Control (Kenshaw Ranch Book 4) Read online

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  Copyright 2018 Piper Frost

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  “You think this spot will ever see the day that no one hangs out here anymore?” I take a drag of my cigarette and watch as the kids across the way pour more butane into the fire. I say kids, but we're all teenagers, acting like damn fools.

  Grabbing my smoke, Affton takes a drag. “I think you losers will still be here every weekend even in your fifties.” Laying back, she closes her eyes. “I'll be long gone.”

  I crack my knuckles and stare at her. She's my best friend, and she's hot as fuck and knows it. She’s got a lot going for her and all she's worried about is getting out of here and making money. And not her daddy’s money. She wants nothing to do with this country life anymore.

  My gaze shifts to the burning pile of wood. “Where you going though? And how?”

  A grin breaks out on her face and her eyes shift to mine. Before sitting up, she adjusts her bikini top and hands me back my cigarette. “Milan...Paris...somewhere big. And hopefully with my talent, ya jerk.” She shoves me and laughs, rolling to her stomach.

  I mock her answer and kick her foot as I stand up and yank my shirt off. I don't want to talk about her leaving because I'm not okay with it and nothing she says will make me okay with it. I'll support whatever she wants to do in her life, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

  “Come on, let's swim. My swamp ass is starting to chafe.” I whip her ass with my shirt and have to bite back a groan when she yelps and jumps up. One night with this girl is all I need... Okay that's a lie. But one night would be a good start.

  She runs toward the rope hanging from the tree and it's so dark, I'm worried she'll miss but I'll laugh my ass off because she's drunk as fuck right now. She doesn't miss, she swings into the water with a 'yeehaw!'

  “Fuckin’ A, Affton!” Cash blurts from nearby. “Fat chicks shouldn't do cannonballs,” he grumbles, wiping the water off him. “Fuckin' emptyin’ the lake. Jesus Christ.”

  I see red. I'm not sure if she heard it, but I know for damn sure everyone else around him did.

  “What the fuck did you say?” I growl, darting toward him before smacking his hat off his stupid head then stomping it into the dirt. “Fuck you think you are? It's fuckin' water, asshole. You don't want to get wet don't fuckin' come down here!” I shove him, rage burning in my veins.

  No one fucking calls her fat. Ever.

  “It's cool, Tommy,” Affton calls to me from the water, floating in a circle.

  This shit never gets to her. But it makes me fucking rage.

  “Cash is angry he's got a baby dick.” She shoves a handful of water toward the shore, but it doesn't come close.

  “Baby dick,” I mutter, trying to laugh it off. I don't want to know how she knows that. “Get the fuck out, Fayer. Go ruin someone else's night.” I shove past him and head for the water.

  “Why do you show him the time of day? You know he's nothin' but trouble.” Leaning her head back, she dunks her hair then splashes me before a smile lifts her full lips. She's not unaccustomed to being called names, but I don’t usually let it happen.

  “I'm starting to see that,” I mutter, watching her tits as she floats on her back.

  It seemed like the right move getting an 'in' with Cash and his crew. When it all started I thought he owned this town. All he's turning out to own is the need to get a beat down. I'm still spinning from that comment of his.

  “Come on. Let's get out of here.” I head for the shore, pissed he ruined my night. We’ll go chill at my place and have just as much fun. Anywhere away from Cash and his crew is better than being here tonight.

  She lets out an annoyed groan, probably because I just made her get in the water, but she follows me out. I pull my shirt over my head and catch her eyes on me when I tug it down. I wink at her, unable to stop the slow grin lifting my lips when her cheeks flush.

  “Ready?” Before she can answer, Cash steps in between us and his head cocks when he looks at her. My heart rate spikes and I try to push him away so we can leave but he shoves me back a step.

  She folds her arms over her chest and huffs. ”What?”

  “You know I was playin'.” He pushes her damp hair from her cheek and she slaps his hand down when his finger trails slowly to her chin.

  “Yeah, well, I wasn't.” Lifting her pinky in the air, she says, “Baby dick.”

  “Fat bitch.” He grabs the back of her hair and yanks her head.

  I snap. Shoving him off her, I'm immediately on him, landing a hit to his jaw before I really get a grip on him.

  “Fuck you!” I spit, ducking when he swings then I charge, taking him down.

  He lands a few hits to my ribs but when my knuckles connect with his nose I feel the crunch and it makes my blood pump harder. I’m eating dirt, spittin’ mud. My adrenaline is pumping from the encouraging screams of the surrounding crowd, and I’m glad no one’s breaking this up or stepping in. I can take Cash Fayer. I can not take Cash and his goons at once.

  “Grant! Help!” Hers is the only voice I can make out, and she tries to grip my arm, but we're still swinging.

  I don't want to hit her, but I can't stop wailing on him. Each crack of my knuckles to his face minimizes my rage little by little. No one touches her or talks about her like that.

  “Alright!” Felder yells before arms start tugging at me, but I'm still swinging.

  When another set of hands grab at the back of my shirt and yank me off him, I don't stop. My boot connects with Cash's knee and I'm dragged back, kicking and punching as hard as I can, trying to break free.

  “Party's over,” Felder announces. “Not a fucking thing to see here.” He's got a tight hold on my arm and Grant's blocking my view of Cash so I can't see the pussy limping away.

  “I'm fine,” I blurt, shoving them both off and taking a few steps back, gasping for air. Every breath hurts, but it was worth it. Every one of those hits was worth it and I'd do it ten fold to any idiot that touches her or calls her any name. She's not fucking fat.

  My boys glance at each other and I slide my hands through my hair, wincing at the pain in my side.

  “Fuck,” I hiss.

  “You're a fucking idiot,” Grant says. “Just gotta throw that out there.”

  “Shut up.” Affton shoves him back and grabs my wrist, turning me to face her. “You fucking idiot!” she bellows at me. “Stay away from him! He'll fucking kill you!”

  “No one's going to treat you like that and walk away without a bloody face, Affton,” I say, panting. Fuck he got some good hits in. “He ain’t gonna kill any
one. Guy's all bark, no fuckin' bite.”

  Her finger swipes under my nose before she holds it in my face, showing me the blood. “Looks like he got in a few bites.” With a huff, she shakes her head. “Come on. Can you walk?” Her arm goes around my back and she grips my ribs, making me groan. “Shit! I'm sorry.” She covers her face and when her eyes hit mine, she's got tears. “Tommy,” she whimpers. She's always had a knack for crying when I get hurt.

  “I got it,” I say, standing up straight and trying to hide the wince. I shove Grant off the minute he tries to help. “Just gotta walk it off.” Each step toward the truck makes a sting jolt my right side, but the more I walk the more tolerable it gets.

  I glance over at Affton and notice her watching me with worry so I give her a small smile, then reach over and pull her toward me, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. No matter the pain I'm in, I can't let her worry about me.

  “What if you have a broken rib?” she whispers, using her towel to wipe my face.

  “Will you play hot nurse?” I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she rolls her eyes. “Seriously. I bet we could find a hot as hell nurse's outfit at the thrift shop.” Grant and Felder cackle in laughter and I glance at Affton who's glaring at me like she wants to kill me.

  “Fucking gross,” she scoffs. “I'd sooner make my own nurse outfit.” She pokes my rib then runs for my truck.

  “I'd like to see her in that outfit,” Grant mumbles, earning a punch in the arm from me.

  “Shut your fuckin' mouth,” I say, then walk ahead of him and manage to climb up into my truck without showing too much pain. “Night's still young. Where we headin’, my lady?”

  She glances around the cab of the truck. “Oh, I'm sorry. Were you talking to me? Because I'm certainly not your lady.” She sticks her tongue out at me. “And, you've got blood all over your face, Tommy. Your dad home? I can't bring you to my house. If my dad saw you lookin' like this, he'd whoop me.”

  “If he is, he ain’t gonna see it. He's probably already asleep. Tomorrow's another early morning.” The rumble of my truck roars to life and I watch her glaring at me. “What? Am I scaring you? Does the blood not turn you on? I thought you were into gore and shit?” I smirk at her.

  She laughs, but catches herself. “Why do I still talk to you?” Her fingers rake through her long brown hair before she twists it up.

  “Because I'm the coolest person you're ever going to meet.” I shrug and glance over at her. “And you love me. I'm pretty easy to love.” The dirt road soon turns to gravel and the short drive back to my dad's house is filled with a heavy silence.

  I've loved Affton for years. I mean...loved her. I stick around as the best friend because any way to get close to her is fuckin' fine with me. She's the most badass chick I know, which is how I also know that when she leaves this place for Paris or Milan, or wherever she ends up, she's never going to look back. I've never told her how I truly feel. I think she probably knows, but I'm not going to be the one holding her back from leaving this place. I don't want to be with her. I’m not like that. A one girl type of guy. And she's got bigger and better things to do in her life than this cowboy.

  She follows me into the back door and we head for the bathroom. Quietly closing the door behind us, she whispers, “Let me see your ribs,” and nods to my stomach.

  “I'm fine.” If they look anything like they feel, I’m sure they’re pretty nasty and I don’t need her worrying over me.

  I turn on the sink and start to splash water on my face, reaching blindly for a washcloth after I scrub off what I can. “See, clean.” I smile wide at her. “I'm all good, I promise.”

  She stares at me for a minute, not saying anything until her arms slide around me, but she doesn't squeeze too tight. “Thanks for always being there, Tommy.” Her head lays on my shoulder and her hands slide up the back of my shirt.

  “I wouldn't have it any other way, Beany.”

  She rolls her eyes at my nickname for her, but she’s had it so long it's more than just a nickname. It's my pet name for her. Granted she earned it as a kid, always eating the green beans off Farmer Moll's plants, but it stuck and now it rolls off my tongue easier than her real name. My hand slides down her back. Her skin feels good and I'm not even sure she knows what she's doing to me right now.

  When her hands start to slowly push up my shirt, I tense. I don't know what she's doing, but I won't stop her. She steps back and looks me in the eyes before her hands glide to my chest. Just when I think she's going to fucking kiss me, she bends and starts inspecting my ribs. She tricked me.

  “Oh my god,” she gasps. “You're really bruised. We...you should tell your dad! What if it's broken?” Her worried eyes flash up to my face.

  I've always wanted her hands on me, but not like this.

  “They're fine. Looks worse than it feels, I promise.” I grip her wrists and pull her up. “Can we not talk about my dad right now?” It's kind of killing the mood. My hands are still holding her wrists until I grip her fingers between mine. “Please don't worry about me. It wasn't my first fight and it won’t be my last.”

  Shaking her head, she looks away from me. “Don't say that.” With a huff, she pulls her hands away. “Why are you boys so wild? You all love to drive me insane! You're like my brother! You live to get hurt!”

  “Beany, I'm nothing like your brother.” I step closer to her, locking my eyes on hers. “He's a young idiot that's begging to get hurt. I'm defending the—” I stop myself short and shake my head. “I'll defend you till the day I die, Affton. Get used to it.”

  Her eyes search mine but I don't back down. We're in this tiny bathroom and the only way out is behind me. She's trapped and I can't let her out yet.

  Rolling her eyes she wipes something from my face. “I'm used to you actin' like an idiot.” She smiles. “You're my best friend, comes with the territory, I guess.”

  Goddamn, she's friend-zoning me even though I was already in the zone.

  “You're always actin' so tough,” I say, bringing my fingers to her hair and tucking a strand behind her ear. “Does it ever get old?”

  She grins and bites her lip like she always does when she tries to hide a smile. “Nope. I'll probably die a single old lady with blue hair. No man's ever going to put up with my ass.”

  I clench my teeth, biting back the comment about her ass and how I'd gladly put up with it until she's old with blue hair.

  “Blue hair might look pretty hot on you, but I tend to favor the brown.” My hand falls to her neck and my thumb takes the bold move of swiping along her jaw. “Brown's always been my favorite color, Bean,” I whisper. She licks her lips and I take my shot. Leaning in, so slowly it fucking hurts, I push my lips to hers, hesitantly, because if I'm reading things all wrong I'm about to get my ass whooped for a second time tonight.

  Lifting her chin, her lips press harder to mine but when my tongue slides over her lip, she starts to giggle and drops her forehead to my chest. “Why are you fucking this up, Thomas?” she whispers, glancing up at me.

  I honestly didn't think this would fuck up anything.

  “Is it? Or is it just making shit even better?” My hands cup her face and my eyes search hers. “I ain’t askin' for life, Affton. Neither of us have that to give. But you can't blame a guy, can you?” I chuckle through the lie, because I have everything to give to her but I'm not about to ruin her future by askin' her not to leave. “I mean, come on. You're fuckin' hot!”

  Her eyes roll again and she shoves me back a step. “I'm not your type. Don't treat me like I'm stupid just because you're horny.” She reaches around me for the doorknob.

  “Not my type?” I blurt, blocking her from opening the door. “You're fuckin' crazy, Affton.” I pause, watching her eyes as she locks her glare on me. Then I'm on her again, not giving her the chance to stop me.

  My hand snakes around her head and my fingers tangle in her hair. Her lips against mine are fucking ecstasy. She whimpers when I push her back against the wall
but she doesn't fight me. This time when she starts to slide my shirt up, I don't think it's to get a better look at my ribs. Her fingers slide over the bruising but I don't give a shit right now, I just want her to touch me. She yanks back to pull my shirt off before her lips hit mine again and her damp top presses against my chest.

  This fucking room isn't big enough for what I want to do to her tonight. Groaning, I pull back and rest my forehead on hers, trying to catch my breath but unable to stop smiling.

  “Bed,” I pant. “Room. Bedroom.” I can't even form a sentence because all the blood in my fucking brain has gone straight to my dick.

  I pop the door open quietly, praying my dad doesn't hear us, then grab her hand to make sure she doesn't bolt now that she has a moment to process what we're doing. We tip-toe to my room and when the door clicks shut behind us I'm on her again, yanking off the t-shirt she tossed over her bikini. I throw it to the floor then push her tits together and groan, dipping my head to kiss each of them. Goddamn I've wanted to be able to do that for so long.

  “Shit, shit,” she pants in a whisper. “Tommy, wait. Shit, wait.” Breathing heavily, she pushes me back. “What...what the hell are we doing?” she quietly barks at me. “I'm not trying to...” Her fingers start pointing at me, then to her. My focus is on her tits until she thumps me in the forehead. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sorry, what?” I flash my eyes back to her chest and slowly reach out, pulling down the bikini cup, letting her tit out. “Whoops.” I smirk at her and step closer. “Less thinking, Affton.” I dip my head and lick around her nipple before sucking on it gently then popping my mouth off. “More of this.” I push down the other cup and give her other nipple the same treatment.

  I don’t want to give her time to think about what we're doing. I want her to feel tonight. That's it.

  Leave the thinking for when she ditches this place.

  “Yeah,” she breathes, pushing against me again. “More this.” Her nails scratch down my back before she latches her mouth to my neck.