“Oh my God, Chewy. Why are we talking about this?”
“Hey.” I held my hands up and laughed. “You want to fix things with the asshole, and part of that will be improving your sex life. Trust me, Miney. If the sex had been fabulous, you wouldn’t have considered leaving him for a year.”
“Why?” She pursed her lips, not hiding her irritation. “You apparently have fabulous sex, yet you leave everybody.”
Damn. Shots fired.
“You wound me,” I said, both hands on my heart. “I don’t leave anyone that doesn’t know what the score is, and you know that. I’m a straight shooter. I love women. I just haven’t found one I loved for longer than a weekend… aside from you, of course.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. You want to talk about it. Let’s talk about it.”
“Have you and Carl never talked about sex?”
“No. He doesn’t like to talk about it, and neither do I.”
Bullshit.
That prim and proper prick has made her feel ashamed to talk about what she wants.
“Well, there’s no shame in talking about it. I always ask my partner what they like. What they want. What makes them feel good. And I take my time getting them off. I don’t just fuck and run.”
She groaned and fell back against the couch. “Carl and I do not fuck and run, either.”
“All right, so tell me. He never made you come? I know it didn’t happen during sex, but what about other things?” I asked, and I was suddenly dying for her to answer.
“I’m going to tell you something, but if you bring it up or throw it in my face, I will never discuss sex with you again.”
“Well, I like that we’re talking about it now, so I won’t risk that.” I smirked, moving closer to her like she was about to tell me her darkest secret.
“I’ve only orgasmed by myself.” Her cheeks flamed pink, and she looked away.
That fucking selfish prick.
I reached for her, settling my thumb and pointer finger beneath her chin, and turned her face toward me. Her sage-green gaze locked with mine.
“There’s no shame in that, Miney. I get myself off all the time. Hell, my right hand is getting a real workout lately.” I laughed. “But I want you to know that having an orgasm with a partner is better. More powerful.”
“If you say so,” she whispered. “It doesn’t bother me that it hasn’t happened during sex. Lots of women don’t orgasm during sex.”
“I don’t know if that’s true, but I know there are other ways. He couldn’t even get you off with his fingers or his tongue?”
Her mouth fell open, and I suddenly wondered what it would be like if those lips were wrapped around my cock.
What the hell was wrong with me?
“Jesus, Finn. I’m done with this conversation.”
“Just answer the damn question.”
“We don’t do… you know—that.”
“What does that mean? He doesn’t go down on you?”
“He went to medical school; he knows too much.” She shrugged.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Miney. Lots of doctors eat pussy.”
Her head fell back in laughter, and I couldn’t help but join in. This was a ridiculous piece of information.
What kind of man didn’t like pussy?
I guess the same kind of man who doesn’t like pleasing his lady.
“Okay, can we please start the movie? That’s enough show and share for the day.”
I reached for the remote and turned on the TV. I searched for the movie and then leaned back against the sofa.
“Hey, you don’t have to put on Harry Potter first. I said we could start with Star Wars.”
“That was before I knew your pussy has been deprived all these years. So, we’re watching Harry Potter, Miney. But when you get back together with that selfish prick, you’re going to make some demands, and I’m going to help you.”
“Deal,” she said, extending her hand to me just as the movie started. But instead of shaking it, I tugged her close, and her head settled against my chest. My arms came around her on instinct.
For a moment, I wondered what it would be like if she didn’t go back to Carl.
And she stayed here with me.
Forever.
eight
Reese
The last week had flown by. Finn had found a gorgeous three-year-old colt whom he’d named Han Solo.
Go figure.
We’d taken him and Millie out on a long ride today after Finn had gone with me to check out two office spaces downtown. Starting my own business was both thrilling and terrifying, but I was ready to take some risks.
To feel something.
The prices were a bit high for me, and I could potentially start the business off remotely. Meet people at their homes.
Finn felt strongly that I needed to show that I was serious. Find a space and get things rolling.
It had been so long since I’d been excited about what I did for a living, and going to London had changed all that for me. I wasn’t going to waste that lesson. I was going to make it happen.
“Hey, I just thought of something. Have you ever thought about the fact that someone might name their horse Wyatt after your character on Big Sky Ranch? I mean, you just named your horse Han Solo,” I said as I made my way into the kitchen, where he was cooking chili.
I’d just gotten ready in Finn’s bathroom. Sometimes it was just easier since all of my belongings were in his room. Turns out, Brinkley was right because Georgia had been at Cottonwood Café and overheard Mrs. Runither and Marilyn talking about me and Finn living together. Marilyn had cleaned his house three days ago, and clearly, she’d paid attention to where my things were.
“Wow, look at you,” Finn said with a whistle.
It smelled like fall in here, with the fresh log burning in his fireplace and the seasonings from the chili flooding the kitchen.
“Thank you. You approve, Lover?” I teased as I twirled around. I was wearing my new cream sweater, which fell off one shoulder, my dark skinny jeans, and my lucky cowboy boots. My hair was pulled back in a messy knot at the nape of my neck, and I felt put together for the first time since I’d found out Carl was dating someone else.
It felt good to put on makeup and dress cute again.
After our long conversation about orgasms, my mind wandered to Carl and his current girlfriend. It was nauseating to think about, for sure, but I couldn’t help but wonder if our lack of connection had something to do with me. Maybe I don’t appeal to guys in a sexy way. Maybe I’m safe or something like that. Finn and I have been friends forever, and never once has he tried anything sexual—not in a serious way, anyway. Maybe Carl didn’t get excited over me either… That was a depressing thought.
“I sure do, Lover,” he said as he held a hand beneath the ladle and motioned for me to come taste.
Living here had been so easy, and I knew I’d be sad when our little arrangement came to an end, but it was for the greater good. I’d still get to see Finn every day, at least when he wasn’t filming. And it was time to figure out things with Carl.
I sealed my lips over the spoon and groaned as the garlic and peppers hit my tongue. Finn had become a really good cook since all the drama with Jessica had him keeping a low profile at home.
She’d gone silent since our relationship had gone public. But she kept calling Finn, who continued to ignore her calls. He was not looking forward to filming with her again in the new year. And I was dreading him not being here, where I could see him every day.
This last year had not only shown me that I was ready to spread my wings professionally, that I was ready to get my relationship with Carl back on track, but it also showed me how much I’d missed my best friend.
My ride or die.
And I’d missed being here, in Cottonwood Cove, more than I’d ever imagined.
“Damn. That is so good. I kind of wish I was going to stay and eat here.”