Chapter Twenty-Nine

Harper

“You’re doing what?” Jillian exclaimed when she called me up that morning. I’d just detailed what had happened with the storm and how I was going out on the big outdoor experience anyway. “I thought you didn’t want to do that anyway. That was the thing you were dreading the most.”

I laughed. “I know. What the hell has happened to me? Maybe I’ve been abducted or something.”

“Or maybe you’re in love.”

“In love?” I said a little bit too loudly. “With Travis?”

“Duh. Who else?”

“No, I’m not in love with Travis. Although I am very much in lust with him. He’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“And amazing in bed?”

“And amazing in bed,” I said and giggled. “Oh, and he saved me! Did I tell you that?”

“No! What happened?”

“We were out in the storm and this tool came flying at me from this crazy wind that had picked up. He somehow managed to push me down on the ground so that it flew straight past me instead.”

“Are you kidding me? This is seriously starting to sound more and more like one of these crazy romantic books. I always think they’re so far-fetched, but I’m not sure anymore. This sounds amazing.”

“Well, you were right. I obviously needed to get away and I needed a bit of a holiday fling. It’s not love but it sure is a whole lot of fun.”

“I’m happy for you, Harper. You sound more relaxed than I’ve heard you sound in years. But do me a favor and be careful out there, okay? Any sign of a storm approaching and make sure you head back or get yourself under some shelter. I do still want to see my best friend in one piece when you get back.”

I smiled. “I’ll be careful. I promise. I can’t believe I’m going to see you again so soon. I know it hasn’t been that long but it feels like I’ve been here for a lot longer.”

“For me too. I miss you. And I have so much to tell you.”

“Oh yeah? Things with Thomas going well then?” I asked although I knew what the answer would be anyway. I could hear by the tone in her voice that she was happy and in love.

“Oh yeah. Very well,” she swooned. “Better than ever really. But this is all conversations I’d rather have to face to face. So hurry up and get back. And while you’re there, have the best time ever.”

I giggled. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

Now that I’d slept with Travis, it didn’t seem like such a big deal to keep doing it until we left. It was strange how easy it felt to be around him and how neither of us felt awkward at the end of the sex. We just got along so well. Anyway, I really was looking forward to the big outdoor experience. I felt like I had come too far not to at least experience it. I had already learned so much about myself since being out here and I wouldn’t mind finding out a bit more.

I met Travis at the stables and we saddled up. I had a small bag packed with a change of clothes and a few things, but I saw that Travis had a whole lot more. I assumed it was the tent that we were going to have to put up. I was more than likely going to make a big fool of myself as I’d never put one up before, but I didn’t care too much anymore. Travis was the sort of guy that appreciated a person that tried despite the odds against them. We climbed on the horses and headed out. The more we rode, the more the clouds began to part and the more relaxed I started to feel. We talked a little as we rode but it wasn’t always easy to have a proper conversation while up on the horses. So, for the most part, we rode in silence. There was something about being out in nature and allowing myself to relax in stillness for a while that made me feel more myself than ever before. No matter what happened when I got home, I was going to have to adopt a bit of this policy going forward. I could feel that this was good for the mind, body and the soul.

“Should we take a break by the stream?” Travis asked once we’d been riding for a few hours.

I nodded. “Sounds good to me.” I had already spotted that stream and had been hoping for a bit of a break. But I didn’t want to be the first to suggest it. I still sometimes felt an overwhelming desire to prove myself to Travis.

We climbed off and walked to the stream with the horses, where we sat down under a tree to get some shade. There were still some dark clouds in the distance, but for the most part the sky was clear and the air was warm.

“Ah, this is nice,” I said. I looked at the time in surprise. “Wow, we’ve been out here for a while already. Time flies.”

He smiled. “Yeah, and I’m starving. Want something to eat?”

I grinned. “I’d love something to eat.”

Travis pulled out a sandwich and handed it to me. It was a simple sandwich with nothing more than cheese, tomato, and chicken, but it was delicious.

“This is so good,” I said. “I’m not sure if it’s because I’m just out here in nature or because I’m so hungry, but it tastes better than a fancy lunch ever could. And trust me, I’m very used to going out to eat only the best food out there.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you are. Well, I think it’s a combination of things. First, I think you do appreciate more simple food when you’re out here. You’re also hungrier from being outdoors. Also, and this is probably the biggest reason, these sandwiches were made by Allison.”

I burst out laughing. “How does she do it? She’s incredible.”

“I know. I don’t know how Mike is so slim. Although, I have noticed a bit of a belly on him, which I’m not letting him live down. He’s lucky to have her though. I think all the work he does outside probably keeps him fit.”

I laughed at that. “Can you imagine if he lived in the city? He’d be very chubby.”

“Well, you live in city and you’re not chubby,” he said and smiled at me. I couldn’t help the flush that spread over my face. He’d seen me naked after all. So he knew what he was talking about.

“Thank you. Uh, well, I might not be outdoors a lot but I am constantly on the move. I never stop moving with my job. I’m always rushing from one client to the next. And I go to the gym. I’m a little too busy though. I never thought that until now. I thought my life was pretty perfect. I had no idea I was missing out on all of this,” I said and gestured to the air around me.

“Didn’t you do many country trips growing up?” he asked. “Have you always been a city girl?”

I nodded. “Oh yeah. I’m a New Yorker through and through. It’s all I know really. I mean, I’ve done the odd trip out over the years. But very little, and even then I never did this. I never just lay out in the fresh air like this. To be honest, Travis, until this trip I never truly understood it all. I thought it was overrated. I thought people were just trying to convince themselves that this life was better.”

“And you don’t think so anymore?”

“Well, let’s just put it this way… I was convinced that having a picnic at Central Park was the equivalent of a country experience. So that’s how little I knew.”

“Well, I mean, it’s still the outdoors I guess,” he said and I could see he was just trying to make me feel better. Which was sweet of him.

I shook my head. “No. It’s great there, but you’re just surrounded by people and noise. And when you look around you, all you see are tall buildings. It’s not the same. Not the same at all. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the city.”

“Oh, I know, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said and I couldn’t help but wonder why such a strange look crossed his face when he said it. “There’s nothing wrong with the city. Not everyone necessarily needs to live out in the country to enjoy its beauty, but everyone should still at least experience it. At least once in their lives. Or, maybe once every few years. You know, just to take a break from the hustle and bustle. But, on the other side of the coin, people from the country should also go out and enjoy the city. The world is big and we should be experiencing it all.”

I wondered what he meant by that. Did he mean that he wanted to experience the city with me? I was too afraid to ask. The day was too perfect to ruin. Instead I turned to look at him. Our sandwiches were finished now and we were both lying on our backs, just looking up at the branches of the big tree.

“You know what I haven’t experienced yet?” I said.

“What’s that?”

“Well, I’ve never had sex outside.” The moment I said the words, I was surprised by my bravery and forwardness, but by the way Travis was looking at me, I knew I had said the right thing.

“Is that so? Well, you’re in luck then. It’s actually part of the whole dude ranch experience.”

I giggled. “Oh yeah? I didn’t see that in brochure.”

“It’s not something we advertise. It’s a little something extra we like to give our clients. End their time with a bang, if you know what I mean…”

“Well then, I’m very glad that they are not here,” I said. “I mean… I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but having Jackson here would’ve ruined things a bit for me.”

We laughed easily with one another and then Travis pulled me toward him. The wind picked up for a brief moment. Just enough so that a few leaves fell onto us. I laughed and didn’t even bother brushing them off me. For my first outdoor experience, this was by far exceeding my expectations. It didn’t take long for the gentle kisses to turn fervent. I stood up, and slowly took my clothes off, piece by piece, while he watched me. I couldn’t believe I was standing out in the middle of nowhere naked, the sun rays streaming down onto my body. There was nowhere to hide out here. Travis took off his own clothes and smiled up at me.

“You’re so beautiful, Harper.”

I watched as he fished a condom out of the pocket of his crumpled pants and put it on, and I didn’t bother asking him why he had one with him. The fact that he had planned for this to happen with me actually made me very happy. It was always nice to be wanted, especially since I wanted him so much too. I blushed as I felt my skin prickle at a slight breeze, then lay down on top of him, pressing my lips against his in a soft, sweet kiss as he slipped inside me. Then I sat up and straddled him so that he could see my body as I rode him. He reached up for my breasts, squeezing them in his hands while caressing my nipples, a small smile playing on his face. I closed my eyes, feeling the wind touch my face, and the warming my back as we moved in perfect rhythm with one another. For a while, I forgot where we were or how exposed we were. I knew that we were so far out there was no chance of anyone walking past. But even if someone did I wasn’t sure if I would’ve seen or heard them. I was too fully absorbed in the moment. Too happy to care.

Afterwards, he looked at me and smiled. We were still lying together without any clothes on, neither of us wanting the moment to be over.

“How was your first outdoor experience?” he asked.

I smiled. “It was perfect. Although, I do hope it’s not going to be the last.”

“I’ll be sure to add it into our schedule. Sadly, I think you’ve made Thunder very sad,” he said and pointed to the horse who had walked out into the distance with his head down. He was just eating grass but from where we were looking it really seemed like he was upset and forlorn.

“Poor thing,” I said. “I hate to break his heart.”

“Well, he’s in luck, because I think we better get moving. Are you ready to go again?”

I grinned. “Let’s do it! Also, I’ll be sure to let Mike and Allison know what a perfect host you’ve been. You really should get a raise for this.”

He laughed. “Oh, I’ve gotten a raise, all right.”