All About Us Read online

  Jesse leads Raven over to where I sit on Charger, tightens the saddle and pulls himself up. He follows my eyes as I watch Emma and Alex get their horses ready. “Dude, you are so smitten. You can’t even look away.”

  “Smitten is for teenagers. I love her and yesterday she told me she loves me too.” Grinning widely, I reluctantly look away from her and face my best friend. “Have you talked to your parents yet?” Pursing his lips, he fiddles with his mare’s mane and shakes his head. “Why not?”

  “Because I’m a fucking chicken. My mom will be fine, but you know how my dad is.”

  “You need to tell them. Do it this weekend. If you need to go out after and unwind, we can all go to Linger. Who knows, maybe you will meet someone once the weight of keeping it a secret is off your shoulders.”

  “But . . .”

  “If your dad can’t love you for who you are then fuck him. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Alan, but you are his son and he should support you in being happy and true to yourself.”

  “Alright, alright. I will tell him tomorrow. You bossy asshole. But we’re going out afterwards, I know I’m going to need a drink.” Smiling at him when he concedes, I hide the fear I share with him. His father is a very traditional conservative and this has the potential to put a huge wedge in their relationship.

  Alex rides up on Chandler and fist bumps Jesse. While they chat, I move around them and lean over to kiss Emma. Despite spending the night with her, the short time I went to quickly do chores before breakfast felt like torture. It is days like today I wish I could stay in all day, locked away with the woman I love without thinking of anything else.

  “We’re meeting Ryan and Lia there, they’re coming from the clinic.” Emma and I ride side by side as we go to separate the foals from their moms. They are old enough to be weaned and Jesse finished checking their new pen to ensure it is safe for them.

  “So how many foals are we moving?” This is Alex’s first time coming to work with the horses and despite the progress he has made the nervousness is apparent in his voice.

  “We have 12 foals. I have been handling them since day one and they all lead very well.” Lia and Ryan are waiting for us as we walk up. Tossing them the halters, I tie Charger to the hitching post. “The pen they are moving into is this smaller one that is attached, the babies can’t feed through the wire but it won’t be too much of a separation.”

  It doesn’t take long to move the foals. Jesse, Lia and Ryan all leave to go back to work, leaving Emma, Alex and I to ensure they settle in okay.

  “Arwen, you’re such a pretty girl! I can’t wait to bring you home.” Emma coos at her horse while Alex and I watch.

  “So I hear she told you she loves you.” Alex smiles at me knowingly when I grin. “I don’t need to do the big brother warning do I?”

  “I think it’s implied.”

  “What’s implied?” Emma asks hearing the tail end of our conversation, a blissful smile on her face. I love that I have a hand in putting it there. Ever since she opened up to me, her eyes shine brighter and she carries herself with more sureness. Almost as if she is sharing the load a little, rather than sinking under its weight.

  “That Arwen is the best foal.” Alex jumps in and she smirks at his obvious attempt to distract her.

  “True, but I know you’re lying.” Emma punches him playfully before running away as he chases her.

  “As entertaining as this is, I need to go help Jesse finish up building the new round pens.” Pulling Emma into my arms, I kiss her deeply, relishing in how much more relaxed she is around me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Reluctantly I release her and untie Charger.

  Riding away, my face hurts from smiling so much. Hearing those three words for the first time was a dream come true and each time she says them after feels like a gift. In that moment there was a shift in our relationship, she entrusted me to be a person who would never hurt her. That trust means more to me than anything else in the world and I will cherish it always because she is my forever. There is no one else, never has been despite my feeble attempts to find it. Even when Natalie and I were dating, her disrespect for our relationship stung, but more due to my pride being hurt than actually feeling sad it didn’t work. With Emma, my pride is set aside; all there is are my feelings for her and everything I will do to make her life good.

  If I’ve learned anything in the past 11 months it’s that our time here is short. It can be taken away at any time and that means we need to make the most of it.

  Joining Jesse, we unload the boards that had been cut and pile them around the freshly pounded posts. Each round pen is built quickly once we find our rhythm and it is not long before I’m home and in the shower, eager to go on a date with Emma. Jesse asked what kinds of dates we had gone on today and I realized that I have not yet taken her out officially. Everything we’ve done has been on the ranch.

  I finish cleaning myself up and realize I didn’t give Emma a heads up. This should be interesting.

  Me: I’m taking you out tonight. Be ready in half hour.

  Emma: I get an hour, Mr. Bossypants.

  Me: Bossypants? Lol

  Emma: Yes, because you’re so bossy sometimes. Now shush so I can get ready.

  Tossing my phone onto the bed chuckling, she hasn’t seen just how bossy I can be. I’m grabbing clothes from my dresser, when Emma’s photo catches my eye. It’s the most recent picture I have of her, taken right before her parent’s crash. Comparing the way she looked then to how she is now, I see the difference. Yet somehow, now that she has started therapy and begun to open up there is an air of hope around her. With hope comes healing and with healing comes the ability to really live. Setting the photo back down on my dresser, this time front and center, I quickly finish getting ready so I have time to complete the arrangements before picking her up, maybe it’s a good thing I have an hour.

  Looking in my closet, I have no idea what to wear. I should have asked Dane what we are doing, but it’s too late. I have ten minutes until my hour is up. Sighing, I throw on some dark wash jeans and a flowing strapless top. Finishing the look with a cute sweater, I grab my flip flops and head outside to sit on the porch swing. Excitement at what he has planned, his demanding text was honestly a turn on and curiosity fills me at what he could possibly have planned.

  The door to their house opens and I watch as Dane crosses the short distance to my house. He is dressed casually in jeans and a black t-shirt that hugs his body. Damn he is so hot. Ever since I told him how I feel, there is a lightness to our relationship . . . a lightness to me that I didn’t expect.

  He takes the steps two at a time, striding purposefully towards me. Standing, I wrap my arms around him breathing in his soft cologne.

  “You look beautiful.” His lips graze my bare shoulder sending shivers down my spine and settling in my core. “I realized today that we have yet to go on a proper date. We haven’t left the ranch except to run errands. Then I thought, who cares if we don’t leave the ranch? This place fits perfectly with us.” His smiles, his dimples popping out and grabs my hand leading me to the quad he has parked at the head of a trail I haven’t explored since we were children.

  Wrapping my arms around Dane, he takes off and we go flying down the trail. The lights from the quad light the way, but in the darkness of the forest all else is shrouded in shadows as the sun sets. Closing my eyes, I rest my cheek against Dane’s back enjoying the heat of his body contrasting with the cool air that blows around us with the speed of the quad. Being this close to him, I sigh in contentment at how happy I am. It had seemed impossible not too long ago, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It may be in the distance, but it’s there.

  Sitting up as we slow and come to a stop, my eyes widen as I look at Dane’s treehouse for the first time in 13 years. He has strung twinkle lights throughout the trees giving everything a magical quality. Light shines from inside the treehouse, curious as to what he has set up, I climb the ladd
er and crawl inside the small door. Moving to the side so Dane can follow me in, I feel how wide my eyes are as I look at the lanterns hanging from the hooks in the corners and the pile of blankets and pillows surrounding a cooler and picnic basket.

  “This is perfect.” Dane’s smile is soft, loving and reaches his eyes. Crawling over to him, I kneel in front of him smiling. “Way better than anything we could do in town.” Tilting my head up, I kiss him softly before getting cozy in the mound of pillows. Dane sits down across from me and smirks when I frown at him.

  Dane opens the cooler and hands me a bottle of water before moving to the picnic basket. I watch his hands pull food out and my mouth waters. He passes me a toasted sandwich with chicken, guacamole, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. Taking a bite, I groan at how delicious it is.

  “That is why I sat over here. If I was right next to you, that sandwich would be out the window and you would be on your back.” His light eyes darken with his words, looking at me with desire as he takes a bite of his own sandwich. My body heats up in anticipation and I teasingly lick my fingers clean. Dane narrows his eyes and slowly finishes his sandwich, wiping his fingers with a towel.

  He crawls towards me, slowly like a lion hunting its prey, causing butterflies to explode in my stomach. His look, his intensity, the way he moves makes me wet and I freeze waiting to see what he will do.

  Not breaking eye contact, he pushes all the food to the side and calmly takes the water bottle I’m gripping in my hand and throws it aside. Dane trails his fingers up my legs leaving a wake of tingles until he reaches my hips. Grabbing them gently, he lifts me into the center of the pillow mound.

  Air rushes out of my lungs as my back hits the pillows, Dane leaning down towards me. Closing my eyes, I anticipate his kiss, but it never comes. Instead, I feel his gentle breath over my face as his fingers slide up under my shirt grazing my skin whisper soft.

  Dane lifts my shirt up and I shift to allow him to pull it over my head. Unhooking my bra, he slides it off, continuing to glide his fingertips gently over my skin.

  His head dips and his lips finally make contact with my skin as he lightly kisses my neck and shoulder. My head falls back, the teasing kisses flooding my senses as he builds the anticipation. My body burns and aches, my heart pounding with desire.

  My back arches as he sucks my nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue while his hands undo my jeans. Aching as he pulls away, I eagerly go to help him remove my jeans, but he pushes me hands away.

  “Emma.” His tone is firm, warning me. “Hands by your side.” I do as he says, resisting disobeying him because all I want is for him to be inside me.

  Gripping the pillows, I lift my hips as he removes the rest of my clothing. Hands sliding up my legs, he grips my hips and blows gently on me.

  Whimpers beg from my lips as he kisses soft kisses on my inner thighs, but not where I need him most.

  Gasping as his tongue finally strokes me, I fist my hands in his hair growling when he pulls away.

  “Hands down!” Words won’t form as I grab the pillows. I guess I’m really getting Mr. Bossypants this evening.

  He sucks my clit and thrusts two fingers into me, building me up until I can feel the brink of an orgasm. Pulling away, he smirks at the expression of frustration on my face.

  Dane leans back, removing his clothes and crawling over top of me. He pushes himself into my heat part way before pulling back out.

  “What the hell? Stop being such a tease!” No longer able to be silent, I grab his hips and try to pull him back in.

  He grips my wrists firmly in his hands and pins my arms above my head, teasing me. “We’ve already done that, we need to try something new. I have to find your favorite, remember?” Moaning as he flips me over and pulling my hips up, he thrusts into me hard. His pace is hard and fast, relentless, the position allowing him to push in deeper. Every nerve ending in my body fires as I come, clenching around him. Even lost in my own bliss the force of his orgasm brings me out of my haze as he thrusts into me one last time before pulling us down onto the pillows.

  Dane’s fingers stroke circles over my back as we look into each other’s eyes. Every day with him makes me feel even more complete, more complete than I expected to feel without my family.

  My eyes grow heavy as he rubs and I let sleep pull me in. It no longer scares me to go to sleep, instead I relish in the act of falling asleep with the man I love.

  “I love you.”

  He brushes his lips over mine. “I love you too.”

  Stretching my arms above my head, I close my books and file them away. Thanks to Alex’s website, I have training clients starting in September. The new arena expansion is booked and should be completed by then.

  Sighing when the phone rings, I check the caller ID and quickly swipe my finger. “How did it go man?”

  Jesse’s voice is quiet, but I can feel the fury over the phone. “Mom was fine. As predicted Dad was a complete asshole. I need to move out.”

  “Oh shit. Do you need a place to stay?” Jesse was only staying there temporarily, but his father kicking him out is such a huge kick in the balls.

  “I found one. A buddy of mine has an extra room and he said he had been thinking of getting a roommate.”

  “When are we going out? I will round up everyone.”

  “I do need to get out and have some fun. I’m just packing up what I can, my mom is going to send the rest of my stuff next week.” Shuffling comes over the phone as I hear Jesse tape a box shut. “How about we meet at Linger in two hours? It will be before it really gets busy and we should be able to grab a booth.”

  Emma and I arrive at Linger early to save a booth. It’s her first time and when we stop outside, her hesitance makes me laugh.

  “Trust me.”

  “I do, but right now I’m wondering if that’s a smart decision. Am I going to be cut with a rusty knife?” Shaking my head, I link my fingers with her and open the door leading her inside. Standing to the side, I watch as she takes in the view. The soft lighting, cozy booths and well stocked bar. “Wow.”

  “See, it’s just a disguise.” She looks around as I guide her through the crowd to an empty booth. A server comes up and we order drinks. I get my usual Big Rock and Emma orders a long island iced tea.

  Scanning the crowd, I’m relieved to see Yvette isn’t here, but the night is still young.

  “What are we drinking?” Lia, Ryan and Alex join us, sliding in the booth. Emma slides her drink over to Lia who tries a sip. “Oh yeah! That’s tasty.”

  “Holy shit.” Emma’s jaw drops as she looks at the door.

  “Oh my.” Lia follows Emma’s gaze and watches as Jesse leads a guy to the table.

  “Hey guys. This is Ashton, I just moved into his place.” Jesse and Ashton slide into the booth as Emma and Lia gawk. Nudging Emma, I cock my eyebrow at her. She blushes and kisses me gently. Wrapping my arm around her, I chuckle as Lia openly checks out Ashton.

  Alex looks between Lia and Ashton, a sullen look on his face as he downs his beer.

  “What’s going on there?” Emma looks over at Alex and giggles.

  “I’m not sure yet, but whatever it is they’re not as sneaky as they think they are.” She smiles at Alex when he glances our way and then I notice that he purposely doesn’t look Lia’s way again. Huh. Interesting.

  As the night progresses, it becomes glaringly obvious that Ashton is into Jesse. Lia picks up on that and moves her attention back to Alex. How did I miss the sparks between those two before now?

  “Want to dance?” Emma nods as the DJ starts playing a slow song. I lead her onto the dance floor and wrap my arms around her. The warmth of her body pulls me in and I can’t help but smile at her as she rests her cheek on my chest, closing her eyes.

  Everything fades. The music. The people. The sounds of the bar. It’s just me and her. The soft curves of her body molding to me, she is leaning on me letting me support her as we sway on the dance floor. The beat of
my heart is steady and sure, there is no doubt in my mind this woman is mine to love forever.

  The future I have envisioned for us is finally coming true and the feeling of knowing that her heart has finally caught up to mine is surreal. It’s the best feeling in the world, but some nights as I fall asleep I wonder if I will wake up to find it was only a dream. Tilting my head down, I kiss her lips softly groaning as she deepens the kiss.

  It’s easy to forget we are in public when Emma kisses me and it’s not until Alex’s voice breaks through our bubble that I remember we have an audience. “Get a room! Song is over by the way.” Alex’s hand rests on Lia’s elbow as he guides off the dance floor, mocking us as Emma lifts her head and gives him the finger. She smiles at me and kisses me gently before we turn to head back to the table.

  Meandering through the crowd, a woman with blonde hair and baby blue eyes blocks our path, it takes a moment for the fog of my dance with Emma to clear for me to realize it is Yvette. She is staring at Emma intently and fierce protectiveness floods my body at the disdainful expression she wears. Wrapping my arm even tighter around Emma, I clear my throat. Yvette drags her gaze away from Emma and her expression changes from disdainful to hungry. She really cannot hide the ugliness of her spirit any longer.

  “Yvette, we would appreciate it if you would move.” She steps to the side with a scowl and we walk silently to the booth, the daggers being thrown in our direction as we walk following us the entire way.

  Sliding into the booth, Alex leans over when he sees Emma’s face. Even though he whispers to her, I’m close enough to hear what he says. “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to retreat back into yourself and we just got you out of that.”

  “I’m fine.” Emma plasters on a smile, as she tunes in to the conversation our friends are holding. My eyes are fixed on her, everything tense as I gauge her mood and what could possibly be running through her mind. She slowly starts to relax, her smile becoming genuine and the tension leaves my body. I would be tense to if I ran into her coward of an ex-boyfriend, although that would probably lead to me punching the douche just because he is an idiot for letting Emma go.