Chapter Nine
Calvin
Lainey was so much fun to be with, and sexy as hell. I believed her when she told me she wasn’t the type to sleep with anyone on their first date, but after spending the day with her, I knew she felt out of her element in Texas. More than anything I wanted her to love what I loved about the land. That huge sky, the fresh air, and the earnest people. She was a city girl and being so far from it could crush her if she didn’t have a friend. I wanted to be that person for her because I had city in my veins too.
It felt strange to drive her the short distance to my ranch, but I didn’t want to leave my truck at her place. We didn’t speak for the one or so minutes it took to get home, and when we arrived, I invited her in. I tried to be as casual and relaxed as I could, but I felt the sexual tension between us mounting rapidly.
“So, do you have any preferences for dinner?” I asked.
“Not really. Do you have salad?” She seemed nervous.
“I do, but you might want to eat more than that. Ranch life can be tough, and you’ll probably need to eat a lot more than you would in the city.” She was slim, and beautiful, but even she could use a layer of softness. I loved women with a little to grab onto.
She laughed and said, “I don’t eat a whole lot, but how about you make something easy. We’ve had a long day and I don’t want you slaving away in the kitchen,” she said politely. Somehow, I felt we weren’t expressing the same level of honesty and risk we had the night before.
“Well, I love salmon with tarragon and thyme. How about an arugula with mandarin oranges, blueberries, and blue cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette? I can whip that up in about twenty minutes,” I said with a smile. “And I’ll open a bottle of cold Chardonnay while you watch me cook.”
“Sounds great. I can help,” she enthusiastically offered.
“Sure, can you make the salad?”
It was fun preparing the food together. When we were done, we set out some candles, and together with the fading sunlight, they illuminated our simple, yet romantic meal. We talked more, and I learned about her family and the tragedies she’d recently suffered. I told her a bit about me, but I still didn’t want to divulge too much. If I was going to have a relationship with her, I wanted her to like where we were. I was afraid that if I confessed that I’d lived a life like hers too soon, she wouldn’t understand how much living in the country meant to me.
After we’d finished and cleaned up, we went back on the porch and just looked at the night sky, making wishes on the few shooting stars we saw.
“What will you be studying when you go back to New York?” I asked, suddenly realizing I didn’t even know what she was interested in. We’d spent most of our time talking about bucket lists and the differences between country and city living.
“I’ll be studying for my masters in child psychology,” she answered with a huge smile.
“Sounds like a great career. I’m guessing you like children?” I questioned.
“I love them, and so many kids need support these days. Life is just too fast for a lot of them, what with technology and accelerated learning. The next generation will have to solve the problems that we’re all making for the world today, but that’s a very daunting prospect for some. I feel drawn to help them if I can.”
“That’s a beautiful thing you’re doing.” And although it was, now I felt conflicted inside. I didn’t want her to leave… ever. “You know I’ve only known you a day or so, but you’re the best thing to come along since I moved here a few years ago.”
“Thanks,” she said coyly, “and you’re the best thing about this place. I’m glad I came, even if it is just for the summer.” She was being sincere. We’d known each other just over twenty-four hours and I was feeling so grateful we’d met.
“Well, that’s very gracious of you to say, but I wouldn’t say I was the best thing. You know, we have some amazing views here. If you’d like, we can take a horse ride around the perimeter tomorrow, and around your property too. You should at least know what you’re getting yourselves into,” I chuckled. I wanted to show her my world in all its majesty.
“That would be nice… if you have the time,” she said. She seemed cautious in her reply, so I tried to reassure her with my warmest, widest smile.
“Oh, I have time. Lots of it. And if I didn’t, I’d make time for you.” And I definitely would for this pretty lady.
While all the talking was nice, as the night sky grew darker, I continued to feel the electricity grow between us, and I wanted her more and more. I couldn’t stop thinking about feeling her body against mine and pleasuring her until she moaned with ecstasy. I hoped she didn’t think the previous night was the one and only time we’d kiss and get as close as we did. My cock ached to be inside her, and I hoped it was the first of many nights we’d spend together. I felt a little nervous, but I had to try.
“It’s getting late. Do you want me to walk you home, or would you rather stay and we could get a little more comfortable inside? I’d love to carry on our gazebo conversation if you can stay,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows at her.
She laughed at my facial expressions then said, “Honestly, I want to stay here with you all night, but my head says I should have you walk me home,” she confessed.
“Are you worried about the neighbors gossiping, or your dad? Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind? I make a mean breakfast… and coffee,” I said, smiling and praying she’d give in.
“I’d love to stay, Calvin. I think you know I would, but I guess I’d need to talk with my dad first. You know, we just got here and all and for me to be sleeping over with the new neighbor on our second night here. It just seems… not right, you know what I mean? Him over there alone, and me staying here with you.” She seemed uneasy about having to have a conversation with him about it.
“You don’t have to tell him we’re sleeping together. He’d probably want to be spared the details, anyway. We’re just hanging out, having fun… falling asleep. He’s a grown man. He can sleuth us out… or not.”
“I guess,” she said, hesitantly, biting her lower lip. God, so sexy.
“C’mon, Lainey. You’re old enough to make your own decisions, and he practically booted us out the door earlier, anyway,” I said in a low voice. “Honestly, I think he’ll be okay with everything. Maybe it’s you who are holding on too tight. Let go and enjoy your life, unless...” I leaned into her, moving closer until my body was pressed against hers. “Unless you aren’t enjoying it?”
Her breath hitched at my touch. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
“No, I… I am enjoying life being with you.” Her breathing became more rapid.
I pressed my face into her neck and whispered into her ear. “I want you in my bed... naked, so I can kiss and lick every inch of you.” I wanted her to know how much I wanted to make her feel special... in so many ways.
“Oh, god,” she whispered, closing her eyes as my lips trailed up and down her neck and along her jaw, her breath quickening with every movement. “How can a girl say no to an offer like that from a hot Texan like you,” she said, smiling at me so sexily.
“I don’t know the answer to that, and call me selfish if you want, but if I did, I’d never tell you,” I chuckled.
“You are a wicked man, Calvin,” she said with a laugh.
Fuck. I wanted her so bad. The hard bulge in my jeans was proof of that. I was so ready to show her what kind of lover a Texan man could be.