Page 29 of Bucked By Love

My head falls back against his shoulder. I cry out, bucking against the horn. Pleasure rushes through my body, red-hot waves of it. Ransom murmurs in my ear, coaxing me through it.

I woke up covered in sweat. I found myself on my belly, sheets twisted underneath me, grinding out the last pulses of my orgasm into my mattress.

It was hard to focus the rest of the day. It kept playing in my mind. When Ransom called later that day, I found myself fumbling at the sound of his voice.

He could tell something was up. So, face in my hands, I confessed my filthy little dream to him.

He went quiet for a second and I thought I was going to die of embarrassment.

Me: “Heeeello?”

Him: “Yep. I’m still here.”

Me: “It’s weird. I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Him: “No…no. That ain’t it. I’ve just got two hours left in my shift and I don’t think I’m gonna survive it.”

Me: “So…take a break.”

He did. He asked me to tell him the dream again, in more detail. This time, when I told it to him, I got back in bed, took off my pants, and touched myself.

I listened to his breathing change to something faster, tighter. I heard the light clicking of his belt buckle.

I’ve discovered my new favorite sound. Ransom moans.

I have a new title for us.

Friends who sometimes get off on the phone together.

Claire’s diary, September 14th, 2015.

Anne Roseberry is this year’s Belleflower Queen. I know it’s my duty as a Promise Sister to guide her through her coronation day (get her dressed in her gown, serve her from her goblet, fit her crown over her head, attend the parade, giggle and prance around with the other Sisters like little girls) but I couldn’t do it. I called Arris, sniffling, and made up some story about being sick.

I’m afraid if I go, I might smash her stupid face in with the stupid crown.

I hate her. I hate her. I hate her.

Why her? Why not me?

I’ve been too distracted on you-know-who.

My not boyfriend.

This is stupid. I am stupid.

Next year is going to be my year. It has to be. Otherwise, what the fuck am I doing?

25

CLAIRE

Another school year down and, for once, I’m excited to return back home.

As much as I wish I wasn’t, I’m excited to see Ransom.

I play it cool. I take my time unpacking. I visit with Dagney, who reminds me again how well I’m growing up. I spend time with Daddy, who seems genuinely surprised that the prodigal daughter has returned home, the forever unwelcome visitor in his life.

Visiting Calypso is better. She whines happily. I pet her, talk to her, and she settles down. She has tiny braids laced through her white hair, each braid fitted with a little purple ribbon.

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