“The land goes for miles,” Jada exclaimed, glancing around the ranch. “How many acres is this?”
“We own about three hundred. Our family used to own more, but we’ve sold off quite a bit as the years went by.”
They’d arrived at the main house. He’d given her a small tour, promising more later. He’d quickly put together a lunch from items he had found left over in the kitchen. They had walked out to the stables so that they could go on their ride and picnic he’d planned.
Reiner laughed at the excitement embedded on Jada’s face as she twirled around looking at the property. She had switched out of her heels and threw on a pair of flat sandals. He watched her lean against the wooden fence, closing her eyes, and took a deep breath.
His city girl loved the country air.
When did she become his city girl?
He chuckled, making his way over to her. He entrapped her with his arms bracing along the fence. She turned around and leaned back, tipping her head to meet his eyes with hers. Her face was relaxed and filled with joy.
His heart slammed against his chest as he stared down at her. He was so used to women chasing him for his money and the celebrity status, but not Jada. She couldn’t care less about the money and fame. She was truly with him for him.
“Are you ready to meet Sammy?” he rasped.
She reached up and pulled him to her, closing the gap between him. His cock pushed forward, demanding to be let out.
Realization dawned on him that he wanted Jada Dalton and he didn’t know if he could keep his promise.
He didn’t want to be a gentleman.
He wanted to haul her over his shoulder and toss her in the nearest bed and plunge his cock deep within her. He wanted to see her lose control when she climaxed on his cock. He wanted to lock them away for days so that he could take his time learning what made her tick.
Her eyes darkened as if she knew what he was thinking. She smiled at him, her sassiness coming forward.
“Well, of course, sugar,” she drawled in a fake southern accent.
He let loose a growl and swooped in, crushing his lips to hers, no longer able to resist from taking a taste of her again. She gasped, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth. He slid his hands to her jean-encased ass, loving how she fit nicely in his large hands.
The kiss was hot, wet, and symbolized what was in store for them once they got behind closed doors.
The sound of a plane flying low off in the distance broke the spell. He pulled back, his chest rising fast trying to catch his breath. Jada’s eyes remained closed as she leaned her forehead on him.
“I can’t seem to keep my hands off you,” he growled, tipping her head up to him.
She opened her desire-filled eyes.
“But I didn’t fly you to Texas just to take advantage of you.”
“Maybe I want you to,” she breathed.
He tightened his grip on her ass and pushed his hardened length on her belly to let her see what she did to him.
“Don’t tempt me, Jada. I promised you I would be a gentleman and I always keep my promises.” He reached up with his thumb and ran it along her plump bottom lip, swollen from his kisses. The image of her lips around his cock flashed before his eyes, and he held back a groan.
Later, he promised himself. Later, he would forget about being a gentleman.
“Well, cowboy. Why don’t you introduce me to Sammy?” She smiled and ran her hand along his chest.
He grabbed her hand in his and entwined their fingers and pulled her behind him.
“Come on. Let’s go meet Sammy and the gang,” he said. He had to put a little distance between them, before he ended up taking her right here in the grass.
He refused to have their first time be on the ground near the stable.
“Okay. Anything I should know about meeting a horse for the first time?” she asked with a nervous chuckle.
“Just be yourself,” he encouraged, looking down at her. Her face was full of excitement, and he knew she’d be fine. He guided her into the stables and was greeted with a few snorts from the horses as they came to their openings to see who had entered the building.
“Wow, this is larger than I imagined,” Jada breathed, looking around.
“Not only do we keep our horses here, but sometimes we board neighbors’ horses if they are going to be out of town for a while.”
He led her to the stall where Sammy was patiently waiting.
“Oh, my. She’s beautiful.”
Jada leaned against his arm, and he couldn’t help bringing her underneath the crook of it. He loved the feeling of her softer body against his hardened one. He laid a kiss on the top of her head as she cooed to Sammy.
The filly’s ears flickered while she took in Jada with her intelligent eyes.
“Here. I think she should have some treats over there somewhere.” He moved away and found where his mother kept the stash of apples and carrots for the horses. He handed Jada a long carrot.
“You want me to feed her?” Her eyes widened, and she glanced back at the horse.
“Yes. Let her get to know you. She’s as gentle as a calm breeze.” He moved Jada in front of him and kept his hands on her waist. He bit back a groan at the feeling of her perky ass pressed against the front of his jeans. He tried to will his cock down, but it had a mind of its own. “Just hold it out and let her come to you.”
Jada released a giggle following his commands. Just as he’d said, Sammy took a few steps forward, breathing in Jada’s scent before she gently took the carrot from her.
“Did you see that? She’s amazing!” Jada hopped around, spinning to him with a wide grin plastered on her face.
“Yes, amazing,” he murmured. Only he wasn’t talking about the horse. His thoughts were on how amazing this woman in front of him was.
“She’s so beautiful,” Jada squeaked. Sammy butted her head from behind, demanding more carrots.
Reiner laughed, watching Jada giggle and rub Sammy’s head, and he could see they would be fast friends.
He jogged away and grabbed his wide-brimmed hat and a smaller one that belonged to his sister. He knew she wouldn’t mind if someone borrowed it. He walked back to Jada and placed the hat on her head. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as she spun, playfully modeling the hat.
“Is it me?” she asked, giving him a wink.
“It’s perfect. Let’s go for our ride. We’ll make a cowgirl of you yet.”
“How can you live in the city if you grew up here?” Jada gushed, looking around the beautiful landscape. She had been afraid that she would fall off Sammy, but the horse was just as Reiner had described. She was a saint. She was calm where Jada was a nervous wreck. Sammy followed Reiner on his horse. After a while, Jada had finally calmed down when they entered a tree-lined lake with a magnificent view. She could see a few docks along the water.
“I can come back whenever I want. Especially on the off season,” Reiner said over his shoulder. He slowed his horse to allow Sammy to come to his side. “I’m glad you like it here. Texas is a part of me. Sometimes, I need to come home and breathe in the fresh air.”
She turned her head and took in Reiner on his horse with his hat pulled low on his head. He was the epitome of cowboy. She never knew she had a thing for cowboys. Maybe it was him. She bit her lip as their eyes met.
“What?” he asked, his lips tilted up in the corner.
“Nothing.” She smiled shyly, embarrassed at being caught staring at him. Just watching him in this element, she forgot that he was a football legend. Here, she could see that he was just Reiner.
“Come on. Let’s feed you. I packed us a small lunch.”
She watched him gracefully dismount his horse. She looked around and knew that she didn’t know the first thing about getting down off Sammy without ungracefully diving facefirst onto the ground. Reiner walked over to her and held his hands up for her.
“Come on. I got you,” he murmured.
She tossed her leg over as he pulled her from the saddle. He picked her up as if she weighed no more than a feather.
She bit back a groan when her body slid down his. Her breasts were achingly aware of his hard muscular chest. His length pressed into her stomach, causing her to release a gasp.
Her eyes flew to his, and she could see the flame of desire in his eyes. She swallowed hard for she was sure the same was reflected in hers.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
He jerked his head in a nod. He grabbed her hand and led her over to his horse. He snagged the bags before guiding over to a grassy knoll underneath a large tree that gave them shade away from the sun.
“Don’t you need to secure them or something?” she asked.
“No. They won’t go anywhere. They’ll go down and get a drink from the lake and graze.”
She watched him unfold a plaid blanket and spread it out beneath the tree. It gave them a nice amount of shade from the high sun. She turned, and as he’d said, both horses had ambled down to the lake.
“Do you need help?” she asked, turning back to him.
“Nope. Lunch is served.” He waved his hand for her to take a seat on the blanket.
She laughed watching him whip out a couple of sandwiches, fruit, and a few bottles of cold water.
“Thank you.” She kicked her sandals off and took her place on the blanket next to him. Her stomach growled, announcing it was time to eat.
They ate their lunch while making idle conversation. It was hard for Jada to concentrate on anything but the man beside her. By the time they’d finished their lunch, he had put away their trash and stretched out on the blanket beside her.
“This is so relaxing. I see why you escape here when you get the chance,” she said, taking off her borrowed hat and setting it on the ground on top of her sandals.
“Here I can get away from the media, the limelight, and just be me.” He created a makeshift pillow from his bags. His hat was long gone from his head.
Her fingers ached to run themselves through his hair.
“I’m glad you like it here. Most city girls wouldn’t be caught dead coming to the country.”
“I’m not most city girls,” she said, tilting her head to the side as she looked at him.
His eyes flashed to hers.
“I know,” he agreed. He reached up and tugged her to him.
She fell across his chest with a laugh lodged in her throat. Her eyes met his, and she could see the stark need in his. She shifted her body to lay next to his.
He propped up on his elbow, his face above hers. He moved in and covered her lips with his. She gasped, his lips coaxing hers open to allow his tongue to enter.
His tongue gently caressed her as he swept inside her mouth. Her fingers made their way to his thick hair, finding it to be as soft and silky as she knew it to be.
He leaned farther over her, a growl escaping from his chest. Her legs automatically opened, allowing him to settle between them. Her heart pounded with the knowledge of what was to happen. If he asked for her body, she was going to give it to him.