Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
"What the fuck?" Payton follows me, and when I don't give him an explanation, he grabs my elbow and spins me around. "What just happened?"
I hate myself for crying and being upset over something so exciting for my brother. But I can't help it.
"Ivy's pregnant."
Payton rubs over his trimmed jawline, then scrubs a hand through his hair. "Kate, I—"
"I'm acting selfish, I know, and I really am happy for them." I blow out a frustrated breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "Someone else in the family is pregnant again, and it's not me."
"I don't know what to say besides I'm sorry. You can be excited for them and disappointed that you aren't at the same time. That's completely valid, Kate."
My shoulders slump, and I frown. "I should respond before he thinks I'm ignoring them."
He follows me into the kitchen, and I grab my phone off the floor.
"Wow, not a scratch or dent," I say, impressed.
"Thank God you had an indestructible case on it."
"It needs one when working around horses all day."
He watches as my fingers fly over the screen, congratulating Kane and Ivy and telling them how excited I am for another niece or nephew.
Maybe it’s good timing. If I get pregnant soon, at least our kids will be close in age.
The following night, I come home after a long, hot day at work and hear soft spa music drifting from my bedroom. As soon as I walk in, I'm hit with a strong lavender scent and see candles burning along my dresser.
What in the world?
"Oh, good. You're home. Get naked," Payton says from behind me.
I turn and blink up at him, wondering if he's drunk.
"Are you tryin' to seduce me?"
"Considering I'm still tryin' to recover from a couple of weeks ago, you don't gotta worry about that. However, you're getting a massage. They can be good for fertility, plus you need to relax. Being too tense and stressed can affect your ability to conceive."
Since when did he become the expert?
"And you know this how?"
"I took a massage course a long time ago when I wanted to move out of my mom's house. Before I got my license, I saw the Circle B Ranch job listing and decided to move here instead."
I can’t imagine how different my world would be if he hadn't.
"So you're giving me the massage?" My brows shoot up to my hairline. Although this man has seen every inch of my body, that's different from him rubbing oil all over it.
"Would you prefer someone else? Weird Willie or Serious George maybe?"
I playfully smack his chest. Both of them are cattle herders and are my dad’s age. George got his nickname because he never laughs at anything. Trust me, we've tried to crack him for years. He responds in grunts and growls.
On the other hand, Weird Willie is super friendly and laughs at everything. But his nickname comes from the inappropriate jokes he tells that no one understands.
"Alright, let me rinse off first. I'm a sticky, sweaty mess."
He smirks, holding back laughter as if the words for a dirty comment are on the tip of his tongue. I roll my eyes and head to the bathroom. Deciding I don't want him touching my prickly legs, I quickly shave and slather on moisturizer. Then I throw my hair into a messy bun and put on a robe.
Payton's sitting on a stool next to the bed when I come out. When he spots me, he stands and pulls back the sheet.
"Ready?"
"Can you spin around while I get into position?"
The corner of his lips tilts up as he silently turns away. Even though he's already seen me naked, this feels more intimate.
I drop the robe and climb under the sheet. "What position do you want me in?"
"Start facedown," he replies.
Quickly, I adjust myself. "Okay, I'm ready."
I turn my head to the side and watch as he grabs the sheet and lowers it just above my ass. A man has never massaged me before. The last time I got a professional one was years ago. Even then, it was a woman.
Payton pumps lotion into his palms, then cups his hands over his mouth. "Just makin' sure it's not too cold," he tells me. "They might feel a little rough from workin’, though."
Then he slowly rubs over my back, and I die at the tender way he moves.
Even with his calluses, it feels amazing. I try to hold back my moans, but my uneven breathing gives me away. "You have the biggest, strongest, most gentle hands I've ever felt. How the hell are you single?"
He smirks but keeps his focus on my back and shoulders.
I close my eyes as he moves down each arm, meticulously rubbing over every inch. He takes his time, and it nearly puts me to sleep.
Once he's finished with my upper body, Payton slides the bottom half of the sheet up, then places it between my thighs. Again, he goes slow and carefully rubs lotion into each leg and foot. Next, he digs his knuckles and thumbs into my glutes, and I nearly scream at the intense pleasure. But I hold it back because, knowing me, it'd sound erotic.