Birdie: Oh… so I’m not seeing you tonight, then?
The disappointment hits harder than I expect when I realize I might have to wait a whole day to see him again. It’s not just about wanting him physically. I miss Walker when he’s not around, and that mix of longing and excitement is both exhilarating and terrifying. It’s another thing I’m not prepared to unpack right now.
Walker: After I finish at the sheriff’s office, I’m off to the ranch to help Heath mend fences. Probably won’t be done until late.
Birdie: You sure? I could’ve sworn your whole day was reserved for giving me orgasms.
Walker: Sounds like a position only I’m qualified for.
Birdie: Shame you’re unavailable.
Walker: Guess I’ll have to get creative, finding a way to make it worth your wait.
Birdie: Oh? And how do you plan on doing that?
Walker: For one, using rope in a future lesson.
Birdie: Use it how?
Walker: I’d love nothing more than to bind your hands above your head and put my mouth on that sweet pussy of yours.
Good grief. I press my legs together as heat spreads through my lower belly, imagining what it would feel like to have him between my thighs, making me come while my hands are bound above my head.
I never anticipated bondage to make it on my list of fantasies, yet now all I can think about is Walker’s big hands winding rope around my wrists and securing me to the headboard, edging me with his tongue. I find I rather like the idea of submitting to him and giving him complete control.
Birdie: I think I’m going to need a demonstration.
I smirk at the phone as I hit send. Until recently, the idea of sending a flirty text would have left me paralyzed with panic—but now I’m sexting with ease, without batting an eyelash.
Now that I’ve had my first orgasm, it’s as if a dam has burst, and every nerve in my body begs for another release—a stark contrast to before, when pleasure always seemed distant and outof reach. There’s only one explanation for the change: Walker Halstead.
Walker: That can be arranged.
Walker: Your dad just called everyone into his office. I’d better go.
Birdie: Okay. Talk to you later!
Walker: Bye, beautiful. Looking forward to our next lesson.
Birdie: Me too.
More than anything.
I tuck the phone under my chin, staring at the floor with a dreamy smile. There’s something magical about being called beautiful by a rugged cowboy who can turn a simple goodbye into a moment that lingers in my mind all day.
Walker has a way of showing up for me, even when he doesn’t realize I need him, and it makes me want to do the same for him. It gets me thinking about how he hasn’t slept a wink, and he has a full day ahead in the fields. It’s going to be exhausting, and I’m certain he’ll be wiped by the evening. It makes me think of my long shifts at the feedstore—and how the bearable ones are always the days he shows up with my favorite meal from the diner, and a warm hello.
The thought of returning some of the kindness he’s shown me sparks an idea. Why not surprise him with lunch at the ranch this afternoon? Briar or her mom usually drops something offfor the guys and the ranch hands when they’re out in the fields, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if I did this time.
The problem is that, aside from our scheduled lessons and dates, Walker and I haven’t really talked about what unplanned time together looks like when we’re pretending to be a couple. My idea could easily backfire, and he might not appreciate it the way I hope—but I’m done playing it safe and avoiding things out of fear. It’s time to stop holding back. I need to be confident enough to take a risk, no matter the outcome.
My dad gets back to the house around noon to take over Mama’s care. Briar picked the kittens and me up, then stopped by my place so I could change and check on the other animals before taking us to her cottage. Jensen is out mending fences too, so she suggested we make lunch to take out to the guys, which solves my earlier panic. I helped her and Caleb make ham-and-cheese subs and trail mix, and now we’re headed out to the field to deliver it. I decide not to tell Walker that I’m coming, keeping it a surprise.
Briar has the windows rolled down and is tuned into a local country radio station. Caleb’s a big fan, bobbing his head to the music, one hand stretched out the back window, fingers catching in the breeze as we cruise through the ranch.
“Thanks for letting me tag along,” I say to Briar.
She glances over and smiles. “No problem. I’m glad for the help. Heath doubled the number of ranch hands this year so there’s a lot more mouths to feed. With Mama Julie busy helping with the summer program at the elementary school, I’ve been bringing food out to guys in the afternoons.”
