Текст книги "Wanted"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 31 страниц)

“You look beautiful Ells. Did you pack enough pairs of jeans sweetheart?” He said as he slowly lowered me to the ground. I loved nothing more than when he did that. To be so close to his body was amazing. I wonder what having sex would be like with him?

Wait….What??? Holy fuck where did that come from?

“Nothing is wrong if you’re going to the beach or I guess the mall or something. For Christ sakes Ari we are going out to a fucking cattle ranch. If you bend over a little I can probably see your ass those shorts are so fucking short.”

Ari looked at Jeff and gave him that signature smile of hers. “Well it’s a damn good thing this ass does not belong to you now isn’t it. You don’t have to worry about it!” Ari smacked her ass with her hand and gave Jefferson a wink.

“Whatever squirt. If you want guys looking at you like you’re some kind of whore that’s up to you. Let me guess the giant suitcase right here is yours?”

Ari smiled and walked up to Jefferson as he picked up her suitcase. She stood on her tippy toes and purred up at him. “Are you jealous that the other cowboys will be looking at me and fantasizing about how good of a rider I might be?”

Jefferson dropped Ari’s suitcase and it almost landed on her left foot. Ari was stilling leaning in close to Jefferson as she gave him a wink.

“Be careful there Jeff…I have very important items in that suitcase that I need to take care of…….certain…...needs…….”

Jefferson looked over at Gunner and me and shook his head as if he was trying to erase an image. He quickly picked up her suitcase and walked out the front door. Gunner started laughing as soon as the front door shut. I mean really…..I think Ari just entertains the hell out of Gunner. I hit his shoulder and looked at Ari.

“Arianna! That was just plain MEAN! You and I both know you do NOT own any such items! And you……Gunner stop laughing. It’s not funny. She is going to give poor Jefferson a heart attack by the end of the week.” I said as I stared at both of them. They were both trying not to laugh but doing a piss poor job of it.

“WHAT!? I have my flat iron and hair dryer in that suitcase! Those are very important items to me. Gesh Ellie….get your mind out of the gutter you perv!”

Gunner reached down and grabbed my suitcase and started to head out to the truck. “Come on ladies….let’s blow this popsicle stand!”

I was so excited I could hardly stand it! I grabbed my purse and stuck my iPod and my headphones into it as quick as I could. I followed Ari out of the house and locked the door behind me! Ari leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“DO NOT make me sit in the back seat with Jeff or I will fucking kill you!”

I started to giggle when I saw Jefferson jump in the front seat of Gunner’s truck. “I think you scared the shit out of Jefferson….he wouldn’t sit next to you even if you paid him to!”

Ari looked over at the truck and then back at me and we busted out laughing. Gunner walked up and picked me up and spun me around. I let out a little yell as he gave me another kiss. He smiled at me and leaned in close to my ear.

“Do you want to sit in the front with me sweetheart? I can kick Jeff into the back seat with the whore!”

I started to laugh and hit his back. “Put me down and no! I’ll sit with Ari in the backseat. I think if Jefferson and Ari had to sit near each other that long they would end up killing each other and that would ruin my first trip out to the country!”

“Agreed! Let’s go baby.” Gunner walked over to open the truck door for me.

Ohhh…..I secretly wished he called me baby all the time. I was not sure why I liked it so much. I mean…the way it came out of his mouth it just sounded so…….

“Fuck its hot when he calls you baby.” Ari said to me with a wink.

“Yeah, it is hot isn’t it?!.”

Ari jumped into the truck and slid all the way behind Gunner’s seat. Gunner held my arm as I got in. Shit the electric jolt that traveled through my body when he touched me was unreal. Would I ever get use to it? He gave me one last peck on the cheek, smiled and shut the door. He jogged around the front of the truck and got in. He looked over at Jefferson and smiled!

“Alright! Let’s get the hell out of the city and get us some fresh country air!” Gunner said with a smile.

Gunner looked back at me winked and smiled.

“We have to listen to a little music to get us in the mood!”

Gunner hit play and “Banjo” by Rascal Flatts started to play. Jeff and Gunner both gave each other a fist bump and said at the same time…..

“Hells yeah!”

I looked over at Ari and she looked at me.

She smiled and just shook her head.

“Men….” We both said at the same time.

C

HAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

G unner……

Christ almighty…….driving for three hours and listening to Ari go on and on was enough to drive me fucking nuts! She got a call from Jason and of course she took it. The minute she said Jason’s name Jeff put on his headphones and didn’t take them off for another hour. Stupid fucker was just going to give up on the girl he wanted.

I looked back at Ellie one time and the smile on her face looking out the window told me all I needed to know. She already loved being away from the city. Would she love the ranch as much as I did? Could she see herself living there? Being a rancher’s wife? Fuck I sure as shit hoped so.

I turned down the county road that led to the ranch and my palms started to sweat and my heart rate kicked up. What the fuck? I was never nervous coming to the ranch. Maybe it was having Ellie meet Gramps and Grams that was getting me all fucked up.

I looked back at Ellie and she looked like she was about to come out of her seat. Jeff took his head phones off and turned around to face Ellie.

“You excited honey? This is your first time out to the country and to a working cattle ranch!”

I’m not sure what type of sound Ellie just made but she was smiling from ear to ear.

“Holy shit I’m so excited I’m shaking!”

“Jesus Ellie….it’s just a bunch of cows for Pete’s sake. I’m more concerned with the fact that I’ve not had a cell signal for the last forty five minutes!” Ari said as she moved her cell phone all over the back of Gunner’s truck looking for a signal.

Jeff let out a laugh. “Yep you take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl. You won’t die if you can’t talk to your boyfriend for a few days squirt.”

“Fuck off dickwad.”

“Can you two please just knock it off for at least two days? I really want to enjoy this time we all have together before Gunner and Jefferson have to report back to football practice OKAY?! Will the two of you attempt to get along…….for me?”

Jeff just turned around and didn’t say a word; Ari told Ellie of course they would behave. Right…..I didn’t believe that load of shit any more than Ellie probably did.

We pulled up to the gate. It was a large black iron gate and above it read:

Mathews Cattle Co

I heard Ellie let out a gasp as I punched in the gate code and we made our way down the long country road that led to my dream. The driveway went on a good three miles before we got to the ranch house. One more turn and that big white house would be in front of us.

Fuck I loved that house. The house had four bedrooms with Gramps and Grams bedroom downstairs and the other three bedrooms all upstairs. Both the first and second story of the house had wraparound porches all the way around the house. Each room had access to the porch and on cool nights Grams would open all the windows and doors to cool the house off.

The porch swing facing out towards the west was my favorite part of the house. I remember all the nights I sat on that swing with Gramps while he told me what it took to be a cattle rancher. I smiled at the memory. I turned to look back at Ellie. She was staring at me with a goofy little smile. My heart started to beat faster as I gave her a wink. I was fucking nervous as hell.

There it was……. the ranch house…….and there was Gramps and Grams standing out front waiting for us. I thought I heard Ellie tell Ari she was nervous about meeting my grandparents. We pulled up and I threw the truck into park as I jumped out and made a beeline straight to Grams. She was holding a bouquet of daisies in her hand. I reached down and gently lifted her up and gave her a small hug as I kissed her on the cheek.

“Oh, you big ‘ole hulk now you put me back down Drew!”

“Yes ma’am, I missed you Grams, I missed you so much.” I slowly put Grams down as I turned to give Gramps a hand shake. He pulled my hand in and gave me a bear hug, just like always.

“How are you doing Drew? We missed you so much son. Son of bitch you keep getting bigger, good for ranch work.” Gramps said has he gave me a once over.

Jeff walked up next and leaned down and gave Grams a kiss and a hug and then shook Gramps hand. Ellie and Ari were right behind him. Jeff turned around and took Ari’s hand in his and brought her up to Grams and Gramps.

“Mr. and Mrs. Mathews this is Arianna Peterson, Ellie’s best friend.” Grams looked at Ari and smiled and then looked up at Jeff and raised her one eyebrow. She always knew when someone was hiding something.

“Humph, just Ellie’s best friend huh sweetheart?” Grams said as she looked back at Ari. She walked up to Ari and gave her a hug and whispered something in Ari’s ear that made Ari’s face instantly blush. Ari then let out a laugh as she looked back at Jeff. Nothing got by my grandmother.

“Arianna dear, you are such a pretty thing…...please call me Emma.”

“Thank you so much for having us; it is absolutely breathtaking out here! And please, call me Ari.”

Gramps walked over and gave Ari a small hug and welcomed her. Ari thanked him and told him about her own grandfather’s ranch where she spent almost every summer riding in the local rodeos barrel racing. Jeff looked shocked to say the least. Damn that girl never ceased to shock me one way or another.

Next thing I knew Gramps was looking straight at me. “Now where the hell is this girl who has stolen our Drew’s heart?” He had a huge smile on his face, the same smile he wore when ever Grams walked into a room.

It was time…..my hands started to sweat again and my knees felt like they were going to buckle any moment. I wiped my hand on my jeans and gently took Ellie’s hand in mine. I walked up to Gramps first since he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from her.

“Gramps, I would like to introduce you to Ellie Johnson, Jeff’s sister and well…um….the girl who has captured my heart and soul.” Ellie turned and looked at me. She slowly gave me that goddamn smile of hers that melts my heart every time. Her beautiful blue eyes looked even more beautiful out here under the vast Texas sky.

God I loved her.

Ellie walked up to Gramps as he bent down and wrapped her in his arms and lifted her up. Ellie started to laugh. “Well aren’t you the prettiest thing I have ever laid eyes on next to Emma here.”

Gramps set Ellie down and her cheeks were a beautiful rose color. She smiled up at him and I swear he swayed a little. I knew right then and there she had bewitched him just as much as she had me.

Ellie turned to face me and gave me a wink. “I see where you get it from now.”

I placed my hand on her lower back and brought her over to Grams. I thought I felt a shiver go through Ellie’s body. As we got closer to Grams I thought I saw tears in my grandmother’s eyes. What was that all about?

“Ellie this is the most important woman in my life, I adore her and I know you will also. Grams…….this is my Ellie.” I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I looked around to see if anyone else could hear it also.

Grams walked up to Ellie and handed her the daisies. Ellie’s smiled grew bigger and she told Grams that daisies where her favorite. Grams threw her head back and laughed and told her she had heard that from a little fairy. Grams placed both her hands on Ellie’s shoulders and looked her over. Her smile was all I needed to see to know she already loved Ellie. She brought Ellie in for hug and whispered something into Ellie’s ear as well. Ellie didn’t laugh like Ari did. She pulled back and looked at Grams shocked and then turned to look over at me.

“Trust me Ellie darlin’, trust me!” Grams said with a wink. Ellie smiled as Grams linked both Ari and Ellie’s arms into hers and walked them into the house. Both girls started laughing at something Grams said to them. Ellie turned back around and gave me a smile. I returned her smile along with a wink as she turned her attention back to what Grams was saying.

Watching her walk into the house for the first time with Grams almost made my heart burst into two. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her retreating body. Just has the door shut Gramps slapped Jeff and I both on the backs.

“Well I’ll be goddamned! Holy fucking shit boys how the hell did you two luck out with those beauties?” Gramps said with a loud laugh.

“You lucky sons of bitches! Now, let’s head down to the barn and find Drake, I think I need a beer or ten. I’ll get Dewey to bring the girls suitcases up to their room.”

Jeff and I both looked at each other and smiled. We walked with Gramps to the barn while he got us caught up on all the work he had in store for us while we were there. Jeff leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“I don’t care how many goddamn fences need mending…I just want to see Ari in a fucking bikini.”

I let out a laugh and shook my head. No way was I going to admit I wanted to see his sister in one also.

Jeff gave me a wink and slapped my back…..Bastard already knew I was thinking it though.

“Let’s go boys…we have some catching up to do.”

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

E llie……

After Gunner’s grandmother gave us a tour of the house and her garden, she showed Ari and me the bedroom we would be using. I was falling more and more in love with Emma. She had a tiny frame but looked like if you pissed her off she could haul off and knock the shit out of you. She absolutely adored Gunner and he adored her. The way he introduced her made me swoon and I couldn’t help but fall for him even more.

When she whispered in my ear how happy she was Gunner was finally in love I almost passed out from pure shock.

“Ari, what did Emma whisper in your ear when Jeff introduced y’all?” I asked as Ari was unpacking her suitcase.

Ari started to laugh again and looked at me.

“She just said ‘Stupid bastard will admit how he feels about you, don’t worry!’”

I lost it and started laughing. “WOW! Looks like Emma has some kind of super power. She told me she was happy Gunner was finally in love!”

Ari dropped her flat iron on the floor and just stood there looking at me.

“W…What did she say? Did Gunner tell her he was in love with you? OH. MY. GOD! Has Gunner told you he LOVES YOU and you didn’t tell me YOU BITCH!”

“Jesus, Ari calm down! No….I’m pretty sure Gunner has NOT told her that, and NO he has not told me that. But…..” I left Ari hanging as I got up and started to unpack my things.

“BUT? But what Ells holy shit….don’t leave me hanging here!”

I looked at Ari and then jumped on her bed. I had been dying to tell her but was afraid I had just taken it wrong.

“Okay well I’ve been dying to say something to you but I thought it was just the alcohol and all of that. The night of Brad’s birthday party when Gunner and Jeff got so drunk, I helped Gunner to bed right?”

“YES, YES…I know all of this….fast forward please…..”

I laughed at Ari and shook my head. “Well, as he was falling asleep he might have said something like I love you Ellie…..I don’t really remember exactly what he said because I was in shock.”

Ari sat there stunned. Her mouth slowly started to drop open as she just stared at me. I reached over and used my finger to shut her mouth but it fell back open. I let out a giggle as she just kept staring at me.

“You trying to catch flies with that mouth open like that?”

“Holy shit….Jesus, Mary and Joseph Ellie……how….why in the fuck have you not told me this before now?”

I just shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess because he was drunk and all. I mean a lot of people say shit when they are drunk that they don’t really mean. I guess I’ve just learned to ignore what drunks say because of my mother. He might have just been saying it because I was helping him to bed or something.”

“Or something! He might have been saying it because he actually DOES love you! What the fuck is wrong with you and your brother? You both can’t see what is in front of your faces. Drives me crazy Ells.”

I let out a sigh. A part of me wanted to believe that Gunner was in love with me but the other part…the other part that knew better.

Y ou will never be wanted by anyone…….

“Ari listen, we’ve not even been together long enough for Gunner to fall in love with me. And three weeks of that time we were not even speaking to each other. It’s way too soon for him to be feeling anything like that for me. Way….. way too soon.”

“Whatever Ells, you may not notice it but I see the way he has to catch his breath when you walk in a room. Or the way he can’t keep his eyes off of you for a single minute. The way he smiles at you even makes my ass swoon. I don’t care what you say Ellie Johnson. Drew Mathews loves you.”

I tried to give Ari a smile. I really wished I could believe her, but something was holding me back.

The rest of the day was spent helping Emma cook dinner. We learned how to make Chicken and Dumpling’s as well as Emma’s super secret apple pie. I was in awe of Emma. She was everything I would have ever wanted in a mother. I was falling in love with her as each minute passed.

Ari never ceased to amaze me. I sat there and watched her as she moved around this country kitchen like she grew up here! The way she interacted with Emma like she was Emma’s granddaughter and had known her her whole life. A part of me was envious that Ari got to have such a normal childhood growing up. A mom and dad, grandparents……. the whole thing and all I got was a drunken mother who told me every chance she got how worthless I was.

You will never be wanted by anyone………….

I must have been lost in my thoughts because I never even saw Emma walk over. She cupped my face with her hands and looked deep into my eyes and for some reason, my eyes started to tear up. What the hell? She really did have magic powers!

“Ellie, let go of the past sweetheart. Just let it fall away from you and look at what you have surrounding you right now. Look at the people who love you and want you to be happy.”

I felt the tears running down my face. WHAT THE FUCK? I never cry in front of people. I looked over at Ari who was watching. She had flour on her cheek right under her eye and I just started to laugh when I saw it. Emma took me in her arms and held me. I had never felt loved so much as I did in that moment. Could Ari be right, could someone love you this much and this fast? I completely lost it and started sobbing.

“Oh my gosh…I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I’m so sorry!” I said as Emma held me close to her and stoked my hair.

“Shhhh, baby girl.” Emma turned and had Ari walk over to us. Ari knelt down and looked at me.

“I told you Ells….I told you.”

Just then the door opened to the kitchen and I lifted my head to see Gunner walk in. His smile quickly faded and he looked like someone had punched him in the gut. I instantly felt like a stupid idiot.

“Baby what’s wrong?” Gunner said as he walked up and dropped to his knees at my side. Emma let me go and smiled down at Gunner. She took a step back and looked at me with a smile that made my heart melt.

“Nothing is wrong Drew. Ellie just needed a good cry that’s all. I think tonight would be the perfect night for your surprise for Ellie Drew.” Emma said as Gunner looked up at her and she gave him a wink.

What did Gunner have planned? My heart started to beat faster. I looked over and just stared into his beautiful blue eyes. They looked…..bluer for some reason. They had a spark in them I had never noticed before.

“Your eyes Gunner….they’re so…..blue.”

Gunner smiled at me and for a second time within the last two minutes my heart melted. He had Emma’s crooked smile. He reached up and wiped the tears from my eyes.

“My beautiful Ellie, please don’t cry.”

Just then something inside my chest hurt but in a good way. I threw my arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. The warmth from his touch spread through my whole body all at once.

“My beautiful, beautiful girl….I hate to see you cry, it cuts me to the bone. I just want you to happy baby.”

Oh. My. God……I think I just gave up my heart and soul to Drew Mathews.

I think ……..

I think I was in love with him.

I pulled away from him and he cupped my face with his hands and kissed me so passionately that my head started to spin. I forgot all about Emma and Ari being in the same room and I returned his kiss. I kissed him with everything I had been holding back. The feel of Gunner’s mouth on mine, his tongue dancing perfectly with mine, I wanted to cry again. He slowly pulled away and leaned his forehead against mine. We both took a few seconds to catch our breath.

“I want to show you what the stars look like at night Ellie, just you and me tonight if you’re up for it sweetheart? I want to give you another first.” Gunner said as he looked into my eyes.

I smiled at him because he had remembered our conversation from before. “I would like nothing more than to do that.” Just then I remember Emma and Ari. I felt my face get hot as I looked up.

“They left before I kissed you sweetheart.” Gunner said with a wicked smile as I shook my head at him.

“Come on, I need to wash up before dinner!”

Jefferson and Garrett walked in just then laughing their asses off. Gunner jumped up and took my hand.

Gunner’s grandfather took one look at me and then snapped his head over to Gunner.

“What the hell did you do her Drew? She’s been crying!” Garrett yelled.

Emma walked into the kitchen with Ari laughing about something.

“Oh hush now you old goat. Drew did nothing to her and everything is fine. The girls helped with dinner so go wash up and don’t think I don’t smell that beer on you!”

Everyone laughed and Garrett walked up and kissed Emma with such passion I had to look away. Gunner squeezed my hand and looked down at me as I looked up at him. I didn’t dare tell him my hand still kind of hurt from when I hit Ryan over a month ago.

Just then I saw Jefferson walk up to Ari who was leaning against the counter smiling at the display of affection from Garrett and Emma. I watched him as he gently wiped the flour off of Ari’s face.

“You um, you had some flour on your face there.” Jeff said as he smiled at her and then turned and walked away. As soon as he walked out of the kitchen Ari reached to her side and grabbed the counter. Her face was as red as the dish towel that was slung over her shoulder. She looked up at me and I smiled. I was going to have to have a talk with that brother of mine.