Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Ashley

Beingon the ranch was fascinating. Even in the upheaval that came at the news of Gerald’s disappearance, there was an energy to this group of men that I’d never felt.

Meeting so many of the people I’d come to know through Corey’s letters had me energized. It was also, in part, due to the big plate of food he’d presented me with before they all came in. I was fuller than I’d been in months. Maybe even years if I was honest with myself.

Military rations weren’t always the most filling of meals, and I’d been deployed for longer than most. Without any family to come back to, I spent most of my time away from the states in an effort to not face my loneliness. By the time I had someone to come back for, I was too well known as the guy you used to fill in the numbers.

Being a civilian again meant I could come and go as I pleased. You’d think that with such ability, I’d want to travel all over to get my fill of said freedom.

I didn’t.

There wasn’t a single place I could picture myself outside of the ranch. Not unless that place had Corey with me. I could create visions in my mind of him on the beach laughing with me or up on a mountain sweating from a grueling hike. No matter the instance, I was never alone on the journey.

My mother used to tell me that loving someone meant they became your home. She claimed to feel that way with my father, often claiming she’d get homesick if they’d have to be apart.

I’d never understood her words as a child, but I could piece it together now. In the time I’d spent getting to know Corey, he’d become my home. I loved him with as much affection as I ever had anyone.

It wasn’t something that was too soon, nor did it feel wrong to fall for someone simply because of the letters they’d sent me. With arranged marriages still a thing, I knew there were people who had built their forevers on much less.

At least we liked each other. And there was chemistry there too. I’d felt it in the kiss.

Fuck.

That kiss.

It had been years since I’d felt arousal so powerful. It had nearly toppled me off the stool with how fast it pulsed through me.

With all the chaos of the manhunt going down, I’d calmed my libido back to a reasonable level. But now that they’d all left us here alone, I could feel my body wanting to repeat what happened in the kitchen earlier.

Corey tugged me inside the main house. “We’re going to stick it out in here. There’s a house phone that we’ll have to keep an eye on. Otherwise, I’d take you to the bunkhouse and get you settled better.”

“I don’t need settling. I’m used to living out of a bag.”

“That’s not how things are going to work here. You don’t have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice anymore. This is a stopping point. Or it can be, if that’s what you want,” he said as he eased us down on the couch.

We sat facing each other, our bodies turned to the side as our fingers stayed linked. It wasn’t close enough. Not in the slightest.

Problem was, I didn’t have the courage to move closer. Not when there was stuff we still hadn’t discussed.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Ashley.” His lips curved into a wide smile. I felt the power of it move through my body at record speed.

I nodded since my voice would have been nothing more than a squeak at that exact second. From the way he kept staring, I would bet my cheeks were heated again as well.

“Since we’re alone for a bit, I figured we’d talk some things out. How does that sound?”

“Good,” I forced out.

Talking was good. We could talk. There wouldn’t be any major decisions made if we didn’t have a plan. I was good with plans.

Calm down, man.

I had to take a deep breath to quell the rampant thoughts rushing through my mind. They were moving a million miles a second, with zero plans of stopping on their own.

Once I’d wrangled myself, I gave Corey my full attention. He watched me so closely; I had no doubt he knew there was an internal struggle happening. Still, he didn’t say a word about it.

“First thing I want to discuss is your stay. As I hope you’ve already seen, there is no rush for you to go anywhere. Atticus is much like his father in that he welcomes people here with open arms. You would have to work, but what you do is mostly up to you. We all pull together to help out on big projects from time to time. Otherwise, it’s every man working where he fits in best.”

I thought over all the letters he’d sent me. The ranch jobs weren’t anything I couldn’t handle. My training over the years made me useful in a lot of ways. In fact, I was probably a little overqualified for some of the things I’d be doing. Others I’d have to get some on-the-job training to make do.

“That works for me,” I replied when it looked as if he wanted confirmation.

He squeezed our joined hands. “Great. Next up, I want to talk about the accommodations. While we’re not bad off, the bunkhouse isn’t a weekend retreat type of place. It’s much better than what you’ve been living in with your deployments though. I think you’ll find your room ok, and if you ever need anything, I’ll be right there for you.”

“All of this sounds good to me.”

“But…”

“No but. I’m here to be a part of this world.” Your world.

His grin widened even more as if he’d heard what I was thinking. I knew it wasn’t possible, but with how much we’d written to each other over the years, he likely did have some hint that I was thinking of him.

“There’s one last thing I want to talk about. I think I gave you a hint with the kiss before, but I need to make it clear.” He closed his eyes for a second before opening them to lock on me. It was an intense stare full of emotion. “I want to be with you.”

“I want you too,” I interrupted him.

“That’s good to know, baby. As I was saying, there is nothing that would make me happier than you being mine. I know we’ve discussed it somewhat through our letters; however, I need verbal confirmation if you want all of it or just some parts.”

I gulped as the significance of his words registered. What he was suggesting involved a lot of trust. It also was something I’d been dreaming of since the first time he’d ever mentioned it.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

The smile he wore slipped a little. “I’m sure. If that’s not what you want, then we can try something else. Your letters made me believe you might —”

“I do.” The words left me with ease because they were true.

“You do?”

Nervous energy had me rising from the couch to pace around the living room. I couldn’t find the words to explain what I wanted. I knew what he wanted me to say.

The single word was one I’d written many times. I’d read it many more, thanks to his stories. But saying it out loud was new. It would be even more real.

A hand pulling on my wrist halted me. I turned at Corey’s insistence. The frown he wore clued me in that he had been trying to get my attention.

“Sorry. What did you say?”

He shook himself as if to clear his head. “I was saying that it’s not something you have to decide today. I’m not going to pressure you into anything here, Ashley.”

I grumbled at the use of my name. “Not Ashley.”

His face scrunched up. “Not Ashley, huh? Then what should I call you?”

While his expression hinted at confusion, his words were purely teasing. He knew what I wanted, just like I’d known what he was asking me to agree to. We were on the same page. I just needed to commit to it.

Taking a deep breath, I softly said, “Baby. You call me baby.”

“Ok, baby. I can do that. Do I get a new name too?”

He was so smug about the tiny win. My nature wasn’t to be competitive with others. Corey somehow tapped into that small part of me and brought it to life.

“Yes, Daddy. You get a new name too.”

As soon as I finished, his lips were on mine. He kissed me hard, like he feared I’d take back my words once we were apart. I held on tight to him through it all, my mouth pliant on his as he led our movements.

It was only as we pulled apart that I felt the obvious erection pressed between us. I mean, I knew I was hard. Feeling his made me lose all sense of reason.

I was on my knees before he could protest. My hands went to his jeans, undoing them swiftly as my mouth watered for a taste.

It had been too fucking long since I’d done this. Intimacy while deployed was a joke. Between the state of staying on guard and the possibility of someone using you to get to your team, it meant having to keep close to base for relief.

While I enjoyed the company of those around me in a friendly manner, I could never bring myself to that level with them. Prior to Corey’s letters, it was just because I didn’t like the notion. After, though, it was because my heart belonged to someone else completely.

His cock bounced free of his underwear after I tugged the fabric down. “May I?” I asked reverently.

I looked up to find his hungry gaze already on me. “Is that how you ask for what you want, baby?”

“No, it isn’t.” I swallowed the lump in my throat as I wrapped my hand around his erection. “May I suck it, Daddy?”

He shivered at the question but managed to give me a nod. I kept my eyes on him as I leaned forward and licked him from base to tip. At his crown, I swirled my tongue slowly. I savored the taste of him, all sweat and music and him. I wanted to get drunk off his flavor, relishing him until there wasn’t any other taste I could remember.

“Fuck, baby. You really like my cock, huh?” His hand stroked over my longer hair, tugging gently to get my attention.

I hadn’t realized I’d closed my eyes. It made sense though since all I wanted to do was worship his cock until I couldn’t see straight.

My knees might have been screaming, and my jaw already ached from lack of practice, but I’d be damned about quitting. I needed to see it through. I needed him to feel as good as I did. I needed his cum on my tongue as proof all this was real.

“You didn’t answer me. Do you like Daddy’s cock?”

I hummed at his question since I didn’t want to pull back. He chuckled while pushing my hand out of the way.

“That’s good, baby. Daddy is close already. Hold that mouth open. I want to paint your precious face and tongue. Cover you real good.” He grunted as my jaw dropped to give him what he demanded.

His fist beat at his length, the movements quick and violent. There was no question about how wound up he was as I watched him climb towards his orgasm.

At the first splash of cum on my cheek, I whimpered. I was sad it hadn’t landed on my tongue. My protest came too soon though, because no sooner did I whine, then there was more of it coming out and hitting me all over. Ropes of white sprayed over me, making a mess while also claiming me as his.

When his fist slowed, I kept my mouth open for him to see. His slow grin was worth it.

“You can swallow now.” His finger moved under my jaw to ease my mouth closed. “Now show Daddy you took it all down.”

I let him see it was all gone as I gave him a grin of my own. He shook his head at my amusement, then tucked himself away. His hands moved under my arms to help me stand.

“Follow me to the bathroom. We need to clean your face, then I guess we’ll watch some television or something for a bit till we get updates. Sound good to you?”

“So long as you’re there, I’m good,” I admitted.

It might have been too much too soon. I couldn’t really say what would cross the line, but I knew keeping my interest to myself was dumb. We’ve already shared everything about each other through our letters. Now we just had to find out the dynamics in person.

It couldn’t be too hard, right?