In To Blue: Book One Of The Blue Series (5 page)

I figured after his sanitary comment he wouldn’t come near the water.   He takes his time removing his shirt and then his jeans.  I swear he is teasing me as he is slowly undressing.  Underneath his jeans he is wearing gray fitted boxer briefs.  That man is so fine.  His body is rippled with muscles.  I am getting turned on just looking at him.  The light from the moon beams across his body.  I can see the beads of sweat on his body glisten against the glow.  I want to glide my hands across his chiseled abs.

He runs to the rope and swings off into the water.  He comes up out of the water and his face is filled with pure excitement. “I have never done anything like that before.”  “Well there is always a first time for everything.”  I splash him.   “Avery I wouldn’t start that if I were you.”  I splash him again and then take off swimming in the opposite direction.  He catches up to me, grabs my leg pulling me into him, and then dunks me underwater.  We play around chasing and splashing each other.  We both were having fun.  It seemed we both felt as if we didn’t have a care in the world. 

Finally, we both settle down and start to just float around in the water.  “It’s amazing how many stars you can see out here.  You definitely don’t see this many stars back at my home in New York.” Grant whispers. 

As I’m floating in the water just looking up at the sky Grant swims over to me and pulls me into him and starts kissing me.  His kiss is soft but quickly becomes more passionate our tongues caress.  He starts kissing my neck.  He takes his tongue and runs it up the side of my neck and sucks on my ear lobe.  My body is tingling with anticipation.  I want him now more than ever. Every ounce of my body aches for his touch. 

“Avery, I want you.”  He wraps my legs around him and I feel his erection against my panties.  Grant moans.  His breath on my neck quickly gets me heated. 

Grant swims to the shore.  He carries me out of the water with my legs still wrapped around him and lays me on the blanket.  He is on top of me kissing me hard.  Our tongues are in rhythm as they touch.  He moves his mouth down to my breast removing my bra and begins licking the beaded water off of my skin.  I want him so bad. I don’t care that I hardly know him or that this is probably the only time I will be with him.  I need this. 

My nipples become hard and aroused as Grant begins sucking them with his soft lips.  Abruptly he drags his teeth across each of my nipples.  I almost raise up from surge of sensation that raced across my breasts.  I begin to tremble.  I feel as if there is an electric current flowing between us. 

I can feel the moisture build in my core as Grant slides one hand down beneath my panties.  He dips his finger in between the lips of my sex.  My clit begins to swell as Grant strokes it with the pad of his thumb.  I can feel the orgasm rising from within my core.  I tilt my hips upward increasing the pressure.  The sensation is incredible.  I’m on the verge of cuming. 

“I want you now Avery.  I have wanted you since the moment I first saw you.”  I’m taken by his words.  To my disappointment Grant stands up.  I was so close to completely becoming unraveled by an orgasm. 

He grabs his jeans and pulls out a condom. Greedily, I raise up and remove his boxers exposing his hard member. I am so looking forward to this.  I want to feel Grant’s hard cock inside of my slick core. 

I take the condom from him and slide it on.  He kneels down and pushes me back down on the blanket.  Hooking his fingers inside the waistband of my panties, he slides them off.  

Laying on his side he spreads my legs.  His hand runs along my thigh toward my sex.  Taking his fingers, he slides them along my swollen clit.  My skin tingles with anticipation

I am so aroused.  Taking me to the edge of an orgasm, Grant takes two of his fingers and softly pushes them inside of me.  “I like you nice and wet.”  He slowly drives his fingers in and out of my core, fucking me every so gently with his fingers.  I feel an orgasm burning from inside me.  I immediately tense as the pleasure of his finger fucking takes over.  “Oh Grant.  You’re making me cum. 

I don’t want to wait any longer.  “Oh Grant.  I want to feel you.”  “Yes baby.”  He whispers.  He climbs on top of me.  He rest the head of his cock against my clit.  I instantly feel another orgasm build within me. “Avery, I can’t wait anymore.” He slowly moves himself down to the opening of my sex and thrust massive member inside me.  I instinctively arch my back and thrust my hips forward to meet him.  “Oh fuck Avery!” 

He immediately starts thrusting his cock into my core.  I feel the moistened walls of my core tighten around his length. Each thrust becomes faster and harder.  I feel my orgasm continually build.  Waves of pleasure crash over me as his cock hits my sweet spot.  “Yes Grant harder.  You are making me cum.” 

Grant increases his speed as his breath becomes rigid.  “Oh baby.  I’m going to cum.” Grant’s entire body becomes stiff as he reaches his release.  We cry out as we both climax. 

A plethora of emotions fall over me.  I look up at Grant on top of me gazing at me with those gorgeous green eyes.  He kisses me and then rolls over onto the blanket.  He quickly removes his condom and shoves it and the wrapper down in to the empty beer bottle 

We lay there forever using a beach towel as a blanket. Grant is lying on his back with his right arm around me as I nuzzle my head against his shoulder.  “Just breathtaking.” Grant whispers.  “Yes.  The stars are quite breathtaking. “I wasn’t talking about the stars Avery, I was talking about you.”  I raise my head up and look at him and he leans in and kisses me.  “This has been one of the best nights of my life.”  He smiles. 

“It is getting late.  I need to get back to my hotel.”  “You could stay here tonight.”  “As enticing as that sounds Avery, I must really be getting back.”  We quickly dry off and get dressed.  I hesitantly take him back to his car. I don’t want him to leave and I don’t want the night to end.  

I’m surprised he made his driver wait on him this whole time.  “Thank you for tonight.”  Grant leans in and kisses me.  He gets off the side by side and walks to his car.  “Goodnight Avery.”  “Goodnight Grant.” 

I drive the side by side to the back to the house and discard the evidence of our night together.  I run upstairs take a shower and get ready for bed.  As I climb into bed, sadness fills me.  I don’t know what to think about Grant.  He seems to feel the same way I do.  However I don’t know if I believe him.  He will only be here for a short time.  I convince myself he only sees this as a short term fling.  I resolve myself to the fact I probably won’t see him again.  I know he is just looking for a one night stand or someone to entertain him while he is in town.   Knowing this I still care for him and want him. 

The next morning I awake to the sound of my phone ringing. Still half asleep I answer it. “What!”  “Avery you ok?”  “Yes Grant.  I’m fine.   I just woke up.”  “Oh.  Avery, I was calling to see if you had plans this evening?  “Not that I know of Grant.”  “Good.  I signed the offer and acceptance on the property I was looking to purchase.  I am taking the sellers out to dinner tonight.  Would you mind joining me for dinner?”  “What about Lance?”  “Well Lance isn’t my type.”  Grant laughs.  

“Lance is back in New York working on getting this new project on wheels.”  “So would you like to be my date tonight?”  I really want to turn him down.  He is only asking out of lack of options on such short notice but it means I could see him again.  Even though I think it will be the last time
.
Why do I always fall for the wrong kind of guy
?
  “Sure what time?”  I will send my driver at six.  “Sounds good. I will see you then.” 

The day moves along as normal.  I stay busy on the ranch all day.  After a long day of work, I get myself cleaned up and ready go to.   I choose my satin charcoal gray sleeveless cocktail dress and matching heels.  I am so nervous about the dinner tonight.  Even though Grant has told me different, I am still worried it is just a short term fling for him.  I so want there to be more between us.  I have never felt this way about a guy before. 

I am dressed and ready when Grant’s car pulls up to the house.  The driver opens the door and helps me into the car.  We leave out of the ranch and make our way to Louisville.  I get a text from Grant making sure I am on my way.  I respond that I should be there within the hour. 

I make it to the hotel right at seven o’clock.  I meet Grant in the lobby of the hotel. “You look amazing as always Avery.”  “Thank you Grant.  You look very handsome.”  “My guest texted me.  They were early and are already seated.  The seller is a local horse rancher.  He brought his son with him.  I haven’t met him yet.”  

I was going to ask who but I decided not to.  I am about to meet them anyway. I am too distracted by how wonderful Grant looks.  I really wish we were having dinner alone. “I’m surprised you chose the same restaurant we had dinner at.”  “They have a really good hot brown.  You should try it Avery it’s a popular dish.”  He smiles. 

We make our way to our table.  I immediately freeze.  “You have got to be kidding me!”  My whole body cringes. “Avery what it is?”  “You bought land from Reese Walker?”  “Yes.  “What is wrong with that?”  “He owns the rival racing team I was telling you about.  Coy is his son.  “Oh shit Avery! I’m so sorry.  I didn’t know.

Look just head to the lobby.  I will cancel the dinner.  I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.  Besides, I don’t think I could get through dinner without punching Coy.”  “No.  They see me.  There’s no going back now.  If we cancel they win.”  “Avery, I don’t know about this.  Coy seems pretty unstable.”  “Grant I’m positive.  I’m here for you.  Maybe Coy will finally get the hint.”  He smiles.  “Hopefully he will.”  They stand as we walk up to the table. 

Coy is staring at me. “What do we have here? I would have never expected to be having dinner with Avery Foster.”  Reese laughs.  “Imagine that.”  I smirk.  As the four of us sit down, Coy leans over to me and grabs my hand. “You look beautiful Avery.”  His voice makes me sick.  I jerk my hand back.  I need to maintain my composure for Grant.  This is a business dinner. “Thank you Coy.”  Grant glares at Coy.  The waiter arrives and takes our drink order.  Reese and Coy order beers and Grant orders us a bottle of Pinot Gregio. 

“So Mr. Harrison are you looking to do other projects in Kentucky?”  Reese ask.  “As a matter of fact I am but nothing is set in stone just yet.”  “How long are you in town for?”  “Well actually Reese since we signed the offer and acceptance, I will be going back to New York tomorrow.  I plan on returning in a few weeks when we close on the property.  After that I will be down her quite a bit overseeing the project.”  I knew this would probably be the last time I will see Grant.  He will be too busy working on his project to want to spend time with me. 

“Well if you are down here in the spring you should come down and watch some horse racing.”  “Oh I plan on it.”  Grant says.  “We have some really good potential runners for this upcoming year.”  Reese’s voice is so full of arrogance. “What about you Avery?  What kind of speed you got in your stables?” “Oh Reese wouldn’t you like to know.”  “Just like her daddy.  Avery doesn’t let anything get by her.”  “Her daddy was a tough as they come.”
 
Yeah Reese you better keep shelling out the compliments.  You say one bad thing about my daddy and I’ll knock your ass out. 

The waiter returns and proceeds to take our order.  Reese and Coy order the fillet, I order the seafood platter, and Grant orders a hot brown.  Reese pretty much carries the conversation throughout our dinner.  He and Coy are taking advantage of Grant’s generosity by getting drunk.

After dinner Reese starts a conversation about me and Coy.  “After Roy died, I thought maybe our families could bury the hatchet.  I thought maybe we could be competitors but get along in the spirt of horse racing.  I just knew if Avery and Coy could get together, we could bring our families together.  They finally did.”  I look over at Grant.  He looks angry and confused at what Reese is saying.  It surprised me in an odd sort of way.

Reese Walker is wearing my patience thin.  Grant can feel my tension and grabs my hand.  Coy just sits there.  He hasn’t hardly said a word the entire night.  He has just stared at me in silence.  “I was hoping Coy could hang on to her long enough to marry her.  I wanted to get my hands on some of Avery’s horses.”  Reese says as he takes another swig of his beer.

That son of a bitch can keep dreaming! 
 
My blood is starting to boil.  “Avery sure can pick some winners, just like Roy.  “If we could bring our two racing teams together, we would be an unstoppable force.  Who knows maybe one day Coy can break her in right.”  “Son, what was it that you told me?  Oh yes.  Avery is just like a wild mare that needs to be broken in.”
Break me in?  Are you fucking kidding m
e
?
 
Those assholes
.
  They want my ranch and my racing team.  I am at my wits end.  I want to punch Reese’s lights out but I refrain.  Grant hasn’t closed on the land yet and I don’t want to cost him the deal. 

I stand up.  “If you will excuse me.”  I take off out on the terrace.  I’m so angry.  I knew Coy was up to something.  I just never thought he would be that stupid to think he and his father would ever get their hands on my ranch.  I didn’t realize it but Coy followed me out on the terrace. 

“What are you doing here with Harrison?”  “That’s none of your fucking business.”  I yell. “How could I have been so stupid?  You only wanted me to get your hands on my ranch.”  Coy just looks at me.  “That’s what I thought!  You used me didn’t you?  Why am I not surprised?  What is really confusing is that you and your daddy actually thought you had a shot of getting my ranch.  I can assure you no one is getting their hands on my ranch including you.  I guess the joke is on you because you wasted your time.” 

“I just want you Avery.  Besides this guy Grant is out of your league and you know it.  I fantasize about you every second of every day.”  “You’re wasting your time Coy.  You truly have disappointed me.  I thought you were the complete opposite of your daddy but you are exactly like him.”  I seethe. 

Coy reaches over and grabs me “Damn it Avery! I need you in my life and I am tired of not having you with me.  You will be with me one way or another.  I will stop at nothing.  Anyone who gets in my way will get hurt.  Do you understand me?  I will possess you forever!” 

I am frozen and terrified.
 
What has happened to him
?
  If Coy had put his hands on Blue, I would have knocked him out.  “I always get what I want Avery.” “That Grant guy is leaving tomorrow and I will have you all to myself.”  Fear is shooting through my veins as my heart is racing.  

“I suggest you take your hands off of her.”  Grant says as he walks out on the terrace.  Coy swings me around putting me in between them.  “This doesn’t concern you Harrison.  We haven’t closed our deal.  If you still want to buy that land I suggest you stay out of this.” 

“Avery is more important to me than our land contract and besides I can buy land elsewhere.”
 
Oh my
!
  Grant just said I was important to him.  Hearing him say that calms my nerves.  “I have asked you politely to release her.  If I have to ask you again I will not be polite.”  Coy releases me and as he starts walking back inside he yells.  “I meant every word Avery, remember that.” 

Grant walks up to me.  “Avery I’m so sorry.  This is all my fault.  If I had known about those two, I wouldn’t have invited you.  I hope you aren’t mad at me for buying their property?”  “No Grant of course not.  It’s just business.”  “I should have ended the dinner sooner.  I could tell Reese was getting out of hand and I apologize for that.”  I’m so angry and upset it takes all I have not to cry.  It has become painfully clear that Coy and Reese have it in for me.  

“Would you like to come up to my room with me Avery?”  As wonderful as that sounds I really just want to be home.  Besides, Grant is leaving tomorrow.  I think saying goodbye now would be much easier on me.  I still can’t believe he said that I was more important to him than the land contract.  I don’t know exactly what he meant by that but it made me feel good. 

“I’m sorry Grant.  I need to get back home.  I have to get up very early in the morning.”  He looks disappointed.  “I understand.  I will have my driver bring around my car.”  

Grant walks me to the car.  “He threatened you didn’t he?”  “No.”  I lie.  He looks as if he wants to say something but I just want to leave.  I kiss him on the cheek and whisper in his ear “Thank you for dinner and have a safe trip home.”  He looks surprised.  I climb in the car and the driver pulls out of the hotel.  I have held the tears all I can and I begin crying.  “Are you ok Ms. Foster?”  I sniffle.  “Yes, I’m fine.”  I make it home run straight up to my room change into some sleep wear and I cry myself to sleep. 

I wake up the next morning and head into the bathroom.  I look in my mirror my face looks awful from my smeared makeup and dried tears.  I wash my face and brush my teeth.  I throw on some gym clothes and get in a quick workout.  After my shower I get dressed and make my way downstairs. 

Uncle Rex and Billy are sitting at the kitchen table. Uncle Rex is reading the newspaper and Buddy is finishing his breakfast.  “Morning darling how are you?”  “I have been better.”  “What is the matter Avery?”  Buddy asked.  I decide to tell them the problem but I will spare them the details.  “I have some serious concerns about the Walker’s.”  Uncle Rex puts the newspaper down and Buddy stops eating.  “I think we need to take more precautions around the ranch.”  “Darlin what has brought this on?”  “Uncle Rex I don’t want to get into the nitty gritty of it but they are after the ranch and the racing team.”  Buddy chimes in “Avery, Reese Walker has wanted this ranch for years but he never has tried anything.”   

“I saw them last night at dinner.  They think because Daddy is gone, the ranch is theirs for the taking.  I know they can never take the ranch and the racing team away from us.  We have everything in place to protect us but I am afraid something bad could happen.  You just have to trust me.”  “Ok Darlin.  We will do whatever you want.  Buddy and I are behind you one hundred percent.  I better get out there.  We are going to run Saphire today.  You should come check her out.”  “I will see you out there shortly Uncle Rex.” 

I get up to grab a cup of coffee and Buddy walks over to me.  “Coy threatened you didn’t he?”  “Buddy don’t worry about it.  I just would rather be safe than sorry.” Anger fills his eyes. “I won’t push but I swear to you if he even thinks about hurting you I will make him pay.”  “Relax Buddy it is fine.”  “Avery, I am off to talk to Cliff about additional security.  I will see you in a little while.” 

I walk out to my stables to see Blue.  I pull my phone out to check the time. 
Shit! 
I forgot I put it on silent on the way to dinner with Grant last night.  I have three missed calls and four text messages.  Grant tried calling me twice and Coy called once.  I check my text messages.  The first one is from Coy. 
I meant what I said. I will own you.  You are my possession and no one will stand in my way. What are you going to do when your billionaire boyfriend is not around to protect you?
That text sent shivers down my spine and now I know I’m not overreacting to what he said last night.  I check the other text messages.  They are all from Grant.  The first one is from last night. 
I just wanted to make sure that you were ok and I am truly sorry about tonight. 
The other two are from this morning.  The first he sent early this morning. 
My plane doesn’t leave for a couple of hours.  I would like to see you before I leave.
He sent another text about an hour ago. 
Avery, I feel as if have upset you and if so that was never my intention. I would really like to speak to you.  Please call me. 

I put my phone in my pocket and I get Blue saddled up.  I take Tilly and Beau for a walk.  The morning goes by fast. Sapphire had a great run this morning.  She is definitely a contender.  I let Blue roam in the pasture and head to the main house for some lunch.  I decide I should call Grant.  I’m not sure what I should say to him.  Hopefully he will do the talking. 

I dial his number.   “Avery?”  “Gant is this a bad time?”  “No Avery, not at all.  How are you today?”  I tell him about my morning and then he proceeds to tell me about his morning. Grant becomes silent for a moment.  “Avery, are you upset with me?”  “No.  Why do you think that?”  You were so distant after dinner last night.  I first thought maybe it was because of our rude dinner guest.  After I dealt with Coy, I was surprised when you didn’t want to spend some time with me.  You were so eager to leave.  What did Coy say to you?  I lie.  “Nothing.  I was just a little overwhelmed and tired that’s all.”

I really need to get back to work Grant.”  “Avery wait.  Why do I have the strangest feeling you are not being honest with me?”
 
This guy is good
.
  It’s now or never.  I don’t think I will see him again anyway.  “Grant, I really like you.  I have truly enjoyed being with you but let’s face it, this was a short term thing.  You’re back in New York now and I probably won’t see you again.  I know I’m just a fling to you and that is ok.  I would rather have spent a little time with you than none at all.” 

He is silent for a moment.  “You think this was just a fling for me?”
 
Oh shit!I pissed him off
.
  “Avery, do you think I’m some kind of asshole?”  “No.”  “You think I’mjust using you don’t you?”
 
Damn
!
  This isn’t how I thought this conversation would go.  “I’m sorry Grant. I don’t know what to think.”  “You are not fling for me!  How do I make myself anymore clear? I’m crazy about you!   You need to start being more honest with me and quit assuming the worst.” Grant snaps. 

My heart swells with joy.  It’s not a fling for him.  “Avery was I just a fling for you?”  “No Grant,of course not.  I just don’t want to get hurt.”  “Is that why you were crying on the way home Saturday night?”
 
What!
He knew I was crying.  I could kill the driver for telling him that.  I can’t lie about it now.  “Yes.” “Avery, the last thing I want to do is hurt you. 

Listen, I will be back in three weeks and I would like for us to spend as much time together as possible.  I think we deserve to really get to know each other better.”  “Grant, I’m looking forward to you coming back.”  “Avery, I need to get some work done.  Can I call you later?”  “Sure.” “Bye Avery.”  “Goodbye Grant.”  I’m so happy.  He wants to see me again.  My heart is smiling.

∞

My week is hectic but they always are.  Thursday rolls around and things are so busy around the ranch.  I don’t call it a day till almost midnight.  I climb into bed but I am unable to sleep.   I can’t stop thinking about Grant.  We have talked or texted each day. 

I become so restless I climb out of bed and walk out on to my balcony.  I hear a commotion coming from the training stables. It’s Sapphire. I see security running toward the stables.  I get dressed in a panic.  I fly down the staircase and run out back. 

I find Buddy standing on the porch talking to one of our security guards.  “Buddy what’s happening?”  “Someone tried to take Sapphire.  You should go back inside Avery.”  “No Buddy!”  “Ok.  I won’t argue but just stay here.”  Buddy and the security guard take off toward the training stables.  I’m watching the ranch hands and security search the area for whoever is responsible. 

I am distracted by noises coming from my stables.  I hear Blue.  He sounds agitated.  As I make my way toward the stables, I start to see a red glow coming from inside.  “No!  Oh No!” I scream.
 
The stables are on fire
!
I run as hard as I can to my stables.  By the time I make it to my stables the smoke is getting thick.  I manage to get Tilly’s and Beau’s stall doors open and I run them out.  I finally make it down to Blue.  The gate on Blue’s stall is jammed.  I struggle to get it open.   I nearly fall down when I’m able to yank the gate open and run Blue out of there. 

I start running for the open air and someone grabs me from behind.  I try to scream but my screams are muffled by a hand over my mouth.  I can’t see who is behind me.  They are dressed completely in black and the smoke in the stables is getting dense.  I am thrashing trying to free myself from my captor.  I hear yelling coming from outside.  It’s Buddy.  He is yelling that the stables are on fire.  All of the sudden I am slammed to the ground and my abductor runs off.  I try to make it out but I can’t breathe.  I see Buddy “Avery?  Oh no Avery!”  I pass out. 

I awake several hours later in the hospital.  It is early Friday morning.  Dr. Lancaster checks me over.  He tells me I suffered smoke inhalation. “I am going to keep you for a while longer. I just want to make sure your vitals stay normal.  I may release you by lunch time.”   Before I can argue he walks out of the room. 

“You heard the man darlin.  Besides, after what has happened you need your rest.”  Uncle Rex uttered.  Julie and Chance walk in to the room.  “We were so worried.” Julie says.  They both hug me.  Do you have any idea who would do this?”  Chance asked.
 
I know exactly wh
o
.  “No. I haven’t got a clue.”  I say in a raspy voice.  “I hate to cut this short but we both need to get to work.  I will call you later and I am glad you are ok.”  Julie says as she and Chance leave.