Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
I nod enthusiastically and he points behind me where a small wooden ladder is attached to a loft. “It’s up there.”
“Show it to me.” I shimmy up the ladder. There are dozens of hay bales up here, and plenty of straw scattered across the wood floor. But there are also a few blankets spread out and some lanterns that are already lit. The soft glow makes the loft feel cozy and romantic.
I settle on the blanket. From here, I can look out the barn window and see the blue sky with the big, fluffy white clouds rolling by.
He sits beside me, pausing to take off his boots. He flexes his toes and rolls his shoulders. I didn’t realize until I was here just how physical farming is. No wonder my man is so strong. He has to be to care for the animals and crops.
“I get why you love it up here. It’s soothing,” I tell him. He’s been sharing pieces of himself with me today. Vulnerability is a gift we give those we care about, and he’s offering it to me. I want him to know that he’s safe with me, the same way I’m safe with him.
He takes my hand in his big one and says, “This is one of the places I’d run away to when I got overwhelmed as a kid. I’d come up here and work on my jokes and card tricks. I’d practice becoming someone people liked.”
I squeeze his hand, my heart hurting for the little boy he was. “I like you, just the way you are.”
Something flickers on his face, and his gaze goes to my lips. His voice is deep and husky when he says, “I like you too.”
I reach for him at the same moment he reaches for me. My arms go around his neck, and he lowers his head. He explores my mouth with long, slow strokes of his tongue. I love that about him. He never rushes this. He always takes his time with me.
I grab fistful of his shirt. I want to touch him all over, the same way he has touched me. Seen me. Licked me. The thought makes my mouth water. “Off.”
He hesitates, and I ask him what’s wrong. “We’re different. You’re beautiful.”
For a half a second, I’m speechless. By the world’s standards, I know who is considered beautiful between us. I love my curves and the way I can fill out a pair of blue jeans. But Barrett, with his dark hair and bushy beard, looks like he was meant to be on a cowboy calendar.
“I’ve already seen you shirtless. You’re beautiful,” I answer softly. I’ve obviously poked at a tender spot on his heart even though I didn’t mean to. Granted, when I did see him shirtless, there was even less light than there is now.
He grunts but pulls off his shirt, grabbing it from behind to tug it over his head. He takes my hand and puts it in the middle of his chest. Instinctively, I stroke his soft hair. I love how big and hairy he is here. It makes that place between my legs tingle to think about.
Only this time I notice something I didn’t when I saw him shirtless last time. Now, I realize his chest is covered in scars. The hair covers a lot of it but now that I’m paying more attention to it, I can feel the jagged lines.
He’s still under my touch, barely breathing. It almost seems as if he’s waiting for me to bolt because he has scars.
Linda mentioned once that her boys came from an abusive home. I hate that someone hurt him, that the scars make him feel ugly and unworthy. “When I saw you shirtless for the first time, do you know what I thought?” I continue without giving him time to answer, “I thought with all of this yummy fur, you looked like a giant bear. Then you came barreling into my life, and I realized you really are my teddy bear.”
He grins, the smile revealing that one crooked tooth I love so much. “Don’t tell anyone that.”
I chuckle and keep stroking his chest. I move my hands lower and lower, brushing through the hair of his happy trail. When I get to the top of his jeans, I lift my fingers and start again at his pecs. “Fine but when we’re alone, you’re my teddy bear.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Deal.”
I reach for the button on his jeans and unzip his pants. Then slowly, I remove his cock. It’s so big and already pulsing. “I can’t wait to feel it inside of me. But first, I need this.”
When I tell him that, I kiss his shaft before licking it all over. He tastes so good, and I love the weight of him in my hand. Finally, I get brave and put the tip of him inside my mouth. He’s big, and it’s a stretch but I keep trying until I can take more of him.