Aside from the few good morning messages he’s sent, this is the first time he and I have spoken in a couple of days. Given the fact he’s admitted to being new at online dating, I chalked the silence up as nerves on his end, especially since he never unmatched with me. I’m typically not in the business of chasing anybody, so I didn’t go out of my way to talk to him either, figuring he’d reach out when and if he was ready. Admittedly, I’ve found myself more than once checking the app throughout the day and almost hoping to find a message from him. I still can’t put my finger on what it is about this guy that has me so interested. Usually, if I don’t meet up with someone after a few days, I’ll un-match without a secondthought, because another thing I’m not in the business of doing is securing any sort of pen pal.
KnockinBoots: There’s not much to share. I’m not exactly what you’d call the dating type.
I breathe out a small laugh at the speed his reply comes in.
FireInMyVeins: What type would you be then?
KnockinBoots: The type that’ll give you toe-curling orgasms.
FireInMyVeins: …Aren’t toe-curling orgasms something that comes as a result of dating?
KnockinBoots: Oh, sweet Grasshopper, I have much to teach you. *wink emoji*
“Got these for free,” Remi drawls with a smirk as he hands me a fresh beer. “You’re welcome.”
“Only because she’s hopin’ you’ll dick her down in the bathroom later.” I chuckle, tucking my phone back in my pocket.
After Remi and I finish our game of pool—and I absolutely smoke his ass like Ialwaysdo—we take our beer outside to the covered patio area. Grabbing the pack of smokes from the pocket on the inside of my vest, I offer one to Remi before lighting another for myself. Smoking is a nasty habit I know I should kick, and for the most part, I have. I rarely smoke these days, unless I’ve had an exceptionally shitty day at work, I’ve been drinking, or after I’ve had some exceptionally great sex.
We’ve all got our vices, right?
Taking a drag, the smoke dances down my throat and fills my lungs before I exhale and fix my gaze on Remi. “So, back to your fine-ass captain. He’s not interested in givin’ the dating idea a shot, or what?”
“Nah, I don’t think so.” Remi shakes his head. “Maybeeventually, but he’s been pretty adamant about his answer whenever I’ve brought it up.”
“Bet I could change his mind.” I waggle my brows suggestively.
Remi’s brows furrow as he pins me with a hardened stare across the table, and I have to bite back my amusement. “Not fuckin’ happenin’, Hollis.”
Chuckling, I hold up my hands. “What? I’m simply curious about the guy, because maybe I’m considering helpin’ him get back out there too. That’s all.”
Rolling his eyes, Remi says, “Right. Your intentions are pure and not at all selfish.”
“Why wouldn’t they be pure?” I tease, my grin wide. “Ford’s my new neighbor, and I’m a helpful guy.”
Remi barks out a laugh. “You’re only helpful as long as it gets you what you want. It’s like you forget I’ve known you our whole life.”
“Hey now.” My mouth curves down into a frown. “I’ve done plenty of helpful things that had nothin’ to do with getting somethin’ I want. Remember when you bought your house and I gave up my entire Saturday to help you move, just the two of us because your movers cancelled at the last minute, after bein’ up all night deliverin’ calves?”
“Yeah, but that’s different.” He waves me off. “I’m your best friend and you love me, therefore helpin’ me out will always be a gain for you. Regardless, you’re not fuckin’ my captain, Hollis. Don’t even think about it.”
“You’re so touchy.” Laughter vibrates through my chest. “Maybe you should worry less about who I’m fuckin’ and more about gettin’ yourself laid.”
Flipping me off, we finish smoking, then head back inside for one more round of pool before calling it a night. Tonight isperfect for a late-night ride. It’s easy to lose myself in the long stretch of highway with hardly any cars around us as music blares from our bikes. The air is warm, the moon full, and the stars are bright and out by the dozen. You can’t beat nights like this. Riding across town, Remi waves before hanging a right at the stop sign while I go left. It’s a little after ten when I turn onto my family’s property. My eyes lift, taking in theMoore Family Ranchsign as the dark, winding gravel road leads me past my dad’s house, then my brother’s, before mine comes into view.
When I was younger, I wasn’t sure if I’d stay on the ranch when I became an adult. Like most teenagers who come from a family run business, I went through a phase where I considered leaving Wolf Creek, doing something completely different from what was expected of me. In the end, my desire for something new could never outweigh my love for this ranch and my family. Besides, I may share these hundreds of acres of land with my dad and brother, but our houses were built far enough apart that it doesn’t feel suffocating.
Once I get my bike parked in the garage, I lock up and head inside, stopping in the laundry room to strip before continuing into the house. Light from the porch spills in through the blinds as I step into my room. After I drop my wallet and keys on top of my dresser, I don’t bother turning on any lights before climbing between the soft, cool sheets on my bed. Anticipation warms my chest as I unlock my phone and immediately pull upHive.I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket when we were still at the bar, but I didn’t want to check it until I got home. I wanted to give Fire Daddy my full attention.
FireInMyVeins: Okay… so teach me something.
Reading it back for a second time, a groan rips from my throat.Fuck,that’s hot.
KnockinBoots: I can teach you many things, baby. We can start with how I’m a firm believer that the toe-curling orgasms can come without all the messiness of dating.
I hit send and chew on my bottom lip while I wait. For all I know, this guy could already be asleep. Itisa weeknight, after all, and he could have to work in the morning. We haven’t shared any real personal information, so I don’t even know what he does for a living or what his schedule looks like. Not that I would need—or want—to know any of that.
A moment later, my phone brightens with a response from him. Seeing his username pop up on my screen sends a shot of arousal straight to my dick, reminding me how long it’s been since I’ve gotten laid.
