AllFreeNovel
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I swing into the house, dropping the tacos on the kitchen island, then head out to the barn. The air’s chilly, the temperature falling as soon as the sun set. The sound of the horses neighing gets louder as I near the barn.
“Hey, boys and girls.” I flip the light switch, wall sconces illuminating the space.
My dad renovated this barn a few years before he died, upgrading the light fixtures and feeding stations, adding a guesthouse where I lived before my parents died in the car accident three years ago. This space in the barn, though, is one of my favorites, mainly because of all the memories I have out here with him. We used to spend hours in this barn, working and talking. My dad was one of the best men I’ve ever known, and I wanted to be just like him with my kid.
My chest aches, and I move faster, racing around the barn, adding fresh water to the trough and hay to the feed buckets.
That’s the trouble with silence. There’s nothing to distract you from the ghosts.
I finish up the chores, winding up the hose and cutting the lights before making my way back to the main house. By now my food’s cold—and I’m not hungry anyway.
Stepping into the kitchen, I’m struck by the quiet. Usually I like it. Love it, even. But tonight it feels empty, magnifying the sadness inside me.
Throbbing in my chest, in my gut, banging around in my head.
I cross over to the bar, pour myself a healthy shot of bourbon, and drink it straight up. The amber liquid burns as it slides down my throat, stinging my nose. I wait a few seconds, then pour myself another. This time I sip at it, taking it slow and tasting the light notes of vanilla.
I remember the first time Juliet had bourbon. She wasn’t even old enough to drink. I snuck it from my parents’ liquor cabinet, brought it out to the guesthouse. We sat in front of the fire—she wore only my T-shirt—and I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. The way the flames danced over her face, highlighting the round apples of her cheeks, the long slope of her neck. Laughing as she scrunched up her nose at the sharp burn of the alcohol.
Winding my fingers through the silky waves of her hair, laying her down on the rug, and covering her body with mine. She fit perfectly beneath me, her curves pressed against my chest, nipples diamond sharp through the thin cotton. Her skin soft under the rough, calloused pads of my fingers, already hardened from working at the ranch. The way she shivered at my touch, goose bumps rising on her skin, the pink flush of her arousal.
Sinking into her wet pussy, her muscles clenching around my rock-hard cock as she quivered and cried out.
I shut my eyes against the memory, dick swelling in my jeans. Aching for her.
Topping off my drink, I wander outside, the glass heavy in my palm. The night’s clear and cool as I cut across the lawn, each blade of grass bathed in the white glow of the moon. Somewhere in the distance an owl hoots, the leaves of the oaks rustling overhead.
Walking around the paddock, I bypass the barn, heading over to the guesthouse. The space has been vacant for a few years now, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve been out here.
Fumbling in my pocket, I find the key, twist the metal in the lock. It clicks open, and I shove through the door. A shiver races down my spine as I stare into the darkness, letting my eyes adjust to the dim light.
I half expect to see Juliet there, sitting on the couch in an oversize T-shirt, waiting for me.
But the room’s empty, the furniture covered with white sheets.
Abandoned.
With an outstretched hand, I move through the room, shuffling my feet to avoid bumping into any furniture. I pass the fireplace, the shaggy rug long gone. Ducking into the narrow hallway, the bathroom glows from the moonlight slanting through the window.
Now I’m standing just outside the bedroom, heart hammering. I take a deep breath, and stale, dusty air fills my lungs.
The room’s small, with space for a queen-size bed, a dresser, and not much else. Curtains cover the window, shafts of light peeking through and pooling on the bedsheet. The bed’s still here—I didn’t have anywhere to put it when I moved up to the main house, so I just left it.
I sink down onto the mattress, lean back against the hard wooden headboard. There aren’t any pillows to cushion my back, and I’m sure every vertebra’s going to be screaming at me in a second. I’m not twenty-five anymore, able to be comfortable no matter where I am. No, this body’s worked long, hard hours, and I feel every second of it deep down in my bones.
Closing my eyes, I surrender to the waves of grief I’ve been pushing away all night. My chest cracks open, and a sob escapes my lungs. Long and low, racking my body. My throat burns, tears pricking behind my eyelids. I take shallow, shuddery breaths, let everything out.
I still want Juliet.
My fingertips tingle as I think about touching her, running my hands over her shoulders, down the bare skin of her arms. Tiny bumps rising on her flesh, a slow shiver of pleasure telling me everything I need to know.
Reaching beneath her shirt, realizing she’s wearing nothing beneath the flimsy fabric. Caressing her breasts as they swell in my palms, rolling and pinching her nipples as she gasps with pleasure. The only sound in the room a low moan quivering deep in her throat.
Dropping my mouth to the source of the noise, the vibration humming against my lips. Licking at her, tasting her, nipping as I slide my palm over her belly. A slight bump there, and only she and I know why.
I glance up at her face, a smile dancing at the corners of her full, pink lips.
We’re happy.
