BONUS CHAPTER
(Extended HEA)
​
HONEY
THAT SPRING​​​
​​
With a wicked grin, Beau pulls the silk blindfold over my eyes.
​
“To help you keep your eyes closed,” he whispers in my ear as he drags something rough over my wrists. Between my breasts. Down my stomach.
​
“It tickles.”
​
“Hmm. Maybe I’m not doing this right.” He drags it over my nipples, and I shiver.
​
“Beau,” I say on a gasp as I press my knees together. I’m lying stark naked on his bed as I try to figure out what he’s using. “Is that a rope?”
​
“Good guess.” He kisses my wrist before he wraps the rope around it. As he moves to the other one, excitement grows in my belly. I’ve wanted to try rope play ever since that night at the Devil’s Den.
​
When he’s done with my wrists, he leans over to kiss me. “You look beautiful like this.”
​
I smile and tug on my restraints. “This isn’t fair. I can’t touch you.”
​
“It’s your birthday tomorrow, so it only seems right that I service you, ma’am. I understand you have an ache. As a first responder, I’m equipped to help.”
​
Laughing, I shake my head. “I love when you use that firefighter voice.”
​
“I know.” He gently tugs on my nipple with his teeth. “The rope shouldn’t be too tight, but if it is, let me know. And if you need to stop for any reason, use your safe word. What is it?”
​
Beau takes sex precautions very seriously. I nod and chuckle around the word. “Kumquat.”
​
“Good girl.” He taps my mound with something.
​
My eyes fly open, but all I can see is the black silk. “Is that the riding crop?” I bought it for him as a joke and as a little nudge.
​
“Maybe. Spread your legs.” I immediately comply, and he flicks the crop up and down my inner thighs.
​
I pull on the restraints as I try to move closer to him. “Beau.” It’s a warning.
​
“What’s wrong, baby?”
​
“I need more, and you know it.”
​
Is he laughing? I swear I can feel him smiling. He runs his hand along where he just used the crop. But then he drags it between my legs, and I shudder. “You’re so fucking wet. I can’t wait to lick you clean.”
​
I love the mouth on this man. “Maybe you should do that now.”
​
“Patience, princess.”
​
But then he taps on my pussy with that crop, and I nearly come on the spot. I arch against my restraints with a loud moan. “Do that again.”
​
The taps come harder. One after the other. I’m out of my mind with pleasure by the last strike.
​
And then he’s there, moving over me. Pushing into me with his big cock as another orgasm powers through me. “God, yes!”
​
“I got you, baby.” As he thrusts, he reaches between us to rub small circles on my swollen flesh.
​
When I can’t handle any more, I lift my chin. “Kiss me.” His lips graze mine, and I wrap my legs around his waist. “Come inside me.”
​
He groans with so much need, and then he fucks me into the mattress. I love making him as crazed as he makes me.
​
I want to soak up every rough stroke, every hard thrust, because once I tell him my news, I’m guessing we won’t go at it like feral animals for a while. Beau is nothing if not protective.
​
When he finds his release, I struggle against my restraints. As much as I love being held down, I want to touch his beautiful body.
​
A moment later, he leans up to release the ropes, and then I’m free. I tug off my blindfold and smile at my boyfriend, who greets me with a flushed face and a satisfied grin.
​
“I came really hard,” I tell him as I nip his bottom lip.
​
“Did you? I couldn’t tell.”
​
We both laugh, and he rolls over, pulling me against him.
​
I’m so tempted to tell him my secret, but maybe it’ll be better to wait until tomorrow. I know he’s planning something for my birthday, and on a day when everyone gives me gifts, I want to give him the most special gift of all.
​
* * *
“Happy birthday!” my friends shout when we enter the Laughing Pony.
​
Everyone’s here. My brothers. His family. My aunt June and even my mom, who’s slowly accepting that the Walkers aren’t the Big Bad Wolves like my father had her believing. I’m grateful she’s giving my boyfriend a chance.
​
I grin at Beau and lean over to whisper, “We won’t tell my brothers what happened in the back parking lot.”
​
He shakes his head as his lips tug up. “Good idea. They might decide to dump my body in a creek after all.”
​
Trig and Cash know I’d strangle them both with my bare hands if they hurt my boyfriend. Although we’ve only been together about six months, Beau means the world to me.
​
And not just because he bought me Turner’s old farm or because he lets me ride around the ranch like the cowgirl I was raised to be. But because he listens to what I want.
​
That’s something my father will never understand. He’s so used to barking orders at everyone. We’ve spoken a few times, but he insists I’m making a mistake dating Beau and won’t let me prove him wrong.
​
The only bright side is he hasn’t brought his mistress around because I’d hate for my mom to have to endure that humiliation. But it makes me wonder if I’ll ever find out who she is or if I’ll ever meet my half-brother.
​
In other news, I’m officially disinherited.
​
The truth is, I don’t need my trust fund. Am I sad I can’t go home or ride around our family’s ranch? Of course. But Beau means more to me than an inheritance. And although his cabin might not be decked out like my father’s house, it’s filled with love and feels like home. Plus, my brothers brought my horse to Beau’s, and I can ride Sunshine whenever I stay with him, which is most of the time.
​
Since we bought the Turner property, my students and I have brainstormed how we want to use it. We’ve been talking about land and water management, how to use the chicken waste to fertilize our gardens, and how to rotate our animals around our fields.
​
I’m currently working with the principal on the parental forms my students will need to walk to the farm after school and visit over the summer to care for their animals and gardens, which we should have, starting later this spring.
​
Beau tugs on my hand. “Cynthia wanted to come, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be comfortable with her here. She sent a gift, though, and said she’d be in town this weekend if you’d like to hang out.”
​
“Thanks for letting me know.” I haven’t exactly forgiven Cyn. I understand where she was coming from better now. She was all torn up knowing Ian was pursuing me while sleeping with her and keeping her around for kicks.
​
He’s the asshole here.
​
Last I heard, the bank was foreclosing on his ranch.
​
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
​
As for Cynthia, I feel bad he used her, and I understand she felt torn between me and Ian. I’ve thought a lot about the weeks leading up to the night of my accident, and I can appreciate she always pushed me to be with Beau.
​
I don’t know if I’ll ever get over how she handled things, but I’m not mad at her anymore. Just disappointed because it made me question our entire friendship.
​
Except I do miss her. And I’m grateful she helped Beau get me the farm.
​
“Do you think we could ask her to join us tonight?” She and I might never be besties again, but I’m open to giving her a chance to be my friend.
​
Beau kisses my forehead. “Whatever you want, baby. Want me to text her an invite?”
​
I grin. “That would be great.”
​
Paige, Baylee, and Rory hug me and give me gifts. “Y’all are so sweet. Thank you for thinking of me.”
​
My brothers take turns putting me in a headlock, and I poke them in their ribs until they let me go.
​
We all enjoy dinner together before Beau stands and tells everyone he’s gonna lead me in a dance. A slow country song starts playing, and I get out of my seat and give him my hand. We’ve just reached the dance floor back by the bar when he stops me and drops to one knee.
​
What’s he doing? Oh my God. I cover my mouth as I stare at my beautiful man.
​
“Honey, you’re the light of my life. When I look at you, I see my future. My idea of a perfect day begins when I wake and see you by my side. Would you do me the greatest honor of my life and be my wife so I can see your beautiful face every morning?”
​
My heart knocks in my chest as a mixture of shock and joy overwhelm me. My eyes water, and I blink quickly as I stare at the man of my dreams.
​
Leaning down, I kiss him. “I love you so much. Yes! I’d love to marry you!”
​
He takes my hand and slides a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger. “I know this is fast, princess. If you want a long engagement, that’s fine.”
​
“Beau, I’d marry you tomorrow.”
​
Grinning, he stands and shouts, “She said yes!” All our friends cheer, even my brothers.
I turn to him and wrap my arms around him. “Maybe we could get married sooner rather than later.”
​
“Whatever you want, babe. Like, how soon?”
​
I nod slowly. “I figure some time in the next eight months.”
​
He stares at me a long minute. Then his eyes widen as he glances down my body. “Are you…?”
​
“Pregnant? Yes. Surprise!” Was I on birth control? Yes. But apparently, Beau has super sperm that would not be deterred.
​
Because of everything that happened with Melissa, I’m a little apprehensive, but those worries are immediately quashed when he lifts me into a hug and spins me around. “We’re having a baby!” he shouts with so much happiness in his voice, my eyes get watery again.
​
Trig is the first one by my side. He lifts his chin to my fiancé. “I’m glad you’re marrying her. ’Cause you know I have a shotgun.”
​
I chuckle and lean against Beau, who laughs.
​
As I watch the Walkers and McAllisters celebrate our upcoming nuptials and baby, I think about the Wild West reenactments that feature our families.
​
It’s time for a new ending to that old vendetta.
​
And I’m excited Beau and I get to write it.