The Playbook

  “No, no, no, no! Brett, this is a sunroom! Anyone can walk by and see us.”

  Wiggling my eyebrows, I replied, “That’s what makes it daring.”

  “You’re insane.”

  “No, I’m horny.”

  She shook her head. “Does your dick have the energizer bunny in there? How can you keep going?”

  I leaned into her and pressed my hard cock against her. “I keep going, and going, and going. Until you beg me to stop.”

  “Well, we’ll see about that.”

  “A challenge? You know how much I like them.”

  Aubrey smirked. “Don’t forget, I won the last one.”

  Dropping to my knees, I unbuttoned her jeans. Her hands went to my hair as she ran them through it and tugged every so lightly. “You’re not arguing with me anymore, sweetheart.”

  “Shut up and do it.”

  Making a tsk-ing sound, I replied, “So bossy. Will this be in the article? Coach Owens gives mind-blowing oral sex in public.”

  “Stop talking!”

  With a chuckle, I plucked her sneaker off her right foot and pulled her jeans off. I loved that she was letting me do this. Lifting her leg, she moaned before I even touched her. I swallowed hard as I watched her touch her breasts through her T-shirt.

  “God, what are you doing to me?” she whispered.

  A part of me wanted to stop, I knew the more we were together, the closer we’d grow. The other part of me wanted her too much to stop.

  Pressing my mouth over her pussy, I pushed my tongue inside of her as she grabbed my hair and pulled me closer.

  It didn’t take long before I won the challenge.

  SITTING ON THE bed of Brett’s truck, we watched the mysterious lights of Marfa. I leaned against his chest as he held me. It felt so right being in his arms. I didn’t want to do it, but I dreamed of another life with Brett. Living on the ranch, sitting on the porch with a dog sitting next to us, all while I rocked a baby in my arms.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked, drawing me out of thoughts.

  “How peaceful it is out here.”

  My heart hurt lying to him, but I knew Brett Owens was not the type to just walk away from a career he loved to become a husband and father. The dull headache was starting to form as I thought about what it would be like once we got back to Austin.

  I had a career I loved and had worked my ass off for, and so did Brett. There was no way I could do a long distance relationship. Chewing on my lip, another light appeared. This one was bigger and there was no way it was from a car on the highway.

  “There it is,” he whispered. “Make your wish.”

  Closing my eyes, I made my wish. His hot breath against my skin made me shiver. “Did you make it?”

  “I did,” I said breathlessly. “Did you?”

  He held me closer. “I did.”

  Neither one of us said a thing as we watched the light slowly fade to black.

  I flinched when he spoke. “You ready to head back, we have a long drive.”

  “Yep. I’m so tired all of a sudden.”

  Brett slid out from under me and jumped out of the truck. Before I had a chance to jump down, he took me in his arms and carried me to the passenger side of the truck. My stomach dipped at the sweet gesture. As he sat me down on the seat and pulled my seatbelt over, I dared to think maybe we could make this work. Leaning in, he kissed me gently on the lips. “Thank you for today.”

  Lifting my hand up, I placed it on the side of his face. I was falling in love with Brett and I couldn’t deny it.

  “Thank you.”

  One more quick peck on the lips and Brett was making his way around the front of the truck. Once he pulled out onto the highway, I rested my head back and stared out the window. There was no way I could walk away from what we had started. Not with how I felt about Brett. I’d ask Joe about working from Austin. The days I traveled, Brett would be traveling with the team. The rest of the time, we could be together.

  It could work if we tried.

  I dared to let myself believe it as I drifted to sleep.

  The light from the window caused me to squint my eyes shut. “Oh my gosh,” I whispered, stretching and feeling the aches across my body. Smiling, I remembered exactly how I got those aches.

  Sitting up, I ran my fingers over my lips. Brett had carried me upstairs after I had fallen asleep in the truck. I woke when he laid me in bed. We spent what seemed like hours kissing. What started as a goodnight kiss, ended up being a total make-out session. My lips still tingled and felt swollen.

  I jumped up and headed into the bathroom that was attached to my room. After a quick shower, I brushed my teeth and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. One quick gander in the mirror and I decided to go with only mascara today and a light blush. My face seemed to be already flushed and I was sure it was from all the orgasms Brett pulled out of me yesterday. And Lord knows how I’ll blush when I see his parents.

  Walking over to my computer, I brought up my email. None of it was urgent, so I decided to head downstairs and find Brett.

  It didn’t take long to hear Birdy and Joseph’s voices coming from the kitchen. Before I rounded the corner, I took in a deep breath and tried to act normal.

  “Good morning,” I said with a smile, but not a huge one. If I came in too happy, then they would know their son had his wicked way with me and I enjoyed every single second of it.

  Birdy’s gaze met mine. “Why, don’t you look extra beautiful this morning.”

  Shit. They know.

  “I slept great.”

  Oh, geesh, Aubrey. Why don’t you just tell them the truth?

  “It must be this country air,” I quickly added.

  With a wink, Birdy responded with, “Uh-huh. It’s totally the air.”

  “There are some biscuits and fresh strawberries over there in the basket if you’re interested, sweetheart.”

  My stomach rumbled. “Thank you, Joseph.”

  Taking a plate, I put a biscuit and a few strawberries on it. “Has Brett already eaten?”

  Birdy was reading the morning paper. It was funny to me to see someone read the paper. It was becoming rarer. Usually people got their news from their phone, Facebook, or CNN. “Yes, he came down early and went for a run, then ate, and said he had some business to take care of with Mac.”

  I knew it wasn’t any of my business, but I was still bothered by the exchange between the two of them yesterday. “Is everything okay between Mac and Brett? They seemed to be tense around each other yesterday.”

  Joseph sighed. “I’m afraid Mac has been taken on more and more here at the ranch and Brett isn’t too happy about it.”

  Swallowing the berry, I asked, “Why not?”

  Birdy glimpsed at Joseph, then me. She let out a small sigh and gave me a slight grin. “Brett loves football.”

  I nodded. “Yes, I know.”

  “He also loves this ranch. When he was a senior in high school, he announced he wasn’t going to college.”

  A stunned expression covered my face. “What?”

  “That’s pretty much what my reaction was, times ten. We told him he had to follow his dreams and those dreams were college football and the NFL. He was torn because he wanted to stay here and ranch alongside his father.”

  Smiling, I wrapped my arms around myself. That sounded like the Brett I’d come to know.

  Joseph cleared his throat. “I knew he had two dreams and if I kept my mouth shut, he’d have stayed here. I know my son.” The sadness in Joseph’s eyes was so evident. “I told him he needed to follow his dreams. He listened to me and did. Of course, they ended up a bit different, but in the long run, I think he’s happier.”

  I wasn’t so sure about Joseph’s last statement.

  “He loves his job at the university. I’ve seen him in action this last month. He’s an amazing coach and person. You should both be very proud of him.”

  Birdy grinned practically from ear to ear. “I’
ve never been so proud of him and what he has accomplished.”

  I silently said another prayer and thanked God for the way the whole Emily thing turned out.

  “I’ve also seen another side of him here, though. He’s so different. Completely at ease and happy. I’ve never had so much fun like I’ve had the last few days.”

  Birdy and Joseph smiled. “Well, I’m glad they sent you to do the article on him,” Birdy said with a wink.

  My heart skipped a beat. “Me too,” I said, taking a sip of tea I had made.

  The door to the kitchen jerked open, scaring all of us. Brett came storming in and slammed the door shut.

  “Brett, what’s wrong?” Birdy asked.

  Ignoring his mother, he walked up to his dad. “How could you tell him the ranch would be his one day?”

  Joseph drew his head back in surprise. “What and who are you talking about?”

  “Mac! That’s who I’m talking about, Dad. You told him I didn’t want it and had no interest in running it. And he could have the place in Wyoming? What the fuck, Dad? You know how much I love that place.”

  Birdy jumped up. “Brett Owens, do not talk to your father that way.”

  Joseph held up his hands. “It’s okay, he has a right to be angry.”

  My pulse was racing. I’d never seen Brett so upset.

  “So you don’t deny it.”

  Joseph expelled a short breath. “I don’t deny saying he could run the ranch. I never said it would become his.”

  “Well he sure as hell thinks it will be.”

  Running his hand through his hair, Joseph looked hard at Brett. “You have a career, Brett. One that you love. I never wanted to make you think you had to pick, but anytime you want to come back you know this place is yours to run.”

  “And Wyoming?”

  I felt like I was invading a private family meeting. I stood up and slowly retreated.

  “I’ve already told you, I’m going to sell one of the ranches. I can’t keep flying back and forth between the two.”

  A look of sickness washed over Brett’s face. “You know how much I love that ranch up there, Dad.”

  My stomach dropped and I stopped walking. Last night Brett had talked about the summers and holidays they had spent up in Wyoming and how much he loved it. His dream had been to retire there some day. The way he described the house was amazing. I pictured it to be a log cabin mansion. Not unlike the one we were in right now. I knew this was killing him, his dad wanting to get rid of one of the ranches.

  “Look, nothing is set in stone, and Mac is not taking anything from you.”

  “You’re damn right he’s not.”

  It was then Brett noticed me. He stopped talking and walked over to me, his face beaming with happiness. As if this whole conversation had never happened.

  “Good morning. Did you sleep okay?”

  I was completely taken aback as my stare drifted over Brett’s shoulders to his two parents who were now standing there like love-struck puppies listening to our exchange.

  “I did. How about you?”

  His eyes turned black and I knew he wanted to say something dirty but couldn’t.

  “It was uneventful. Do you have work to do or can you hang out with me and see what it takes to run a ranch?”

  I needed to get working on the article, but decided spending time with Brett is what I really wanted to do.

  “I’d love to see what you all do to make the ranch run.”

  Brett frowned. “Bree, were you just trying to say y’all?”

  “Yeah. You all.”

  Birdy giggled, “Lord, take the girl out to the barn and stop worrying about everything, Brett Owens. We’ll talk later.”

  “Enjoy the day, y’all,” Joseph said laughing.

  Brett slid his arm around my waist “Come on, cowgirl, let’s go muck some stalls.”

  MY HEART STOPPED when I realized Aubrey had been standing there. I didn’t want her hearing me arguing with my father. Mac had a way of getting me worked up the last few days. The idea of him taking over the running of either ranch didn’t sit well with me and I planned on talking to my father about it later. Maybe spending some time with Aubrey would calm me down.

  Aubrey changed into jeans, a T-shirt, and boots and met me at the main stalls.

  “So we’re mucking out a stall you say? Such a romantic way to swoon a girl.”

  I lifted my head to see her standing in the entrance of the barn. “Hey, come meet, Kit, our new addition.” Kit was a five-year old Palomino mare that I fell in love with the first time I saw her.

  Making her way over, she stopped and gave me a smile that made my knees weak. Aubrey ran her hand along the back of Kit and then down each leg, lifting it to look at her hooves. I was pretty sure I fell in love with her even more watching her work with a horse.

  “She’s beautiful.”

  “I think so too. I found her online about a month ago, told my dad about her and he bought her. She arrived this morning.”

  Aubrey’s face lit up. “Oh my gosh, what perfect timing for you to be here when she arrived.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I think she’ll be a perfect for my mom with her classes. She’s a giant, but seems gentle.”

  The way she was eyeing the horse, I knew she wanted to ride her. “How about we muck out this stall that another horse was in and then we take her and another horse out?”

  “Really? I absolutely love riding.”

  She set herself up for that one. “Good, you can ride me here in a bit.”

  With a wicked grin, she walked up to me. “Your shock factor is either getting weak, or I’m getting used to it.”

  Laughing, I kissed her quickly and slapped her on the ass. “It’s not weak, trust me. Grab that pitch fork.”

  Aubrey grabbed the fork and went to town. Between the two of us, we had Kit’s stall clean and ready for her when we got back from a ride. I watched as Aubrey folded the sides of the clean hay in against the wall.

  If I didn’t think someone would walk in, I would’ve taken her from behind and made her scream out my name.

  “There. Looks perfect now.”

  Wiping her brow, she stepped out of the stall and made her way outside to Kit. One of the stablehands had already saddled up Kit and Spike. Aubrey climbed up on her and leaned over, whispering something in her ear and then gave her a pat on the neck. I’d noticed she had done the same thing with Joe and the other horses she’d rode.

  We started walking toward a trail when I asked, “What do you say to the horse when you first get on?”

  Peeking over at me, she smirked. “You want to know my secret. Hmm … I’m afraid I can’t tell you. It’s between the horse and me.”

  I rolled my eyes and huffed. “Whatever.”

  “Why, Mr. Owens, are you jealous of my mad riding skills?”

  “You still haven’t proved them to me.”

  She lifted a brow. “Is that a challenge?”

  Knowing exactly where this would lead, I replied, “Yes. There’s an open field up there. First person to get to the mesquite tree wins.”

  Scrunching her nose, she said, “I don’t even know what a mesquite tree is! And how do I know if this horse is fast or not. I know Spike is!”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. Kicking Spike into a trot, I called back, “You’re the horse whisperer, you’ll figure it out.”

  The meadow opened up and I heard Aubrey call out to Kit. Following her lead, I pressed Spike to go faster. I let her run with me neck-and-neck before I whistled and gave my horse another squeeze of my legs and he took off. I made it past the mesquite tree with time to spare.

  Coming to a stop in front of me, Aubrey was laughing. “You cheated. You knew this horse was not going to go that fast.”

  “Doesn’t matter, you accepted. I’m the winner so you have to do what I say.”

  Her head leaned forward with a questioning look. “Um, when did we come up with that?”

  “Just now. Get off
your horse and follow me.”

  Aubrey slid off Kit. “Will they be okay?”

  “Yeah, they’ll be fine.”

  She looked nervous leaving them to graze in the field. Pulling her into my arms, I placed my finger under her chin and brought her eyes to mine. “I promise, they’ll be fine.”

  With a grin, she took my hand and let me lead her down the trail. “It’s kind of weird having this group of trees. Seems like it’s so vastly bare out here.”

  “My grandfather used to call this his hidden oasis.”

  “Why?” she asked as I pushed the large tree limb out of the way, exposing the small cabin.

  “Oh my goodness. How adorable. What is this place?”

  “The original homestead. My father had it restored a few years back and my folks rent it out from time to time.”

  We made our way up the old stone stairs and I couldn’t help but notice the huge smile on Aubrey’s face. “Why are you smiling?”

  Turning to me, she shook her head. “Because I’m happy, and I can honestly say I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

  I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed the back of it. “I feel the same way.”

  Pulling the keys from my pocket, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. There was nothing fancy about the cabin. It was one room. A queen-sized bed sat on the right side of the cabin. The middle held two small chairs and a coffee table. To the very left was a small kitchen and a table for two.

  Shutting the door, I tugged Aubrey over to the bed and smiled. “Get undressed.”

  Covering her mouth, she looked at the bed and then me. “Are we … we’re doing something here?”

  With a chuckle, I replied, “No, you’re going to fuck me. Here.”

  “You bad boy, telling your parents you were showing me the ranch.”

  I started to undress, first kicking off my boots and then pulling my T-shirt over my head. Aubrey licked her lips as she watched.

  “Are you going to stand there or are you getting undressed?”

  She quickly shed her clothes and stood before me completely naked. Most women would want the lights out or they would jump under the covers before I could look at them, but not my Aubrey. Her body was amazing and she knew it. That, or she simply didn’t give a shit. I was guessing it was a mix of both.