Chapter 27

Ash

"I honestly wasn't sure if they were going to kick each other's asses or kiss," I tell Jackson, shucking off my boots once we're inside the house. "Did you see that tension between Noah and your brother? Whew. I mean—"

Jackson's arm slips around my middle, and I go still, turning my face to see him better.

"Hi there," I say, sliding my hands over his. "What'cha doin', partner?"

"You working on your country?" he asks, nose skimming my cheek.

My lips curve into a smile. "Reckon I have a little country in me. Or I will in—"

"I'm not little," Jackson grumbles.

I bark a laugh, pushing his hands lower on my abdomen. "You have intentions, Jack?"

"Lots when it comes to you," he says, beard and lips skimming my neck.

My head falls back onto his shoulder as his hand covers my cock. He kneads me through my jeans, and I let go of his arms so I can grab his ass, pulling him tighter against me.

"Want you, Jack."

He hums, kissing down my neck. "Lemme take you to bed, Ash. I wanna kiss every inch of you. Slow and sweet."

Fuck , that does sound good. But there's something else I want, too.

" Or ," I say, spinning and grabbing Jackson's waistband, fingers slipping beneath the denim, "we could test out that theory of yours about me making a good cowboy."

Jackson doesn't grin like I expect him to. Instead, he frowns almost thoughtfully. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"What? Why—" I scowl as it hits me. "My back is fine."

"You're still recovering," he says.

I pop the button on his jeans, raising an eyebrow. "I'm feeling good today. I know my limits, Jack."

"I just don't want you hurting," he says, voice choking off as I slip a hand inside his pants.

"And I appreciate that," I tell him, stroking him to full hardness. "But I want to ride my partner's cock. Are you going to tell me I can't do that?"

"Fuck," he mutters, hands tightening on the outsides of my arms. "Why can't I ever say no to you, Ashley Alcott?"

"Because you're a very smart man," I answer. "Now sit."

He looks affronted. "I'm not a dog."

" Please sit," I amend. "So I can suck your dick."

Jackson backs his ass up, all but falling onto the couch. I chuckle, following him and dropping to my knees. I spread his legs wider, palms running up his thighs.

"Now who's a good boy?" I coo, smirking up at him.

His glower is immediate. "Don't start."

"No?" I ask, tugging his jeans open and getting a hand on his dick. I pull him free from his underwear, stroking up and down.

"I'm not…" His head falls back. "Not one of your pets."

I lean in, swiping my tongue over the head of his cock. "You don't want to be good for me, Jack?"

"Ah, fuck," he mutters, eyes latching back onto mine. I lick him again, tongue swirling over his head before my lips brush against him in a light kiss. "Christ, I can't think when…when you…"

His words dissolve into a groan when I take him into my mouth. It's satisfying, rendering this man speechless. I think I could worship him for the rest of my days if it meant seeing that look in his eyes that tells me I've captured him, wholly and without regret.

I pop off his dick, hand stroking again. "I think you like being good for me, Jack. Knowing you've pleased me."

He grunts, hips hitching off the couch.

"And what would please me right now," I go on, licking just beneath his glans, "is for you to let me climb on your lap, sink down over this beautiful cock of yours, and ride you so hard I come all over your chest. Would you let me do that?"

His breathing is labored, cheeks flushed and dick hard in my grip. "So long as I still get to kiss you."

The fluttering in my chest has me pushing upright, meeting Jackson's lips as I suck a breath in through my nose. He tastes like whiskey and sugar, like fresh air, somehow. There's never been, and never will be in my lifetime, anyone like Jackson Darling.

"Get naked, Jack."

Jackson starts tugging off his clothes as I get up and round the couch, heading toward the bedroom. I grab the lube and a condom, and then, just for good measure, a second condom. Best to be prepared.

When I get back to the living room, Jackson is spread out like royalty, stark-naked and magnificent as he sits sprawled over the blanket he tossed on the couch. I hand him the supplies and tug off my shirt. As I shuck my pants, I watch Jackson roll on the condom and lube his shaft, anticipation sweeping through me.

Jackson grabs my hips as I straddle him, my knees landing on the cushions to either side of his legs. His hands slide down to my ass, fingers dipping into my crease as he tugs me closer. I go willingly, bracing myself on the back of the couch as Jackson all but swallows my dick in one go.

" Fuck ," I groan, adjusting so I can get one hand into his hair. I hold on, hips shifting as he bobs his head. "You're not trying to distract me from my goal, are you?"

His tongue curls along my shaft before he slides free. "Just getting you wet," he answers. "And enjoying you."

"Well, by all means. Enjoy away."

Jackson's smirking mouth covers my cock again, his lips warm and tight, his tongue talented as hell. He doesn't protest when I start controlling the pace, fucking into his mouth. His hands leave my ass for a moment, but then they're back, one palm on my cheek as wet fingers press against my hole.

"Fuck," I mutter again, pace stuttering as he eases a finger inside of me. " Christ , that's good."

Jackson hums, the sensation pulling another groan from me. His fingers work to loosen me as I take pleasure from his mouth, the sight of him swallowing my cock almost too much for me to bear. The way his lips are stretched, the hollowing of his cheeks, the shine in his eyes as he looks up at me in rapture.

"Okay, okay," I breathe, giving his hair a tug. "I'm ready, Jack."

He eases off, and I drop down to claim his lips with my own. A taste. A thank-you. A promise, even, that this means more. That all of this is so much more.

Jackson's thumbs dig into my hips as I reach back, grabbing his cock. I line up, and, with an exhale of pure relief, I sink down enough for him to slip inside my body. Jackson's face is set in a stoic mask, but I know it's a measured thing. He's working hard to control himself, to control everything he's feeling.

When my ass comes to rest on his thighs, his fingers tighten against my skin.

"Good?" I check.

He nods, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. "Giddyup."

With a bark of laughter, I lean forward to kiss that soft smirk, and then I start to ride. My head falls back as I move, the glide of his cock perfection and then some. The way he fills me up, pressing against the deepest parts of me, the pressure and stretch like nothing else. One of Jackson's big hands covers my ass cheek, his other anchored tightly to the side of my thigh. His eyes never once leave mine as I work myself over his cock, taking, giving in equal measure.

He looks beautiful. Rugged and hard. Soft in all the right ways. He looks honest. Earnest .

This man has never tried to play games with me. Even in the beginning, when he was closed off, he never lied. Never wanted me to hurt. He cares in a way that's so very big. It's immense but not boastful.

I don't know if it was the wind I followed here. My friend, Ginnie. My heart.

But I've never in my life been more grateful to have ended up exactly where I am.

Jackson's hand wraps around my cock as I lean forward to kiss him again. I'm still wet from his spit, and his work-roughened palm grips me just right. He jerks me as I bounce on his cock, his hand brushing my lower abdomen, his kisses bristling my lips. All hard and soft, every piece of him.

I stutter out a gasp as he shifts, lifting his hips to meet me. " God , yes, there," I encourage, my hand flying to the couch again, my entire being buzzing, the new angle driving against my prostate just right. " Jack ."

"C'mon, sunshine," he mutters against my lips, hand twisting over the head of my cock. "I need you to come 'cause I'm barely holding on here. You feel too fucking good. Need you to— fuck . Need you to come on my cock like you promised."

"You could always…suck me off," I huff between breaths, "if you come first."

Not that he'll have to. I'm two seconds away one way or another.

"Not. Coming. First," he grunts out, the stubborn, wonderful man. He grabs my hip, slams me down on him as he jerks my cock, and I'm done.

I cry out, my groan mixing with Jackson's sound of aching relief. He continues to pump my cock as my body pings and releases, everything in me tight and expansive all at once. I suck in a breath, the height of it going on and on and on . Jackson jerks against me as I'm lost in it, his face buried in my neck, his fingers tightening almost painfully on my hip as his cock floods the condom. I can feel it. Not his cum. But the kicking. The throbbing of his dick as he finds his release.

Jackson's grip loosens as he catches his breath, me doing the same. I inhale the smell of him, the scent of sex and wilderness and home .

"Yee-fucking-haw," I mumble happily.

Jackson snorts a laugh against me, his arms wrapping tightly around my back. I chuckle with him, so ridiculously smitten I can't stop my words, not that I want to.

"Did you mean it?" I ask, my fingers drifting up into Jackson's sweaty hair. "When you said you might be falling. For me. Did you mean that?"

Jackson lets out a breath, a soft sigh of sorts. "Yeah. I meant it."

"Do you still feel that way?"

"No," he says. "I don't think. I know."

My inhale feels shuddery as I lean back, catching Jackson's gaze. There's only good there. Nothing but absolute good.

"I am so incredibly in love with you, Jackson Darling. I know it in my heart, in my new boots, in the parts of me that led me here to you. I love you, fiercely . Fully. I love you, Jack."

His lips press together tightly for just a moment before lifting into a shaky smile. "I know."

I bark a laugh, and his smile turns almost shy. "Really? That's all you have to say?"

"Well," he says, those hands on my back running up and down, "are you done talking?"

"Yes?" I hedge.

"Then, no, that's not all I have to say." His palms lift to my face, thumbs ghosting over my cheeks before he tucks my hair away, his gaze following the motion.

God , the way he looks. So open. So sincere.

"Ash," he says, voice hoarse. "From the moment I saw you standing in our kitchen, I was struck. I knew you were something. I just wasn't sure what. Turns out you're the love of my life."

My breath leaves me.

Jackson only smiles. "And it's bigger than I ever thought it could be, you know?"

I nod. Because I do.

"I love you, Ashley Alcott. And I'll keep on loving you as long as I can."

"And how long is that?" I ask shakily.

He grips my face, hold gentle. "Long as those mountains stand, I figure."

"That's a long damn time."

"Mhm."

"Longer than we'll be alive," I point out.

"Sounds about right."

Fuck .

"You're one smooth talker, you know that?"

He kisses the corner of my mouth. "Can't say anyone's ever accused me of that before."

"Then they weren't paying close enough attention."

He snorts lightly. "Ease up."

I groan. "Do I have to?"

"Afraid so," he says, gripping the base of the condom as I slide off his cock. I watch him tie it off.

"We could ditch them," I propose.

"You wanna?"

"Yes," I say simply, desperate to feel Jackson inside me without barriers.

His lips twitch. "All right."

"Just all right?"

"Very all right," he amends.

I snort, a ridiculous smile on my face.

"And maybe next time," he adds slowly, voice sly, "I could be the one on top. Show you how a real cowboy rides."

My outrage battles with my arousal. "You asshole ," I say, slapping his chest. "I ride just fine. But yes. Yes, let's do that."

He chuckles, snagging my hand. The sound quickly eases away, his eyes soft as they gaze at me. "Would you let me take you to bed now, Ashley? I'd like to kiss you for a while. Love on you."

Fucking fuck.

"Yeah, Jack," I answer, the only one I can give. "Take me to bed."

He does, leading me down the hall and kissing me like he promised. My lips, my body, anywhere he can reach. We lie tangled together for a long time, until the early morning hours. I fall asleep sated, warm, and utterly content.

The next day, when the sun is high in the sky, I pack my two meager bags of belongings and walk the quarter mile back to Jackson's house. To my home. I put my clothes in the dresser, my shoes by the door.

And the little cowboy figurine? I set that on my nightstand, right beside the bed.

Looks like I was right. I got to keep my cowboy close after all.