Kissing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch Book 5) Page 16

  “I want more,” I add with emphasis. “I didn’t think it was something to say over text.”

  Ethan’s throat moves as if he’s swallowed a brick. “More what?” he finally responds.

  “When you told me how you’ve always felt, I got scared,” I admit. “And though I still am, you should know it’s not one-sided. I’m sorry I made you think it was, but you caught me off guard that night, and I froze.”

  “Okay, so tell me now.”

  My palms sweat as I think about what I’ve rehearsed a hundred times. “I don’t regret anything that happened between us. I woke up and panicked but not because of what we’d done. I was worried you’d say it was a mistake, so to avoid getting hurt, I said it first.”

  “Protected yourself and hurt me.”

  “Yes, and I’m so sorry. There’s no excuse.” He knows I don’t have much dating history. I had one serious relationship that ended six years ago. “But I’m trying to make it right by telling you now.”

  “So you don’t think us being together was a mistake?”

  “No. I’ve fantasized about that moment for…years. But the part about being afraid to lose you is true. I’ve always worried about that. And this past week was a front-row seat to that reality. I hated it.”

  Ethan’s expression softens as he brings a palm to my cheek. “I did too.”

  “So where do we go from here?” I ask.

  “Well, I meant what I said about not kissing you again.”

  “Ethan.”

  He shrugs, releasing his hold on me. “You’re gonna have to make a move if I’m what you really want.”

  Now he’s just playing hard to get.

  But if that’s what he wants, I’ll play.

  I step back and slowly lift my shirt. When my eyes meet his, they’re filled with shock and hunger. “Harper. What are you doing?”

  Next, I unbutton my jeans and tug them off.

  “You said you wouldn’t kiss me again. Never said anything about touching.”

  His jaw clenches. “You’re torturing me.”

  “Every summer in high school, I’d watch you unload hay shirtless. Sweat dripping down your abs. You wearing a baseball cap and work boots. That was torture.”

  He snorts. “No one said you had to stare at me all day. That was by choice.”

  I lower my gaze down his body though he’s dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. “Do you blame me?”

  “So this is payback, huh?” he mocks, then kicks off his boots. “Because I can bring back the six-pack, love.”

  My heart does that ridiculously obnoxious flutter thing at the sound of him calling me love.

  Perhaps my plan wasn’t thought out properly.

  “Sweet Jesus,” I mutter as he takes off his shirt.

  “We playin’ strip tease? Because I think I’m winning.”

  I grin. “Don’t get cocky.”

  “You better kiss me then,” he challenges.

  “No,” I say, wanting him to be the first to crack.

  “Tsk tsk. So goddamn stubborn, aren’t you?” He closes the gap between us, then tilts up my chin. My breathing stills. “I wanna hear you say the words.”

  “What words?”

  “That you want me as much as I want you. That you’re needy and desperate for me. That you want my hands and mouth on you again.”

  Yes, yes, and yes. My entire body heats as the warmth of his breath sweeps over my face.

  “I need to know the feelings are mutual this time,” he reiterates. “I’m not touching you again until then.”

  I swallow hard. As much as I want to tease him, we’ll both get what we want if I give in.

  “Ethan,” I say softly, wrapping an arm around his waist as I prepare to confess everything.

  He interjects before I can continue. “Before you say anything, I need you to understand where my heart is.”

  I nod.

  “I don’t just want you. I’m in love with you. I’m not sure when it happened, but I don’t want a life without you in it. I want all of you, all the time, no matter what. I was hurt when you blew me off because I knew there was something more between us. So if you can confidently confess—”

  “Yes,” I blurt out. Cupping his face, I’m prepared to say the words I’ve thought about for years. “I’m so in love with you.”

  I’m not sure who leans in first, but our lips crash together in a hot, greedy kiss. His hands slide over my skin as I cling to him, needing more. His tongue tangles with mine, and when he lowers a hand to my ass, I moan against him. With his erection pressed against my stomach, I’m filled with so much desire, and I can’t hold back anymore. Years of fighting my attraction, of denying the little butterflies that surfaced anytime he was near, and resisting the urge to cross those lines have led to this moment. It’s finally happening without a single ounce of doubt from either of us.

  “My bedroom,” I mutter.

  “This means you’re mine now, Harper. You got that, right?”

  “God, yes,” I say eagerly.

  He lifts me until my legs wrap around him, and somehow, he manages to walk there without hitting anything. “You made that look so effortless.”

  As he lays me on the mattress, he smirks. “I’m used to the mazes in your house. Between boxes and supplies, I’ve had to maneuver around to avoid stubbing a toe.”

  I chuckle as I lick my lips in appreciation of the view in front of me. “You’re wearing too many clothes. Jeans, off.”

  “Well since you kissed me first, I’ll obey.”

  “You kissed me!” I argue as he does what I say.

  “Sorry, love, but you’re wrong.” The corner of his lips tilts up in amusement.

  I roll my eyes, defeated. “Fine, if that’s what you wanna believe.”

  Once he’s only in his boxers, he crawls between my legs, and I wrap mine around him as his mouth comes inches from mine. “Don’t pout. You’re too beautiful to look like someone stole your dog.”

  I chuckle, squeezing my thighs and cupping his face. “Then shut up and kiss me.”

  Ethan worships my mouth, throat, and neck. He grinds his hard cock against me, driving me more wild with each passing second. I drag my nails down his back as my body burns from the inside out.

  “You make me crazy,” he mutters as his mouth trails down my chest.

  My back arches as he lowers the cup of my bra and pulls my nipple into his mouth. The intense wave of pleasure has my breath hitching.

  “Fuck, I can’t get enough. I want to devour every inch of you.” He moves to my other nipple, and the sensations are nonstop.

  “I want you,” I hum. “Please.”

  “I love hearing you beg. Makes me so goddamn hard.”

  “You’re already hard,” I counter, teasingly.

  “Impossible not to be when around you, baby.” He presses a final kiss between my breasts before climbing off the bed. “Bra and panties off. I can’t wait any longer. I’ll be sweet and gentle next time.”

  My eyes widen in anticipation as I unhook my bra, then toss it to the side. As I take off my underwear, I admire every thick inch of him.

  “Spread your legs, love. I wanna see that sweet pussy of yours.”

  My cheeks redden as I move to the middle of the bed and obey his command. I love how demanding and eager he is. Ethan dips down and presses a soft kiss to my lips before he trails down my body and swipes his tongue over my slit. I’m all about foreplay and love Ethan’s mouth and fingers on me, but right now, I just want him to fuck me.

  “Gonna get you ready for me, baby,” he says as I grow anxious. He thrusts two digits inside as he sucks my clit, and my eyes roll to the back of my head.

  I fist the blankets and rock my hips against his face. “Fuck, that feels so good.”

  Ethan groans as he sucks and licks me. He pushes his fingers in deeper and picks up speed.

  “I wanna feel your cunt squeeze my fingers. You’re close,” he says, and I confirm with a nod.

&nb
sp; “Rub my clit steady and slow,” I direct. That gets me there every time.

  Ethan immediately moves there, and within minutes, I’m pushed over the edge and moaning his name.

  “Yes, that’s my girl.” He licks my arousal as I come back down. “So goddamn sweet.”

  “I need you.” I bite my lower lip, nearly begging when he grasps his dick and presses it against my entrance.

  He meets my gaze, and the intensity is almost too much. “I’m not going anywhere, love.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  ETHAN

  This was not how I anticipated tonight going, and the fact that Harper’s frantically begging for me makes the past week of misery a thousand percent worth it.

  Hearing her say she loves me?

  I thought I was gonna die.

  Never did I think she’d confess that, and now that she has, I can’t stop hearing those words repeat in my head.

  The way I feel for Harper is almost indescribable, and it consumes every part of me. Harper’s my forever.

  “I need you.” Harper pleads as I stroke myself and get ready for her.

  I slide my cock in her juices before pushing against her pussy. “I’m not going anywhere, love.”

  As I squeeze her thigh, I slowly thrust inside, inch by inch, feeling how wet she is for me. Harper’s moans echo, and when she mutters my name, I’m a goner. The first time we slept together was amazing, but we were drunk. This already feels a million times better.

  Knowing she loves me.

  Knowing this won’t be the last time.

  Knowing she’s mine.

  “So good,” I grunt, pulling out before slamming back in. She claws at my arms, moving me closer. As she wraps her legs around me, she digs her ankles into my back, and we rock together. “You feel that? That’s you and me.”

  “It’s incredible,” she mutters as my lips brush hers. “I never knew it could be this way.”

  “I did…” I move to her ear and swipe my tongue along her neck. “I knew it would be with you.”

  “I wish you would’ve told me sooner.”

  “You knew the first time we were together.”

  “I screwed it up.”

  I abruptly kiss her. “No. It doesn’t matter, babe. We’re here now.”

  Years of waiting, of wondering if or when, of worrying if the risk would be worth it, and it was.

  It was so worth it.

  Our bodies mold together as we kiss, moan, and touch. The love I have for Harper takes over, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make her the happiest woman alive. To please her. To make sure she never questions my intentions.

  “You’re close,” I murmur, falling back on my knees so I can slide my hand between us. Rubbing her clit, I slow my strokes so I can watch it build over her.

  “Oh my God, yes…”

  Watching Harper fall apart underneath me gives me a sense of pride I’ve never had before. The way she arches her back and squeezes her eyes as if she can’t control her body’s response is everything. Her pussy tightens, and I increase my pace, hoping to get her there sooner. I play with her bundle of nerves with one hand and massage her breast with the other.

  “Fuck, love. You look like a goddess.”

  Her hair is sprawled out, and her ruby red lips are swollen from our kissing. Harper’s panting, and when I reposition her leg higher, she screams with pleasure. Her body explodes and writhes underneath me, and I capture her nipple in my mouth as she rides the high. She tangles her fingers in my hair, and when she settles, I push off her.

  “Flip over, baby. Show me that ass.” I flash her a wink as her flushed cheeks tint darker.

  When she’s in the middle of the bed, I smack her ass and watch her skin go pink. “Jesus,” I hiss. “Pure perfection. That’s what you are.”

  I grip my shaft and slowly move inside her. She lowers her body but keeps her hips high so I can grab them while I thrust in and out.

  “You’re so deep in this position,” she hums, rocking against me.

  “Feels so goddamn good.”

  Our bodies smack loud and fast as I bring us both closer to the edge. As I wrap an arm around her waist and find her needy clit, she moans and grows frantic.

  “Not yet, love…” I tease, moving my hand to the base of her skull as I fist a chunk of hair. Pulling, I bring my lips to her ear. “You’ve made me a possessive man in a very short amount of time. I can’t get enough of you. You’re mine, Harper.”

  “All yours,” she reassures me. “I don’t want anyone else.”

  Thank fuck. Just thinking about Harper with another man makes me want to die. Or murder. Either one.

  “Whose cock makes you come, baby?”

  “Yours, of course.” She smirks. “You like my pussy.”

  “Fuckin’ love your cunt. God, it’s so wet and tight. I don’t want to stop.”

  “Let me ride you,” she says, and within seconds, she’s straddling me.

  “Yes…” I cup her breasts, then pinch her nipples. “I could watch your tits bounce forever.”

  Harper rocks her hips, and as I thrust up, her body tenses. She clings to me as she rides out her second orgasm, and moments later, I follow. The most earth-shattering sensation takes over, and as my jaw clenches, Harper leans over and captures my mouth.

  I wrap my hand around her and kiss her like she’s my lifeline—my reason for everything. She was worth waiting for when the timing was finally right.

  “I love you,” she whispers, and my heart squeezes.

  “You have no idea what hearing that does to me.” I hold her to my chest as our bodies tremble together. “I’ve loved you for so long, Harper.”

  “I think some part of me always knew I loved you, but it was because I loved you so much that I was even more scared to lose you.”

  I roll us over until I’m half on top of her. Brushing aside the loose strands of her hair, I gaze into her lust-filled eyes. “Me too. But I couldn’t be happier about where we ended up.”

  Harper smiles with a nod. “Except now we need to deal with the fallout of that engagement announcement.”

  “Hold that thought.” I kiss the tip of her nose before getting up and walking to the bathroom. I grab a towel, put on my boxers, then return to the bed and clean us up.

  “That rumor will haunt us until we find a way to fix it,” she continues as she pulls on the T-shirt I was wearing. “I don’t want it to ruin this new thing we have.”

  I contemplate my words for a moment, deciding how I should proceed. There’s no question in my mind that Harper’s the woman for me. I’m in love with her, and nothing has ever felt more right.

  “Alright, so…what if it wasn’t a rumor?” I arch a brow, hesitating as I wait for her response.

  She furrows her brows, leaning against the headboard. “What do you mean?”

  I move to find my jeans and grab the velvet box from the pocket. Once I return, I go down on one knee and present the engagement ring. The expensive, real one that was always meant for her.

  “W-what are you doing?” She looks at me, then to the diamond, then back at me again.

  “I never wanna be without you, Harper. I want forever. I believe in us and the way we feel about each other. We know everything about each other, and there’s no one I’d rather marry than you. It might be impulsive and crazy, but—”

  “Yes!” she blurts out frantically, moving closer to the edge of the bed. “I will marry you, Ethan Bishop.”

  “Holy shit.” I laugh, pulling her in for a kiss. Cupping her cheeks, I slide my tongue against hers and feel how fast her heart’s beating. “You’re sure?”

  “You’re right, it’s crazy, but you’re all I’ll ever want and need.” She smiles so wide, I can’t contain the burst of happiness that surrounds me. “You and me.”

  I take the ring and slide it over her finger. “You and me, love. Forever.”

  After Harper and I officially got engaged, we celebrated with another round between the
sheets and then another in the shower after we took a snack break. Our families are going to flip when we tell them the news, but most of them won’t be surprised. Though I was supposed to work in the morning, I sent a text to Payton and Kane to cover for me.

  “Good mornin’,” I whisper in Harper’s ear. “I have breakfast and coffee for you.”

  “Mmm…” She grins as she stretches her arms over her head. “You made food?”

  I chuckle at the shock in her tone. “No, but I went to the B&B and got your favorites.”

  Her eyes fly open in excitement. “Western omelet?”

  “Yep, with a side of bacon and a poppyseed muffin.”

  “Oh my God. If I didn’t say I love you before, I definitely would now.”

  “I don’t mind hearing it again.” I wink.

  Harper sits up and snickers. “Let’s see how good this omelet is first.”

  “It’s Maize’s cookin’. You know it’s gonna be the best.”

  “That’s true.”

  I bring her a plate full of food and a cup of coffee with sugar and creamer. Then I sit next to her and eat.

  “So what do you think we should tell our parents?”

  “Hmm…I was kinda hoping you’d have an idea.”

  “Well, flash that ring around for a few minutes, and that should do the trick.”

  “Speaking of which, why’d you have it with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I thought you were returning it. Wasn’t that your plan?”

  “Originally, yes. But I kept it in my truck because after our night together, I held on to hope that it’d be the ring I’d propose to you with.” I flash a cocky smile. “Turns out it was.”

  “Why was it in your pocket then if you had it in your truck?”

  “Umm…well,” I hesitate.

  “Ethan…”

  I shrug. “I wasn’t sure where last night would head after I arrived. I wanted to be prepared for different scenarios.”

  Harper gives me a puzzled look.

  “You know, the one where you tell me to fuck off. Or the other where you confess your undying love for me,” I say smugly.

  She snorts, shaking her head. “I’m afraid to ask what was in your other pocket then.”