Chapter 16
Cash
This was not where I thought I’d end up. Sagebrush was the last place in the world I wanted to go back to. Ending up in a pastor’s bed also wasn’t exactly what I had in mind while I was trying to sell my inheritance. And now I wasn’t just fucking this little twink of a preacher, I was cuddling with him, in the early dawn, before the sun rose over the horizon.
Things had gottenveryout of hand. And yet, I couldn’t deny how good I felt.
That scared the shit out of me.
What about all my plans? Wasn’t I going to run away and go start a new life somewhere else? Sagebrush was full of nothing but bad memories and regrets. Could a small town pastor really erase all of that for me? Did I even want him to?
That and a million other questions were racing through my mind as I lay there in the dark, unable to untangle myself from Mike even if I wanted to, which I didn’t. All I wanted was to stay there, his warmth pressed against my chest, and count myself lucky for every passing second I got to spend in his presence.
I hadn’t realized I’d become such a sap in just a matter of a couple of weeks. But who could blame me? Mike was the firstdecent thing I’d run into in years. I wasn’t going to admit that to anyone, but I knew deep down that it was true.
I hadn’t felt this way about anyone since... well, since that boy in the barn all those years ago. The one who’d cost me everything. Mike was nothing like him though. He was stable, secure, confident in who he was. Not scared and desperate like we’d been back then.
The light was just starting to creep through the window. I should have been getting up and making calls to find another buyer for this godforsaken ranch. Instead, I was watching the gentle rise and fall of Mike’s chest as he slept, his face peaceful in the soft dawn light.
I traced a finger along his shoulder, feeling the smooth skin there. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. God, he was beautiful. Not just his body, though that was fucking perfect, but something else. Something in the way he looked at me like I wasn’t broken. Like I was worth something. Like he actually wanted to know me.
My cock stirred against his ass, hardening as I breathed in the scent of his hair. I hadn’t meant for all of this to happen, but now that it had, I couldn’t imagine not touching him. Not tasting him. Not beinginsidehim.
I pressed my lips to the back of his neck, just a whisper of a kiss. He shifted in his sleep, pressing back against me. That slight movement was all it took to make my morning wood turn into a full-blown ache.
“Mmm,” he hummed, still half-asleep. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I whispered against his skin, my hand sliding down over his stomach. “Sleep well?”
He nodded, eyes still closed, a smile playing at his lips. “Better than I have in weeks.”
My fingers dipped lower, finding him already hard beneath the sheet. I wrapped my hand around him, giving a slow, gentle stroke that made him gasp.
“Cash,” he breathed, arching into my touch. “What are you doing?”
“What does it feel like I’m doing?” I murmured, nipping at his earlobe. “Giving you a proper good morning.”
He turned in my arms, facing me now, his eyes finally open and searching mine. Whatever he saw there must have satisfied him, because he leaned in and kissed me, soft and sweet at first, then deeper as my hand continued to work between us.
This was different from our previous encounters. No anger driving me forward, no desperation to forget my problems. Just the simple need to be close to him, to feel his skin against mine, to make him feel good.
“I want you,” I whispered against his lips.
“I’m right here,” he answered, his hand reaching between us to grasp my cock. “You already have me.”
We stroked each other slowly, our foreheads pressed together, breathing the same air. His leg hooked over mine, pulling us closer. I could feel the warmth radiating from him, the slight tremor in his thighs as I thumbed the head of his cock, spreading the pre-cum gathered there.
“Can I fuck you again?” I asked, my voice rough but gentle. “Please.”
Mike nodded, reaching for the drawer of his nightstand. He pulled out a bottle of lube and pressed it into my hand. I slicked my fingers, then reached between his legs, finding his entrance. He was still somewhat loose from the night before, but I took my time, working one finger in, then two, working them gently as he moaned beneath me.
“Cash,” he panted, his hips moving against my hand. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”
I withdrew my fingers and positioned myself between his legs. Unlike our previous encounters, I wanted to see his face this time. Wanted to watch his expressions as I fucked him. Wanted to know how beautiful he was with my cock throbbing inside him.
I pushed in slowly, savoring the tight heat of his tight hole, the way his eyes fluttered closed and his mouth fell open in a silent gasp. When I was fully seated, I paused, giving us both time to adjust.
“Open your eyes,” I said softly. “Look at me.”
