Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“What’s your favorite part of being on the farm?” I ask him once we put in half a day’s work. It’s nearly dinner time and I’m not ready to stop. No wonder he loves working outdoors. It’s so energizing to be in the fresh air with the sunshine on my back, and the birds singing in the trees above me.
“The best part is working with the machinery. I restore the tractors on the place.”
I want to know everything about Cord and what he does. “Can I see?”
He leads me to the workshop and shows me a beautiful tractor. He runs his hand along the gleaming machine. “I just finished this one last week. Haven’t even given it a test drive yet. Do you want to do that with me?”
I nod, and he climbs onto the tractor then helps me up. I settle in his lap, feeling his hardness underneath my body. I put my lips together to keep from moaning out loud. It’s been a week since he’s been inside me, and I’m tempted to start grinding on him right here. But I’m the one who insisted on the guidelines, and it’s not fair to tease him.
He talks me through the controls and how they work, his voice rough and gritty. I recognize that raw, masculine need in his tone from our honeymoon.
We spend the next thirty minutes cruising around the farm on the tractor. The wind in my hair is making me laugh. Cord’s arms are around me holding me tight, and it’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.
When I shut off the tractor behind the barn, I turn to Cord. “That was amazing. No wonder you love working on these machines.”
His gaze is on my lips. My hands go to his shoulders, and I lean in. It’s the only sound he needs because then he’s kissing me. A hungry, devouring kiss because we’ve denied ourselves for a week, and now there’s only primal need. His tongue strokes along mine, sending shivers down my spine.
But it’s his groan that shakes me out of my stupor and pulls me back to reality.
I call his name softly. “We had rules, and they included foreplay.”
“We’re not breaking the rules. This is just kissing.”
“But it can’t lead anywhere,” I tell him, frustrated that he’s not seeing that. The only thing that making out without going all the way will do is annoy both of us.
“I’m okay with that.”
“Why?”
“I want our marriage to last forever. And there will be times when, for one reason or another, we don’t have sex. Maybe illness or childbirth or any number of things, but what I hope is underneath all of that, the foundation of our relationship, is two friends that really enjoy kissing each other.”
Tears prick my eyes unexpectedly. “It’s not that I don’t trust you or believe in the future you’re painting. It’s just that at some point, I stopped trusting me.”
His fingers trace up and down my spine, soothing me and arousing me, sending sparks throughout my body. “Take your time. I’m going to be right here.”
I frown as I sniff the air. “What’s burning?”
Chapter 11
Mira
“That’s not a fire. It’s just the smell of dinner. We usually cook it over an open flame here.”
My stomach growls at the mention of food, and he grins. ““Come on. Let’s get you fed.”
He helps me down from the tractor. We walk hand in hand to the food area, and I like the way it feels to have him touching me. I want to reach for this thing between us. But what if I choose wrong again? What if there’s something hidden about Cord that I’m just not seeing?
At the fire pit, there are mainly men standing around including a silver-haired fox who’s currently flipping burgers. He’s attractive but not nearly like Cord is. Cord is the handsomest guy I’ve ever met, and it’s more than just how he looks. It’s how he cares for me.
There’s one woman sitting in a chair next to a bearded cowboy. She lights up when she sees me and waves.
I recognize her as Lauren from the website and social media videos. She’s the one who coordinated the entire fundraiser. She did it to save her aunt’s retirement home, so the seniors in Courage County would have a place to live.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Lauren says as soon as she sees me. “I got so excited when Cord said he was bringing you by.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” I tell her, meaning it. I love being in a small town where a stranger greets me with the words, I’m glad you’re here.
She gestures for me to take the camping chair next to her, and I plop in it gratefully.
I’m exhausted from being on my feet all day. While I loved being out in the sunshine and working outdoors, I don’t know how Cord manages to do it. He must have some kind of stamina that allows him to work logging all week, then come on weekends to the farm and keep up with chores here.