Her breath grew ragged, and I could almost taste the heat of her desire, the way her skin felt flushed and warm under my touch. The scent of her arousal seemed to fill the air, even from miles away. I could hear the soft, slick sounds of her fingers moving in her wet pussy and imagined the way her body arched and tensed as she followed my words.
“Feel me with you,” I instructed. “Every sensation, every shiver—it’s all for me.”
Her moans grew louder, her breath quickening as she followed my guidance. I could almost see her, her body moving in sync with my words, her fingers working in time with my instructions.
“You’re so close,” I encouraged, my voice filled with urgency. “Let go for me, baby. Let me hear you come.”
Her cry echoed in my ear, and I knew she had reached the edge, her body trembling with release. I could almost feel the warmth of her skin, the soft, radiant heat that seemed to pulse beneath my fingertips. Jo’s breath caught in a trembling sigh, a delicate gasp that lingered in the air as she came undone, her body surrendering to the moment.
“I wish I were there with you,” I murmured, my voice soft and steady. “I love the way you look right after you come.”
Her breath slowed, and I could hear the contentment in her voice as she said, “I wish you were here, too.”
I smiled, my own desire still burning, but satisfied in knowing that, even from miles away, we could still feel each other so deeply.
“Go get some sleep, Sunshine.”
"I’ll see you tomorrow,” she promised, her voice warm and sleepy.
The steamy memory sent a surge of heat through me, making my body tense with longing. My skin prickled, and my pulse quickened, as if my body itself was protesting the distance. The situation was more difficult since I was on my way out of the country. My connecting flight to South Dakota was delayed, which would prolong my time away. I didn't want to be away from her longer than I had to,especially when, on this trip, Jo and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to share in our intimate calls that kept us connected when we were apart. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in my mind, and the warmth of her touch haunted my fingertips. The dull hum of the airport seemed to amplify the ache in my chest, as every passing moment stretched into eternity.
When I planned this trip to Silver Creek, I felt I had to go away to set my mind right. The weight of my past haunted me, but I knew I couldn’t let it consume me. I needed to find a way to confront it, to seek solace in the familiar before things spiralled out of control again. The last time those intrusive shadows disrupted my life was when I disappeared for those four months before I found out about Jo’s pregnancy.
The terrors of my time as a Ranger had begun to invade my thoughts again, seeping into my nights like a cold, creeping fog. I’d leave Jo in our bed and escape to our porch, the wooden planks rough beneath my bare feet, the air heavy with the earthy scent of the land. My rifle rested in my lap, a familiar weight that brought little comfort. Other times, when I remained in our bed, I’d wake suddenly, my heart pounding, the sheets damp with cold sweat, the shadows of my darkest hours clinging to me like a second skin.
Jo had never asked me about those months. The seven days that changed my life played on repeat in my mind, vivid and unrelenting, even as I readied myself to plan a future. Part of me was glad she hadn’t, relieved to avoid the shame of recounting how I’d wallowed in the past. Yet, another part of me longed for our connection to be deeper, tounburden my fears to her, to feel the warmth of her understanding.
The longer I sat in the airport, the more I realized that returning to Silver Creek wasn’t the right choice at least not before I spoke to Jo. Beneath the surface of our beautiful life were the things left unsaid, and I couldn’t keep ignoring them. I didn’t normally make rash decisions, but when I got up and booked a flight back home, I knew it was the right call. Going to Silver Creek for help felt like slapping a Band-Aid on a gushing wound. I needed to go home to Jo—not only to share our past but also to stop walking on eggshells, which kept our life from having the depth it deserved.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
RYAN
I didn’t let Jo know about my change of plans. The last message I sent her was that my connecting flight was delayed, and I wasn’t sure when I could fly out. So, we were both surprised when I arrived home in the wee hours of the morning. I thought Jo would be asleep, but she was up in our bedroom watching one of her Housewives of Somewhere shows. I could hear the women’s voices and Jo giving them the business.
“Oh, my God!” she screeched as I pushed open the bedroom door and stepped into our room.
“Texas!?” Jo sat up from where she was curled on my side of our bed.
“Hey, Sunshine,” I greeted.
She leaped out of bed and into my arms, her eyes wide with surprise.
“What are you doing here? Did your flight get cancelled? Why didn’t you call?” Her voicetrembled, and I could see the mix of joy and confusion in her expression. For a moment, I forgot everything else—the long journey, the exhaustion. All I could focus on was the way her arms clung to me, as if I might disappear again.
“Let’s sit, and I’ll answer all your questions.” I guided her gently, my hands steady as I walked her backward until her legs brushed against the edge of the chair. I spun her around and pulled her into my lap, her warmth pressing against me in a way that felt like home.
We had so much to discuss, but her nearness was a magnet I couldn’t resist. I leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss that made the world outside disappear. For a moment, I forgot why I had come home—all that mattered was this.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, pressing my forehead to hers. Her breath mingled with mine, brushing gently against my cheek, a quiet reminder of the connection we shared.
“I came back home so we can talk.”
Jo pulled back slowly so our eyes met. “Is this your version of ‘we need to talk?’”
“Yes.”
“What about?” She nibbled her bottom lip nervously, her teeth grazing the tender skin. With a loud pop, she released it, and a smile curled her lips.
