“Oh, you will, Dove. I promise you that,” I respond, leaving it at that because there’s no way this woman in my arms won’t be mine.
Eight
Dove
I’m in Trace’s arms, feeling his rigid body beneath mine, the hard length of his cock now pressing against my center. “Can I take care of you?” I ask him, my voice muffled from being in the crook of his neck.
“That was for you. My time will come later when we’re on a flat fucking surface and your knees won’t get torn up.” I stand up, or attempt to anyways, my bare ass flapping in the wind as I look for my clothes to start redressing.
“Hmmm.” A plan starts to formulate as I’m sliding my bra back in place and am going for my panties.
“You don’t have to get dressed on my account.” Trace is watching my every move.
“I’m sure you’d love that, but unless you want me to fry from the sun, that won’t be happening.” I’m finally redressed and sitting beside him, my fingers laced through his.
“We’ll have to do that one day, you and me, the Texas sun, down by the river in nothing but our skin.” He’s lost in thought. My eyes leave his, daydreaming about one day being married to Trace, the two of us getting away for the day, frolicking in the water with nothing on, maybe even rolling around in the grass.
“I see that look on your face, Dove. Whatever you’re thinking, I can guarantee it’s the same thing rolling around in my head, but that’ll have to wait. I promised you time to think and lunch, and that’s just what I’m going to give you. All of our naughty thoughts will have to be put on pause for the time being.” Trace starts up the side-by-side. I look out at all the nature surrounding us and start to soul search about what I could possibly do in my life besides working at my parents’ hardware store. I mean, the truth of the matter is, I envisioned myself married by now. A couple of children running around and being a stay-at-home mom while maybe writing what calls to my soul. There’s such a huge need for children in their teenage years and books that would appeal to them. I think about everything I went through, and even though I left our small town of Maple, Texas, it was only a matter of time before I’d return. Trace drives us around, my plan becoming clearer, of writing and publishing young teen books, doing it on my own, forgoing the idea of going the traditional route. Now, I’ll just have to buckle down and start formulating a plan.
“I can see the steam coming from your ears. I take it you’re figuring shit out?” Trace knocks me out of my thoughts. I look around and see that the river is right in front of us, rocks tilting in different directions, grassy hills, and trees are swaying in the breeze.
“Yep, I made a plan, but first, it’s time to turn my thinking cap off and enjoy the rest of our day together. Something tells me I’m going to be on the grindstone once I get everything together.” I smile at Trace, loving that even though we barely know one another, he’s already becoming the person in my corner.
“That’s good. Maybe it’s something you can do while you’re out on the farm?” he questions with a quirk of his eyebrow.
“I see what you’re doing, Trace McCray. You think I’m going to spill the beans so quickly? Not happening.” I wave my pointer finger at him.
“Oh, I’ll get it out of you one way or another.” His arm is hanging over the steering wheel, showing off his muscles and making the need build up deep inside me again.
“We’ll see about that, but first, I’m getting in the water.” I fly out of the side-by-side, toe off my shoes and socks, then make a run for the river. And I know Trace well enough to know he’ll be hot on my trail.
Nine
Trace
“When were you going to tell me you were seeing Dove Hopkins?” I no sooner walk in the kitchen for breakfast the next day than Mom is peppering me with twenty-one questions. Now I know why Knox just let shit out when it came to him and Blakely—it was either lay the cards on the table, or the whole world would know by digging up every bone, good, bad, or indifferent.
“Today. I’ve only been with her twice. She’s as shy as a new colt weaning off its momma, and I wasn’t gonna have her run for the hills.” I pour a cup of coffee, taking it black without all the extras that Mom puts in hers.
“Well, you act like I’d be the one to scare her off. If anything, it would be you.” She turns back to the stove, flipping pancakes. One thing is for certain, just because her boys have moved out, one of which has a woman of his own now, that doesn’t mean she and Dad don’t keep their house open for breakfast every morning. She’d invite the whole town if they’d come out here.