Taylen nods, completely focused on the process unfolding before us. His hand still rests on my knee, a touch so natural now that moving feels impossible. When Martha shifts again, more forcefully this time, his fingers tighten slightly. “Is that normal?” he asks as she paws at her bedding with increasing agitation.
“She’s perfect,” I assure him. “She’s trying to make a nest to get everything just right before the main event.”
“I didn’t have watching a calf being born on my Bingo card for today,” he jokes.
“There,” I say quietly as clear fluid appears, signaling the transition to active labor. Taylen’s sharp intake of breath matches Martha’s as another contraction ripples across her body. “Water’s broken. Things will move faster now.”
We move closer to observe while maintaining a safe distance from the increasingly restless mother.
“The calf is moving into position.”
When the first hoof appears, Taylen covers his mouth with his hands. The second leg follows, the tiny hooves still wrapped in the translucent membrane. Martha keeps on pushing, her animal instincts guiding her.
“Should we help?” Taylen asks as a nose appears
“Not unless she shows signs of distress,” I assure him. “She’s doing all the work. We’re just here to witness and help if needed. I gave Hunter the heads-up in case I need to call him after hours, but it looks like our girl is going to do it all on her own.”
Martha pushes again. A powerful contraction brings the calf’s head fully into view.
“Almost there,” I encourage as Martha gives a mighty heave that delivers the calf’s shoulders. The rest of the birth happens in a rush of fluid and movement, nature’s perfect timing bringing a new life onto the fresh straw. I move forward immediately, taking over as I clear mucus from the small nose and mouth.
The calf’s first breath puts my mind at ease, the tiny chest expanding as the lungs fill properly. I check quickly for the gender while Martha begins cleaning her baby with her rough tongue to stimulate circulation.
“We have a girl,” I announce, unable to keep a smile from my voice. “A healthy heifer.” Pride fills my chest as I watch Martha encourage her daughter toward her first tentative movements. Behind me, Taylen makes a sound that could be a laugh or a sob.
I turn toward him, seeing the wonder on his face. His eyes shine with emotion too pure for words, making him look younger and somehow more real than I’ve ever seen him.
Kissing him is inevitable. We’re tired and overwhelmed. The adrenaline of the moment takes over. I wrap my arms around him while his fingers clutch at my shoulders.
“Come home with me,” I beg.
His eyes search mine for what feels like an eternity. Then a simple, “Yes,” falls from his lips.
Behind us, the heifer has found her feet properly now, all gangly limbs and cuteness overload. I will check on mother and daughter in the morning, but for now, I need something else.
The path from the barn to my cabin feels like it’s a mile long, each step stretching impossibly as anticipation coils tighter in my chest. My heart pounds against my ribs with enough force that I’m sure Taylen must hear it in the quiet night air between us.
The cabin’s dark shape grows larger ahead, but never seems close enough. I want to break into a run, to close the distance that suddenly feels unbearable, but I force myself to match Taylen’s measured pace even as every single one of my nerve endings screams for the promise waiting just beyond that door.
Inside, I lead him directly to the bathroom without bothering with the main lights. The moonlight through the windows provides enough illumination to navigate the familiar space, creating an intimate atmosphere. The shower starts with a familiar hiss, steam filling the small space as the water heats.
We turn toward each other. I lower the zipper of his jacket slowly, feeling the rise and fall of his chest under my touch. He mirrors my action, quietly revealing layers of clothing until I see the beautiful tribute to his brother.
“I will never get tired of looking at these.” My fingers trace the lines I can see through the moonlight.
Steam fills the space between us as our remaining clothes fall away. Water hits my back as I draw him under the spray. Every touch feels urgent but careful, like handling something precious yet unbreakable.
My mouth finds his neck, tasting water and salt and the essence that’s uniquely him. His hands tangle in my hair, his grip tightening when I find a particularly sensitive spot below his ear. Each reaction feeds the growing need between us, but tonight feels different from the desperate encounters we’ve shared before.
“I need to taste you,” I whisper against his ear.
“Please, Bastian,” he moans.
I sink to my knees on the shower floor, looking up to find his eyes dark with want. I take him in my mouth, loving the weight of his cock on my tongue, the unique taste of his essence. Every sound he makes goes straight to my cock, and it takes everything in me to not touch myself.
This is all for him. My pleasure will come, but I want to take my time with Taylen. I want to burn into my memory every moan, every orgasm I draw out of him.
He screams his release with my name on his lips and his cock between mine. I swallow every drop until his body shudders under my hands. I hold him steady through aftershocks, feeling the tremors run through his legs as water continues its steady fall around us.
