Bouquets and Buckles (Crimson Ridge)

by Elliott Rose

“You look way too fucking gorgeous for my sanity. Whoever all of this was meant for tonight—because I know it wasn’t me—they’re an idiot and don’t deserve you.” Her lips twist into a way too cute and way too irresistible curve. “I’m glad someone got to appreciate it, at least.” She still looks hesitant, but any kind of smile on her, no matter how tiny, is sexy as hell. “Trust me, I’m more than appreciative.” I tip back another sip of my drink and swallow heavily. Unable to take my eyes off her. “Even though I shouldn’t be.”

“Skylar…” I don’t want to fucking say anything to disrupt this moment we’re sprinting toward, but I’d be the world’s worst father if I didn’t. “I know.” She nibbles on that bottom lip. “What if he finds out? What then?” “What if he didn’t need to know?” “But I’ll know, and that’s entirely the issue.” I scratch my beard. “Couldn’t we both pretend? Since it’s just this once…”

“Thank you… for being so kind to me tonight.” She breathes. “You’ve always made me feel so welcome here… you’ve always been a good friend.” That makes a gritty noise come out of me, and I place my glass down on the counter. “Let’s make one thing real clear, right fucking now.” Leaning both hands on either side of her hips leaves me looming over her, so close I’m immediately wrapped up in her floral scent. “I don’t want to be your friend, Skylar.”

“I don’t want to be your friend, or your friend’s father, or anything else that makes it seem like I’m not over here fighting every urge to kiss the fuck outta you.” My eyes widen… entire body flushing…. pulse fluttering madly in my throat like it’s trying to grow wings. “You want that…” Suddenly, I feel so nervous. My big plan of seduction was all well and good until now we’ve reached that threshold and I’m instantly aware of how much older and more experienced this man is. If this carries on, I don’t want him to feel disappointed. “I want a lot of things,” he murmurs. Dark, hungry eyes fix on my mouth. “A lot of things I’m not supposed to wish for.” “It’s Christmas… don’t they say wishes come true?” His lips twitch, and he reaches for the glass he set down just before. “I’d say this is more like a fantasy wrapped up in a pretty pink bow.” God. This man is so hot. My cheeks feel like they might be on fire with his flirty words and roaming gaze. “One you’d like to unwrap, I hope.” Luke lifts his drink, gives me a heated look, and then slides a thigh forward to part my knees. “You want to be unwrapped, sweetheart?” Oh, god. I nearly whimper out loud. Somehow, I manage a nod. Maybe I fumble out a yes but I’m not sure. “Then tilt that pretty little head back for me and open your mouth.”

I didn’t think tonight of all my lonely nights this year was going to be anything special, but goddamn, I think this girl might just be my own private miracle wrapped up in pastel pink and sexy as fuck lingerie.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have hearts in my eyes whenever I saw you.” She twists so that she can meet my gaze, tilting her chin to look up at me. “How you didn’t see that, I’ll never know.” “You must have been pretty good at hiding these baby blues,” I murmur. Wondering how, in all those years, I never noticed her looking at me like that. “I would have been nothing more than a silly little girl to your eyes.” Bringing one hand up out of the water, I tuck her hair behind her ear and brush wet fingers along the softness of her cheek. Once again, I take my time to study her, to look my fill, and really, truly savor looking. To commit to memory the swirling, endless, azure blue-filled orbs with tiny flecks of silver. “Sweetheart, even if I had noticed back then, it wasn’t my place to look at you…” I brush my thumb along her bottom lip. “But now? I’m selfish and greedy, and I’m gonna want you naked until that snow clears so I can look at you all I like. How does that sound?” Her teeth catch her bottom lip, and she looks like a goddamn dream. “As long as I get to do the same with you, cowboy.”

“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.”

“Do you want something?” My voice is suddenly hoarse. Me? My entire heart and soul, perhaps? “A beer would be perfect.” He sets about fussing with the tongs and the pan, and I think my heart is suddenly about three times too big for my chest.

“In another life. In any other life, I’d track you down and wouldn’t let you go. You’re worth that and so much more, Skylar.”

“I’ll never fucking get over this. I’ll never fucking get over you.”

“Is this how you invite all your guests inside?” Luke arches an eyebrow at me. “Just the cowboy I’m in love with.” I exhale, bringing our lips together.

“I should’ve been here sooner.” Luke turns around and gives me a long look. “You’re gonna let me take care of you.” Stepping closer. “You’re gonna let me love you the way you deserve.” Closer still. “And you’re gonna start learning to accept help, sweetheart.”

“Already wearing the hat, I see.” He clicks his tongue, and I turn beetroot red. “If I’d known you were aiming to be my stepmother, I might have put in a good word for you with the old man years ago.” Brad cackles, his face lit up with mirth.

“You’ve been my dream for so long, this time I’m not waking up… I love you, sweetheart.” He drops his mouth to cover mine, letting me drag him down to line our bodies up perfectly, then murmurs softly against my mouth. “Turns out, wishes really do come true.”

“I love you, Skylar. Grow as many peonies as you want here, let me invest in your dreams.” “You’d seriously do that? Why? I can’t let you do that.” He gives me the sexiest smile and brushes his thumbs over my cheeks to swipe away the wetness gathering there. “Because, you’re gonna let me look after you, but more than that, you’re gonna make those dreams all tucked away in the spreadsheets you’ve got in that damn phone of yours come to life.” He angles his head so he can kiss me, soft, slow, standing here overlooking his ranch and I feel like I’m floating. Pulling back, he pushes some strands of hair off my forehead, while I’m busy dissolving into a puddle. “I want to watch you grow your dreams, Skylar because you’re bringing mine to life just by being here with me.” My heart is so full it’s about to burst, I swear to god. “God, I’m so in love with you… I didn’t think this moment could get any better.” His eyes dance as I say those words. “Sweetheart, it’s only just getting started.”