9. Leo

CHAPTER 9

Leo

I ’m stunned into silence. Giana is breathtaking as she lies beneath me, sprawled open and breathless. Watching her get off almost had me coming undone myself. It was the most arousing experience I’ve ever encountered.

I think about slapping myself awake because, again, I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch.

All the jerking myself off in preparation for this paid off. It was a surefire way I didn’t blow my top before I was ready.

Nudging Giana’s legs open, I lower myself on top of her and peer into her eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more enamored.”

“Gah, Leo,” Giana squeals, throwing an arm across her face again.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed in front of me, Sugar. I’m tickled you let yourself go.” Lifting her arm, I set it flat next to her head and drag my fingers over her smooth wrist and palm until our hands are locked together.

“I’m not embarrassed. I just wish you could’ve got off too. ”

Her words are blunt, and it has my erection straining against my pants.

I nuzzle my chin in her neck, causing her to squirm beneath me. “I mean…I’m hopin’ I still can.”

Lifting my head, I peer into her eyes. They search mine with such reverence and I know she’s finding the same in mine. Because that’s all I can feel when I look at her.

Respect. Admiration. Friendship.

She nods once, her lips pulling into a reassuring smile.

I lower my face to hers and grin against her mouth as we kiss. I deepen it quickly, and a quiet moan escapes her throat. With my fingers still intertwined with hers, I press her hand firmly against the sleeping bag. I spread kisses down her neck and to the dip in her collarbone as I thrust my hips. My erection pushes against her sensitive spots, and she sucks in a breath.

God, she feels so good. I need her now.

Rising to my knees, I wrestle to undo my jeans and don’t take my eyes off her. She licks her lips, and her hand glides over one of her breasts. The action sends a pulsing in my cock, and I can’t kick my boots and pants off fast enough.

“You ready for me, Sugar?”

“Mhm,” she mumbles, her hand still working and massaging her tit.

Lowering myself to her once again, I grip my dick in my hand. I drag it over her entrance a few times to wet the tip. Her little mewls get me more aroused, turning me inside out. I push inside her, and blood pounds in my ears. The same sensation as the first time hits me like a crashing wave, but it’s different somehow. Better. How that’s fucking possible , I’m not even sure.

I push deeper with each thrust, and she writhes beneath me. Like this, with me inside her, we are one. I’ve never felt closer to someone. Instead of scaring the shit out of me like it probably should, I want it. I crave it.

I hold one of her hands prisoner, splayed next to her head. While the other, I clasp over her breast where we both favor it. I massage and tease her rosy nipple. It’s thrilling, and when she moans, I nearly break free inside her.

Giana lets me guide us, and she simply rides it out. I pick up the tempo as the pleasure builds. But I’m not as sloppy as the first time. This time, I have a bit more control. It goes to my head. It’s intoxicating.

The desire to spend the rest of my life doing this, with her, is taking precedence over every other want I’ve ever had. I decide at this moment, whatever it takes, I’m going to make it happen. I’m going to make her mine.

T he morning the bank gives us the keys to the cabin, it’s warmer than it’s been all summer. Pete’s grandfather loans me the hardware store’s truck again to move our belongings. Pete and Nettie meet Giana and me at the cabin and help us unload the truck.

Carrying Giana across the threshold feels fitting even though we’re not newlyweds. Hell, we’re not even married. I want to ask her to marry me. But with Giana, it can’t be a cliché. I already know I’ll be waiting through most of the summer for the right time.

Instead, I hand Giana the keys and let her do the honors. We say nothing ’bout the broken windows that we could easily crawl through. Because this is meaningful.

The cabin is ours .

The key jiggles in the lock, and she turns the knob. I follow her inside and study her as she glances around the space like she hasn’t been in here a hundred times before. It feels like my greatest joy watching her as she experiences this. But I also can’t help from letting my mind think how all I want to do is christen every room in this cabin.

Giana spins around, reining in my wandering brain. A wide smile builds on her face, and it causes my heart to swell. Witnessing her dreams come to fruition is an honor.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe this place is really ours.” She covers her still-smiling mouth and shakes her head in disbelief.

I wrap my arms around her and lift her off her feet, swinging her around, and she squeals in delight.

“ Ours , Sugar,” I say into her ear, my stubbled chin scraping her cheek.

She pulls back, cupping my neck in her hands, and peers into my eyes. “Ours.” She kisses my greedy mouth.

I nibble her lip before we part, and I reluctantly set her back on her feet.

Instead of seeing this rehabilitation as daunting, an eagerness reflects on her face. She hunches her shoulders. “Where should we start?”

“Personally, I think we should christen this room.” I grin, and when her eyes lock with mine, she snorts a laugh into her hand.

“Later we’ll play,” she says reassuringly, patting my chest and leaving me craving for more of her. “First, we work.”

“I’m all for playing,” Nettie says from behind us.

Turning around, I find Nettie holding a box in her arms. I take it from her, and she swipes an arm across her forehead.

“It’s hotter than blazes out there,” Nettie says .

Pete enters the cabin next. “What do you say we take a break and go swimming in the creek?”

“I’m not opposed to that idea,” Nettie pipes up.

Giana puts a fist to her jutted hip. “Silly me, I thought you two came to help.”

“We did. You’re right.” Nettie glances around. “What would you like us to do?”

“For starters, we gotta get the new windows in and the floorboards all buttoned up. Gotta keep the critters out.”

“I’m all for that,” I say. “Pete and I will get started on the windows. But before the sun goes down, we’re all jumpin’ in that creek.”

“Deal,” Giana says, leaning over and pressing a kiss to my already sweaty cheek.

T he cabin is small with few windows, so we get them put in by late afternoon. The girls make quick work of uncovering the musty sheets from the existing furniture and kitchen counters. They sweep away cobwebs, set out mousetraps, and get the water running in both the bathroom and the kitchen. A working toilet feels halfway like a miracle.

Giana holds up her end of the deal. Sweaty and spent, we carry towels and an ice chest packed with beer and sandwiches for an early dinner down to the creek. I’ve never been more excited to jump into a filthy body of water than I am right now. The dipping sun reflects against the shimmering surface.

The four of us strip our clothes off, all inhibitions tossed to the wind. We’re too hot and sticky to care .

“Last one in is a rotten egg!” Pete hollers, taking a running start and kicking up the water as he rushes in.

“Oh, you little jerk, you got a head start,” Nettie complains.

Her still-clothed backside bobs as she chases after him. I try not to look. But I am relieved she left her bra and panties on rather than going butt-ass naked.

Giana has done the same. She tosses her blouse at me and walks backward toward the creek, giving me a saucy look. She’s got my attention. I’m completely entranced. Her nipples push through the satin fabric of her barely-there bra. They beckon me, and I race after her.

I reach her before she’s gone out too deep, and wrap her body up in my arms. Lifting her, I hike her over my shoulder, and she squeals. She giggles when I pat her round backside and rush the chilly creek deeper.

After a moment, I peel her from me and toss her into the water. One last yelp sounds out before she plunges below the surface. She shoots up within seconds, sputtering but still laughing.

“Oh, I’m so gonna get you, Cowboy,” she hollers and comes at me.

I chuckle at her enthusiasm and even more at her persistence as she tethers her legs around my waist. Her hands clamp around my shoulders, and she wrestles to shove me below the water. I try not to make it obvious when I let her win, and she finally succeeds.

When I emerge, I wipe my wet eyes and shake the water from my hair. She looks so doggone cute as she shouts triumphantly and pumps her fists in victory.

I laugh. “All right, y’all won this round.” Reaching an arm around her waist, I slide her onto my back.

She wraps her legs tightly around my waist and drapes her arms around my neck. Her lips brush against my ear, and a shiver races straight to my toes. “I’ll bet you win the next round,” her voice purrs.

And I more than like that I already know her well enough that I’m aware of what she’s implying.

I kiss her arm. “Promise?”

“Cross my heart,” is her response.

She nuzzles my neck, and again, I feel undeserving. So lucky I’ve found something— someone —that I love. The fear that the rug is gonna get pulled out from under me is blaring. I hate that I’m thinking about it. Worrying about it. Especially right now. When we’re in the middle of having ourselves a perfectly lovely day.

I bob up and down in the water, glancing over at Pete and Nettie every so often. They’re going at it like a couple of jackrabbits. Not even bothered we’re here.

“Think it would be rude if we ditch these two so we can be alone?”

“Sugar, I don’t think they’d even notice.”

We both look over at our friends and burst into laughter at the sight of them practically having sex right in front of us. I reach my hand into the water and skim the surface, sending a mighty splash in their direction.

And then it’s on. Our group of four proceed to have the best game of chicken I’ve ever played.

We end the day by the campfire. It’s like the sealing of a perfect day. Tonight, it’s Pete’s turn to play the guitar. But there’s no singing. I think we’re all too tuckered out.

Worry pinches in my gut that Pete and Nettie are planning on crashing at the cabin for the night. I’ve been wanting the chance to make love to Giana all day. But the anxiousness doesn’t last long. Before I know it, Pete is stuffing the old guitar back into the case, and they’re standing and stretching .

“I gotta work the next few days, but I’ll be back to help you later in the week.” Pete shakes my hand goodnight.

“Sounds good.” I pat his arm.

Giana and Nettie hug goodbye, before the newlyweds shuffle to the Martin’s Hardware truck and climb inside. I wait patiently while Pete turns over the engine and drives away.

Giana takes me by surprise when she begins pouring water onto the fire. “I thought they’d never leave,” she huffs out.

A chuckle slides out of my throat. “That makes two of us.”

“We got some catching up to do in that cabin.” She passes me a sly smile, and heat floods my body.

I toss another bucket of water onto the fire, and she grabs my hands, leading me toward the cabin. Our cabin. We go inside and can’t shut the door behind us fast enough. I spin her around and shove her against the door, and she gasps. I grip her hips, digging in my fingers and anchoring her there before bringing my mouth down on hers.

Giana fists her hands in my shirt and yanks me closer to her. My cock already pulses against the zipper of my pants.

I grind against her, and she murmurs into my mouth. “Leo, please. Please, take me. Make love to me. Fuck me.”

It’s so quiet I think I’ve misheard her altogether. I bring my gaze down to her and find her eyes dark with a fire burning in them. It’s a yearning for me . And if that doesn’t set me off, her fingers unzipping my pants and her hand finding my dick will. She grips and jerks it like she’s done this before, and all color ceases to exist when I squeeze my eyes shut.

“That feels so fuckin’ good,” I say roughly into her neck in between kissing the hollow of her throat and the dip in her collarbone. “Shit. You’re gonna finish me off like this.”

She snorts. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Sugar, nothin’ with you could ever be a bad thing.”

And it’s the truth .

She is everything that is good and pure in my life. In this world. I want nothing more than to live in this bubble with her forever.

While I forget about the war going on. Forget about a controlling mother. Forget about the obligations that await me on the ranch back home.

All things that threaten to pop our perfect bubble.