Rocky Mountain Rebel

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chaos reigned in the living room of his parents’ house. The nephews hadn’t unwrapped their presents, they’d torn the paper to shreds, egged on by Jesse. The scent of Christmas dinner lingered in the air. Joel had to loosen his belt a notch to deal with the slight bit of overindulgence he’d partaken in.

But the biggest present he had was seeing his family together and happy. Or as happy as they got these days.

Travis leaned back in one of the La-Z-Boys, the two smallest of the nephews swarming over him as they attempted to get him to join them for a game. Blake and Jaxi’s toddlers were alternately crawling through the wrapping paper and having the brightly coloured bits of paper pulled from their mouths, or they were dancing in that weird toddler way to the music he’d put on just for them. Christmas tunes with sort of a Chipmunk twist, adding a strange flavour to the setting.

Everywhere he looked people shuffled around the room or were seated at the massive family table. The after-dinner drinks had come out, bottles stacked to one side. Blake and their dad had cleared a space to play crib and were hard at it.

Vicki wandered through the chaos all wide-eyed, which made Joel smile.

He was glad she was having fun. That had become his number one goal over the past weeks. Jesse, on the other hand, had remained a standoffish stick-in-the-mud, going out of his way to avoid Joel during the most basic of chores.

The contrast burned, but there didn’t seem to be anything he could do to make things better.

Blake laughed, laying his hand down in defeat as he got skunked for the third time. “You have the best luck at cards, Dad.”

Mike Coleman raised his glass, the ice cubes clinking together. “You’re too easily distracted. Once you’ve got six kids, then we’ll get closer in skill level. Ouch.”

He rubbed the back of his head where Jaxi had elbowed him as she walked past.

Jaxi turned, her arms full of dirty dishes she was taking to the kitchen. “When your son figures out a way to carry and deliver the next three children, you can talk to us about having six kids, got it?”

She disappeared past the swinging door, and Blake and Mike exchanged glances. Mike cleared his throat. “So. You’re stopping at three?”

Blake shrugged. “Give her a few more months to forget childbirth, and she might change her mind. Right now she’s still at the wake up in the middle of the night and punch me stage. Like it’s all my fault she was pregnant.”

Mike laughed, but both of them got really busy when Jaxi reentered the room.

Blake rose to his feet. “Chores. Who else is joining me on this blustery winter day? Jesse? You’re up, aren’t you?”

Joel stepped forward. “I’ll come out—and Vicki, I want to show her something.”

If he’d expected his twin to say thank you for taking over the cold task, he’d have waited a damn long time. Jesse didn’t so much as acknowledge his offer, just went back to pouring a drink before he plopped down beside Travis, the TV remote in his hand.

Joel ignored him, although he did notice their dad watching with disapproval.

Vicki nodded. “Give me a minute to change?”

“Meet me in the west barn when you’re ready.” Joel grabbed his coat before joining Blake on the journey across the yard.

The snow had arrived in style a week before Christmas Eve, lying in thick drifts everywhere. They’d used the tractors to push the roadways clear. There were narrower trails between the barns, paths stomped down by the nephews’ enthusiastic feet when they visited Gramma and Grampa and headed to the barns for some all important fort-building and kitten-chasing.

Blake pulled on gloves, glancing over as they headed forward. “So, you and Vicki, things going okay?”

Joel nodded. “Yeah, she’s a great girl.”

“She is.” Blake cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I was an ass back when she first started hanging around.”

“No problem. You’re not still an ass, that’s the important part.”

Blake snorted. “Yeah, one at a time in any family, isn’t that the rule?”

“God, I hope so.” He couldn’t imagine if Travis was being a shit right now as well as Jesse. His twin was bad enough.

Blake asked him something, and he had to get him to repeat it, distracted by Jesse’s continued childish behavior.

“Are you serious about her?”

“Who?”

Blake cranked open the barn door and the heat of animal bodies and the sounds of the flock made him raise his voice. “Who the hell do you think I mean? The tooth fairy?”

Shit. “Vicki? She’s a friend.”

“Yeah, a close friend.” Blake passed over a coverall. “You’re being careful about sex?”

Good grief. “A lot more careful than my big brother who, if I recall correctly, had his wife pregnant before they got married.”

Blake had the grace to look a little embarrassed. “Yeah, well, slightly different situation.”

Joel paused in pulling up his coverall. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Don’t get your britches in a twist. I was a lot older than you when Jaxi and I got together. If this thing between you and Vicki is serious, that’s your business. Just, don’t rush. In the big scheme of things you both have a lot of time.”

Joel gave his big brother a smack on the arm. “Good to know your heart is in the right place.”

“Hey, I love the kids, and I love being married, but when I was your age, I wasn’t ready for it. I want the best for you, and for Vicki, whatever that means.”

Joel nodded. He’d been thinking about it a lot lately himself. “Thanks. I appreciate it, and you’re right. We’re young, and we’re not rushing, so relax.”

They divvied up chores, Blake taking off for the other barn to deal with the horses.

Joel snuck in a few tasks before the door opened and Vicki entered.

“Joel?”

He waved. “Over here.”

She hung onto the door, looking around cautiously.

He straightened up. Damn. He’d forgotten. “Don’t worry. This barn is full of sheep. And lambs, right now. Not a horse in sight.”

“Thank you.” Vicki paced forward. “Is it stupid that they are not the same thing? Sheep don’t freak me out.”

“Good, because you’re going to be getting a big dose of them for the next while.”

Vicki narrowed her eyes. “You making me do your chores again, Joel Coleman?”

“Of course. I’m no dummy.” He picked her up and spun her in a circle, her laughter streaming out louder than the bleating and rustling of the sheep.

“Put me down, you big oaf.” She banged on his shoulder with her fist.

First he kissed her lustily, taking pleasure in her eager response. Yeah, they’d had no lack of enjoyment in the bedroom. And on the kitchen counter, and in the shower… The list was getting rather extensive now that she had a private place with the apartment and a sturdier bed for them to play on.

He lowered her slowly, rubbing them together as he did so.

“Hmm, nice. Is that my Christmas present?” Vicki blinked innocently. “Or do I get more?”

Oh yeah. Now he didn’t want to do the rest of his chores. “You have more than one present, if it comes to that.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Sounds good to me. So, boss. What’s the lesson for today?”

It was the most brilliant of plans. “You get to wrestle sheep.”

Vicki stared in disbelief. “Really? Like, why?”

He grinned. “You’re not afraid of them, right?”

She thought it through, hard. “I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t usually have tons to do with them, but they’re just another stinky animal of the smaller and more shaggy variety.”

“I’m not even going to argue with you on the smelly part.”

That didn’t sound good. Vicki squared her shoulders and thought positive thoughts. “So far you’ve been an awesome teacher, Joel. I trust you. Do your worst.”

He took a moment to strip off the coverall he wore over his regular jeans and shirt before he grabbed her by the hand and led her deeper in to the barn. “My worst is going to make you happy.”

“Usually does.” She nudged him, pleased to see that sexy grin of his break out.

The past months had been incredible. He’d meant every word he’d said in the cabin about being there for her, and for the first time in her life she felt as if she had a best friend.

With bonus screaming hot sex. Life was about as good as it had ever been, and she owed it all to Joel.

She’d gotten a Christmas card from Lynn, and a phone call. Her sister was doing well, and still excited about the adventures every day brought. Vicki agreed. This was wonderful, finally moving forward.

Her future looked a whole lot brighter.

It was impossible to resist. She threw her arms around him and kissed him this time, trying to put a little more of how grateful she was into her touch.

He hummed but broke them apart, stroking her cheek as he smiled down. “As much as I hate to interrupt you, we need to keep moving.”

Moving forward. All the time. She totally agreed.

He led her to a pen that was four times the size of one of the horse stalls and held at least a dozen sheep.

She climbed up on the gate and peered in. “Lots of the furry buggers in there, aren’t there?”

“Yup.”

Joel stood beside her and rubbed her back.

Vicki waited, but he didn’t seem to be going ahead with the explaining bit. “So. This wrestling business…”

“Not really wrestling.” Joel pointed into the pen. “More like dancing with them, in a way.”

She followed the line of his finger and cursed. “Joel Coleman, is that my Christmas present in there?”

He nodded.

Damn. “You get the weirdest ideas. This is going to help me with my horse phobia, how?”

“Animals are animals, darling. Doesn’t matter if they’re horse or sheep, once they get used to having you around, they’re going to get up close and personal. I figure it’s easier to practice with the short smelly variety than the tall ones.”

Good point. “Exactly what does ‘get personal’ mean?”

“They’ll bump you.” He hip-checked her lightly, and she laughed.

“God, you’re insane.”

“Yeah, I’ve been told that before.” Joel rested his folded arms on the top of the gate. “You going to rescue your present before they unwrap it for you?”

“Good thing they aren’t goats. Those guys eat everything, right?”

“You don’t even want to know.”

Vicki eyed the gate, but opening it didn’t seem like a good idea. With her luck, half the beasties would get out before she’d get the thing closed. Instead, she climbed up and swung a leg over the top.

Joel grinned, taking the time to stroke her thigh. “Nice work jeans, by the way.”

The jeans in question had a hole in one knee from the last time he’d had her in the barn, and there was a worn patch on her ass she swore was from when he’d dragged her down the hallway and into her bedroom.

Vicki ignored him and crawled down the other side. The sooner she got her present, the sooner she could get to the part of the day when she gave him a present.

When she landed on her feet, a few of the sheep jolted and ran to the far side of the pen, but the rest were all too interested in the box in the middle of the space to pay much attention to her.

“They won’t bite, right?”

“Only if you bite first.”

“Jackass. So reassuring. A simple no would have worked.”

He chuckled but didn’t say anything else.

Vicki took a deep breath and stepped forward. One sheep moved aside, another. This was going to be way too easy. “Looks as if your little plan isn’t going to work. They’re parting like the Red Sea.”

Well, until that moment. She reached for the package right when one of the fuzzy beasts sidestepped and knocked her hand away.

She reached forward again, and this time one of them bumped her shins hard enough to rock her on her feet.

“Fuck.”

Joel laughed. “Watch it,” he warned.

Vicki spread her stance and braced herself to stay vertical. “Stupid things.”

“Hey, right now they have your present, and you don’t. Who’s the stupid one?”

She whipped back to face him. “You did not just compare my intelligence to a sheep, did you?”

He ducked behind the gate. “They’re actually very clever animals.”

Vicki laughed. “Oh man, are you in trouble.”

But first, she had this puzzle to solve. She glared down, slightly pissed off they were blocking her this easily. “Shoo. Go on, get out of here.”

“That’s it. Now don’t be afraid to give them a little guidance.”

“A kick in the ribs?”

“Sheep don’t fly very well. Just use your knees.”

And like that, it made sense. Vicki waded forward, applying pressure to the stupider beasts that refused to budge. It wasn’t as if she was hurting them, but it was enough to get the more stubborn ones out of her way.

“Open it while you’re in there,” Joel ordered.

God. “Bossy, bossy.”

It wasn’t a big deal anymore. Now that she had the method of dealing with the sheep figured out, she had to work to keep her balance, but it wasn’t impossible by any means. She knelt to get at the packing tape, and ended up with a sheep staring her eye to eye.

She raised an elbow and used it to force him back while she stripped off the tape and popped the top open.

Inside a pretty pair of new cowboy boots gleamed at her.

“Oh, Joel.”

She rescued them from the box, nabbed the box with her other hand, and holding both high in the air, waded through the sea of walking cotton balls.

“You’re a pro.” Joel reached over the gate and grabbed her burdens.

That was right about the time one of the sheep got real up close and personal and took out the back of her knees. Vicki grasped the wood slats frantically, catching herself from falling.

Joel dropped everything to trap her hands in place. “Whoa, don’t blow it now.”

She hauled herself up, climbing to the top and staring him down. “Interesting choice of words…”

He frowned, offering her a hand as she made her way over and rejoined him. “What mischief you got planned?”

Enough. She peeked around cautiously, but it seemed to be only them and sheep. “How long before your brother comes looking for you?”

“Never. He’ll just head into the house after he’s done. Why?”

She tugged him into the next empty stall. “Because I want to give you your Christmas present.”

Joel laughed as she planted a hand on his chest and backed him toward the wall. His pupils dilated as she dropped to her knees, hands reaching for his waist.

“Oh, darling.”

“See, I’m nice.” Vicki loosened his belt and popped the buttons on his fly. “I’m not making you wrestle anything.”

“You’re gonna be wrestling something in a minute…”

They both smiled. Joel leaned back on the solid wood and opened his legs wider around her.

Of all the sexual lessons she’d learned, this was one of the most sheer, out-and-out fun. Pulling his cock forward and feeling the heavy weight in her palm. Sliding her fingers up and down his girth and watching his face tighten with pleasure.

It was power in its purest form, to take a strong man like Joel to his knees in bliss.

She leaned forward, still looking up at him from under her lashes. She applied one small lick to the end of his cock as if he were an ice-cream cone, and was rewarded with a shudder.

So. Much. Fun. Teasing him with her tongue, rubbing the sensitive spot right under the head she’d learned drove him mad. Wrapping her lips around the tip for a second to get him good and wet then sucking hard as she popped off.

“God, Vicki.”

He thickened in her grasp. She waited for him to make the next move. It was becoming a bit of a game, because he didn’t seem to know every time she gave him a blowjob, he eventually caved and did the same thing.

And she loved it.

Vicki pumped her fist faster. Squeezing harder than she’d thought safe, but he’d taught her how he liked it. Worked her mouth over him until he was nice and wet, and she could take more of his length. She hadn’t managed to do any of that deep-throat stuff yet, but he didn’t seem unhappy with her attempts.

Joel threaded his fingers through her hair, and she hummed, earning a harder thrust.

“Sweet mercy, woman. When you do that, I feel it all the way to the back of my brain.”

With a mouthful of cock she wasn’t about to ask which brain, but the quip still made her smile.

He caught hold of her then so it was no longer her moving over him, but him in control. Vicki opened wide and brought her tongue into play as best she could, sucking when he dragged his hips back.

So gentle, even as he fucked her mouth. Saliva slicked his length, escaping to moisten her cheeks. The taste of his seed snuck onto her tongue as his breathing sped up.

“So damn good.” Joel stroked a hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “I ain’t lasting long. You want to swallow? Decide fast.”

This time she did. Instead of pulling back to watch him finish himself—spraying into his own hand or over her chest like he’d done in the past—she held him tighter.

“Ease off,” he ordered.

Guided by his hands she leaned away enough his cock rested on her lower lip. She went to town with her tongue as he stroked himself rapidly. And when he gasped, the first shots of come exploding from his cock, she surrounded him again and swallowed him down as far as she could go.

“Fuck.”

It was all over but for the shaking. Joel lost control and let her take care of him.

“You killed me.” Joel cupped her head, his cock continuing to jerk in her mouth as she played with his softening shaft. “Goddamn killed me dead.”

She was still trapped, nose to his groin, the scent of sex in the air around them. Joel stroked his fingers free, released her and pulled her up to lean on him as he sprawled against the wall.

“Let me remember how to walk. I think you sucked my brains out my dick that time.”

Vicki laughed. “Merry Christmas, Joel.”

He smiled down at her. “Merry Christmas to you too.”