“Sorry, Ma. How about tomorrow night we bring you dinner? Just Austin and me, with the best woman I know.” I smiled when her eyes glossed over.
“Still a charmer, I see,” she said as she sniffled. “But I think your ma has got a little competition now. Seems you have a liking for a certain fashion-store owner.” She winked playfully, and warmth spread over me.
“Competition? No, never. You’ll always be my number-one, momma. But you are right, Alena has snuck in and found a special place.”
“And that knowledge makes me happy. Love looks good on you,” she added before looking back down at her crossword. “Why don’t you bring her tomorrow too? I think it’s time we made her feel like part of the family.”
I waited for her to look up, and when she did, I smiled, assuring her that her gesture meant a lot.
I stood from the table and took a step toward her. Leaning over once more, I kissed the top of her head. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Ma. Love you.”
“Love you too, son, and will you do me a favor?” she asked as she patted the top of my hand.
“Sure, anything for you,” I assured her.
She looked up at me with an expression on her face that made me realize I would regret agreeing to do whatever it was she was about to ask. “Could you make those two horny-ass fools go home?” I froze, wondering if she was upset or if she found their random sex acts as funny as the rest of us. “I went out earlier to check on feed for the horses before I ordered the next shipment. I didn’t even make it two steps in the damn barn when I turned right around and came back inside. I swear it is a miracle they can even function with their clothes on. They’re naked more times than not.”
She shook her head and then laughed lightly. That’s when I knew she was just being her old ornery self.
“Momma, I would do just about anything you ask me to do,” I began, “except go back in that barn and see any more than I already have.”
I turned and walked out the back door, leaving her laughter fading behind me.
Just as I reached my truck, my cell phone chirped with an incoming message, and I quickly swiped my finger across the screen.
Alena: I’m leaving now, is there anything I need to bring?
The excitement of seeing Alena made me feel like a damn teenage boy all over again.
I sent a quick reply before crawling into the cab of my truck and hurrying home.
Me: Just you darlin’. You’re all I need right now.
***
I sat on the steps leading up to my front door, resting my elbows on my knees as I watched as she walked up the driveway. She smiled sweetly, stopping only a few feet from where I sat. “Hey, cowboy,” she cooed.
Instantly, I was twitching with desire. Alena had quickly become something I craved. “Hey, sweetheart,” I replied, only making her smile grow wider. “First things first, what are you doing tomorrow night?”
She shrugged. “Nothing that I know of.”
“Well, now you’re having dinner with me and Austin at my ma’s. She insists I bring the woman that has brought back my smile.” Alena bit her lower lip, nodding in agreement. “Now about tonight, are you hungry?”
She shook her head, still watching me closely.
I stood, and her stare followed me, though she remained standing in the same spot. I stepped up to her, wrapped my arm around her waist, and pulled her body close to mine. “We could give Jackson and Bailey some outdoor competition.”
I tried not to laugh at Alena’s look of surprise. She arched an eyebrow at me, only making it harder not to react. “I think as long as I’m outdoors, I’d prefer keeping my clothes on.”
“I bet I could change your mind,” I assured her and lowered my hand to cup her ass.
“I’m sure you could,” she said breathlessly. “But I prefer taking things inside.”
I honestly didn’t want to take a move from Jackson’s playbook, but I sure loved seeing Alena get all worked up and needy. It did animalistic things to me. Without any further words, I gripped the backs of her thighs and lifted her into my arms. She willingly wrapped herself around me, staring at me with matching desire.
As I stepped inside, I kicked the door shut and carried her toward the countertop that separated the kitchen and living room. I lowered her onto it and began sliding my hands up her sides, taking her shirt with me along the way, allowing myself a few minutes to take in her beauty.
“I don’t think I tell you enough just how beautiful you are.” Her cheeks reddened, and she ducked her head. “Hey.” I placed my finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “Why you hiding?”