Landry’s strokes slow, and he sucks my breast into his mouth as he gently fucks me through my orgasm, assuring me I did well, that I took him so good, that I came so pretty.
When my eyes open, I find Landry pulling out. “Open.”
I open my mouth and watch as he knees his way over my body, his balls scraping my belly as he fists his cock. Aligned with my mouth, he unfurls his fist and lets his cock slap my tongue. I start to suck him, but he shakes his head, hooking a finger in my mouth. “Keep it open.”
He traces my lips with the head of his cock, slowly, then slides his crown along my tongue. His bicep flexes as he strokes his shaft, and I get lost in the strain that fills his neck as his head falls back and a groan erupts from his chest.
Landry strokes as he comes, bringing his gaze back to me so that he can watch each ribbon of release land over my tongue. I love watching him touch himself, and I love that it took so little to bring him to the edge. I love the feel of his cum on my tongue, thick and warm, his most private, personal thing, all mine.
“Oh my god,” he breathes, stroking one last time as the final pearly bead surfaces over his slit. I lap at it and swallow my prize. He slides off my body and helps me up, passing mea glass of water. I drink it, and he plays with my breasts and nipples while I do.
He takes the glass when it's empty and sets it on the nightstand, and we sink into the covers in his bed. My eyelids are heavy, and lying in his nook feels so good.
“You did so good today,” I yawn. “We should get dressed in case Sadie comes in.”
He yawns, too. “We should.”
But then, we fall asleep, because the day was perfect, the night was even better, and sleep is easy when life is good.
CHAPTER 32
EVERYONE. LOVES. LANDRY
“His score washigh enough that he could really not do well today and still make it to the finals,” I explain to a woman standing next to me in the bleachers. She’s dating a guy from Sable Sky, and doesn’t know anything about cowboys, ranch life or the rodeo, and here I am, the new import, acting like an old expert.
Then again, that’s what I’ve become. That’s what it takes to make a good film, and I realize that as I’m telling Sue Ellen how the riders mark out, and the differences between riding broncs and bulls. I may have felt guilty for getting involved with Landry out of fear of it ruining my work but the truth is, I’ve learned so much and have such a good film because of it. Even if I don’t win the award, I know that I did a damn good job.
“Gotcha,” Sue Ellen says, scribbling notes in her notebook. “And… you’re here watching your dad?” she guesses, which has me and Sadie both snorting.
I hook a thumb at Sadie. “She’s watching her dad. I’m watching my husband.” I hold out my hand and watch as Sue Ellen’s eyes fall to the simple band. She cups her hand to her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I don’t know why I assumed you two were sisters but?—”
I shake my head. “It’s okay.”
Sue Ellen looks between us, and I glance down at Sadie, who has binoculars glued to her little face despite the fact that we’re close enough and I know those are only blurring her perfect vision. “I can’t believe you’re her mama.”
Sadie hears this, and I’m unprepared to reply. It would be dishonorable to Amelia to say I am, and yet it would feel cruel to Sadie not to acknowledge our relationship right now. I don’t know what to do, but I don’t have to worry because Sadie answers.
“My mama died when I was born. Miss Quinn is my bonus mama, because she married my daddy.”
My eyes sting with unshed tears. I nod. “That’s right. I somehow got lucky enough to have the title of bonus Mama.” I stroke my fingers through her hair, and the announcer is at work on the periphery, but for now, I can’t take my eyes off of Miss Sadie Vaughn.
“That’s a nice name you gave me,” I say, trying it out again to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. “Bonus Mama.”
She nods. “Yep. And once you start growing a baby in your belly, I’ll get a new title, too.”
I arch a brow. “Oh yeah?”
Sadie nods again, all bouncy curls and life plans. “Big sister. Duh.”
Love and the girls stomp up the bleachers and rush intoward us, apologizing for being late. The moment between Sadie and I was so special, I have to reach back and double-check that I recorded it. I did.
I won’t put this in the film. But I will rewatch it without a doubt.
“The baby is teething,” Love explains, pulling sippy cups and bags of Goldfish crackers from her purse. “Petunia threw a fit,” she sighs, waving her hand through the air as if to dispel it all. “Anyway, we’re here. Who’s he on? Did they say?”
I nod, pointing to the digital screen above the arena, one that displays useful information on half the board and an advertisement for farriers on the other half. Love finds Landry in the list, and my heart nearly stops when her smile slides, shattering quietly amidst the packed bleachers. “Oh no.”
I look at the board but don’t understand why I should be scared. Landry’s next. He’s heading the pack with the highest-scoring ride so far. “What?” I breathe, and find myself linking my hand with Sadie’s, giving it a squeeze.
