A part of me wants to know Amity’s past, to understand why she acts the way she does. But she owns her memories and secrets. No one else has a right to them. So, I don’t ask. I only comfort her as she did for me when I first arrived in Elko.
“Marriage and men weren’t important to me. I never imagined I’d feel like I do for Conor. Back in Minton, I dated a few guys. They weren’t awful for the most part, but I never felt any heat. Dating was something to do to waste time. Yet, being with Conor transformed me into a lovesick pup.”
Amity squeezes me again. “He always seemed lonely and a little disconnected from everyone. I’m glad he found you.”
Cuddling closer, I give Amity the comfort she craves and enjoy the close friendship we’ve built. Yet, there are moments when I feel guilty for bonding with her. As if I’ve forgotten or betrayed Zella. However, if I remained stuck in the past, I’d never have let Conor closer. Without him, I would have missed so much awesome stuff these last weeks.
By the time Conor arrives at the apartment with plans to order pizza, I’m ready to have him naked and under me. Scratch that. Behind me would be better. I want his hands free to explore.
While Amity gets ready for work, Conor and I head to my bedroom. I expect him to tease me about how quickly I’m stripping naked. Instead, he stands near the bed, seeming rather passive.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he lies before trying to distract me by removing his shirt and showing off his excellent chest. “Wanna get married?”
“Sure, why the fuck not? Now, tell me what’s bothering you?” I ask and shove his face between my now bare boobs. “Breathe in Monroe and let out the truth.”
Conor inhales deeply and wraps his arms around my waist. “Rather than retire, Bronco wants to slowly transition to me running things.”
“And that’s bad?”
“It’s not how he planned to do things before.”
Studying Conor’s unreadable face, I search for the truth behind his words. “And you worry the change is because he doesn’t trust you. Do you think he worries I’ve pussy whipped you?” I ask as my nails gently scratch his scalp.
Reclining us onto the bed, he holds me tight. “It could be that he thinks retiring makes him seem old, and his ego can’t handle that.”
“Well, he’s right. Retiring would make him seem old. He isn’t even fifty. Why does he need to retire?”
“Because he’s been in charge since he was nineteen,” Conor explains while cupping my butt. “I guess he’s tired.”
“From what?” I ask, kissing his forehead. “His life is so easy now.”
“He has four daughters.”
“Yeah, but retiring ain’t getting rid of them.”
As his green eyes study me, he asks, “So, you don’t think he needs to retire?”
“Of course, he needs to retire. Didn’t you hear how he’s been running shit for almost three decades?”
Conor allows a small smile. “Then, what are you saying?”
“All the blood left your brain, huh?” I tease while his lips stroke my left nipple. “What I’m saying is his slow pace isn’t about you. It’s all him. Bronco isn’t an old man, but he’s tired. His friends are all getting ancient. His oldest daughter is nearly ready to leave for college. But he’s also got a hot new wife and a toddler. He’s stuck between feeling like an old man and being a guy at the start of a new life.”
Conor gives my nipple a little bite and then exhales softly on my wet flesh. “No doubt you’re right. I shouldn’t read too much into it, but this plan isn’t how I thought it would be. I figured he’d hand control over by now, or he’d make me wait. The slow-go approach took me off guard,” he says in between wet kisses on my chest and stomach. “He also said some stuff that made me think he doesn’t trust my judgment.”
“If he didn’t think you were up to being president, there’d be no slow-go approach. He’d just shut that shit down and get someone else in order. Why toy with you and piss off a whiny Wyatt if he doesn’t trust you? No, you’re golden, and can you suck a little more on this one?”
Conor switches nipples, lavishing my hard, red nub with a tongue bath that leaves me so wet that I finally have to insist he fuck me so I can find relief.
“No more shop talk,” I moan as the head of his cock teases my pussy before entering with a hard thrust. “We fuck. We eat. We choose not to think.”
Conor wraps me in his arms as his hips thrust. He seems weird today, both needy yet cold. Insisting he open up is dumb, though. I wouldn’t want him bossing me around, and Conor’s easygoing veneer is a con. He’s a stubborn man who’ll tell me his truth when he’s ready. Until then, I plan to enjoy the ride.
CONOR
Barbie claims Monroe is the anti-Lana. Bronco’s woman was awkward for months in the Woodlands. She needed Bronco’s daughters to play buffer with the other residents, and Lana always worried about everyone’s opinion.
Monroe, though, quickly gets comfy wherever she ends up. Like currently, she walks barefoot next door to hang out with Pixie at Lana’s house. She doesn’t even brush her wild, brown hair first.
“She’s a slob,” Mom grumbles after Monroe leaves.
“You have ketchup on your boob.”
Mom looks down at her shirt to find I was fucking with her. She gives me the evil eye, but that shit hasn’t worked on me in a decade.
“I love you,” I say before she can bitch.
“You’re a tricky shithead like your dad.”
“Yeah, and he loved you, too.”
Mom finally smiles for real. “How come you don’t move your bunny slut into the house?”
“I’ve already explained how Monroe doesn’t like you.”
“Well, I don’t like her, either.”
“What will you do when I have my own place, and no one lives here with you?”
Mom leans against the black granite countertop. “I might move a man into the house.”
“Someone young and obedient, I assume.”
Smirking, she shrugs. “Maybe. I’ve gotten offers.”
“You’re hot. Everyone says so.”
“Really?” she asks, sounding genuinely surprised.
“Of course, but they’ll never say it to your face. Those people don’t like you, either.”
“Well, I ain’t a fan of anyone.”
“Hey, I like you fine!” I cry dramatically and throw up my arms. “Cold-blooded shit, right there, lady.”
Barbie smirks at my bullshit and hugs me. “Fairuza likes me.”
“Yes, Pixie’s family does tolerate you better than your own.”
“My family doesn’t know how good they have it,” she grumbles, losing her smile and likely thinking of Bambi.
“Sure, sure.”
Mom pushes me off her as if upset. “People are talking about you and Monroe as if you’re married.”
“She’s the only one I want. I’m glad they can acknowledge what’s obvious.”