Chapter 8

Rayne

The rest of the drive back from the haunted hayride is quiet, but it's the kind of quiet that's heavy with everything unsaid. Billie's sitting next to me, close enough that I can feel the warmth of her body, her scent still sweet in the air around us. The memory of her taste, the way she came apart in my arms, all I can think about.

But tonight's not just about that, even though I want her so bad I can barely think straight. I want her to get to really know me—and understand why I've been holding back all these years.

I pull up to my house, and the second the truck's in park, Billie looks over at me with those big, brown eyes, a teasing smile on her lips. "You gonna invite me in?"

I chuckle, shaking my head as I climb out of the truck. "Get your sweet ass inside."

She laughs, hopping out of the truck, and we walk together to my house. The night air is cool, and the place is quiet, just the sound of our footsteps on the dirt. When we step inside, I flip on a light, casting a warm glow over the space. It's spacious, nothing fancy, but everything's top-of-the-line quality. The decor is masculine, western style.

Billie looks around, her eyes scanning my space before landing on me. "Very nice," she says, before whistling. "And a bit too clean for the cowboy theme, if you ask me."

I chuckle, leaning against the breakfast counter.

She smiles, but there's something else in her eyes—something that makes my gut twist. She's waiting. Waiting for me to say what I've been avoiding for too damn long.

I take a deep breath, rubbing the back of my neck as I look at her. "Billie, there's something you need to know."

Her smile fades, replaced by that quiet, steady look she gets when she's listening. Really listening. "You married, or some shit? Hiding kids?"

I laugh, shaking my head, before walking over to her and wrapping my arms around her body.

Billie steps closer, her hand resting on my chest. "I'm listening."

I exhale, running a hand through my hair, my mind racing. "You know I served in the military, right?"

She nods. "Yeah, I figured."

"Well, shit got rough when I came back. Hard to adjust. I was angry all the time, couldn't get my head straight. Didn't think I could be around people without losing it." I pause, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me again. "I ended up at Silver Creek Ranch. It's a place for vets like me, guys who need to work out their issues without getting sucked into the chaos of the civilian life. It helped. A lot."

Billie's eyes soften, and she steps even closer, her hand brushing against mine. "Rayne…"

I shake my head, cutting her off. "I'm not looking for pity. I'm telling you this because I've been trying to keep my distance from you, thinking I wasn't ready. Thinking I wasn't good enough for you."

Her hand tightens on mine, and when I look at her, there's no judgment. No pity. Just Billie, strong and steady, like always.

"I've been falling for you for years, handsome," she says softly, her voice filled with emotion. "And I don't care about your past. I care about you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but in the best way. I pull her close, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, my lips brushing against hers. The kiss is slow at first, tender, but it doesn't stay that way for long. I've been holding back for too damn long.

I grip her waist, lifting her up onto the counter, and she lets out a soft moan, her legs wrapping around my hips. "Rayne…" she whispers, her hands sliding up my chest, her fingers tracing the muscles under my shirt.

"Fuck, Billie," I mutter, pressing my forehead against hers. "You have no idea what you do to me."

* * *

Billie

I'm barely holding it together right now. Hearing Rayne talk about his past, about Silver Creek and all the shit he's been through, just makes me fall for him even harder. He's raw, honest, and there's this vulnerability under all that muscle and strength that makes me want to give him everything.

But the second he pulls me against him, his mouth on mine, all I can think about is how fucking good it feels to be this close to him. I've wanted him for so long, and now that I've got him? There's no holding back.

His hands slide up my thighs, squeezing as he grinds his hips against me. I can feel how hard he is, his cock straining against his jeans, and it takes everything in me not to tear his clothes off right here.

"Rayne…" I whisper, my fingers slipping under his shirt, feeling the heat of his skin under my palms. "I want you."

His breath hitches, and before I know it, he's pulling my jeans down, his hand sliding between my legs. His fingers brush against my clit, and I moan, my head falling back as he starts to pinch it.

"God, you're so fucking wet for me," he growls, his voice rough in my ear. "You want this?"

"Yes," I gasp, my body trembling with need. "Fuck, Rayne, yes."

His thick fingers slip inside me, and I'm fucking done for. The way he moves, the way he's watching me, like he's obsessed with every little sound I make—it's too much. I'm on the edge in seconds, my body arching against him as he works me over with those big, rough fingers.

I come hard, my pussy clenching around him, juices spilling over his hand. "Rayne… Oh, fuck…"

But he doesn't stop. He keeps thrusting, his thumb pressing against my clit, drawing out every last bit of pleasure until I'm shaking, breathless, completely undone.

* * *

Rayne

Watching her come apart like that, fuck, it's all I can do to keep my shit together. But I'm not done yet.

I pull my hand away, but before she can catch her breath, I unzip my jeans, my cock springing free, hard and aching for her. "You want this big, fat cock, baby?" I growl, my voice rough.

She nods, her eyes dark and full of need as she reaches for me, her hand wrapping around my shaft. "Yes, please," she whimpers, her thumb brushing over the head, spreading my pre-cum. "I want it so bad."

"Fuck, Billie," I groan, thrusting into her small hand, my body trembling with the need to bury myself inside her.

Her grip tightens, her strokes getting faster, and before I know it, I'm coming hard, jizz spilling over her hand as I gasp her name.

We're both breathless, still trembling from the intensity of it all, and I can't help but smile. "You're fucking perfect," I mutter, pressing my lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss.

I'm fucking gone for this woman.