When You're Back Read online

  My body trembled with the thrill of what was to come, and I turned and leaned toward the wall, bracing myself as I lifted my bottom up for him.

  His finger brushed back and forth over the freckle. “Love this. Drives me fucking crazy,” he said, and his lips pressed against the small of my back and began trailing kisses over my ass until he was licking and kissing the freckle. “My freckle,” he said against my skin.

  My knees felt weak, and my body trembled.

  “Spread your legs,” he demanded, and the tone of his voice made my insides quiver. I moved them apart and hoped I wouldn’t crumple to the ground.

  “My pussy,” he said, just before his tongue began tasting me there.

  I was his. Everything about me belonged to Mase Colt Manning. I cried out his name as he began to tease my clit.

  “Be good, baby. This is my dessert.”

  “Mase,” I whimpered, not sure I could stand there much longer.

  “Yes, baby?” His warm breath bathed my sensitive flesh, and the pulsing need grew stronger.

  “I can’t . . . stand,” I said, feeling my knees start to give out.

  His hands were on my waist, picking me up and turning me around. “I got you,” he said, before bending down, taking one of my legs, and draping it over his shoulder.

  Another whimper escaped from me at the sight of Mase on his knees like that.

  “Just let me love you,” he said with a fierce look, before burying his face between my legs.

  I grabbed his shoulders and cried out as he took me to another realm of pleasure.

  My eyes fluttered open as my back hit the soft bed. I glanced up at Mase. His body was dry, but his hair was still damp. The smug smile on his face made me ache for more, even though I wasn’t sure I could do more.

  He pulled back the covers and crawled in beside me, then covered us both up.

  “Glad you’re back,” he said, holding me close. “That must have been one hell of an orgasm.”

  I frowned. “It was . . . but . . .” I couldn’t remember what had happened after it hit me. I had splintered off into a million pieces, and Mase had just kept sliding his tongue over me until I couldn’t take any more. I’d been begging and gasping for air and then . . . nothing.

  “Either you’re exhausted, or I’m just that damn good,” he said, sounding pleased with himself.

  “What happened?” I finally asked.

  Mase bent his head and kissed my forehead. “You passed out from your orgasm after screaming my name. It was amazing.”

  “Oh, my God,” I whispered. “I didn’t know that could happen.”

  “Me, neither,” he replied, still grinning.

  “You just kept going and . . .”

  “You taste like a fucking cinnamon bun, and when you come, it’s like sweet cream. I couldn’t stop. It was too damn good.”

  I buried my face in his chest. I was embarrassed and pleased.

  He chuckled and held me tighter. “Told you that pussy was gonna own me.”

  I inhaled him and clung closer.

  “Sleep, baby. You’re exhausted. Get some rest.”

  “I love you,” I said, leaning my head back to look up at him.

  “And that makes me the luckiest man in the world.”

  His eyes warmed me up, inside and out. I laid my head against his chest, and sleep came quickly.

  Mase

  The next day, I discovered that Aida and I would be the only Colts at the Stouts’ party. My stepdad had needed to drive to Austin for business, and my momma had gone with him. She had called and asked me to take Aida with us. She didn’t want her to drive over there alone. I wasn’t sure I trusted Aida to be nice to Reese yet, but I’d asked her to come with us anyway.

  After making love to Reese on the kitchen table after breakfast, then again on the sofa while we were supposed to be watching a movie, and then again on the bed when she’d gone to take a nap, she’d really needed to get some rest. I’d woken her up an hour ago so she’d have time to get ready.

  I heard a knock on the door, and when I opened it, Aida smiled up at me. She was wearing a red dress that probably cost too much money and a pair of stiletto heels, which actually wasn’t unusual for this kind of party. The Stouts were incredibly wealthy and ran in elite circles. She seemed happy and in a better mood. Relieved, I stepped back and let her in.

  “Reese should be ready in a few minutes,” I told her.

  Just as I said the words, the bedroom door opened, and I turned to see Reese stepping out of the room wearing a short blue-jeans skirt with a pair of boots. All I saw was her legs. Holy hell, her legs were really out there. Mine. Men weren’t going to be able to take their eyes off them.

  I lifted my gaze to see she was also wearing a pretty white blouse tied around her waist. The fabric showed off the sunkissed glow of her skin. I met her gaze, and my breath hitched. Her long dark hair was pulled to the side and draped over one shoulder. As always, her makeup was minimal. I wouldn’t be able to let her out of my sight tonight.

  “You’re gorgeous, baby. Maybe we should just stay here,” I said, honestly considering it.

  Reese’s smile brightened, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

  “Uh, yeah . . . I guess blue jeans will do,” Aida said hesitantly.

  Reese’s face fell immediately, and worry touched her brow. I knew her wardrobe was limited. She didn’t have designer clothing like the other women who would be at this barbecue, but no one there would hold a candle to Reese. An expensive dress couldn’t compete with her.

  “I thought it was a barbecue. I can find something dressier. I didn’t know—”

  “You’re perfect. So perfect I’m not leaving your side all night,” I told her.

  She glanced from Aida to me, still looking unsure of herself.

  “He’s right. You’ll do. We need to go, or we’ll be more than just fashionably late,” Aida said at my side.

  I walked over to Reese and pulled her to me. “You’re breathtaking. I swear.” I slid my hand to rest on her lower back and led her to the door.

  Aida forced a smile and turned to leave.

  “She looks so nice. I should find something dressier. I do have heels,” Reese said.

  “No. She’s overdressed,” I assured her.

  Reese didn’t relax, like she wasn’t sure she believed me.

  Aida went to the passenger side of my truck and opened the door to climb in first. I paused for a moment, then led Reese to my side and helped her climb into the cab so she could sit in the middle seat beside me. I didn’t want to hurt Aida’s feelings by asking her to get out and let Reese in first. I climbed up behind Reese and settled in.

  “I won’t be able to reach the radio,” Aida said, clearly annoyed. I didn’t think she had intentionally meant to sit between Reese and me, but I wasn’t sure.

  “Good,” I replied. I never liked it when Aida controlled the radio.

  Once I had us headed toward the main road, I slipped my hand over Reese’s bare thigh and squeezed. That small gesture seemed to ease her some.

  “Who will be at this party? Just the people in town?” Reese asked.

  “Everyone the Stouts do business with. Bankers, lawyers, ranchers, and then the folks from their restaurant chain who own one of their franchises. They fly in from everywhere,” Aida said, sounding pleased with herself.

  Reese stiffened again.

  “You make the Stouts sound more important than they are,” I said to Aida, shooting her an annoyed glance.

  Aida shrugged. “They are to those of us whose fathers aren’t legendary rock stars.”

  “My father is a rancher,” I replied, not liking the fact that she’d brought up Kiro. I didn’t talk about my biological father much. He wasn’t a part of my life; my stepdad was the one who had actually raised me. My only connection to Kiro was through Harlow. He had been a much bigger presence in my half sister’s life.

  “Whatever, Mase. You have fame in your blood. Ge
t over it,” Aida said, and smirked at me.

  Reese smoothed her skirt nervously. She was worried about this damn barbecue now. I wanted to forget the stupid thing. I didn’t want to force her to do anything that upset her.

  “We can go home now. You just say the word,” I told her, squeezing her thigh again.

  “What? No, we can’t! I’m not missing this party.” Aida’s high-pitched whine was out of line.

  “I want to go,” Reese said, and leaned into me.

  “If you decide you want to go home at any point, just tell me. I’ll get Aida a ride.” I ignored the glare Aida was shooting my way.

  Reese didn’t say anything; she just leaned in even closer to my side.

  The large iron gates stood open, and a couple of large men in suits stood at the entrance. I stopped and rolled down the window.

  “Name?” The man asked.

  “Mase Colt,” I replied, leaving the Manning off of my name. Most people around here thought of me as a Colt.

  He nodded. “Welcome, Mr. Colt. You may proceed.”

  I followed the extravagant brick drive until we came up to the front of the three-story house, which was bigger than most folks’ homes around here. The valet stood waiting, but I wasn’t letting some kid in a tux park my truck.

  When the valet approached, he had a fake smile plastered on his face.

  “I can park my own truck,” I informed him.

  He looked confused. “Uh, well, it’s out there . . . but it’s a walk.” He pointed out toward the left of the house, where several cars were already parked.

  “Thanks,” I replied, then glanced back at Reese and Aida. “Y’all can go ahead and get out here so you don’t have to walk.”

  Reese reached up and took my arm. “I’ll stay with you. I don’t mind walking.”

  Aida rolled her eyes and reached for her door. “I’m getting out.”

  The valet hurried to open her door the rest of the way and helped her out. As soon as he closed it, I drove down to the parking area. I never liked leaving my keys with some stranger. A man could park his own damn wheels.

  Reese

  The backyard where the barbecue was being held looked like something out of a magazine. Lanterns hung from massive oak trees, casting their light as nightfall approached, and twinkly white lights were strung from tree to tree, making a whimsical canopy over the tables and white upholstered chairs, which didn’t look like they belonged outside.

  A band was on the stage playing everything from popular country music to classical. There was even a dance floor, with the same canopy of lights as the eating area.

  But what stood out the most was the way the women were dressed. Aida had been right—a blue-jeans skirt didn’t fit in here. Not even men were wearing blue jeans. I should have questioned the fact that Mase had on a pair of straight-legged khakis with his boots instead of his usual jeans. The button-down baby-blue Oxford shirt was dressier than anything he ever wore. Why hadn’t I insisted that he let me go back and change?

  His hand rested on my lower back as he directed me toward the crowd. People stood around in groups, champagne glasses in their hands, as they talked among themselves. Diamonds glittered on the women’s hands, wrists, ears, and necks. Had Mase never been to one of these “barbecues” before? I figured he’d come to many of them. Why had he said Aida was over-dressed?

  “Mase Colt,” a tall, broad-shouldered man with graying hair at his temples called out in a deep voice as we stepped into the light. “It’s good to see you. I wasn’t here for the last exchange. Hawkins said everything went smoothly, as always.”

  “Yes, sir. Dad was pleased¸” Mase replied.

  This was the second time he’d been referred to as Colt, not Colt Manning, tonight. I’d never heard him drop his last name before.

  The man’s attention moved to me, and for a moment, I wanted to run and hide under a table. “And I see you’ve brought a beautiful woman.”

  Mase’s hand remained on my back. “Yes, sir. This is Reese Ellis. Reese, this is Arthur Stout, a business partner of ours and the host of this ‘modest’ barbecue.”

  Arthur chuckled. “That’s actually my wife’s fault. She can’t do anything small. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Reese. About time Mase had a woman on his arm. Every good man needs a good woman at his side. Been trying to tell Hawkins that for years, but he doesn’t listen.”

  “When he meets her, you won’t have to tell him anything. It’ll just happen,” Mase said, making my heart thud and my chest feel warm.

  Arthur Stout grinned and nodded his head. “Reckon that’s so. God knows that’s how it was with his momma. God rest her soul, she took a part of me when she left this world.”

  “Arthur, honey, you must meet Chantel. She’s from the club. I was just telling you about our lovely tea the other day,” said a woman who looked only a few years older than me. The diamond on her hand caught the light and twinkled.

  “Coming, darling,” he replied. “I must go. You two enjoy yourselves.”

  I watched him go, then looked up at Mase, a little confused.

  “Piper is his second wife. His first wife passed away ten years ago from cancer. He married Piper four years ago,” Mase said, understanding my confusion.

  “But she looks so young,” I whispered, watching the woman cling to the arm of a man who had to be in his sixties.

  “She was twenty-two when he married her. His son, Hawkins, is a year older than her.”

  Ew.

  Mase looked at my face and chuckled. “Come on. Let’s get a drink. Stout started his own brewery about seven years ago. He has some ciders you might like; I know you’re not a fan of beer.”

  I walked with him toward the extravagant bar.

  “There you are! I saw Aida earlier, and she said you were here. I wondered if you dropped her off and then went to hide.”

  Mase stopped and turned his head toward the voice, just as I did. An attractive guy with short blond hair and pale blue eyes was walking toward us.

  “Aida didn’t tell me you brought a date,” the man said as he stopped in front of us, looking at me with a pleased smile.

  “Hawkins,” Mase replied, with a harder tone than he’d used with Hawkins’s father.

  Hawkins grinned even bigger and finally looked at Mase. “Please tell me she’s another cousin,” he said.

  Mase’s hand slid around my back, now gripping me at my hip as he pulled me toward him. “No. She’s mine.”

  Hawkins kept smiling.

  “Reese, this is Hawkins Stout. Hawkins, this is Reese Ellis,” Mase said, sounding annoyed.

  Hawkins held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Reese Ellis,” he said.

  I slipped my hand into his, wondering if we were going to shake, but he lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss there. I froze. I wasn’t expecting that.

  Mase cleared his throat, and Hawkins’s gaze left me to look at Mase with amusement. “Easy. I understand,” he said with a smirk, then took a step back. “Enjoy your evening. We have several new brews you would enjoy.”

  “Headed to the bar now,” Mase replied.

  Hawkins gave me one last smile before excusing himself to greet other guests.

  I started to say something but decided against it. Mase didn’t say anything, so I took his lead and walked toward the bar.

  He ordered a beer, and I decided on the blueberry cider after trying a sample. Once we had our drinks, we turned to see Aida coming directly for us . . . or for Mase. She looked upset. Really upset.

  “I need you,” she choked out.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked

  She looked pointedly at me and then back at him, pleadingly. “I can’t talk about it here. Please,” she begged.

  Mase nodded. “OK, where do you want to go?”

  “Somewhere we can be alone. I just . . . I can’t.” She covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes together dramatically. I wasn’t sure if I believed something was wrong.

&nbs
p; Mase nodded toward the house. “Let’s go inside.”

  She nodded, and then Mase’s hand was at my back, guiding me forward. I knew this wasn’t Aida’s idea of “alone.” I had started to say something when she saw I was following along.

  Her face crumpled again. “I can’t talk about this with her. Just you.”

  Mase shook his head, as if he was about to argue.

  “It’s Heath. He’s here with her,” Aida said with a sob.

  Mase’s frown grew. “I know that’s hard, Aida, but I can’t leave Reese alone. She doesn’t know anyone here.”

  This was my chance to win Aida over, if only a little. “Yes, you can. I have a drink, and I can sit in one of those lovely chairs and wait. Go with her. She’s upset.”

  Mase didn’t seem convinced.

  Aida sobbed again. “Please, Mase. I need you to talk me off a ledge.”

  “Go,” I repeated.

  Finally, Mase sighed and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be back quickly,” he whispered.

  I nodded, and he followed Aida inside. I watched them until they reached the house, and then I turned to survey the scene. I was at a party full of strangers, and no one else was sitting down yet. Maybe the tables were off limits until we ate.

  I made my way to the shadows, where the lights from the trees didn’t reach. I could see the house from here, and when Mase returned, I’d be able to see him.

  It wasn’t until I was out of the light and my eyes adjusted to the darkness that I saw I wasn’t alone. I paused. Should I be concerned? Or maybe I should just excuse myself and find another dark spot.

  “He leaves you for another woman, and you hide in the dark,” a deep voice said. I could just make out the shape of a man leaning against a bale of hay with a beer in his hand. I studied him quickly to see if I should be worried. The first thing I noticed was his jeans, then his white Oxford shirt, similar to Mase’s blue one. But his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. The only thing I could make out clearly from his features was his green eyes, which burned with an inner light.

  “You decided yet?” the man asked, making me self-conscious that I was still staring at him.