CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ben
“Where are we going?” Chelsea tried to peek under the blindfold I had tied against the back of her head.
“Now, if I tell you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” I laughed. “Just hold on, girl. I don’t want you falling out here.”
“Can I at least get a hint? A tiny hint?” Her chin rested on my shoulder, and I loved how it felt when her arms locked around my waist like this. I could drive us all over the ranch for the night, just to stay like this.
“No way. But we’re almost there.” I slowed the four-wheeler as we sped through the covered brush. I didn’t need one of the sticker bushes scratching her.
I realized she probably had some idea where I was taking her, but she would be completely surprised when we got there. I had been planning this for weeks. Luckily, I was able to pull it off this weekend. As far as I knew, she didn’t have any idea this was going on right under her nose.
I parked the vehicle on the side and climbed off, careful to help Chelsea so she didn’t trip on her dismount.
“Ok, you ready?” I asked.
“I think so. This is crazy, Ben.”
“No, it’s called a birthday surprise.” I reached around her and loosened the satin blindfold. “What do you think?” I pulled it from her eyes and waited for her reaction.
“Oh my God.” Her eyes lit with wonder. “Where? How?” She stepped forward. “This is for me? How did you do all this?”
I nodded. “Yep. It’s my best version of a Brees Island birthday.” I grinned, loving every sliver of her response. “But I figured it’s about time you experienced a night under the Texas stars too.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and rocked back on my heels.
She looked at the lights that were strung from a pole to the silver Air Stream camper. “I can’t believe how much it looks like Silver Sand Dollar.”
“Check out the inside.” I walked past her and opened the door. Automatically, I tugged twice on the handle, but this wasn’t the Sand Dollar. She opened easily like a brand-new model.
I walked inside. “Red and white?” She laughed. “Flora would be proud of you.”
It wasn’t easy to find all of the exact accessories that Flora had used, but after a phone call to my summer landlord, I had a better roadmap of where to purchase everything. I hired a designer to put it all together and gave her an unlimited budget. This was worth every expense.
Chelsea walked to the back of the trailer. “There’s even a checked comforter. This couldn’t have been easy to find.”
“It’s completely authentic.” I laughed. I loved the smile that was on her face.
“And let me guess what we’re having for dinner?” She turned toward me, twisting her bottom lip. “Cowboy steak?”
“Baby, am I that transparent?”
“No way. I’d never say that.” Her palms flattened against my chest and inched toward my shoulders.
“Then what are you saying?” I nipped at her bottom lip.
“Just that this is the most incredible birthday I’ve ever had. I love it.”
“We’re just getting started.” I kissed her mouth, pulling her toward me. “But—” I eyed her. “I do think we should get started on these steaks.” I edged past her to retrieve the steaks from the half-fridge. “That fire out there won’t burn all night.”
“Then we better get going.” She followed me to the campfire burning near the pond. The orange glow reflected off the water.
I stoked the fire with a long branch. “Remember how to do this?”
“Of course.” She grabbed one of the steaks off the platter and tossed it in the flames.
“I guess you do.” I threw mine on the other side of the coals. “Oh, I almost forgot. I have wine.” I jogged to the camper and pulled out a bottle I had Lenny order for the occasion. The glasses were sitting on the table near the door.
For a second, I thought I should see the ocean and sea oats dancing in the breeze when I looked out of the window. Instead there was my catfish pond and the most beautiful girl in the world. I stepped out of the camper.
“All right. Here you go.” I handed her a glass and filled it to the top. “We have to make a birthday toast.”
Chelsea surveyed me with a look of anticipation, and I wanted to make it perfect. No cheesy, rehearsed toast. This had to mean something.
I extended my glass toward her. “To the girl I love. Here’s to your first Texas birthday.” I tapped her glass before whispering in her ear. “And I want to make sure we spend all your birthdays together.”
I saw the color rush to her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
I slid my hand along her waist. “Darlin’, all I want in this world is to make you happy.”
“I know you do.”
The fire crackled near my leg, and I moved her to the side, missing a flying piece of ash. “I think it’s time we pull the steaks off. Let me get the platter.”
I returned from the trailer with a clean plate and stainless tongs.
“You know I like seeing you like this again,” she commented. “I know it’s not summer anymore and we’re on the ranch now, but I like it. No Lenny, no Nan, no Bud. Just you and me again. Just us…” her words trailed.
“That’s exactly what I wanted tonight to be.”
I crouched in front of the fire, poking the steaks with the tongs to make sure they were ready to pull off the flames. I handed her a plate.
“And this time we have real sides. Lenny whipped up some twice baked potatoes and there’s salad.” I jogged back to the camper and brought out the basket Lenny had prepared with the rest of the spread for dinner.
I laid everything out and made sure Chelsea had everything she needed. This was a step-up from our first dinner date at the Sand Dollar.
I settled into the seat next to her. “So, have you thought any more about my question?”
“Which one?” She looked up, chewing a mouthful of steak.
“You know which one. I want you to move in with me.” The steaks were sizzling on the plates.
“Oh that one.” She pushed the food around on her plate. “I don’t know yet.”
I thought about pressing it, but it was her birthday. If she wasn’t ready, she wasn’t ready. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what was holding her back.
“Ben, I—”
I rested my hand on her knee. “You don’t have to say anything. Forget I mentioned it.”
“But, I—”
“No. Tonight is about you and this.” I looked at the scene sprawled in front of us. “We are here to have fun, and I’m promising you a good time on your birthday.”
“I’m already having a good time.”
“Good. Then it’s working.”
I reached for a nearby log and tossed it on the glowing embers. The rough sides of the wood crackled and raced with flames. I had spent too many nights by the pond to count, but this one was different.
“Birthday dance?” I asked.
“Out here?” She looked skeptical.
“Where else?” I stood and hit play on the speaker I had set on the table.
Chelsea rose to join me. I led her a few steps from the fire. Sparks were still jumping from the last log.
I took her in my arms, aligning her hips in my hands. When we danced like this, even I felt the rest of the world fade away. All that was here was a sky full of diamond stars, the flames from the fire, and our beating hearts.
“Happy birthday.” I pressed against her, holding her like I meant every touch, every breath, every kiss to last forever.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Why don’t we go inside and I can give you another present?”
She looked at me. “Another present?”
“Come on.” I grabbed her by the hand and led her inside. It was strange to be in an exact replica of where we had spent the summer, but right now, I wanted her to have the best night of her life.
There weren’t many steps to the bed. I sat her on the edge as I pushed her dress to her hips. She watched me with hungry eyes.
I peeled the panties off her thighs to her ankles. I meant to be more tender. More deliberate. But I lost my seductive plan at the sight of her beautiful pussy. Glistening for me. Sweet and ready.
My eyes locked on hers as I lowered toward her clit. My cock ached and hardened as I sucked her hard little clit in my mouth. I pushed a finger inside her pussy, bucking her from the bed.
“Oh God,” she moaned.
I clamped harder, running my tongue between her slick folds. I pushed her legs wider, wanting more. Tasting every part of her. Sucking, licking, feasting on her pussy as if it was my birthday cake.
Her hands raked over her breasts, twisting her nipples under the flimsy fabric of the dress. God, she was a fucking goddess. I knew she was on the verge of her orgasm. Her juices ran into my mouth. I sucked harder, spreading her lips so that her clit peaked and quivered.
“Oh Ben,” she whimpered.
“Come baby,” I demanded. I thrust my tongue inside her as I flicked her clit until she was convulsing and vibrating. It was fucking hot. I needed to be inside her. Fucking her. Coming with her.
Her eyes landed on me with a lust-filled stare as she bit her bottom lip.
“Fuck me, please.” She smiled.
I shook my head. Damn, this girl knew me better than I knew myself. I kicked off the rest of my clothes and straddled her on the bed.
“Happy birthday, baby,” I growled as I sank my cock in her pussy.
She gripped it with force as I began slow strokes, drawing it out. I didn’t want to come at once, even though I could explode right now, right here with what she was doing to me. I wanted to fuck her until the sun came up. And that was exactly what I did.
I pulled the dress over her head. I leaned down to lick her perky nipples. Chelsea thrashed under me.
“Too much?” I teased.
She nodded, so I did it again, feeling her grip my dick. My eyes lit with wickedness.
“Keep doing that, baby,” I demanded. Every time I licked her tits, she squeezed me harder.
“I can’t,” she whimpered.
“You can,” I coaxed. I twisted one nipple while I sucked the other.
Her nails dug into my back as she arched in a perfect bow. She was unbelievable. Her second orgasm came harder than her first. She fell apart in my arms. Crashing on my cock. Enveloping me in warmth and erotic light. Fuck.
A slow smile spread across her lips. “I like this birthday,” she whispered.
I drove deep, hitting her walls powerfully. “Do you?”
“Oh God, yes,” she moaned.
I thrust again. “More?”
She nodded, the haze covering her blue eyes.
I drew back, slamming into her, giving her my full cock, everything I had.
My spine tingled and I knew I was going to come. I fucked harder and faster. Wilder than before.
And then the world spun away as I lost myself to her. To this woman who had changed my life. My world.
My release was unending as I buried myself in her, reveling in her pussy.
I kissed her as my orgasm gripped my body, and my cock made her mine again.
***
I watched Chelsea become smaller in my rearview mirror until I took the next turn, and she disappeared. I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. How in the hell could I go back to L.A. after this weekend?
There were a thousand things to say. Maybe only one. I loved that girl like no one else, and I had left her standing on the porch. Rode away like some rogue cowboy who couldn’t help but run off to the next fight. I had become that guy. The one who doesn’t stick around. The one no one can count on. The one who’s never there.
I left her. Dammit. I had left her.
I passed through the guard gate and spun the tires on the highway.
But, wasn’t I that guy? Had I ever been the fully committed type? I didn’t think the label fit when I really thought about it. Did I ever stick around when things were tough? I didn’t with Rebecca and I didn’t even try with Clara. I liked to keep things light and fun. Now that wasn’t enough. I wanted to be there for Chelsea. Only, I kept leaving.
Seeing her with my mom and sister brought everything together. She fit in my life. I realized that. She just fit.
The flight crew was waiting for me at the jet.
“Have a nice weekend, Mr. Baldwin?” It was the same flight attendant who had flown out with me Thursday night.
I nodded. “Sure did. How about you?”
“Spent some time in Austin. It was a nice weekend.” She showed me my seat and offered to bring me a drink.
“I’ll take a bourbon on the rocks.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I looked out of the window. The faster I wrapped this movie, the faster I could make it back. We had a long two months ahead of us. I stretched out my legs and looked at the drink placed in front of me. I didn’t know how many times I could leave her like this. I tossed the bourbon back and closed my eyes, feeling the slow burn trickle down my throat. Yeah, I couldn’t do this again.