Tori woke up the next morning, threw on some jean shorts and a tank top, and wandered into the kitchen still half asleep. Scott and his parents were noisy, early risers. It was seven am on a Sunday for fuck sakes.
“Morning, beautiful. Sit down and I’ll get you some coffee.” Scott’s chair scraped across the tile floor and before she knew it he had her arm, pulling out a chair for her. “I’ll take this for you,” he said as her cane disappeared from her hand.
“Thanks.” Tori yawned and ran her fingers through her hair.
Scott’s heavy footsteps crossed the kitchen.
“Did you sleep well?” Wayne asked. A newspaper rustled, and Tori imagined him peering over it at her with glasses sliding off his nose. She had no idea if he wore glasses, but that’s how she saw him in her head. An older, grayer version of Scott, skin wrinkled from hours in the sun with calloused hands from his manual labor.
“I slept great, thanks.” Once Scott kicked the damn cat out of our room. She grinned and took a deep breath. The aroma of fresh-baked bread and bacon wafted through the room. “Something smells heavenly.”
“Mom made biscuits, gravy, bacon and eggs.” A mug hit the table in front of her.
“Coffee's in front of you. Want a plate?”
“Some bacon and eggs would be great. I’ll pass on the biscuits.” She patted her stomach. “Better stay away from the carbs.”
“Please, honey,” Judith scoffed. “You’re too skinny anyway, you could use a little meat on your bones. They’re homemade.”
“Ok, fine, just one, but then you take me on a run, Scott. Deal?”
“Deal.” The clink of the porcelain plate hitting the stack caught her attention as he prepared her a plate.
Wayne let out a little laugh as the newspaper rustled again. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but how on earth do you two manage that?”
“Pfft. Who do you think you’re talking to?” Scott scoffed. “I can rig anything up.” He crossed the room to her. The plate hit the wood on the table. Scott put his hand on her back and leaned in to her ear. “Bacon ten, eggs two, mom’s homemade biscuits at six, fork to the right.” He leaned back up. His chair scraped as he sat and went right along with his story, as if that small exchange that meant volumes to her was absolutely nothing to him. “Blind runners do marathons all the time with sighted guides. I tether her arm to mine and we take off. Easy-peasy.”
Tori grimaced. It wasn’t as simple as he made it out to be, but they managed. On the turnaround the other day, for example, she’d tripped, almost taking them both to the pavement.
“There are some lovely paved trails nearby that Wayne and I walk. You two should go there after church,” Judith remarked.
Tori’s fork slipped and clanked loudly on the plate. “Church?” Tori swallowed her mouthful. Scott hadn’t said anything about church being on the agenda.
“Well, of course. It’s Sunday, after all,” Judith said. “Pastor hasn’t seen Scott since he was a teenager and I’d love to show you off, Victoria.”
She must have looked like a deer in the headlights. She dug her nails into Scott’s thigh.
“Dear, I’m sure they’re exhausted from the flight. We don’t expect you two to go.” Wayne came to her rescue.
Tori wasn’t a hugger, but she could have jumped across the table and flung her arms around the man in that moment.
“Yeah, Mom, we’re pretty worn out, maybe another time.” Scott squeezed Tori’s hand on his lap.
“Fine, but next Sunday I’m not taking no for an answer,” Judith said. There was no way they would get out of it the following week. She was learning one thing, you don’t argue with Scott’s mom. After all, Judith was already displeased that they were sleeping in the same bedroom.
“We’re going to the hospital to see Dawn and the baby after church. We’ll be back around supper. Scott, when do you plan to go see the baby?”
There it was again. Subject of babies. Her ears warmed. “We can go this afternoon,” Tori blurted out. If they kept avoiding it, Judith would wonder why.
Scott cleared his throat. “Yeah, sure. This afternoon.”
“So,” Wayne continued. “I need to head out and feed the animals and then we can go, Dear.”
All that property, with horses. She’d nearly forgotten. “Oh, Scott, you have to take me out there and show me around!” she exclaimed.
“Uh huh,” Scott mumbled. “In a little bit, I need to go make a quick call. Make sure the team made their flight.” Scott left the table.
“Why don’t you finish up your food and you can ride out there with me now?” Wayne suggested. “You can help me feed the animals and I’ll show you around.”
Tori’s heart rapped against her chest thinking about heading out there without Scott by her side. “Don’t you need help cleaning up first, Judith?”
“You go on out there. I’ve got the dishes today,” Judith ordered, then added, “I insist.”
“Ok.” Tori wasn’t about to argue with Scott’s mom when she just got off the hook for church. “Sounds fun.” She scarfed down her food and stood from the table, having no idea where Scott placed her cane, but before she knew it Wayne was on it.
“Here you go, sweetheart,” he said handing it to her, taking her arm and wrapping it around his. His arm was almost as thick and solid as Scott’s was.
He led her out the back door, turned toward what she thought was the side of the house. “Getting in the Ranger here; watch your head.” He guided her into the passenger seat.
“Thank you.” She placed her cane between her legs and over her shoulder as he turned the key and they took off with a slight jolt, making Tori squeal.
Wayne chuckled, amused. “So, we have twenty acres of property out here. We have a little bit of cattle, some for dairy, some for beef. We also have the horses and some chickens. They lay fresh eggs, like you had this morning. Judith has a nice garden growing as well.”
A few moments later the vehicle came to a halt and the smell of manure stung her nostrils. They were near the livestock. She stood and placed her finger against her nose, wrinkling it a bit at the stench.
“Yeah, you have city-girl nose.” Wayne gave a hearty laugh. “You get used to it after a while.” He took her by the arm. “This is the barn I’m taking you to,” he explained as the tall grass scratched against her ankles.
Her mind painted a picture of an old, red barn, faded and weathered over the past several years. As they walked inside, she could smell the hay. It flooded her memories with grade school trips to the petting zoo.
Scott’s dad explained to her what he was doing as he fed the cows, and she leaned against the rail listening, twirling her hair between her fingertips. “So, do you have to milk them also?”
“Yes; you want to try it?”
“Oh god,” Tori snickered. “I don’t think so…”
“Oh, don’t be a girly girl. You’re tougher than that, I can tell.”
Her breath hitched in her throat as déjà vu washed over her.
“Whatchya doin, Daddy?” Tori had pattered out to the garage.
“Changing the tire. Wanna learn?”
Six-year-old Tori giggled. “I’m too little, Daddy.”
“Don’t be a girly girl. You can do this.” Her dad scooped her onto his lap.
Tori swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears in her eyes as Wayne took her by the hand. “Sit here.” He placed her hand on the stool, leaning down next to her after she sat. “Now hold the bucket between your legs.” He placed the bucket between her knees and tapped on Tori’s leg. “She’s pretty gentle, but you don’t want her to kick it over if she gets feisty.”
“Oh, goodness.” Tori squeezed her legs around the bucket. Beads of sweat formed on her brow and her heart was thumping out of her chest. She’d never been this uncomfortable in her entire life.
“What’s her name?” Tori reached her trembling hand out and touched the cow.
“Her name is Sugar,” Wayne replied. “She’s mostly all white, like sugar.”
“Let’s hope she’s sweet like sugar too.” Tori grinned and stroked the cow.
The animal huffed at Tori’s touch and let out a loud groaning moo.
Tori squealed and yanked her hand back.
Wayne let out yet another hearty laugh and she busted out with her own giggle after the shock settled.
He laughed just like Scott.
Her chest warmed.
“She’s just getting to know ya, now calm down.” Wayne patted Tori on the back as his laughter died down. “Now, give me your hands.” He took Tori’s hands into his. “I’m going to put some Vaseline on ya.” Before she knew it, her palms were covered with slimy goo. “Now grab the front left and back right udder, you want to go diagonal.” He guided her to the cow’s tits and she cringed. “Hold the base like this and extend your thumb and first finger so that it fills your whole palm.”
“Like this?”
“Yes; now squeeze down to push out the milk.” He pulled her fingers. “Keep your grip on the base of the teat so that the milk doesn't flow back up into the udder.”
The milk flowed in the bucket. “Holy shit! I’m milking a cow,” she exclaimed, then grimaced realizing she’d cussed in front of Scott’s dad. She sounded so unladylike. “Sorry, didn’t mean to curse.”
He laughed again, from his belly—strong and loud. “It doesn’t bother me one bit. Judith sings sweetly with the choir on Sunday, but can cuss like a sailor Monday through Saturday when the preacher ain’t around. Just don’t ever say the big F word in front of her. She’ll whack you upside the head for that one.” He let go of her hands. “Good. Now, don’t jerk or yank the teats. Be gentle, yet firm.”
“Ok, now I can see you’re almost done there because they’re nearly deflated now. Switch to the opposite two.” Tori could tell the difference through touch; the others were quite full in comparison.
They finished and washed up, and he led her out of the barn.
“Where are we going now?” Tori asked.
“Just a few more feet and we’ll be at the corral.” He placed her hand on the railing. “Here we are. The horses are roaming the area, but this should get them over here.”
“Food?” She guessed as he placed some feed into her hand.
A loud whistle rang in her ear as galloping approached them. She extended her shaky hand with Wayne’s help and giggled as the horse ate straight from her hand.
“So, is my boy treating you good?” Wayne asked.
“Too good.” Tori gave him a lopsided grin, stroking the horse’s mane. She loved the texture of the soft mane under her fingertips—much more pleasant than milking a cow.
“Protective of you, is he?”
She could feel his intense gaze studying her. “So, you noticed as well?” She nodded and let out a sigh.
“I take it you don’t like that?”
“It can get a bit smothering.”
Jesus, Tori did you just say that aloud? Open mouth, insert foot.
Wayne guffawed a bit.
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate it,” Tori backpedaled. “I mean, you raised an amazing man. He tries to protect me from me. He’s overly protective, and so accommodating of me. To the extent that if something goes wrong he blames himself for not watching out for me enough. Then it gets in this vicious cycle of guilt. He feels bad, then I feel bad that he feels bad.” Tori chuckled wryly.
“And you fear he’ll grow weary of that?”
Tori’s work colleagues were still guarded when they spoke to her. People feared the unfamiliar. She could even tell Becca was uncomfortable with her yesterday. Keith, Jane and Scott were about all she had left that treated her somewhat normal.
“Yes, part of me does.” She bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t believe she was being so candid. Being around Wayne reminded her somewhat of being around her dad. That familiar ache—a longing for a father yearned within her.
“I tried to warn him, gave him a get-out-of-jail-free card.” She laughed nervously. She didn’t know why she told his father that—maybe because she feared they would believe Scott was with her out of some noble obligation to be a valiant protector of the pitiful blind girl. Hell, that was still her biggest fear and it was screaming louder every day.
“Scotty has never bitten off more than he can chew.” The fence creaked as he leaned against it. She imagined him crossing his arms like Scott always did. “He’s never backed down from something he wants, even if it challenges him.” Wayne quieted for a moment.
“What are you two up to?” Scott’s voice boomed from behind her.
Tori turned toward his voice and flashed a megawatt grin. “I milked a cow!”
“You what?” Scott snorted. “I don’t believe it.” She could just imagine his jaw on the ground.
“She did.” Wayne defended her. “Did a damn good job too; look, I have proof.”
“Did you take a photo of me, Wayne?” Tori cocked her head to the side. “That was sneaky.”
“He sure did. Oh, my goodness, send this to me, Dad.” Scott laughed as he eyed the photo. “I’m sorry that I missed seeing that.” Scott ruffled Tori’s hair and squeezed the back of her neck.
“We may turn her into a Texan this weekend,” Wayne said.
Tori held her hand up in protest and chuckled. “Let’s not go crazy now.”
Wayne laughed and patted her on the shoulder. “Well, I better head to church. You two enjoy your morning.” His footsteps gradually faded in the grass.
“I still can’t believe you milked a cow,” Scott shouted as he walked over to the barn and grabbed a saddle.
“Shit. You can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.” She laughed. “I couldn’t say no to your dad though.” Tori stroked the horse’s soft mane. “What are you doing?” Tori tilted her head.
Scott slung the saddle over the fence. “Getting ready for a ride.”
“Well, that’s kinky. We may want to wait until your parents leave before you try and saddle me up and break me in.” Tori flashed a wicked grin.
Scott doubled over, laughing. “I meant the horse, silly. Come here.” He grabbed Tori’s hand and opened the gate, shutting it behind them. He pulled her over by the horse and reached down into a bucket, grabbing a brush. “Help me get her ready.” Scott placed the brush in Tori’s hand, with his hand on top of hers and moved their hands down the side of the horse, showing her how to get the loose hair off the animal. Scott took the saddle pad and dusted it clean.
“Why do we have to brush her?” Tori asked.
“We don’t want her to shake off loose hair while you’re on her back and drop you.”
“Oh Jesus.” Tori cringed.
Scott grinned, noticing she was now taking extra care to be meticulous about the grooming.
“It’ll be fine.” He grabbed the brush and finished up, placing the blanket on the back of the horse followed by the saddle, tightening and securing all the straps.
“Does the saddle hurt her?”
“Nah.” Scott shook his head. “If it did, she’d let us know.” He put on the bridle. “All right, she’s ready for you.” He patted the side of the horse.
Scott grabbed Tori’s left hand and placed it up on the horse’s mane, setting her right hand on the saddle. “Give me your left leg.” Scott tapped it. She lifted it and he guided it into the stirrup. “Now didn’t I buy you boots? These are not proper riding shoes.” Scott frowned, glancing at her Converse shoes.
“I’m sorry but you didn’t tell me that horseback riding was on the agenda.” She smirked.
Scott chuckled. “I’m gonna give you a big boost. I want you to pull up and sling your right leg over. Got it?”
Tori swallowed hard. “Ok.”
“On three; one two three.” Scott boosted her up, she swung her leg over, and she was on. “Good job, baby.” He walked around and made sure both her feet were in the stirrups.
“Ok, you climbing up now?”
“Nope, this is all you.” Scott grinned wide. “Riding double isn’t good on the horse.”
Tori made a sour face and placed her hands on her hips. “Now what the hell am I supposed to do without you up here?”
Scott peered up at her and squinted as the sunlight glowed behind her, bouncing off her blonde waves. She was positively stunning sitting on top of the majestic animal. He wanted to remember this moment. “You’re gonna sit there pretty for a minute while I take your picture, because you look hot as fuck on that horse.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Scott, seriously?” Tori groaned.
Tori had issues being photographed since she couldn’t make eye contact with the camera, but she was going to have to get over that. He wanted to capture as many moments of her has he could.
“Just tilt your head down toward my voice and smile, babe,” Scott instructed. “You look beautiful.”
“You’re killing me, Smalls…” Tori sighed and flashed a grin as he snapped the photo.
He stuffed the phone back in his pocket, took the reins, and led her around the corral for a bit. “You ready to try it on your own?”
“I can’t…” Tori bit her lip.
“Yes; you can.” Scott placed the reigns in Tori’s hands. “Squeeze her side gently and she’ll go forward. To turn, you just tighten the rein the direction you want to go and press in with the opposite leg,” Scott explained. “I won’t let you run into anything. I’ll tell you when to turn. You’ve got this.”
“Ok.” Tori took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.
“Ok, squeeze gently.”
Tori did as he said, and moved forward.
“Good, now go left by—”
“Tugging to the left and pushing with right foot. I’ve got it!” Tori shouted back.
“Ok, pull back and make her go straight again.” Tori did.
He led her around the area with verbal cues for a few more minutes and had her round back to him.
Scott reached up and placed his hand on her thigh. “Ok pull your right leg out and swing back over. I’ve got you.” He helped Tori dismount the horse, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you.” She smiled as he gave her a kiss.
“Did you enjoy that?” He loved that beautiful, wide grin on her face and was so damn happy he’d put it there.
“Much more than milking a cow—that’s for damn sure.” She chuckled. “Now, how about that run? I need to work off breakfast.” Tori patted her belly.
“Sounds like a plan.” Scott grabbed her by the hand.
Scott shut the front door behind him, coming back inside after their run on a nearby trail.
“I’m gonna go take a shower, then we can figure out lunch,” Tori said. “I’m a sweaty mess.”
She looked perfect to him.
“Why don’t we hop in the pool for a swim to cool off?” Scott suggested.
“Sure.” Tori angled herself toward the bedroom. “Just let me go get my suit.”
Scott wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her neck. “Who said anything about needing a suit?”
“At your parents’ house? While they’re at church?” She giggled. “Are you crazy?”
“What?” He shrugged. “You were game for me to strap a saddle on you out at the barn.”
“I was teasing!”
“Seriously. They’re gone all day, won’t be home for hours. We’ve got the whole place to ourselves and not a neighbor in sight.” He spun her around and pulled her shirt over her head, throwing it on the floor.
She placed her hands on her hips, letting him admire her. The tight compression shorts and hot pink sports bra she wore were complemented by the sweat trickling down her belly. She looked so damn good Scott could hardly contain himself. He tugged at his aching cock.
“You’re terrible.” She reached down and searched for her lost shirt.
He pulled his sticky shirt off over his head, discarding it next to hers, grabbed her by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. “Scott!” She squealed, writhing against his muscles.
He carried her outside and planted her feet on the ground. “You better finish stripping or else you’re going in with your clothes on.” He sat on the bench and pulled off his shoe.
Tori pulled off her sneakers and socks, then tossed them to the pavement. “What about your leg?” Her brow furrowed. “You can’t swim with it.” Tori clutched her belly, laughing. “Or did you pack your fin?”
“You just get your snarky ass naked and don’t worry about me,” he ordered.
He stood up, yanked off his shorts and sauntered over to her wearing nothing but his prosthetic running leg as she discarded her bra.
With a swift tug, Scott pulled down her shorts, exposing her naked ass to the sunlight outside. He gripped her cheeks as her hands traced the veins on his muscular forearms. Tori leaned in and planted those pouty lips to his, pressing her bare breasts up against his chest.
He scooped her up again, carried her over toward the water, and planted her on the first step. “You have three steps down and then you’re in the shallow end. I’ll be right there.” She waded into the pool.
Scott plopped his butt down on the edge of the pool, in the deeper end, pulled off his prosthetic and eased down into the refreshing water. He grinned and ducked under without making a noise, swimming over to Tori. Coming up from behind, he grabbed her legs and pulled her under with him.
She sucked in a deep breath and squealed as they broke the surface. “Sneaky bastard!”
He wiped the water from his beard and nose and laughed. “I was a SEAL. I learned to be stealthy.” Underwater was probably the only way he could sneak up on her. Her ears didn’t miss much.
Tori folded her arms around his neck, running her fingers through the back of his damp hair. He crushed his lips to hers. Her smooth, slippery, wet skin pressed up against him instantly causing him to grow stiff.
“Well, hello.” Tori tugged at his dick, licking her lips. She released his cock, leaned back and floated lazily on the water. Sun kissed droplets of water gleamed on her breasts as they peaked above the surface. Holy fucking shit, if she wasn’t the woman of his dreams. “Holy hell, you’re hot,” he breathed. “Do you know how many times as a teenage boy I swam in this pool fantasizing about having a beautiful, naked girl in here with me—and here you are?”
“Sixteen-year-old Scott would be so jealous of you right now.” Her lips puckered into a sexy, little smirk.
He tugged his aching cock as she stood, squeezing the water out of her hair. Glistening droplets dripped onto her erect, pink nipples.
Mine, all mine.
He wanted her body now. He’d have her heart forever.
He lunged forward using his one leg as momentum and pressed his body close to hers. Kissing her ferociously, he pushed her up to the step, cupping her breast in his hand as his tongue explored her mouth. He showered her with kisses, trailing down her neck while she leaned her head back toward the sky and a low, throaty sigh escaped her lips as his tongue grazed her collarbone. He took a finger and slid it into her pussy, pressing up on her sensitive bud. Her moans grew louder.
She turned her body slightly, angling herself above him and he followed her lead, sitting on the step. She straddled him and her smooth legs rubbed up against him as she reached underwater, grabbed his cock, and glided it into her pussy. The water lapped between their naked bodies with every thrust.
He adored the look of pleasure on her face. My God, she’s fucking beautiful. Thank you, God, for this woman, he thought as he felt for her clit, rubbing it in a gentle, circular motion as her thick, pouty lips parted.
She pulled him in close, pressing her breasts up against his chest. He loved the way their wet, naked skin slid against each other. Each thrust making their connection stronger.
Her palms planted on his cheeks. “More kisses,” she breathed.” Those tiny, delicate fingers stroked his beard as his lips crushed hers. “I can never get enough of those lips,” she breathed as she traced the curve of his mouth.
He closed his eyes and soaked in the pleasure of her soft touch.
“I can feel your grin—that damn devilish smile of yours.” A warm smile rested on her face. “The way your lip curls up on the left side right here.” She rolled her finger over his top lip. “Those perfectly straight, white teeth, that sexy dimple right…” she pressed her finger into it, “here.”
She sees me.
His heart swelled in his chest with more love than he knew he could carry.
“God, I love you,” he whispered as he thrust harder. Those words almost didn’t seem enough to capture his feelings. She was everything he always wanted.
“Me too, baby, me too,” she moaned.
Her legs shook as he took her over the edge and her moans of pleasure grew louder, echoing out across the vacant land. “That’s it, Tori, enjoy it.” He grinned so wide he was certain his jaw would break. He loved how vocal she could get; it made him that much harder.
She took his nipple into her mouth and circled it with her tongue gently at first, then with more intensity as he drew close. It sent him over the edge, his entire body stiffening as he came inside her.
“Now, wasn’t that better than a shower?” He asked, catching his breath.
“It certainly was.” She stood up and cautiously exited the pool.
He looked up at her. The sun shone behind her naked silhouette as water dripped from her body. She was stunning.
“Now where are the towels?”
“How about you lay yourself on the deck and let me watch the sun dry that hot, naked body?”
“As you wish, my dear.” Tori plopped herself down on the deck.