I tried not to think about the ticking clock on our marriage. And for the most part, I could put it out of my mind. Even when the officials from the contest surprised us with random video calls tocheck upon us. Judging by their reactions when we told them we weren’t getting the annulment the morning after our nuptials, it seemed they were more than a little bit surprised we planned on earning our prize money. They’d completely underestimated my financial desperation.
Or the fact that my new husband was a beast in bed and being married to him was definitely not a hardship.
Still, I knew our time together couldn’t last forever, and I planned on making the most of every moment wedidhave.
The phone call from my dad earlier had been another reminder of that ticking clock. It was far from the first conversation we’d had about the whole situation, but it didn’t seem to matter how many times I tried to explain that not only was the weddingnotmy fault, but that it was actually going to be a very good thing for me financially since after it was all over, I’d be able to pay off my student loansandstill have a bit of breathing room; he still thought I’d lost my mind.
And of course, like any good father, he was concerned about his daughter living with a virtual stranger in the middle of nowhere. Travis hopped on a few video calls with me in that first week, and that helped him see that Travis really was a good guy.
There’d been a lot of initial pushback about the fact that I wasn’t coming back for Patty’s wedding, but when I’d made it clear that I wasn’t leaving the ranch, they didn’t have a choice but to let it go.
The phone call earlier today was to tell me all about Patty and Carter’s wedding. I’d pretended to listen, but truthfully, I didn’t care. In fact, the more time that passed, the more I actually started to feel a little bit bad for Patty and the fact that she was signing up for a lifetime of shitty sex with Carter. Okay, I didn’t really feel bad. Karma’s a bitch.
At the ranch, my company was much better. Kali and Anna had quickly become friends, and I loved watching the dynamic between Travis and the Thorne brothers. But as much as I loved spending time with the others and getting to know Kali and Anna, our evenings alone in our cabin were my favorite times.
Talking on the porch over a glass of wine or relaxing in front of the fireplace on the cooler nights, justbeingwith Travis felt good.
Like tonight. The rain we’d been expecting for the last few days is falling outside, and we’re cozy inside.
Travis is kicked back against the headboard, shirtless, his jeans unbuttoned just enough to tease. His arms are crossed behind his head as he watches me puttering around by my easel.
“I like watching you work.”
I turn, brush in hand.
“Especially when you’re not wearing anything but my shirt,” he continues, his eyes narrowing with need. I know what’s coming next.
He’s going tocommandme to go to him. I love it when he’s just a little bit bossy, especially because I know it means I’m going to come. Hard.
For over two weeks, he’s been giving me mycowboy education,and I’ve enjoyed every second of it, but tonight I’m the one holding the reins.
Before he can take the lead, I put my brush down and saunter toward him, his oversized shirt slipping over one of my bare shoulders.
“Maisey,” he drawls, his voice rough. “You’ve got that look, sweetheart. What’s going on in that pretty little head?”
I don’t answer with words. Instead, I climb onto the bed, straddling his massive thighs, my hips burning a little with the stretch, and lean in to nip at his stubble-covered jaw.
His hands come to my hips; his instincts to take control are deeply ingrained.
“Not tonight, cowboy.” I slap his hands away. “It’s my turn.”
His eyes flash. “Is that right?”
Sucking my bottom lip between my teeth, I nod before I slide down his body and pull the zipper on his jeans all the way down so I can tug them open.
He’s already thick, hard, and straining against the confines of the denim when I free his massive cock.
His groan is visceral when I wrap my hand around his girth. Hot, velvet steel.
Heat pools between my legs in anticipation of taking him, and I’m instantly dripping with need.
But first…
I tighten my grip and stroke the length of him, making him groan, his head tipping back.
I take my time, moving my hand slowly and firmly. I’ve learned his tells. The small ways his body responds to my touch. The flex in his abs, the hitch in his breath, and my favorite, the way he groans.
Then I lean in, swirling my tongue around his thick tip, tasting the saltiness of his desire.
