smiles as I come out of the bedroom, “You fix up pretty good when you want to.”
“Thanks,” then I grab my purse and say, “Should we go then.”
“Sure, first breakfast and then we’ll head to the ranch.”
I shake my head, “I don’t feel like breakfast anymore.”
All of a sudden I’ve lost my appetite.
“Okay we can pick up a coffee to go and some croissants. Granddad loves their croissants and if you’re a good girl then maybe I’ll buy some extra for you.”
There he goes again, treating me like a child. I shrug, “I’m not a child. If I want some then I can get some.”
“What happened to you?” he asks as he takes my arm.
“Nothing, it’s just that you said that we were fucking earlier and it kind of got to me.”
“Oh.”
“Look I get it. You’re older and this is nothing to you…”
Before I can even finish what I’m saying he wraps his arms around me and kisses me. I melt as usual as this time he’s not being forceful, but rather gentle, slowly looping his tongue inside of mine as if he’s trying to make a statement.
“Sorry, I can be an insensitive prick at times. Let’s go. I’ll get you the croissants and you look hot in that dress by the way. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off you.”
I think that’s his way of apologizing and I shouldn’t let him get away with it so easily, but I can’t help it. Because I know that it’s not only the croissants that I’m falling in love with, but him too.
***
I can feel Isaac glowing in the seat beside me as he drives Neil’s car back to the ranch. Half way there I reach my hand and place it on top of his, he knew that I needed a coffee once we sat down and had one with a couple of croissants my mood changed, as I thought about the last few days and wished that they didn’t need to come to an end. He glances at me and smiles. The touch of his warm hand against the palm of my hand excites me.
I can’t get enough of him. It’s as if he’s broken through a wall around my heart, releasing all the emotions I’ve held in reserve. I find myself thinking how lucky I am to have met him. At first I had my doubts about him, but I’m glad that I gave him a second chance.
As Isaac pulls onto the driveway, I see Neil standing on the porch alerted to our arrival by the sounds the tires makes on the gravel. He’s smiling from ear-to-ear like a cat that ate the canary when Isaac opens my door and I step out.
“Did you enjoy yourself in Houston?” Neil asks as I climb the steps to the porch.
Isaac steps in as he wraps his arm around me, “We both had a great time touring Houston.”
I can’t believe that he’s being so open about us. It makes me feel silly for being paranoid, when he said that we were just fucking earlier. God, I want this man to never leave the ranch.
“Great!” Neil says. He glances at me. “I’ve been trying to get Olivia to visit the city for a long time.”
“I just waited for the right time,” I tell Neil before I give him a hug. “I missed you, Neil.”
“And I you. I’m tired of opening cans or eating at the Brass Rail. I’m addicted to your home cooking.”
I laugh, “So you wanted me to come back so that I could cook for you?”
He winks, “Apart from roast chicken, I can’t do much else. I’m kind of hopeless.”
I know that it’s not only my cooking he misses, our occasional game of chess and our discussions about Agatha Christie too. Once in a while we sit in the library and pick a book. Then we discuss the parts that we loved the most and the other parts we hated.
“Okay, it’s nearly time for lunch. Let me check on Autumn and then I’ll whip you both up something. Okay?”
Neil nods and then I kiss Isaac on the cheek, “Take your time. I’ll catch up with Granddad.”
I can feel their eyes on me as I walk away. Isaac adjusts his pants and I’m sure that it’s this dress. I’ll definitely wear it again, because I know that he likes it so much.
I smell the horses and hay as I run across the grass. I suddenly feel like a cowgirl again as I enter the barn. The adventure in Houston seem like a fairy tale that happens only once in a person’s live. But I know that not true because I brought back my Prince Charming.
Chapter 11
Isaac
Damn! Olivia sure knows how to cook. Last night she came into the kitchen and whipped us up a spaghetti carbonara in no time. She really does love Italian food, she wasn’t kidding about that and I decided while we were eating and she was telling Neil about our adventures in the city that I must take her there. She’s never even been on a plane, which I find a little crazy, but she’s never had the money to just travel.
I haven’t had biscuits as good as hers since grandmother’s, I admit to myself as I watch Olivia take a platter full of biscuits out of the oven and place them on the table just as granddad walks in to join us.
“Morning,” he says cheerfully, for someone’s that dying he looks good. Even better than I do. But then again it’s been nearly a week since I’ve had anything to drink. The first few days were hard, but now I haven’t even thought about it. I managed to go to restaurants order wine for Olivia and just have a little, and the second time none at all.
“Feeling okay today, Neil,” Olivia asks. I can see she immediately regrets the question since it probably isn’t something you asked a person with a terminal illness.
“Right as rain,” he says and winks.
“You look a little pale, Neil. Have you been taking all your meds?” Olivia asks as she sets plates of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast on the table.
“Yes, I’m fine thanks, Olivia.” He turns to glance at me as I reach for the eggs. “We need to move some cattle to the back pasture. Can you help old Dan herd drive them down the Old Fork road?”
“Sure, I haven don’t that cattle for a long spell, but I’ll give it a try. Of course I’ll have to check with Mrs. Roberts and see if there are any emergencies brewing at the office first,” Olivia says as she sits down to eat.
“Can, I help?” I ask, because if she goes out all day as much as I love granddad I’ll rather spend my time with her. Seeing as we’re getting to know each other and I want to tell her about Dede. I just want to get it all of my chest. The truth, for once in my life. Whenever we’re alone, I just want to take her. At least out there while we’re working we can talk when we have a break and then she’ll know the demons that really turned me to drink. The real reason that I lost my way.
Olivia’s lost in her thoughts, “Autumn’s a good cutting horse and maybe if she’s out there working again then she won’t feel so down.”
“Sure of course,” Neil says beaming his ear to ear smile. “If that’s alright for Isaac to go with you too?”
I smile as there’s no one I would go driving cattle with than Olivia, the beautiful red head that doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.
“Think you’re up to it, Cowgirl?” I tease her.
Olivia raises her eyebrows. “When’s the last time you were in the saddle all day, Isaac?”
“Point taken. My butt has been glued to the office chair for a while and when I tried riding last week after an hour, I was getting tired.”
Granddad says, “Well there’s only one way to find out!”
“Granddad you’re right. Saddle me up and I’ll be there all day with you.”
She winks, “You’ve got a deal!”
***
After breakfast as we walk to the barn to saddle the horses, I can’t help but say, “I wish we were sleeping in the same bed. I don’t like you being in the guest cottage.”
“Sex friend.”
“Me, how can you even say that? Yesterday you were the one that wanted me in the shower.”
“Yes, I was an innocent cowgirl before you came along and branded me,” Olivia’s battering her eyelashes as if to say that she’s innocent.
“Really, you really think that?”
We’re both smiling at each other, playing and teasing, it’s kind of funny that she thinks that I’m the one that’s been after her. When I’ve wanted to stay as far away from her as possible.
Olivia raises her chin, “Yes, I was respectable before I met you.”
Suddenly, we are both laughing so hard that tears are running down our cheeks.
“I can see getting any work done today with you around is going to be hard,” I say wiping my eyes as we enter the barn.
“Yeah, well you better hold up your end of the drive. I have my doubts you can cowboy up for this one.”
I shake my head. “Cowgirl, you just haven’t seen me and Buckskin working cows. You just hold your hat while you watch, or we will blow it away,” I joke. Then I get a serious. “Be careful, Olivia. With a herd as big as the one we’re moving today anything can happen.”
“Yeah, same goes to you,” she says as she splits off and heads for Autumn’s stall while I go to greet Buckskin.
Minutes later we ride out to join Granddad’s hired hand who seems almost his age. However, I quickly find that Dan and his horse Smokey still have the moves. Of course, he has old Shep nipping at the cows heels helping out. We’ll be driving the cattle down a gravel road with fences on each side, I realize that Dan can probably move the cattle without our help. Maybe it would be a little difficult, but I’m sure that he could do it alone.
Damn is granddad manipulating me again?
Yet, this time I don’t mind. Sure, the work’s dusty, and I’m not used to being in the saddle all day. But, Olivia’s riding at the tail end of the herd with me and I hate to admit that as we get started, I’m enjoying myself.
The herd kicks up such a thick cloud of dust that it’s hard to see their feet in front of our faces. I know this is granddad’s way of getting back at me for not wanting to stay on the ranch and let men better qualified than me run the company. I just regret that Olivia must endure the dust too. But her being here beside me helps me accept riding drag like a new cowboy.
Although Olivia’s Autumn isn’t a cutting horse up to Buckskin’s standards, she’s pretty good. Olivia looks sexy with her boobs bouncing up and down as she rides back and forth hitting her lariat against her saddle. Several times I get a fucking hard on just watching her.
Finally, Dan closes to gate to the South pasture.
“You haven’t lost it yet, Mr. Isaac. You’re a little bit rusty, but you and the horse of yours still got the moves.”
Praise coming from a man that has won more than one calf roping contest made me smile all the way back to the barn.
“I guess we’re finished, right, Dan?” I say smiling at the old, wrinkle-faced cowboy.
Dan shakes his head.
“There’s more?” I ask thinking that I misjudged the situation. I thought that was it, more likely I hoped that was the end of it.
Dan glances at Olivia. “You want to tell him?”
I look at Olivia. “Tell me what?”
“Whenever we put cattle in a new pasture, we’ve got to ride the fence to make sure the barbwire isn’t broken.”
“I guess I forgot about that,” I reply. I glance at the fence that runs across the flat land until it’s lost in the distance horizon. “It’s a huge pasture,” I add with a sigh.
“Roger, that,” Dan says as he tips his hat and rides off to the right, following the fence line.
“That leaves us the left side,” Olivia says.
I know she’s hiding a smile taking pleasure out my discomfort. Still, I can’t get upset at her. At least she’s here rather than I’m just being stuck out here with Dan.
“Time to cowboy up,” Olivia says as she rides off following the fence line.
“I’ll cowboy you up for sure when we get back to the barn!” I say as I ride after her.
“Yeah, promises, promises! That’s all city slickers are good for.”
“When we get home, I’m going to make you sorry for calling me a city slicker,” I say as I catch up with her.
We ride side by side for what feels like an hour but is probably a forth that long when Olivia pulls Autumn to a full stop.
“What?”
She nods her head toward the fence row. “It’s a good thing we have the rule about riding the line after changing a herd to a new pasture. There’s a break in the wire just ahead.”
“Damn, you have good eyes.”
“Come on let’s fix it.”
“Uh . . . I forgot to bring the wire stretcher. I didn’t know we were going to be riding the fence line.”
“Don’t worry; it’ll be okay,” Olivia says reaching back and pulling a pair of fence stretchers out of Autumn’s saddle bag. She waves them at me.
“Yeah, you are a barrel of laughs,” I say shaking my head.
“A cowboy is always prepared . . .”
“Don’t start with me, Olivia, or I’ll rub your pretty little nose in a cow patty. And then we can call you Cow Patty, the cowgirl,” I say and start laughing so hard I almost fall out of the saddle.
“God, I wish you would fall off your horse so I can get a shot of it with my cell phone. It would look good on a Facebook page . . . CEO trying to cowboy.”
“What say we call a truce and fix the fence.”
I ignore her as she tries to bribe me about posting it on Facebook. Not that I care, it’s not as if I go on there that much.
“Yeah, spoken like a wise CEO,” Olivia says as she climbs off Autumn.
As I put on my gloves, I glance up at the sun that is threatening to suck all the moisture out of my body. “Suddenly, I remember why I moved to Houston,” I’m wiping my forehead with the back of my arm.
The sun’s pouring down on my face and burning me. I should have put sun lotion on before I came out here, because I burn easily.
“Why because you’re not a good cowboy?”
She raises and eyebrow and I know that she’s really pushing me to the limit.
“No, because…”
I can’t even think of a comeback. She’s got me there, I’ll make her pay for it much later, when I spend the night with her in the cottage or maybe before that, when we get back to the barn.
Chapter 12
Olivia
I smile to myself when we finally meet up with Dan. Isaac’s trying to put on a good show, but I know his butt must be hurting something awful. Not once has he complained.
“How did it go? Find any breaks in the fence?” Dan asks as he approaches Isaac.
“Yeah, two. We fixed them. And you?”
“None,” Dan says as he rides past us. “Time to head back to the ranch,” he calls over his shoulder.
Isaac looks over at me. “Do you think he knew the breaks in the fence were on the left side?”
I manage only to smile instead of laughing. “Have you ever known a cowboy to do work when he can get someone else to do it?”
“Damn him. I bet he stopped in the shade of a cottonwood tree and took a nap.”
I didn’t respond. It was what I would have done when I wanted to make a new hand work a little extra.
“That’s all right, I’ll get him back,” Isaac says as he kicks Buckskin in the sides and rides after Dan. “What goes around comes around, Dan,” he calls out.
Dan lifts his hand to show he’s heard and I can see a crafty smile on his face.
“Hey,” Isaac says as I catch up with him. “Have I told you yet today that you’re sexy?”
“No, you’ve been too busy,” I laugh as I think about the way that Dan conned us both to do his job. I suspected it at first, but I didn’t mind doing it because it meant spending more time with Isaac.
“Well, too busy to tell you, but always thinking it. The thought flashes through my mind every time I see those tits bouncing up and down as we chase a stray.”
“I’ll wear a bra next time,” I say and stick my tongue out at Isaac.
“Fuck! No bra. You don’t know what you’re doing to me right now.”
“And no panties either? Shit, I want to take you to the barn right now!”
Dan turns around, glances at Isaac, and shakes his head. “Too much sun.”
That’s when we both stop talking; we’ve got company. I smile feeling embarrassed that I said those things and Dan must have heard us. I can’t remember having so much fun doing ranch chores. It makes a big difference having Isaac here on the ranch. I know that without him I’ll be doing this alone. Even Dan keeps his distance from me most of the time. Probably worried that everyone would think that I have a thing for older men.
“I think I’ll soak in a warm bath tonight,” Isaac says when we get in sight of the ranch. “Not a shower and not alone.”
I’m thinking the same thing but with him in the shower with me, but I don’t bother to tell him my version. He seems horny enough without my fanning the fire.
“Is that an open invitation?”
Isaac laughs, “You’ll have to wait and see.”
“See you on the flip side,” I say as I split off and lead Autumn to her stall because now I don’t want to wait. I only want to see.
“Not if I see you first,” he calls out.
I can’t take my mind off Isaac as I feed and water Autumn. I keep remembering the hot sex we had in his apartment the first night. And then the steamy double dipping the next morning, especially when I followed him into the shower.
God, I’m wet between the legs thinking of him.
I was just finishing up brushing out Autumn’s tail when Isaac suddenly appeared in the door
”I hope you didn’t short change Buckskin,” I say glancing up at him leaning against the frame of the door, half in and half out.
“I didn’t, and I don’t want to short-change you either,” he says as he walks into Autumn’s stall, smiling. I can see the bulge in the crotch of his jean is bigger than it should be. He grabs my shoulder and turns me around to face him. I start to say something witty, but he leans forward and covers my mouth with his. Our tongue meet with electrifying results.
We both begin stripping as we continue to kiss. The sight of his huge semi-hard cock really start my wetness starts growing in between my legs. I flinch when Autumn turns her head and looks at me with her big brown eyes as though I’m doing something I shouldn’t be doing and she likes it.
“Don’t mind Autumn, she understands mother nature,” Isaac says seeing me staring back at her.
“What if your Neil comes out to check on us?” I say glancing nervously from Autumn to the door of the stall.
“No, he’s probably sitting in front of the television watching In the Heat of the Night like every other senior in the state of Texas is doing about now,” Isaac says, knowing that Neil would never be caught dead looking at afternoon television shows.
I shake my head and roll my eyes, that is until his lips touch my left nipple. I moan as he sucks on it like a newborn baby.
“Bite it gently like you did in your apartment,” I tell Isaac in a breathy voice as he kicks my motor into high gear.
Isaac clamps his teeth onto my nipple
I scream so loud I fear Neil might rush out to investigate. I’m at that point of no return. Come hell or high water; I want Isaac to finish what he started.
As Isaac sucks and nibbles, I feel him reaching down between my legs to slide his fingers into my moist pussy. I am no longer a virgin, but I am still virgin tight. I go wild the moment his finger finds my clit. He pinches it, and I cry out again as I start hunching his fingers like a bitch in heat. But I’m so deep in lust that I don’t feel any shame. I’m leaking. His finger is getting slippery with each stroke.
Isaac knows this too as he suddenly kneels in front of me. I glance down in time to see him press his face against my crotch. A loud gasp escapes my lips as he pushed his warm tongue into my pussy. I almost faint when his tongue touches my clit so powerful are the little electric shocks that radiate pleasure, no longer pain.
“Isaac””
I’m so out of my mind I don’t know what I am doing. He starts sucking on me, and I’m almost overpowered with ecstasy. I grab Isaac’s head and hold it in place as I hunch my pussy against his face. I don’t know how he can possibly keep his tongue inside me with my hips gyrating. He keeps tonguing me. I’m so overwhelmed with pleasure that I’m ready to push him away.
He kisses me, and all I can think about is him fucking me. When he breaks our embrace, I think this is it. Instead he puts his hands on my shoulder and forces me down to my knees.
Seeing his huge throbbing cock, I stretch my mouth around the head, sucking it, but Isaac pulls me away. He wants me to take in more of his cock. I glance up into his eyes as I swallow more of his cock. He wants me to take it all, and I’m going to do it. He gave me pleasure, and now it’s my turn to give it back. I force myself to keep swallowing inch after inch. I suddenly can’t breathe, yet I don’t stop. Only when I feel his pubic hairs against my lips do I pull my head back.
“Damn!”
He moves his cock away and guides it towards my pussy. He has me so hot that I feel as if I’m going to melt away in a pool of pleasure.
The moment the head of his cock finds the lips of my pussy, he spears his massive erection into me. I gasp as it plunges to the depths of my pleasure hole. Then, as he fucks me with brutal strokes, I call his name repeatedly, like a broken record.
It doesn’t take long for me to come, as Isaac continues to pump his fat cock. I suddenly don’t know night from the day as I feel his come exploding inside me. I feel totally connected to Isaac as he kisses me before pulling out his now come-dripping cock. The one that I love to hold, suck and have deep inside of me.
“That was worth waiting for,” Isaac growls as we lie naked in the hay.
I turn to kiss him and purr, “You’re more than I could ever dream off in a man and more.”
He says nothing as he turns me to hold him. I wrap my arms around him, and I can feel his heart beat quicken. As if I said something wrong, I couldn’t have done, because he’s been after me all morning. Seducing me with his words. He can’t deny how he feels about me. Not after all this, not after right now.
Chapter 13
Isaac
Later on, I go into the house to clean up, and Olivia goes to the cottage, I could have stayed in the barn forever. But then I knew that if I did, with her in my arms, I would tell her the truth about Dede, and there were a time and place for everything and after I spent all morning talking about taking her in the barn. That just wasn’t the place to do it.
“Where are you going, Isaac? Olivia asks as I walk into the kitchen.
“To the barn to polish my saddle.”
“Wow, you are quite the cowboy now, keeping your leather polished as if you were going to ride in a rodeo.”
“Good, idea,” I say as I grab Olivia around the waist and plant a kiss on her neck.
“Don’t! Neil might walk in,” Olivia says pulling free.
“He’ll be happy that we’re getting on so well.”
“Maybe,” she hesitates for a minute. “But there’s a time and place for everything and when I’m getting cookies ready to go in the oven is not one of those times.”
“Which are you, Dale Evens or Autumn Crooker?”
“Neither. I’m Olivia! One of a kind,” she laughs, “But I don’t want him to think that I’m with you for you not what.”
I love the way that she’s so innocent and the idea of granddad seeing her as anything but innocent is something that I just need to accept.
“Besides where is he? I haven’t seen him since this morning. I hope that he’s okay?”
Olivia frowned. “It’s hard to tell. I don’t see much difference in him that last few months then when I first arrived. The thing is…I keep thinking his doctors might have overlooked something.”
“What do you mean?”
Because he hasn’t even told me what’s wrong with him. “Olivia maybe he’s told you what’s wrong with him. He tried but I shut him up, I couldn’t bear hearing about his illness. It was selfish of me, and I need to seek to help him. Especially if he only has a few weeks to live.”
She shakes her head, “I have no idea. I just know that I wouldn’t leave any stone unturned if I were in his shoes. We need to find out what’s wrong with him. So, that we can help him, Isaac. He’s like a father to me, Isaac.”
“I know, I know.” What else is there to say? I can’t stop him from dying if he’s terminal. Nobody can.”
I’m holding her in my arms trying to comfort her, but she’s sobbing and getting emotional. I decide that we need to get to the bottom of this illness and then try and figure out how to help him.
“Look, I’ll leave Autumn Crooker to her cookies and then when I get back we’ll figure what to do with Granddad. I’ll insist that we all go to see his doctor’s together or something? I’ll think of something. Okay?” I quickly give Olivia a peck on the cheek.
She winks at me and then says, “And then after that, I want a real kiss.”
“Frankenstein’s created a monster,” I say as I give Olivia a pat on her butt before running for the door.
“You better run, Cowboy, before I swat you with a cookie-dough spoon!”
I laugh as I walk across the lawn. If someone had told me a few weeks ago that I was going to be this happy, I would have spit on their face. Damn how fast the world turns!
As I enter the tack room, I remember the first time I tried to polish a saddle. I must have been five. I put saddle soap all over my pony’s and then ran and got Granddad to look at it, but he just laughed so much that he started to cry. I remember looking for Grandma, knowing that she’ll make me feel better.
I shake my head thinking about all the memories. I was in a good mood and didn’t want to spoil it by drudging up things I didn’t want to think about. There’s no way that I’m going to let Granddad die, not if I can help it. I’ll work with the doctor’s and he’s going to be alright. I’m sure about it. As Olivia said, he hasn’t been sick, not since I’ve been here and she hasn’t noticed the change. Not like Grandma, she didn’t even have to tell her that she was dying. It was written all over her face.
Before I start on Buckskin’s saddle, I take a quick peek at the one that belongs to Autumn. It was spotless and as shiny as if it had just come out of the store. I’m putting the final polish on the silver trimming when I see movement and glance toward the door.
“There you are, Isaac,” Granddad says as he enters the tack room.
“You found me. There no hiding from you,” I say and smile.
“I just wanted to tell you how proud I am about what you’re doing. You’ve pitched in and done everything asked of you. And thanks to you and Olivia the ranch’s running smooth as silk again.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I should be thanking you for insisting that I come and spend three months on the ranch.”
“Well, what’s the verdict?”
I smile. “You mean you have to ask after seeing how we enjoy each other’s company,” I sound like a lovesick teenager and I don’t care for the first time in three years I feel alive again.
“She makes me feel alive as if I’ve been dead for the last two years. Shit, she’s everything that a man can want and more. But we’re still getting to know each other. You know it’s not as if I’m going to put a ring on her finger tomorrow or anything, but there’s a potentiality that I’ll do that in time.”
I want to put him in place, let him know that I’m happy to be with her, but I’m not going to run down the aisle with her because he says I need to do it now.
“Well, I’m going to keep my part of the bargain. If you marry Olivia, I’ll leave everything to you.” He pauses. “And I don’t have very long left. My health is declining rapidly. I don’t want to rush things between the two of you, but when do you think you ask her to marry you?”
“Never!”
Olivia blurts out as she’s standing in the door of the tack room. I glance in horror at granddad. His face is as pale as a full moon.
“I heard every word about your deal! How could you, Neil!” she cries out looking directly at Granddad. “I trusted you. Loved you like a father. And here you are trying to marry me off to Isaac as though I didn’t have a say in the matter. I feel so . . . so used.”
“Olivia, calm down. It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I say but when I see her flashing green eyes, I know my words are rolling off her like water off a duck’s back. “I fell in love with you. That’s all that matters.”
“Oh no, Isaac, it’s much more than that. It’s about trust. It about not being a pawn in some rich man’s chess game of life,” she says shaking her head “I feel violated! You two used me.”
She glances at Granddad. “Neil tell me one thing. Just how long have you been planning on forcing Isaac and I together? How long?”
“I knew you could make him snap out of the downward spiral he was in at the time,” Granddad says weakly, and then I realize what’s upsetting Olivia the most.
“How long?”
She demands, I didn’t think that there was an angry bone in her body. Now I can see that it exists, and it’s fucking frightening, but I don’t blame her. She’s been used, but I wonder like she does, how much.
“Two years,” he whispers.
“So when you helped me after my parents died, you had all this in mind.”
Granddad blurts out, “Yes.”
“How many other schemes did you try on Isaac to get him where you thought he should be?” she asks him as she stands in front of him. The tears are streaming down her eyes, and I wish that I could comfort her. Tell her that I knew nothing about this, but part of me is curious about how far he’ll go to help me.
“Olivia, lighten up on him. He’s just trying to help the two people he loves most. He wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble to get us together if he didn’t love both of us. And he’s a sick man.”
“No!” Olivia says shaking her head. “I’m not going to lighten up. He should have been honest with me from the start and so should of you,” Olivia snaps, “Don’t be so naive Isaac, do you believe that he’s sick?”
Shit, I hadn’t even thought about that. Granddad wouldn’t stoop so low to make out that he’s dying just to get us together. I’ve seen nearly every family member die; he wouldn’t lie to me about dying.
“Don’t be silly; he wouldn’t lie about dying. Not after what I’ve been through. First my parents, then Dede. That’s when I melted and couldn’t get back up again.”
“Who the fuck is Dede?” Olivia says, and I know that she’s mad. She cusses not ever.
“She was Isaac’s fiancee, she reminds me of you in a way,” Granddad says as he’s trying to comfort Olivia, but with her arms folded he’s going to have to do a lot more than apologies.
“Isaac used to work twenty-four seven. He loved Dede, but that wasn’t enough for her. She wanted his attention. She had a heart condition,” Granddad pauses as he relives my painful past.
I nod my head confirming that it’s fine for him to tell Olivia the truth. The one that I’ve kept hidden from her and I should have just told her from the start.
“She stopped taking the pill. Hoping that if she was pregnant and we had a family that our two-year engagement would turn into a marriage,” I say as a tear escapes my eye.
“Did it work?”
I shake my head, “No, even worse she was told about the risks of getting pregnant. She was seven months when they rushed her to the hospital. I lost not only her but my baby boy at the same time.”
“And that’s when you started to drink?”
Olivia asks as if she’s trying to put all the pieces together.
“Yes.”
“The girl in the photo. The one on the wall in your apartment.”
I nod again, “Yes.”
Olivia sighs, “The one that you still love?”
I’m about to correct her and say that I never thought I could give my heart to another when Granddad says, “Olivia’s right. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“Oh fucking hell!”
I’m so fucking mad I know that if I stay in the barn a minute longer, I’ll fucking blow. And he’s going to wish that he never confessed. That’s when I hear Olivia mumble, “The cookies are on the table,” she appears as if every emotion has been taken out of her. She starts to head to the cottage.
I throw down my polishing rag and walk out of the tack room, leaving Granddad alone with the saddles. As I cross the lawn, I see Olivia slowly heading toward the cottage. I want to run after her but don’t.
In a few minutes, everything had been turned upside down. I couldn’t put all the blame on the old man. I told myself. I was part of the conspiracy. Damn it, why couldn’t I have just played along with Granddad. Why did I have to fall in love with Olivia? Why, why!
I don’t have the answers, just the questions. Without thinking I take a cookie from the platter. I bite into it and shake my head. Damn it! I need to leave this fucking ranch. Before I do something that I’ll regret. I knew that I shouldn’t have fucking come back. This place has too many painful memories, and the old man’s just added another one to the list. He made me fall in love with the ranch hand, only to have to fall out of love with her all over again. There’s just one problem; I haven’t got a fucking clue how to do it.
Chapter 14
Olivia
It’s been a few days since I left the ranch. I had to get out of there. When I was in Houston with Isaac, I felt alive. I realized that there’s a whole world out here and I haven’t explored any of it. Luckily living on the ranch and being paid and having my meals paid for, meant that I was able to save. I managed to get a room, and I’m trying to find a job. There’s just one problem. Apart from my high school diploma I have no skills.
I need a job.
There’s just one problem - no one wants to hire anyone with ranch skills, not in the city. I knew that I would bump into Isaac sooner or later. I was walking past the coffee shop when I saw him.
“Olivia, I was hoping to see you again,” he smiles awkwardly.
I want to tell him that I’m busy and that I need to go. Out of all the coffee shops in Houston, why did I have to walk past this one?
“Come inside. Let’s talk?”
“No,” I blurt out. “I’m busy.”
“Well do you have a number I can call you on? I keep trying your old number, and it says out of service.”
I stand to feel as if he’s trying to put the blame on me.
“I got a new one because Neil kept calling me too.”
That’s the extent of people who call me. No one else is interested in speaking to me; it’s kind of sad.
“Do you have a new one? Maybe when you’re less busy, then we can meet up and have a coffee. On me. I’ll pay for your chai latte this time.”
He’s trying to be charming, and I hate it about him. The fact that he wants to meet up and talk to me. Didn’t he get his wish from our time together? Sex and money from Neil.
I shake my head and start to walk away, “Please Olivia. Let’s start again.”
I want to tell him, no, but then the moment I look up into his eyes I think that like the ranch I have no friends in the city. Realistically I have no skills either. Not for the type of jobs that the agency was talking about. Maybe one coffee and he can help, but then after that, I do not have anything to do with him or Neil ever again.
“Okay,” I say the number so fast hoping that he won’t catch them.
“Right, I’ll call you tonight and then we can figure out a time tomorrow.” He kisses me on the cheek, “I’m glad that you’re in the city.”
He walks away before I have time to respond to him. I forgot that he’s smart, of course, he managed to get all the digits. I wonder if part of me is in the city to be near to him when I should be as far away as possible from him and especially Neil.
***
All that time I was thinking that Neil was acting like my surrogate father and he was just using me. As for Isaac, I was just part of a business transaction. It’s as if they don’t believe in real people; they think that because they have money they can do whatever they want.
No!
Not with me. I may not have much, but one thing I do have is pride.
I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t come looking for him in Houston? Would I still be at the ranch taking care of Neil?
I glance at my cell phone. I see that it’s time to meet Isaac. I check the address for the tenth time. I don’t know why and it irritates me so much that I decided to meet him. I certainly didn’t have to agree to it, did I? It also irritates me that Isaac has chosen the same coffee shop where we met the day I drove to Houston. The day I faced the murderous traffic on I-10 and then meeting Isaac. I’d never imagined traffic could be so bad. Of course, the traffic probably wouldn’t bother most people, but I admit it, I’m just a country girl who’s never seen much of anything which is why Neil chose me as an easy target.
Okay, so I did have a great time talking to him at the coffee shop and an even better time at the Space Center. But that was then, that was before I learned the truth about Neil and Isaac’s little plan. There’s been a lot of muddy water under the bridge since that day.
I check myself out in the reflection of the window. Why am I even bothering? I know I can never again trust Isaac. And the same thing holds true for Neil, the man I’d thought was the most trustworthy person I’d ever met.
I’m not sure meeting Isaac at the coffee shop is going to change anything. He used me, end of story! I take a deep breath as I walk into the coffee shop. I look to the rear knowing that he’ll be at the same table that we set for the first time.
I stiffen in surprise! Isaac isn’t alone! Neil’s sitting beside him.
I nod my head in their direction as I walk up to the counter. Isaac comes up beside me, “I’ve already got your latte on the table.”
I snarl, “What’s he doing here?”
Isaac sighs, “He’s been staying with me. As soon as I told him about bumping into you yesterday, he didn’t hesitate in coming here to meet you.”
“You should have warned me.”
“If I did Olivia would you have come?”
That’s an easy question as I reply, “No.”
Most people wouldn’t be able to resist when someone dangles millions of dollars in front of them, to spend time with a woman. One that’s as innocent as I was until I found out their dirty secret.
Sure, Neil is the mastermind behind the plot, but if Isaac had even an ounce of integrity, he would have told his grandfather to go to hell. But instead, he went along with the plot so that he could be filthy rich.
“Olivia,” Neil says as I approach the table. “You look as radiant as ever.” I ignore him. I can’t even bear to be in the same room with him right now.
“Thanks for coming, Olivia,” Isaac adds as I pull out a chair.
“I wasn’t expecting you, Neil?” I say. “I hope you feel as good as you look seeing as you’re not dying.”
“I was afraid you might not come if I told you my granddad was coming,” Isaac says, and I don’t hesitate in replying, “I would have moved to another city to be as far away from him as possible.”
I lift up my latte and put it back down. All of a sudden I don’t feel like drinking coffee.
“How’s Autumn?” I wasn’t going to reveal how much I missed my horse, but the moment I saw Neil my love for Autumn washed over me, and I felt overwhelmed.
“She’s doing great. I brush her daily. But, I can tell she misses you.”
I sigh. “I miss her too. Maybe I’ll find a stable here in town and bring her to Houston once I get a job.”
I see Neil flinch when I suggest bringing Autumn to the city and boarding her here.
“Of course. She’s your horse, and you can do as you please. I’m sure you know she loves being there on the ranch, and she may have a hard time adjusting to being in a different place, particularly one that is so different from what she’s used to.”
“Yeah, well we don’t always get what we want, do we, Isaac?” I can’t help asking as I glance at him.
“Olivia, I’m trying, as hard as I can” He motions to his grandfather. “We’re both trying.”
I don’t answer. I just take another sip of my latte. I’m waiting for one of them to tell me why we’re here, but it’s clear that they’re great at manipulating people but not fantastic at confessing when they’re in the wrong.
Chapter 15
Isaac
I can’t believe that we’re just sitting here facing each other and no one’s saying a thing. Granddad begged me to tag along, and he’s not even making an effort. I watch as Olivia tries to sip on her coffee and then she doesn’t have the means to taste it. I don’t blame her; I don’t feel like drinking myself.
“I want to try again, Olivia.”
“What?”
Both Olivia and Granddad blurt it out at the same time.
“I’ve forgiven granddad for what he did. My dad killed himself in our house. Maybe he was pushed for the business or whatever, that’s all in the past. I was living a dangerous life, and he saw an opportunity to help me. What he did with you was inexcusable, but I know that in time he did it out of love. He’s not a mean man. You’ve lived with him for two years. Did you at any point think that his feelings for you were of a man that’s just using you?”
She shakes her head, but I know that I shouldn’t guilt trip her into this because it wasn’t just her fault.
“Olivia, I’m not saying that you should forgive us. But I would like to help. I know that you’re here for your independence.”
“I’ll like to do the same,” Granddad chimes in with a smile on his face.
Olivia ignores him, “I could do with a job.”
“Really, well there’s a need for an admin assistant that I could put in a good word.”
This time I’m the one holding the cards. The one that’s pulling strings and I’m going to milk it for every dime.
“I don’t want you to try.”
I say as I cross my arms. “I need you to do better than that. You see I could have stayed in the city years ago if an old man didn’t convince me otherwise.”
“You’re right. You’ve got a job. How soon can you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
Then she finishes her coffee and stands up.
Granddad says in a panic, “Are you not going to stay?”
She shakes her head, “I don’t need to. I planned on having one coffee with Isaac. I’ve done that, and now I need to prepare for my new job tomorrow.”
“You start at nine.”
She shakes her head, “I’ll start when I like.”
She winks and then walks away, I murmur as Granddad’s complaining about her change of heart what does he expect?
“Yes, I’m glad that you’re coming to work for me and giving us a second chance.”
She chuckles, “You, may be in time. Him, I’m not too sure about.”
Then she leaves us in the coffee shop alone. I realize then that I’ve created a monster.
“Seems that you taught her well Granddad. She’s going to make us suffer.”
He shakes his head, “I’ve never begged for anything in my life.”
I look at my watch and sigh, “Well it looks as if you’ve met your match because I can see that little lady’s going to make you suffer for it. And you know as well as I do that she means more to you than you want to admit. You better get used to begging. On your hands and knees, because I intend to do that until she trusts me once again. Until I have her back in my life.”
On that note, I left him in the coffee shop as I thought about ways to win Olivia’s heart and I didn’t have a clue how I was going to do it, but I knew that getting her a job was one step. I just needed a thousand more to make sure that I get her back into my life.
***
She walked in close to twelve, and in the same yellow dress that I bought her, it was as if she was tormenting me and I hated her for having me on a string. I deserved it, but someone like me isn’t used to being at someone’s mercy, and neither is granddad as he walks behind her.
“So, Isaac where do I start?”
I look at her completely confused as she sits at my desk and puts her feet up in the air.
“Are you taking over the company?”
She shakes her head, “Nope.”
“Granddad?”
“She demanded that I come in and get to work she said, if I wanted to earn her trust and respect again then I’m going to have to show it.”
She nods, “Actions speak louder than words. Now, if you boys don’t mind. Whatever you wanted me to do today and every day that I don’t decide to come in. Neil can do it.”
We both look at each other and blurt out, “What?”
She repeats herself as she stands up, “Whatever you wanted me to do around the office. He can do it.” She points to granddad who just shrugs his shoulders.
“If you need coffee, he’ll do it. If you want him to shine your shoes, he’ll do it. Whatever you fucking need, he’ll do it.”
Shit! I did create a monster.
“And maybe, just maybe I’ll talk to you both again.”
She starts walking out of the office and then she says, “But if either one of you even think of stopping what I’ve just asked you to do. Then you can forget it. Because if you don’t, then I’ll never trust either one of you ever again. I already don’t. So, it won’t be hard to once again. Do you understand?”
Like a bobbing head toy we both nod our heads, we expect her to come back and tell us that this is all one big joke, but she doesn’t. I sigh as I head to my chair the one that Olivia was sitting on and acting like she was the boss.
“Granddad we better get started then.”
He walks up to the desk, “If you want me to get you coffee, then you better start calling me Neil.”
We laugh as we face each other. Olivia’s making us spend time together. She may think that she’s smart and that she’s the one that’s manipulating us. She is to some extent. But, I know her game, and I’ll play along with it. Maybe we need someone like her to put us on the right track because granddad and I only have each other and we’re not good at showing love. Maybe for once, we’ll have to do it or at least try.
Chapter 16
Olivia
I walk into the company this time; I’m wearing a suit and looking the part. I’ve had two weeks of spending time with Autumn, seeing as Neil’s been in the office during the week, he hasn’t been going home.
She's well looked after, but that doesn’t stop me worrying about her and just get on with my life. I pop my head into Isaac’s office, and sure enough, Neil’s serving him coffee. They seem to be getting on which was part of the reason that I thought of my little scheme.
I had the impression that there was still a rift between them. Neil had done everything the wrong way, but for the right reasons. He wrote me a letter one that I’ve taken to heart and one that’s making me walk into the office today. He knew that I’ve been going to see Autumn or that I would see her again, and once I read it. I knew that I couldn’t stay away. Mainly, because for the first time since I’ve go to know Neil, I think that he wasn’t lying to me.
Dearest Olivia,
I know that you hate me and you have every reason to tear up this letter from the moment that you read it. But I want to thank you, not only for the time that you gave to me but for bringing life back into my grandson’s cold heart.
You see before you came alone and brought him back to life, he was ready to die. He may never admit it and pretend that he had it all under control, but it’s far from it.
I paid off the company’s loans, and even the one’s in his apartment from the moment that he came to see me. Isaac was so intoxicated that he couldn’t even see it. He turned a blind eye to his finances and worse of all himself.
I did think of the idea to pair you both up from the moment you were homeless and financially unable to support yourself. But from the time we started talking, and I learned about you. I soon changed my mind about my initial scheme. I lied to both of you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I gave you a home because for some crazy reason I thought that your pure heart is something that both Isaac and I need in our lives.
Everyone in town thinks that we are an item. They believe that I am your ‘sugar daddy,' but not once did you leave the ranch or even put people in their place. You let them talk, and that makes you lonely.
No one talks to you.
No one wants to associate with you.
You lead this life just to appease me, to make me happy and I am forever grateful for the sacrifice. I suspected that you and Isaac could find love in each other. I went out of my way to push you to be one. I did not expect you to bond as much as you have and I would be eternally grateful for you giving my grandson back his heart. The one that he had lost. I know that he loves you, so please do not punish him for my mistake. They are mine alone.
Anything you need Olivia, you just shout, and I’ll come running.
Anything you want Olivia, just say the word and I will give it to you.
I owe you everything, and you owe me nothing. I do hope that one day you can forgive me. But I know that I do not deserve it. Especially the way that I have treated you. I do hope that one day you can forgive me or at least try.
Neil
I know that Neil was secretly trying to manipulate me. I remember Isaac saying that he thinks that it’s just natural for Neil. He has a way of manipulating everyone that he comes into contact with and I hate to admit that he’s right.
But the fact that Neil wrote a letter and there seems to be the bond that they both lost a long time ago slowly rebuilding their relationship. The way that I hoped when I set them up on the task.
“Good morning gentlemen,” I say as I walk through the door.
“Good morning Olivia,” Isaac smiles at me. He does look completely different from when I first met him. It’s as if he’s been working out or something. I’m distracted as I can see his biceps through his shirt and I wonder if he looks completely different underneath from what I remember. To say that I miss him is an understatement.
I remember him telling Neil that he loves me and would marry me in time. I remember smiling about that, but then the realization that they’d made a pact together tore me apart.
“Good morning Olivia,” Neil says indifferently. I think that he’s nervous about my appearance.
“I read your letter, Neil.”
“What letter?” Isaac asks, “I didn’t know that you knew where she lived?” His question is directed at Neil who shakes his head, “I don’t. I just left it with Autumn.”
“Ah,” Isaac says as the penny drops.
I shut the door and say, “I was thinking that if you’re not busy we could go to breakfast?” I ask Isaac and then Neil says, “He only has one appointment at eleven. He has time for that.”
I’m about to ask Neil, but I’m really hurt by what he did. I need time before I can forgive him with open arms.
“In that case I’m free,” Isaac nods his head.
“Cool, because I know this great little bakery. They have all types of croissants and cookies.”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” he says as he comes closer towards me. I want to back away, but between his moody scent and his black suit, which always melts me I find it hard. I just know that I’m not about to give in. Not in a hurry.
“Well, if you’re taking me out to breakfast then you better be paying. You see if I have this assistant who comes into the office whenever she feels like it, and she demanded that I pay her to double the going rate.”
“Maybe you should sack her.”
He presses his lips against mine, “Maybe I will. But for now, you’re taking me out for breakfast.”
Then I take his hand and lead him out of his office. As we stop at the desk, which is supposed to be mine. Neil’s sitting there, and I smile at him, “Maybe next week if you’re free then you can join us.”
He nods his head, “That’ll be fun.”
Isaac says, “But she’s still paying.”
Then I loop my arm around his, and as we enter the elevator it’s empty, and I know as much as I’m trying hard to get. It’s not going to work with Isaac. Especially when I feel as if I’m kidding myself. We’ve had our time apart, but I want a relationship that’s built on trust. He’s going to have to earn it. Whether he likes it or not.
Three months later…
Epilogue
Olivia
The touch of Isaac’s warm skin awakens me. I feel the afterglow of last night. Isaac’s damn hot in bed. I lie looking at the rays of morning sunlight shining through the curtains at a spot on the floor, thinking that I could stay in bed all day. Of course, I know that isn’t going to happen. Isaac has marketing people to meet. We have to return to Houston. I don’t want to, because I would love to spend the whole day in bed. The way that we’ve been accustomed to doing on the odd weekend.
Isaac raises his head and glances at me.
“How long have you been awake? I thought you were still sleeping.”
“Not long, but I could stay in bed all day the way I am feeling. I thought that you were sleeping too.”
“Olivia, I need to go in later. But after we can spend time together.”
“I know I just feel lazy.”
“You can’t be lazy. You own the ranch, and there’ll be no rest for you. I’ll tell Dan to give you all the dirty jobs.”
“Ha, I’m his boss now, not you?” I move on top of Isaac, because he’s trying to wind me up and it’s not working. Maybe I’ll tempt him into staying in bed.
“You’re in a great mood this morning. Well, I have a lot to be thankful for, don’t you agree. Neil signed over the ranch, but he didn’t have to do that. I never asked him to.”
“Neither did I. But he wanted to leave. He hated staying here alone and he thought that three’s a crowd.”
I shrug, “Not really, you spend just as much time in the office as you do here. So, I could do with the company.”
He laughs, “Not when you have Autumn.”
I ignore his comment and ask, “Are you not fixing breakfast before you go?
“Maybe?”
I move off him and say, “Well I’ll like some scrambled eggs and toast please?” I kiss him on the cheek and head into the shower.
I missed the ranch when I moved out, that must be the most heartbreaking part of living in the city. The crazy part was when I was here, I used to dream about leaving. I used to think about living in the city. When I had the opportunity to do it. I hated it. Despised it with a passion.
As soon as I finish in the shower. I hear Isaac in the kitchen and decide to pop to the barn to see Autumn. I walk across the lawn toward the barn. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that Neil gave me the ranch and moved out. Having lived with him here for years, I know how much he loves the ranch.
I know I shouldn’t forgive Neil, but I can’t hold a grudge against him. I care for him too much. I take in a deep breathe as I enter the barn and let the smell of horses and hay percolate throughout my body. I know that if I had been forced to stay away from the ranch, a part of my soul would have withered, so much had I became a part of the ranch.
Autumn has her head out the stall looking for me as I approach. It’s funny how she always seems to know when I’m approaching her stall. “I missed you,” I tell her as I hug her neck. She nudges my pocket to see if I have brought her an apple. “No, I didn’t bring anything for you. Just me. I wish I could take time and give you a good brushing, but Isaac has to get back to the office.” I talk to her as though she’s a person. Well, to me maybe she is. When Neil and I lived on the ranch I used to spend so much time coming here and talking to her, especially whenever I felt lonely.
My phone’s vibrating in my back pocket I pick it up as I kiss Autumn on the forehead. “I’ve got to run,” I say as I walk away. I know that only one person would be calling me on my cell right now and that’s Isaac. Most likely to tell me that breakfast is ready.
As soon as I enter the kitchen I can smell toast and eggs. I glance at Isaac thinking that he’s really learning to cook and not feel the need to always go out to eat,“See that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“You’re just lucky I didn’t burn the toast. Did you look in on Buckskin?”
“No, I thought that you would do that before, you go to the office. His head’s outside the stall looking for you. When’s the last time you rode him?”
“Too long. After I get things settled in the office I want to do some riding.”
We both sit down to eat and both of us are avoiding looking at the chair. The one chair that Neil always sits in whenever he eats at the table is empty and it pulls a chord in my heart. Maybe I should just tell him that I don’t want this place?
Isaac eats so fast as if his life depends on it. I know that there’s no room for a conversation, let alone a discussion about Neil.
“Need to go,” he says as he pops the last bit of toast in his mouth.
I nod my head and then I walk behind him as he rushes to his car and then his car pulls out of the driveway, I found myself already missing the ranch. I really didn’t want to return to Houston, but it was necessary. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell what was going to become of Isaac and I.
When I first started working for the company I grew to enjoy the challenge of working for Isaac. You’d think that when his employees found out I was the boss’s girlfriend, they would cut me some slack. They were different from people around me. They didn’t care and no one battered an eyelash about our relationship in and out of the office.
The time I'd spent in the office was fun while it lasted. I proved to myself that I'm capable of doing more than just running a stable. It felt good to have issues and not run to Isaac, every time I faced a problem.
I loved going to lunch with the other secretaries. They would invite me, and we would sit and gossip. Everyone wanted to know what it was like with Isaac.
“We can't believe that he's found happiness again after..”
No one wanted to say her name. It was as if there would be a cloud of darkness at the mention of her name.
“Dede. I know about her, and he's come a long way from it all. He's healed, and he's moving on from what happened in his past.”
“Good,” they would smile, but I wondered if part of them were disappointed that there wasn’t any gossip about our relationship or even more about the boss. Even if our friendships weren’t real, they had treated me better than some of the people in town that I’ve known my whole life.
I get up and clear the table and then I hear a familiar voice behind me, “I could do that?”
I turn around and hug him, “Neil, you came back?”
He nods, “I couldn’t stay away from this place. Do you mind if I stay for a little while?”
I push him back and say, “You really are stubborn. This is your home. I don’t care what it says on paper. You can stay here as long as you want.”
He shakes his head, “But I don’t like the way that you look at me, or the fact that you don’t trust me.”
I agree with him and say, “If you want things to change then you have to change it.”
He takes out his hand and says, “You got a deal!”
I hug him one more time and say, “You really are an old fool and I love you. And Isaac does too. He’s going to be thrilled that you’ve come back.”
He winks, “He his, he’s bringing my things into the house right now.”
I laugh as I think about the two men in my life. They’re a handful, but I feel proud because before I didn’t have any family. I had no one that really loved me and although Neil had hurt me and done things the wrong way. I knew that he loved me. He’d showed me when he handed me his home, took up a meaningless job and the pity in his eyes right now. I shouldn’t let the old man suffer, because as angry as I was in the past. It’s truly buried, and that’s the only way to move forward with a happy new beginning.