Noah’s Journey(33)

“Sorry,” I said breathlessly. I was doing everything possible to remain calm in the presence of Austin. Good thing the little guy was so lost in enjoying his special treat that he was completely oblivious to the interaction between his father and me. I arched my back, which gave me just the right angle to push against his hardness more.

“Looks like Little Miss Sassy has picked up a little game of her own,” Noah said with his lips still hovering near my ear. “You better be prepared to back that up in a few hours, darlin’. Because I plan on taking this night into a little overtime.”

I looked over my shoulder and found Noah’s heated stare. He had that “I am gonna work you up and ride you hard” look. The man had the stamina of a hundred men, I swear. I had a hard time keeping up with him, but hell, I still truly enjoyed trying to outlast him, even if in the end I was exhausted and achy.

“My place or yours?” I asked before I bit down on my lower lip.

His gaze immediately shifted toward my lips. “Mine,” he said. “I have to take Austin back to his mom, and then I want to stop by and check on Momma. After that, I’ll head home and wait—very impatiently for my own sweetness to be delivered.”

“I promise not to keep you waiting long,” I said as I leaned toward him before pressing a soft kiss against his jaw.

“Okay,” he said before slouching enough to place his lips to mine. And once again, my body hummed with the promise of more to come.





Chapter Twenty





Noah



After dropping Austin off at Stacey’s parents’ place, I drove out to the ranch. Months after the loss of my father, it still felt strange visiting. I always expected to see his truck sitting in the driveway, but Momma had given it to Ryan. With Olivia finally getting her license, they felt Dad’s 1999 Ford was the best fit for her, especially with how her face lit up with the idea of inheriting her grandad’s truck. We all agreed Liv deserved it. She was a respectful girl who would treasure the gift and its significance.

Hell, to this day she washed and polished it as if it was a brand-new BMW. At times, Ryan said he would find her just sitting in the truck in the driveway listening to the radio. She had no desire to go anywhere, but being inside somehow made her feel closer to the old man, and that too confirmed our Liv was one special girl.

Jackson was still here, finishing his daily tasks. At times I wondered how my little brother handled this place. I loved the ranch, but it never truly had the hold on me it appeared to have on Jack. It was his baby now, and he had no problem running it as smoothly as Dad did.

When I entered the barn, I checked each stall as I passed in search of Jackson. As I reached the end stall, I began thinking maybe he had just left his truck here when I heard a loud groan—a groan of pleasure that had my ass freezing in place, terrified I was about to see something that would forever be etched in my mind. And sure as shit, as I turned to the left, I was blindsided by Jack’s naked ass as he went to town on Bailey.

“Motherfuck,” I said as I covered my eyes and began walking backward. “What the hell is with you two? I could have been Momma walking in on this shit.”

I heard Bailey’s squeals and a deep chuckle from my brother while I continued to back away. Cocky asshole had no shame. He thought being caught was funny.

When I was far enough that I would no long be subjected to the sight of my brother’s bare ass, I removed my hand from my eyes and rushed from the barn, craving the safety of my momma’s house.

I would leave what I had just witnessed behind, sparing Ma any details. If she knew the two of them were screwing in the barn, she’d beat them with the broom for sure.

“Hey, son.” She looked up from the kitchen table as I entered the back door. She and dad used to sit there for hours working on crosswords puzzles. I swear they bought them in bulk.

“Hey, Momma,” I replied as I leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

“What are you up to? And where is my grandson?” She spoke without looking away from her puzzle.

“Just stopping by to visit. Alena has another hour or so at the shop before she’s meeting me at my place. Austin, I assume, is in bed by now or getting ready for it.” I sat down in the chair across from her and leaned back, crossing my ankles out before me. “I picked him up after work for dinner and dessert. Then I took him back. It’s too hard to keep him on the nights I have to be at the station so early the next day.”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing him a little more.” She arched an eyebrow at me, daring me to argue.

I instantly felt guilty. I did need to bring him around my family more. It wasn’t only me that had missed out on him. They had too.