Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

38. Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Char

I don’t know how to feel.

I’m both thrilled and terrified.

This was the point where Matt changed. When the world no longer focused on him, he transformed into the monster.

I know, in the heart of me, that Dixon won’t. But it’s hard not to let the sour past taint my enthusiasm.

When Dix wraps me in his arms, all of my doubts begin to fade. His thick fingers tangle in my hair, tilting my chin back.

“Char, I’m going to have a hard time not wanting to bubble wrap you now.” With the softest of touches, his lips find mine. His mustache tickles against my nose before he pulls away. “But, tying you to the bed won’t keep you any safer from me.” His grip firms around my waist, and when he kisses me again, he invades my mouth with his tongue, coveting every corner.

Giggling against him, I cup his jaw. “Dix, I’m not broken. I was able to ride with Paisley almost all the way up to the end.” I won’t tell him I used the horses as an excuse to stay out of the house, and out of Matt’s reach.

Dixon’s nose wrinkles and his brows tighten. “As your doctor, we’ll have to discuss that.” The glint in his amber eyes softens as the rough pad of his thumb traces my bottom lip. “Let’s go get the garden stuff so when Blue gets here, we can go.”

Threading my hand around his back, I tuck my fingers into the rear pocket of his Wranglers. “What’s the hurry?”

“I need to start plans for more rooms.” He squints leading me outside. “You’ll be due in the spring, so will need to break ground as soon as it thaws.”

My poor plants are overgrown with weeds. I’m happy to see the irrigation is still working though. Leaning on the edge of one of the planters, I try to pull out as many of the irritating invaders as I can.

“You might be sick of me by spring. I’ll be as big as a whale and cranky—” I’m cut off by his muscular arm wrapping around my hips and tossing me over his shoulder.

His palm stings lightly on my ass making me jump, but he can’t see my smile.

“Knock that off, unless you want a real spanking,” he growls, sitting on the wooden stump bench at the end of the row.

Sliding me down his body, he lays me across his knees face down. He glides his calloused palm down my bare thigh. “Now, when is the wedding?”

I bite back my grin, not sure which game to play. “Um, after the baby?”

The smack on my butt makes me jerk, and floods me with heat. “Second baby?” I know what we’re doing now.

A matching welt appears on my other hip as his cock swells against my side.

“Char—” His voice is hoarse. “—I want to marry you today. To show to the world that you’re mine.”

God, I love him so much.

“Third baby then, for sure.” Squeezing my eyes shut, it’s a struggle to hold in the moan when he hits the same mark again.

His fingers thread through the crotch of my shorts, snugging them against my soaking pussy.

“So wet already. I’ve heard that being pregnant can make women hornier. Do I need to start making you come twice a day?” His knuckle finds my swollen clit. The contact makes me spasm more than his spankings.

“Yes,” I pant. “Daddy.” I breathe out the word, wondering if it will have the same effect as it did this morning.

“Fuck,” he grunts.

The world becomes a blur as he lifts me rapidly, flipping me to face away from him, and pulling my shorts down enough so he can impale me on his rigid cock.

Every time he enters me, it’s like the first time. Stretching me so wide, it almost hurts.

One broad hand circles my throat, tilting my head so his teeth can nip beneath my ear.

His other pats my spread pussy, tapping on my clit with a rapid rhythm.

“Tell me when, Char.”

I forgot the question.

Every sense is overwhelmed with him.

“Today,” I whine, gyrating my hips to get the friction I so desperately want.

“That’s my girl.” His finger presses where I need it most, pushing me rapidly towards the edge.

His hot breath feathers over my chest.

I can almost smell smoke.

Wait.

I can . The acrid burn jerks my focus.

Dixon doesn’t seem to notice, still stroking me at a growing pace.

“Dix, stop. I think there’s a fire.” My nails dig behind his neck, hoping to distract him.

I should know better.

His nip on my shoulder usually would be enough to crash me with him.

He feels so good, I’m tempted to ride the wave.

No, I can see the dark billows growing closer at an alarming rate.

“Dixon. Daisy. ” I utter the word I know will cease the moment.

He freezes. “Are you hurt?” he whispers as his grip loosens.

“There’s really a fire.” My blood races through my ears as I point to the blaze that’s upwind of us and gaining ground quickly.

His head snaps up as he lifts me, unsheathing himself from my body. He yanks my shorts up, tucking himself and grabbing my hand in one motion.

“Let’s get out of here.” His long stride pulls me into a jog to keep up.

As we cut around the corner towards the truck, there’s a loud pop before Dixon falls backwards, yanking me to the ground with him.

“Shit,” he grunts, clutching his shoulder.

Blood pours between his fingers.

Panic races through my body as I crawl over him, pressing my hands over the wound.

“Dix?” My voice rises in pitch watching his face contort in pain.

“I’ll be fine. We have to go.” His head swivels climbing to his feet.

All I can see is him and the crimson stain that soaks down his white shirt. “Let me see, please!” I beg him.

Tears sting my eyes, I can’t keep my palm away. Every drip makes my heart rip apart.

“Char, get in the damn truck. I’ve been shot.” He wraps his good arm around me, herding me near the house with his body protecting me.

But then Matt steps out between us and the truck.

“I told you no one else, Char. Why didn’t you listen?” His dark greasy hair falls over his eyes. But the pistol he’s waving has all of my attention.

“Matt? What are you doing here? Haven’t you done enough?” I try to get in front of Dixon.

I don’t want him getting hurt.

He doesn’t let me, pulling me behind his body, he holds up his palm towards Matt. “It’s over, Matt. She’s my fucking girl.”

Smoke rolls around us, filling the air with cinders.

Matt blinks hard, glowering at us. “I’ve been waiting for days to see you.” He gestures at a small black box hanging below the porch roof.

He put a camera up? How much did he see?

“I can’t go anywhere in town because of the damn cops. Your bitch of a friend has been spreading lies about me. And now the Feds suspended my dad’s appointment while they investigate the fucking horse thieving charges?” The barrel veers towards me as he saunters closer.

His voice drops to a hiss. “If you’re gone, it all goes away.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” Dixon growls. “If you hurt her, you won’t live to see a trial.”

Matt steps closer, raising his gun level with Dixon’s head.

I want to scream. Cry. Throw something. Puke.

All I can do is stand there and tremble, like every other time Matt pushes.

He’s threatening the man I love.

“I would, though. It’s only her word that says I took her horses. It’s only her that said I touched her—” Matt’s narrowed eyes turn to me. “— when I didn’t. ”

A whoosh pushes a wall of heat at us.

Oh my god, I think my house is on fire. “We have to get out of here!” There’s a propane tank on the side.

I make another attempt to move in front of Dixon, but he’s too big and much stronger than me, even wounded he holds me easily.

I hate being afraid.

A strange calm moves through me.

I know Paisley is safe. Matt can’t hurt her.

If this is my time, I can go knowing I was truly loved.

Pulling out of Dixon’s grasp, I dart past him, directly in front of Matt’s weapon.

“Fine. Do it then. Put me out of the misery of ever having to see you again.” My jaw clenches as I raise my chin, staring into his dead eyes with every ounce of bravery I can muster.

I’d rather die than see anyone I love get hurt.

That would be worse than death.

“Char, no!” Dixon’s palm touches my arm, but I shake him off.

Matt’s mouth twists into a sneer as he presses the warm steel to my head.

I won’t back down.

His finger twitches on the trigger.

A bead of sweat trickles down his temple.

Dixon pants heavily behind me, but I don’t dare breathe.

The crack of the gunshot is the last thing I hear.