He brushed the skin before sliding his fingers underneath my shorts. “Take them off.”
I leaned back on my elbows, hooking my thumbs into my waistband, but I froze. I had experience, but no one had ever looked at me like they could set me on fire. Cactus’s eyes burned with the same heat as his touch, and the weight of it gave me pause. A flutter of anticipation twisted low in my stomach.
His hands went back to the counter before he leaned over, his eyes never leaving mine. “You get nervous, we stop. Something doesn’t feel right, we stop. There’s plenty of time for the rest of our lives.” He kissed me once, slowly and surely, before stepping back to give me room to decide.
Nothing changed my love for him, but this was the reassurance I needed. I shifted against the counter, shimmying my shorts and panties down my legs. I tossed them at his chest, but he didn’t flinch, letting them drop to the floor between us, eyes still locked on me. He placed his hand flat in the center of my chest, holding me in place.
“Stay there.” Cactus lifted my legs and hooked my knees over his arms, holding me open. “Don’t look away.” He lowered his head, licking directly into me.
I’d never had anyone use their mouth on me before, and I wasn’t sure which sensation I was supposed to be paying attention to. His beard scratched my thighs, while his mustache teased my clit. The contrasting sensations made me gasp, my hands digging into his hair to anchor him to me. There was no rhythm to his tongue. He explored me at his own pace, like he had all the time in the world, and I was the best meal he’d ever eaten.
A real groan escaped me. I was so used to fake moaning, the sound surprised me. “Do it again,” I demanded, wanting to make sure this wasn’t a one-time thing. He didn’t stop sucking my clit until more moans poured out of me. When I was close to falling over the edge, he gently bit me. I never knew a little sting of pain could feel like freedom. It did, pulling me apart from the inside out.
I fell backwards, lying on the counter as my elbows gave out. “Don’t stop,” I begged. “Please, Grant.” He licked some more into me, not giving me a break between my first orgasm and the buildup to the second. I wasn’t sure I could handle another one, but I didn’t want to stop.
This time, he didn’t let me fall. Standing over me, he wrapped my legs around his waist. My arousal glistened in his beard. I reached out, curiously running my finger through the damp strands to catch it. Bringing it to my lips, I wanted to know what he made me taste like. Sliding my finger in my mouth, I sucked until it was clean.
He moaned, low and deep. Holding his hand out for mine, he placed my finger on my clit. “Keep this warm for me, sweetheart.”
I’d never touched myself before. Not like this. Not with someone watching. Maybe it was strange to admit that, but no one had ever made me feel safe enough to want to. Not until him.
When I didn’t instantly move, he guided my finger in small circles until I could move on my own. A hot streak slid through me. I felt like I was burning from the inside as I continued stroking myself, making the same movements over and over to feel it again and again. Somewhere in the haze, I heard his pants hit the floor, but I couldn’t stop. I was chasing the high, but it was just out of reach.
“It’s alright. Be a good girl and come for me.”
It was the praise I needed. I let out a loud moan, letting my body fall.
“What do you want, sweetheart? We can stop, and I’ll go take a really long shower, or…”
“You, Grant,” I said without hesitation. He held me against him as I sat up, sliding my ass to the edge of the counter. He notched the head of his dick against me, asking me again what I wanted. “To know what it feels like when someone gives as much as they take.”
My fingers gripped the back of his neck, nails digging into his skin as he moved within me. My legs tightened around his waist, holding him close.I didn’t want to let him go. Our foreheads pressed together, neither of us sayingmuch as peace settled over the kitchen. I breathed him in, hoping he understood what this meant to me.
For the first time, I felt safe. Loved. I let the walls fall without fear of what would happen next.
Grant wouldn’t hurt me—and that changed everything.
***
Angelica
I could hear the laughter from the living room as I walked through the front door. My dating life wasn’t going well. I’d simply wanted to find someone to connect to, and I’d been hitting the bottom of the barrel each date. I’d been at another disastrous dinner, and their giggles made me smile for the first time this evening.
Roxy had volunteered to hang out with Bri since my brother was staying in the clubhouse for the night. She didn’t want to be alone, and I didn’t mind. I’d even taken Bri to the grocery store to buy snacks.
“What are you two doing?” I asked, entering the living room. A movie was playing on the TV, but they each sat on one of the sofas, not paying it any attention.
“Mom! Roxy was telling me some of her old waitressing stories. Did you know she worked at the beach?” Bri was sitting cross-legged, clapping her hands as she bounced in excitement.
“I was telling her about the wannabe bodybuilders and their mafia wives.” Roxy threw a few kernels of popcorn into her mouth. “How did it go?”
I threw myself onto the nearest overstuffed chair. “He wanted to know how the saloon was so successful, but my favorite was when he asked how much it would take to get you to work for him.” My date spent most of the night grilling me about my business, like it was a job interview. If I left the saloon, I’d leave Tombstone altogether.
Roxy thought it over before she threw her head back and laughed. “A million dollars,” she said. “You took a chance on me, and I enjoy working in the saloon. If he thinks he can buy me, then he doesn’t know me very well.”
“I said nothing about you dating my brother. It wasn’t my story to tell, so it’ll be interesting to see if he actually looks into you.”
“I’m sorry it was a waste, Mom. You looked so pretty, and I had a good feeling about this one.” Bri yawned before standing up and saying goodnight.
