Page 10 of Westin

She straddles my hips. I’m not inside her, but her pussy is bare against my cock, rubbing back and forth up the sensitive underside, all wet and hot.

“Fuck me,” she begs.

I’ve always been restrained, but this time, I’m not. I need this woman. In my dream, I reach between us and guide my cock into her pussy. Pleasure rises, I gasp, and my eyes fly open.

I’m in bed, propped against the headboard, and I pull the sheets aside.

Goddamn it.

I’m late for chores because I have to shower and strip the bed, but it gives me time to get my head on straight. When I get to the barn, I’m pulled together.

Sovereign and I head out to check fences. The early morning is clear with the promise of heat later on. All I can think about is her face when she told me today is her birthday.

I said I’d go back.

But all I can think about is my mother in that fucking garden, so close to the door of her cage.

So I don’t go.

We move through the day, and I find myself alone once again, sitting with my back against the headboard, staring out at the moon rising through the trees.

CHAPTER THREE

DIANE

I turn twenty-one without a word of acknowledgement. The men eat breakfast and leave. David tells me not to forget to muck out the chicken coop before he heads out.

After I clean up breakfast, I go to the barn and feed my horses, Gracey and Sunshine. They’re both bay mares I broke myself. As long as I take care of them, David doesn’t care that they’re useless.

I head back inside and grab a basket from the laundry room. We have six dozen chickens in the backyard, and they’re in peak laying season. We’re getting upwards of four dozen eggs a day, so tonight, I’ll make breakfast for dinner.

I gather the eggs, still warm from the nesting boxes, and bring them into the laundry room to wash. While I’m drying them, I hear David come through the front. He’s walking fast, like he’s looking for someone.

I freeze as his boots get closer. What is he doing back so soon?

“Did I see you talking to Thomas Garrison last night?” he says.

I turn, wiping my hands. “No, I didn’t.”

He frowns, taking off his hat, his face streaked in dust and sweat.

“Next time, make sure to talk to him,” he says. “He likes you.”

“I don’t like him,” I say.

“I don’t give a fuck,” David says, turning and heading back down the hall.

I follow him and set the bowl of eggs on the kitchen counter. David wipes his face on the dish towel, leaving dusty smears before he pours a glass of water and drains it.

“Why do you care?” I ask.

He glances at me. “Because it’s good to be on the Garrison’s good side. You can’t stay here for free forever.”

I stare at him, eyes narrowed. “I think I pay my way.”

He turns, leaning on the counter. “Making food isn’t the same as running this farm.”

“Okay,” I say before I can bite back my words. “Make your own food. You can’t boil water.”

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