Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Daddy.” Ainsley grinned when she spotted me, her blonde hair already falling out of her messy ponytail.
I pecked her on the head, then marched straight to the sink to wash my hands before Marta scolded me about smelling like the animals, which I more than likely did—couldn’t be helped on a farm. I’d jump in the shower as soon as I had that first taste of strong coffee, which always felt like a come-to-Jesus moment.
Marta had followed us from the ranch, telling my parents we needed takin’ care of, which both of us appreciated, especially when we were spending long hours at the hospital during Ainsley’s bone-marrow transplant. And somehow, Marta never left. Not that any of us were complaining. She kept us in line with her motherly instinct and sharp Slovakian tone.
“Mr. George promised I could watch him groom Piper after he exercises her today,” Ainsley said around a sip of orange juice.
“Did he now?” I spooned some sugar into my mug, and George threw a wink her way. She seemed most happy when with our newest horse, a rescue, so we’d eventually ease her into riding again—with the direction of her therapist—due to her overall cautious personality since she’d gone into remission. After all she’d been through, how could we deny her any sort of contentment? All of this—the quiet, simple life, and me and Sienna making it work—was for her. And I’d give it all up for her too. In a heartbeat.
But she loved this farm and all the animals just as much as we did.
Marta clucked her tongue as Ainsley sneaked a bit of biscuit to Hamlet, poised at her feet under the table. He knew whom to use his magical charms on, which explained that little potbelly developing.
“I’ll come find you, Miss Ainsley.” George waved, heading toward the door.
“Smells amazing,” Sienna remarked as she stepped inside a minute later. Phoebe followed on her heels, snorting and hoping for a scratch under her chin, and Sienna happily obliged.
“Gonna take a quick shower before I join you.”
I headed to my room, stripped, then jumped in the shower. As the water sluiced over my body, I reached for my cock, hoping a good jerk would settle the restlessness inside me this morning. I could never bring myself to click on my favorite porn sites anymore. Not after Sienna got an eyeful that one day. Now I relied on my hand or, on rare occasions, met someone for a quick hookup in town, though the idea of sneaking away turned my stomach. Like I was doing something dirty instead of fulfilling a need.
But I was only human, and sometimes the idea of pumping solidly into someone’s fist or body overcame me. It was the only time I could truly let go and find a bit of satisfaction in the process. Hell, I’d even taken it up the ass a couple of times just to feel the burn all week and know I had finally connected to my baser instincts.
I’d get it out of my system, then throw myself back into farm work. And for the most part, it fulfilled its purpose. Except it did little to alleviate my desire to feel a deeper connection to someone again.
The idea of us against the world. Sienna and I experienced that now to some extent—most likely everyone did when co-parenting—but we no longer spent much time together as friends, not unless it involved Ainsley or the farm. And sometimes…sometimes I missed my friend.
Pushing that thought aside, I envisioned my last hookup, the man’s thick cock in my hand, and that did the trick. I groaned, spurting my seed into my fist, my muscles finally relenting, and I sagged against the wall. It was just the release I needed.
As I watched my come wash down the drain, the all-too-brief euphoria was already beginning to fade. But I had so much else to be grateful for. The fact that I got to keep my family intact was worth more to me than a good roll in the hay. I had the rest of my life to worry about those other feelings. Of having something more meaningful in my life. It just wasn’t in the cards for me right now.
3
Julian
I got off the plane at Jackson Hole Airport, which was located in the Grand Teton National Park, and even the view from the sky had been impressive. Sienna waved from the baggage claim area, and seeing her again in person after so long felt surreal—a bit like recapturing some of my childhood. She had my aunt’s fair coloring; her daughter, Ainsley, did as well. At least from what I saw on social-media posts.
“Long time, no see,” Sienna said with a grin, pulling me into a hug.
“Tell me about it.”
As I drew back, she twined her fingers through the hair at my ear. “I haven’t seen you without a buzz cut in ages. Looks good.”