Page 101 of Stables

Distracting myself, I let my fingers thread through his hair and trace my nails down the back of his neck. “I was just trying to survive him.”

Fuck, it sucks to admit it.

I’m not brave. I can’t fight. All I can do is hope each time is the last.

Paisley twists across the mattress and kicks her legs over the edge to lower herself. Watching her move in front of the mirror to pose and make funny faces brings a small smile to mine.

“Char, you have an army now,” Dixon says softly, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I’ll do anything it takes to keep you safe, and those men out there would too.”

My jaw clenches. “I wish—” Taking a long breath, I bare all. “—that he was gone forever. That I could put him in the ground and never have to be afraid of him again.”

Dixon’s mustache twitches. “That’s my girl.” His broad palms cup my ass, pressing me against the bulge of his jeans. “You’re stronger than you realize.”

His confidence in me is intoxicating.

Pulling his chin between my breasts, I let my lips touch the bridge of his nose. “Thank you for having faith in me.”

The tip of his nose drifts from one of my nipples to the other, rubbing them through my shirt and making them poke out.

“I’ll be your monster rock.” He leans back, pulling me to straddle him on the bed.

“You got a monster something.” Riding his stiff crotch makes a fire kindle in my belly. “And it’s hard as a rock.”

He grabs my hips, churning himself against me, a grin flashing his white teeth below his dark mustache. “It’s a thing my dad did for my brother when he was little. Cade was afraid of the dark, so Dad found a shiny black stone and told him it was magic. He said as long as Cade held it, it would keep the boogie man at bay.”

His fingers dig into me as he kneads himself with my pelvis. “It wasn’t the pebble that kept them away, it was Cade’s confidence in himself.” He works his burning palm up and cups my cheek. “But I’ll be Matt’s worst nightmare if the rock doesn’t work.”

Heat builds within me, both at his words, and the rhythmic gyration he pulls me into.

I want to get lost in him.

Paisley’s chunky hands land on the bed. “Uppie.”

Dixon tangles his fingers into my head and pulls me down for a hard kiss. “Let’s get the ball in motion, I’ll reward you later.”

In a single movement, he sits up and pulls me with him before letting me slide down his muscular body.

He makes me feel special.

“Okay, let’s go talk to the sheriff.” I’d like to get this over with so I can have Dixon back to myself.

He nods, reaching into the waist of his jeans to adjust himself.

I just catch a glimpse of the top of his thick cock hiding beneath the band of his boxer-briefs before he smooths his jeans.

I don’t know why it makes it even hotter seeing him so turned on for me.

Paisley gives up on the bed, running ahead of us down the hall before skidding to a stop as she rounds the wall to the kitchen and falls onto her butt.

“I think she forgot we were here.” Blue’s arms are crossed over his chest, but his grin makes his eyes light up.

Wade lets out a chuckle. “I don’t think she’s the only one.” He leans back and yawns. “Was gonna gather the posse to find you, but didn’t think you wanted to be disturbed.”

Oh god. The rush of fire arcing up my cheeks could light up the darkest night like a beacon.

Dixon claps the sheriff on the shoulder while he sits. “See Wade, I always knew you were smarter than you looked.”

This draws a full bellied laugh from Blue.

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