Bouquets and Buckles: An Age Gap, Snowed In, Cowboy Romance (Crimson Ridge)

A sultry moan drops out of Skylar.

“Oh my god.”

She squeezes her eyes closed, and I have to fight the urge to toss our plates aside and give in to the perpetual need to have my mouth on her again.

“This… hands down… is the best Christmas lunch I’ve ever had.” She says through a mouthful.

Taking another big bite of the grilled cheese, she’s a gorgeous sight, bundled up in a blanket in front of my fireplace in the lounge. Hair damp and skin glowing after the bath. I got my wish to keep her naked, but Skylar reluctantly agreed to let me throw on some sweats while I made us a meal.

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Biting into my own, the savory hit of melted cheese and caramelized edges of the bread do taste damn good. “But I will say, there’s an art to grilled cheese, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. You gotta do it properly. Crisp that motherfucker a little, ya know?”

Skylar chews quietly, then gestures at the sight beside us where we’ve camped out on the floor for this impromptu picnic.

“The tree looks so pretty. I didn’t think I’d want to see a single bauble or scrap of tinsel after the past few weeks of being neck-deep in making everyone else’s Christmas look gorgeous, but I’m kinda glad to get to see some cute decorations and lights.”

I clear my throat because, if anything, the sight I’m looking at right here before me with her pink hair and gorgeous smile is a thousand times better than that goddamn tree.

“It’s all Brad’s doing. Can’t say I’ve contributed anything really.”

“Bet you still chopped the tree down for him, though, just like you do every year?”

Giving her a wry smile, I reach forward to brush a crumb off the corner of her lips with my thumb.

“Shh, sweetheart. Don’t give away all my secrets. If I had it my way, I’d have nothing at all… I’ve never been much into Christmas, to be honest. Brad however…”

The prettiest girl in the entire fucking world tips her head back and laughs, earning her a glare.

“What?” I huff.

Skylar rolls her lips together, shaking her head. “I’m not really sure I can be bothered with it either… all the day usually does is remind me of being single, and it’s just another day where everything seems to be about buying shit they don’t need and spending time with people they don’t want to be around.”

Ain’t that the fucking truth.

“So my stupid little grilled cheese and a tree that my son insisted on inserting in my house and decorating—that’s enough Christmas spirit for you?

She hums while breaking off a corner, letting the melted cheese stretch out between the pieces with a smile that I don’t deserve to be enjoying so much.

“Look, I’m nothing but a hazard in the kitchen. Anyone who can make me a meal that tastes this good is a saint in my eyes.”

“Do you not cook for yourself?” My brows crease.

“No, I’m either too tired, too busy, or find it easier to get takeout.” She mulls over a mouthful, and then her blue eyes roll at me. “Don’t give me the dad look of judgment either.”

“Well, what do you expect me to say? You’re not taking care of yourself.”

“I’ve never been any good at cooking, and it’s just so hard when your business is new.” Skylar brushes some additional crumbs from the corner of her mouth with a thumb.

I get it. I really do. There have been plenty of times on this ranch when work or the horses have come first, and my own needs a distant second. Even so, it chafes to know this girl has been potentially working herself to the bone with no one there to take care of her.

“No one’s been there to help you?” I want to fucking punch whoever she’s been allowing in her life. Clearly, the asshole she was with didn’t know shit about how to keep such a perfect girl.

His loss.

My gain.

She takes another mouthful, avoiding my eyes as she chews. The fireplace pops and hisses to fill the silence.

“Turns out I let the wrong kind of asshole into my life, and I should have listened to Brad a long time ago.” She eventually admits. “But, is it ok if we don’t talk about that?”

“Fine by me, I probably shouldn’t be threatening to break anyone’s jaw, seeing as it’s Christmas and all.”

Skylar gives me a small smile.

“Cooking for me and defending my honor. Where have you been all my life, cowboy?”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I know she’s teasing, but hell, if it doesn’t make me wonder the same thing. How the fuck has this girl been in my life all these years, yet only now are we discovering this spark between us?

Especially when I know there’s only a matter of time until that snow is cleared and she’s gone again.

“You’re letting me help with the horses tomorrow. End of story.” Skylar drops her Kindle into her lap and pouts at me when I walk back into the lounge.

I’ve been out getting all the basic shit done down in the stables but insisted that Skylar didn’t need to help me.

Besides, I’d have never gotten anything done anywhere near as quickly if she’d been there alongside me. Not because she’s incapable, but because I wouldn’t have been able to keep my hands off her.

I tug my hat off my head and run my fingers through my hair.

“Ahh, but that means putting clothes on, and I much prefer the idea of coming back in from the cold to find you naked on my couch, sweetheart.” I lean a shoulder against the wall and touch my tongue to the front of my teeth, eating up the way she flushes perfectly under my words.

“I’m serious.” She tugs the blanket tighter around her shoulders, and I fucking love that she’s stayed right here, without anything on, settled in front of my fire all afternoon.

“Ok, fine, you can come scoop horse shit to your heart’s content tomorrow. Does that make you happy?”

“Very. Thank you.” She gives me a satisfied little smirk and then picks up what she was reading. Only, as I go about stripping out of my jacket and boots, I feel her eyes straying my way.

“Good book?” Once I’ve hung everything up, I cross the room and bank the fire with more wood. Purposely taking my time.

“Mmhm.” She sinks her teeth into the plump curve of her lower lip, trying extremely hard to keep her eyes focused on the screen.

“Not too boring for you, I hope? Being stuck in here all day with only a book to keep you occupied.”

I’ve got plans to make this much more interesting.

“Nope, it’s kinda perfect.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips. Pink spots deepen, high on her cheeks, and fuck, she looks so sexy.

“You’re welcome to put a movie on… if you prefer?”

“I don’t mind, it’s your house. What do you want?”

“Me? I like the idea of getting cozy right there beside you with a book. As long as that doesn’t sound too old and boring to you?” Crossing to the couch, I’m shit stirring after what I heard Brad say to her on the phone last night. Except if I’m truthful, beneath the teasing, there is a tiny part of me who is still a little unsure what this girl even sees in me or wants with someone like me.

Skylar shifts over, making room for me to wedge myself in the corner of the L-shaped couch as I swipe up a book I’ve had sitting on the side table here for months, yet my eyes are usually too heavy to manage reading more than a couple of pages at a time.

“Honestly… after how crazy the last few weeks have been at my shop, it actually feels amazing to have the luxury of time and quiet and to not have to talk to anyone.”

Oh, I can definitely do not talking.

“Come here.” My dream girl, whom I cannot keep, nestles herself against my side, with her head on my chest and hand holding her Kindle braced against my stomach. I prop my own book up on my chest, but in all honesty, I’m not focusing on a single fucking word.

My other arm snakes over her waist, palm covering her hip. It’s too tempting to see just how silky and wet she might be between those thighs.

As we lie there together, I feel her shift a little beneath my fingers. That’s the moment her breathing shallows, and I can’t help myself. Slipping my hand between the layers of blanket, I trace the lush curve of her stomach down, down, down until I find the exact place where I want to explore.

Skylar’s breath sucks in with a quiet gasp as my fingers dip into her pussy and find exactly what I’m looking for.

Discovering how absolutely drenched she is.

“Luke…” She makes a tiny moaning sound that makes my rapidly hardening cock kick inside my jeans. Turning her head into my chest, teeth graze the front of my shirt.

“Are you sore?” I stroke gently, running my fingers through the velvety feel of her. The slippery evidence of how turned on the girl in my arms is, coats my fingers.

“No.” Her hips lift and adjust, giving me easier access. “I can’t stop thinking about you being inside me again.”

That makes me more feral for her than I have any right to be.

“Keep reading. If you can be a good girl and let me play with you, without coming, I’ll give you exactly what you want.”