Three Words (Whiskey River Road Book 3) Read online

  “I’m only teasing. Is it normal that my heart skips a beat every time I see him?”

  “Perfectly.” She smiles. “We’re in the bedroom,” she hollers.

  “There you are. I’ve been searching all over for you. I have a surprise for you.”

  “Should I be scared?” I giggle like a schoolgirl.

  “Nope, you’re going to love it.” He bends down, cradling me in his arms.

  I grip his biceps. “I like it so far.” He waltzes me out of the house.

  “You two don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Clem yells after us.

  Ian groans several times while he’s carrying me god knows where. “What? Am I too heavy for you?” I glare at him.

  He drops me to my feet. “Matter of fact, you are. You’ve gained a few pounds the last month sitting around on your ass while I’ve waited on you hand and foot.”

  I stop, propping my hands on my hips. “What should your obituary say? Girlfriend shot man for calling her fat? Or maybe, he was strangled to death in his sleep?”

  He tugs me into his arms. “I’d rather it says a man was killed by his wife because she loved him to death.” He smacks my lips then releases me, grasping my hand to follow him in the thick grass.

  “Wife, huh? Wouldn’t that require some sort of proposal?”

  “With you, it would be more like a negotiation.” He chuckles.

  I can’t argue with his logic. “Where are you taking me?”

  “To the river.” He covers my eyes with his hand. “No peeking from here on out.”

  “I can’t walk in this grass without seeing where I’m going.” I try to pry his hand down, but he holds firm.

  “Do you trust me, Ellie?”

  “I trust you to run scared if you see a snake.”

  I feel him tense. “I do hate snakes.”

  “So, are you going to let me look or what?” I laugh.

  “Nope. I reckon I’ll have to fight a snake if I see one.” He wraps his arm around my waist to get my feet moving while he still covers my eyes.

  “How much further?” I ask.

  We stop moving. “We’re here.” He slowly removes his hand. I blink a few times. The sun is starting to set over Whiskey River. Enough sunbeams are left that they dance off something shiny on the river’s edge. He takes my hand, walking me closer.

  It’s a large silver trough filled with water flowing over the edge.

  “What’s this?” I smile at him.

  “You said you could use one of them fancy hot tubs with jets, so I made you one.” He turns a knob on the side, and the water starts to bubble.

  “You made this for me?” I’m all smiles.

  “Yep. I even remembered your favorite smelling bubbles.” He picks up a bottle that was sitting in a basket next to the trough.

  “And wine?” I pick up the bottle.

  “Do you like it?” His eyes beam with mischief.

  “I do. One question, though?” I wrap my arms around his waist. “Why is it out here in the open?”

  “I thought it would be romantic, relaxing in the tub, watching the sun set with the love of my life. Besides, nobody is out here.” He smacks his lips to mine.

  I can’t help but love his playfulness. “Okay then,” I say as I start stripping out of my clothes. It’s been so long, I can’t wait to feel him next to me. I tip one toe in to feel the warmth, watching the steam rise around it.

  “I rigged the jets, and the heat’s being generated from a battery.” He points.

  “Clever cowboy,” I snicker, sinking into the hot water. “Lord this is heavenly.”

  He squats, resting his arms on the edge with his chin lying on his hand.

  “Are you going to watch or join me?” I lift a brow.

  “In a minute. I like seeing you happy.”

  “I’d be happier if you’d strip down and get in with me.” I trail my tongue along my bottom lip.

  He stands for a second, digging down deep into his pocket, then returns to his position. When he shows me his hand, he has a little black velvet box resting in the middle of it.

  “Ellie Calhoun. I want you to be my wife.” I open my mouth, and he places a single finger to my lips. “Before you go saying anything smart aleck, let me finish.”

  I bite the tip of his finger, and he jerks it back. “Continue,” I say.

  “I’ve loved you since the first day we met. Lord knows I don’t know why. You tried pushing me away so many times until I won you over with my charm and good looks.” He stops and grins. “I made the mistake of leaving. I broke both our hearts, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I love everything about you. Even the annoying parts. You’re independent, strong-willed, smart, sassy, beautiful, and you have a great rack.” His gaze lands on my breasts.

  Water drips from my hand as I lift up his chin. “Eyes up here, cowboy,” I purr.

  “You would make me the happiest man alive if you’d be my wife.” His eyes hold back tears.

  I stand stark naked in front of him. “I don’t know…I think I should get to see my man in his birthday suit before I can give him an answer. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten what he looks like.”

  He gets up. “Are you serious?”

  “Strip, cowboy.” I waggle my brow at him.

  He all but tears off his clothes, tossing them in the grass, laying the black box on his plaid shirt.

  “Come a little closer.” I crook my finger at him.

  He steps up next to the tub. I trail my nails over his shoulder, down his chest, tweaking his goody trail between my fingers. Moving further down, I cup his balls. His thick cock is already jabbing into my belly. Lifting my hand, I grasp the gold ball at his tip, pinching it between my fingers. He swallows hard.

  “I think you’ll do,” I tease, gazing into his mismatched eyes. I tug a little on the ball, forcing him into the water with me. “There’s just one thing,” I say, biting at his lip.

  “What’s that?” His voice is breathy.

  “Before I say yes, I need to tell you something.”

  He squeezes his eyes shut as if I’m about to tell him a deep, dark secret. “Open your eyes, cowboy.” He does as I ask. I caress his face. “I felt the same for you the day we met. You didn’t let me push you away, so you stole my heart. When you left, I was only half the woman I was before.” His lips part, and I hush him with a sweet kiss. “I was a stupid girl to ever let you leave me. Sliding my hand down to his chest, I place it over his heart. “I. Love. You.” I slowly enunciate each of the three little words with as much emotion I can pour into them.

  He swallows them with his mouth. Our tongues taste each other for what feels like the first time. It’s a sweet, sexy dance I don’t ever want to end. We sink down in the water together as it splashes over the sides. He rests back, and I climb on top of him. He kisses my breast as my head falls to the side, enjoying the feel of him sucking me into his hot mouth.

  “I love you, Ellie,” he says with my nipple firmly planted between his teeth. It’s pain and pleasure that pushes me over the edge. I rise above him, placing my hands between us, guiding him inside me. He groans when I inch down his length.

  “You feel so damn good.” His soft kisses tickle the delicate skin on my neck.

  “I love you, Ian.” I needed him to hear it again, or maybe I liked saying it as much as he likes hearing the words.

  It spurs him on. We stay connected as he pushes me backward with my head resting on the metal tub. Waves of water run over us as he moves back and forth inside me. It feels so different than before. Sex with him has always been so raw and needy. Wanting to feel more of him, I push his chest, forcing him on bottom. The middle of his back is pressed against the trough. I take both my hands, placing them on his face. “I love you, Ian Daughtry,” I say again with a sexiness to my voice.

  He sits up, so our chests are touching, and I’m mere inches from his face. He makes love to me as his gaze locks with mine, never leaving it. It’s erotic, yet somehow sweet, and
tender. Our bodies move slowly in sync with one another, completely tuning out the rest of the world.

  I know, without a doubt, there will never be another man for me. We give each other what we need before we take from the other, leaving us spent. The tub is only half full when I lay my head against his chest.

  “Is that a yes,” he says, catching his breath.

  I lift my head. “Yes, I will marry you.”

  “It’s about damn time.” He kisses my nose, then crawls out from underneath me, getting out of the tub. His ass looks mighty fine as he bends down to pick up the black box, making my mouth water. He hikes a leg back in, and I sit facing him. His hand trembles as he opens the box and looks up at me.

  My hands shake, too, as I remove the silver ring with a single oval stone resting in the middle. “It looks just like Momma’s,” I sniff.

  “It is your mother’s. When I asked Chet for your hand in marriage, he gave it to me. If you don’t like it, I can buy you whatever you want.”

  I quickly place it on my finger. “You’ll do no such thing, Ian Daughtry. It’s perfect.” I crawl into his lap, and we make love again.

  We spend the rest of our evening curled up in his makeshift hot tub, by the water, drinking wine, watching until the sun completely disappears, and our only light is by the shining moon straight above us.

  I couldn’t ask for a more perfect moment with the man I love.

  Chapter Twenty

  Clem

  “I need to go check the stables. How about you come with me.” Boone snuggles up to my neck.

  I throw down the dishcloth, turning in his arms. “Did you have something dirty in mind?” I wink.

  “I’m game if you are. I’d love to make you squeal in the barn.”

  “I don’t squeal.” I giggle, pushing him away with my hands.

  “Dang if you don’t.” He chuckles, snatching me by the hem of my shirt, leading me to the door.

  “At least I don’t roar like a lion,” I huff.

  “Would you want it any other way?” he asks, looking over his shoulder.

  “No.” I giggle. “I like the effect I have on you.”

  “Then hurry up and get your boots on so we can”—he looks at the palm of his hand and squints—“paddle up… damn it, it rubbed off.”

  I burst out laughing. “Let me see.” He holds out his hand. “Were you trying to be naughty for me?”

  I’ve never seen Boone’s face turn red before. “You’re always asking me to talk dirty to you.” He shrugs one shoulder.

  I hold out his hand, taking a good, hard look. “Paddle up coochie creek. That’s a good one. You get an A for effort,” I snort.

  He grabs me to him. “I’d like something more than to be graded.” His voice is needy.

  “I’m sure we can come up with another form of reward.” I slide my hand down to his growing rocket.

  “Do you want me to fuck you here or in the barn?”

  “Since you put it that way, I think the barn.” I yank on my boots to follow him outside.

  “Let’s take the long way. It’s a nice evening out.” He pulls me to his side, and I melt into him with one arm around his waist, the other on his muscular abs.

  “We haven’t been down by the river in a long time,” I say, enjoying the evening air.

  “We’ve been a little busy.”

  “Did you talk to Wyatt today?”

  “Yeah, his mood hasn’t changed any.” He scrunches his nose.

  “He’s been pretty pissy with everyone. He’s ready to be home. I think he’d progress more in his own surroundings. I know I would,” I say.

  “I can make arrangements for that to happen. There isn’t any reason why he can’t have physical therapy in his house.”

  “Except with his attitude, he’d fire anyone that would offer to help him,” I snicker.

  “True, but if he wants to get use of his leg back, he’s going to have to cooperate at some point.”

  “Margaret’s been over a few times taking him baked goods. She said the last batch he threw across the room, telling her to get out.”

  “He sounds like he’s turning into your father.” He chuckles.

  “Maybe I should tell him that. It would straighten him right up.”

  “He’s got to come to terms with it, and focus on getting stronger rather than moping around.”

  “He will in his own time.” I stop when I see movement by the river. “What’s that?” I point.

  “It looks like Ian and Ellie enjoying themselves.” He laughs.

  “Well, what is that thing?”

  “Ian built Ellie a hot tub. I didn’t know he was going to hook it up out in plain daylight.” He tries to turn me away from them.

  “Oh my gawd, he’s stripping out of his clothes.” I cover my mouth.

  “And your sister is naked.” He hangs his head.

  I move us behind a tree. “He’s getting in it with her.”

  “We should leave.”

  “They’re fixing to be thumping thighs.” I peek from behind the tree. “If it were anyone but my sister, we could stay and watch.”

  “You want to watch strangers having sex?” Boone sounds offended.

  “Hush. They will hear you. But yes, we might learn some new sexy moves from someone else.” I’m trying my damnedest not to stare, but Ian has a fine-looking ass.

  I hear Boone let out a growl, and the next thing I know, I’m looking at his backside from over his shoulder. “Put me down.”

  “We are not going to be watching anyone gettin’ it on.” He marches through the thick grass.

  “Why not?” I slap his backside. “At least I can tease them for their shenanigans out in the open where everyone could see.

  “Because it ain’t right. You ain’t right,” he grumbles.

  “Every one of them gets into my business. Do you know how many times I’ve had to hear them giggle about Saran Wrap,” I say as I bounce on his shoulder.

  “I don’t care. I’m ain’t watching anyone have sex. And, no, before you say anything else, there’s nothing I’m going to learn. My lovemaking skills are just fine.” He kicks open the barn door and drops me on my ass.

  “Ouch! What’d you do that for?”

  He walks in a circle twice, then does it again in the other direction. “Do I not satisfy you in the bedroom.”

  I stand, dusting the dirt off my shorts. “We hardly ever have sex in the bedroom. We never seem to make it in there.”

  “Damn, Clem! You know what I mean.” He sexy when he’s all fired mad.

  “What kind of question is that anyway? We can barely keep our hands off each other.”

  “That doesn’t mean I give you what you need. Hell, you wanted to watch your sister with Ian.”

  I close the distance between us. “I don’t want to watch Ian and Ellie. I love all the naughty stuff you do to me.”

  My words seem to let off some of his steam. He grabs me hard. “If there is something you want to do that I’m not doing, all you have to do is tell me.”

  “Could you two hold it down out there? It’s bad enough I have to hide from Missy.” Bear comes out of one of the stalls, zipping up his jeans.

  I burst out laughing. “It appears all the Calhouns had one thing in mind tonight.”

  Nita saunters out of the barn, brushing straw from Bear’s hair.

  “Do you want to watch them go at it?” Boone points to them.

  “What’s he talking about?” Bear asks with a smirk at his lips.

  “Ew, no!” I scrunch my nose.

  “He’s all worked up because Ian and Ellie were down by the river boinking.”

  “And she wanted to watch!” Boone yells.

  “What’s wrong with that? Afraid you might learn something?” Bear grasps Nita by the waist.

  I snatch Boone’s t-shirt as he storms toward Bear. “He’s just teasing you. What I said was, if it were someone other than Ellie.”

  Bear raises his hands in surrende
r. “We were done anyway. You two can have the barn.” He whispers something in Nita’s ear, and she smiles. “Let’s go,” he says, running out the back door.

  “They’re going to kick Ian and Ellie out of the hot tub, aren’t they?” Boone asks dryly.

  “Probably.”

  He turns around, heading into Moonshine’s stable.

  “Where you going? I thought you wanted to have some sexy time.”

  “I did, but I’m suddenly not in the mood.”

  “Oh come on,” I say.

  He glares at me and takes his hat off, placing it on a hook. He picks up a pitchfork, tossing around the hay.

  I unbutton my top and my shorts. I take everything off and walk into the stable. “I bet I can get you in the mood,” I rasp.

  He looks over his shoulder then back around. He stands tall, and I see the moment he gives in to me. He throws the pitchfork on the ground, and in one rough, gruff move, he heads toward me. Our mouths crash together, and he doesn’t stop until he’s left me completely limp.

  Missy sets the party hats on the table next to the cake she and Nita spent the past several hours making for the coming home party Missy insisted on having for Daddy, Noah, Jane, and Wyatt.

  Wyatt came home a few days ago. He’s been living in the main house. Nita and I have been taking shifts making sure he’s okay. He’s been using a walker to get around, but I can tell he’s still in a lot of pain.

  Surgery went well for Jane. Daddy took a few days longer than expected to heal, but according to Noah, the doctors said he’ll be fine.

  “I hear them!” Missy claps her hands.

  We join Ian, Ellie, Bear, and Ethan on the porch, waiting for the truck to park.

  Noah jumps out first, running to the passenger side, lending Daddy a hand. He takes him by the elbow, walking him toward the house. I hold back a tear, thinking how fragile he looks.

  “Welcome home, Grandpa! I’ve missed you.” Missy hugs him.

  “I’ve missed you too, princess.”

  He stops at the porch swing and sits. Noah runs back to the car opening the back door. He leans in, saying something to Jane, almost as if he’s trying to coax her out.

  She steps one long leg out then the other. She’s got short sandy blond hair. She’s lean, and almost as tall as Noah. I see the resemblance between them right away. She’s drop-dead gorgeous with sparkling emerald eyes. She must have gotten those from her mother’s side.