Giddy Up Read online

  “No big deal, we’re glad you made it safely. Probably would’ve made us worry more if we’d had a specific time and you were late, especially considering you were two beautiful ladies driving alone. What did you see along the way you liked the best?” It actually bothered him not to have had more details about the trip they made on their own. Matt hadn’t wanted to push, but he’d been concerned and wished she’d offered more than generally where they were and when to expect them to arrive.

  “Well, we started out in Charlotte, North Carolina and got settled into the time differences. From there we drove to Pittsburgh, over to Chicago, and finally here. The first part of our drive was incredibly green and lush. I remember Virginia the most. No more palm trees like there’d been in North Carolina, but plenty of historical sites, grassy hills filled with horses, and eventually steep mountains. It was beautiful, although I think Chicago was my favorite stop. I’ve read about the city in books and seen it in movies, but there was much more to it in person.”

  “And the drive from there to here, how did that leg go?”

  “Long,” she sighed, speaking volumes about that part of the trip.

  “Can’t fault you there. It’s many miles of driving along relatively straight roads across flat plains. Not always exciting, although striking. Unfortunately the trains aren’t an option anymore and flying is cheaper than it used to be, although it’s going up in price. Many people choose to fly, which allows them to get where they’re going all the sooner. Time is money and all that, but they miss out on discovering the real America found best in small towns like ours.”

  “You’re right. If we’d flown into Bozeman and rented our car there, we would’ve missed out on meeting some nice people, trying new foods, and seeing a small portion of this huge country. It’s the little things that make a trip special and make the adventure ours.”

  “Well, here’s another first. Welcome to the Big W Ranch.” Ted turned to look at her and smiled. He turned off the highway and drove through the tall gates, pleased she was finally on their territory. By passing over the cattle grid, he had a new feeling about coming home he’d never had before, and figured it had everything to do with the woman at his side.

  For the next couple of months, they’d be working hard to double tag the newborn calves, and get the tracking program up and running without any hitches. It wasn’t going to be an easy project to put into action, although it would definitely give them all a chance to become better acquainted.

  As the idea formed, he needed to clarify things for himself. From listening to Matt talk about her and from his own conversations with Sakura, he already knew they’d fit well together. They’d be happy living behind a white picket fence. However, no matter how much he wanted her, Ted knew he and his brother needed to give her time to decide what she wanted for herself.

  The future would be much better with her in their lives.

  “It’s big and open, do you have any neighbors?”

  Ted liked her wide-eyed expression. He wanted a woman in his life, one who hadn’t seen it all and tried anything for a quick thrill. It looked like he’d found one who was that, and smart and beautiful. Sakura was an intriguing mix he couldn’t wait to learn more about.

  “Except for Sunny and Court, who breed and train horses to the southwest, and the Flemings to the north who are trying their hand at bison, there are none for quite a distance. When we were growing up there were more farms being actively worked by families with multiple generations under one roof. Unfortunately, the recent trend is for conglomerates to buy up land to ranch on a much larger industrial scale. We weren’t ready to give up our way of life and are trying to make it work.”

  Turning to the right, he bypassed the barn where everything happened and where he normally parked. Wanting to give Sakura a nice introduction to their home, he pulled in front of the small house where he and Matt grew up.

  “This is a beautiful home, Ted. Exactly how I pictured it,” she exclaimed, and her enthusiasm made him smile. Walking over to her side, he was thrilled when she put her hands on his shoulders as he helped her out of his truck. Even though he wanted to pull her close and kiss her soft lips, he wouldn’t because he was dirty. At least his hands were clean and they were the only bit of him to touch the beautiful woman as he set her carefully on the ground.

  “Matt and I were born and grew up in this house. Once we both returned home as adults to live and work, it became obvious it was too small for us. We had another place built and use this one for company. Let me show you around.” He motioned with his hand for her to walk before him.

  There was a small front garden full of their mother’s rose bushes, with a white picket fence. There wasn’t one at the moment, but when a gentle breeze wafted through it would cast their scent far and wide. They never hid the smell of a working ranch, but it reminded him of when they were young and his mom spent hours tending her flowers.

  He liked the memories. They made him think the white picket fence lifestyle was still out there. Their friends Sunny and Court, two people as kinky as he, had the life he wanted and made him wonder if it was attainable for him.

  Watching Sakura slowly take in her surroundings as she walked the path to the front door sent passion rushing to pool between his legs. His dick hardened as an image formed of coming home after a day of dirty work to find the delicate beauty in front of him naked and on her knees, eager to play with either him or his brother, or both. Yeah, he wanted a white picket fenced household, and he wanted it with Sakura.

  Reaching around her, he opened the door and held it for her to walk through. She was a tiny thing and walked under his outstretched arm with ease.

  “This is the living room and dining room, with the kitchen through the door. The two bedrooms are on either side of the hall and a bathroom at the end.” Ted turned around and pointed out the various places, but tried not to face Sakura. There was no way he’d scare her off already by pointing a hard-on at her before she even had a chance to get settled.

  When she didn’t say anything, he looked over his shoulder to check on her and found her eyes tracing his body.

  The heat he found in her brown eyes strengthened his need to touch her even further. The pull was strong and had him facing her, ready for whatever she wanted. There was no flinch, but an almost laugh when her gaze landed on what he’d tried to hide.

  “Yeah, you do that to me,” he confided with a smile and took a step closer. “When you were in Japan, it was your soft sexy voice and my imagination of what you looked like making me hard. In person my attraction to you is much more powerful.”

  Sakura moved close enough to put her hand on his chest and his heart beat faster.

  “It’s the same for me,” she murmured and took the last step which brought her a cat’s whisker from his body. His cock pushed against her flat belly. There was no question he got off seeing her lips open and hearing a gasp escape. While his body wanted to take what she might be offering, Ted wasn’t making any moves.

  There were too many open ended questions needing answers first. They could fuck for days, no, decades if he had his way.

  It wasn’t easy to keep his distance from her and put his hands on her hips in a bid to keep her from walking away. They’d talked business, flirted and joked for months, and she felt right in his arms. His hands fit naturally on her body. The heel of his hands rested over her hip bones, and his fingers struggled not to squeeze her ass. Even though his hold on her was light and hopefully not threatening, he already knew it would be difficult to let her go.

  Looking away from her red lips, he was once again drawn further into her desire when their eyes connected. Would it be bad if he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers? He’d already kissed her in the diner and nothing bad had happened. He promised himself to take things no further if she didn’t pull away. Besides, one kiss would be enough, at least for the moment.

  “Sakura,” he whispered and meant to ask for a kiss. He leaned down for o
ne, but was suddenly stopped a whisper from their lips touching.

  “Told you my brother would want you the second he laid eyes on you,” Matt said as he walked into the living room.

  Ted experienced no jealousy, knowing the woman standing comfortably in his arms had once spent an evening of fantasy-filled passion with his brother. Growing up, they’d liked the same things when it came to women. There weren’t many around, so sharing hadn’t been a big deal to them, not then and not now.

  Immediately picturing the woman currently melting in his arms dressed as a geisha had his dick hardening even further. She glanced up at him and her lips parted, looking almost as if she were ready for more. He hoped they could talk her into staying on for a satisfying life behind the kinky white picket fence he and his brother wanted.

  With his hands holding her hips, Ted reminded himself of the changes happening around them and knew they were all the right ones for them. They were moving the Big W Ranch into the future by sending their beef to Japan with the help of Sakura. Her being in their home meant their private lives were looking good.

  “Welcome to America, Sakura,” Ted whispered in her ear before he dropped a kiss and gentle nibble on her neck. His splayed hand gently squeezed her ass cheek and was joined by his brother’s over the other. Dropping another kiss on her neck, he smiled at his brother when she gasped, and then he left.

  There was work to finish before they could fully implement the program Sakura brought to ensure they complied with Japanese import rules.

  * * * *

  Matt took Sakura in his arms, pulled her close, and kissed her with unfulfilled passion raging through him. He was thrilled his geisha girl was in his arms again.

  They’d worked together, closely, for over a month and he’d been beyond infatuated from day one. It hadn’t taken long before he’d wanted her more than he’d ever desired another woman, only it hadn’t been possible. Not if he’d wanted to keep a good working relationship with her father and Nakamura Enterprises.

  However, the woman in his arms, smelling like sunshine and fresh air, was beautiful and intelligent. She’d twisted things around and he’d left Japan having satisfied a long-held fantasy involving her as a geisha, although he hadn’t known the latter part until he’d returned home.

  He would be forever thankful life had taken what could have been the worst mistake he’d ever made and brought the woman herself into their home. All they had to do was show her how living with them on the Big W Ranch was exactly what she wanted. There was no room for error. If they were to have her in their lives, then they had to leave the decision up to her.

  It was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do, but wanting more helped him slowly pull his mouth away from her delicious lips. Pressing his forehead to hers, he told her what was on the tip of his tongue.

  “I’m glad you came to Montana, Sakura.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and told her what had been on his mind for months. “You were a sexy geisha and are an even more stunning business woman.”

  “There was a great deal I didn’t know about when it came to being a geisha. I enjoyed the ritual of dressing and acting as one for you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tightly.

  Her delightful nipples were firm and poked his chest. As they prodded him, Matt remembered what she’d done to them for their intimate time together in Japan and he’d found it enticing. Hopefully he would experience the excitable fleshy tips again, but not yet. He didn’t want to push her into anything she wasn’t ready for.

  Stepping back slightly, he was about to let her know nothing was going to happen but was stopped by the arrival of Jon and Molly.

  “Oh, Sakura, isn’t the Big W big? And this house, it’s adorable. The roses out front remind me of my grandmother’s. They’re fragrant and the colors are vibrant. Simply lovely.”

  Matt had met Molly while working in Japan, liked her, and found it interesting how her English accent was suddenly stronger than he remembered. Maybe it was her thinking about home bringing it out. Whatever it was, he found it cute.

  Looking at her more closely, he noticed her blush, bright eyes, and overall happiness. He’d never seen her look like that in Japan. It was her laughter at one of Jon’s quiet comments which had her opening his eyes to the fact she might fancy the man.

  Standing beside Sakura, he bent down and whispered his discovery to her as the other couple wandered around the small house.

  “I think your friend is smitten with Jon.”

  “He seems nice and quiet, I’m sure he wouldn’t harm a fly,” she responded in kind.

  Matt hadn’t signed up to be a Marine, nor was he sent into war with Ted and Jon. They’d talked enough about it for him to know both men were capable of much worse, but not with a woman. Never.

  “I’ve known the guy since our school days. He’s a good man and a catch for the right woman.” The couple was headed back toward them and he had a second to give her a warning of sorts. “Fair warning for Molly, the right woman would need to be into some serious kink.”

  “What?” She looked at him with startled eyes right as Molly stopped in front of them.

  “Pinch me, Sakura. We’re on a Montana ranch in the United States of America with gorgeous cowboys everywhere. Life doesn’t get any better.”

  Within five seconds of silence, the two ladies hugged each other and burst into laughter. He wasn’t sure what was funny, but it didn’t matter. He liked watching them let loose and have fun. At a sound by the door, he looked over and realized their bags had been brought in by Ted and Jon.

  “Okay, ladies, we’ll leave you two to get settled in and will see you at the main house for dinner.” He, his brother, and Jon walked out and made their way to the barn.

  “Interested?” Normally Matt wouldn’t ask about Jon’s sex life, but he was curious.

  “Yup, those blue eyes blinked up at me, and I was roped, tied, and caught,” the man muttered.

  Snickering, he looked at his friend and found a rare smile, teeth and all, and laughed as he slapped the other man on the back.

  “The next few months are going to be fun for all of us. Keep it safe, sane, and consensual, my friend.”

  “It’s weird, but I’m not even thinking of strapping her down in my teepee. I want her at my side and to make her happy.”

  “Welcome to the club.” They walked into the barn to find out what still needed doing to get the Big W ready for change.

  Chapter Three

  “Are you ready?” Sakura slipped into Molly’s room and checked to see how far along her friend was in getting dressed. With two men waiting for her, she would’ve expected to be the one who changed a multitude of times, not the other way around. However, it was her friend who fussed. Of course, she knew why. The foreman, Jon Black, caught Molly’s attention.

  All through lunch at the diner, her friend hadn’t been able to look away from the man and he hadn’t hid his pleasure from being with her, either. Neither one of them had offered much to the conversation. Nor had it seemed as if they’d spoken much to each other, but there’d been many deep glances passing between them.

  She was sure whatever they shared was mutual. When they had some free time to themselves, Sakura would ask her friend for details.

  “Yes, I’m ready. Come on, let’s go. You know I don’t like being late.” Molly picked up a cardigan sweater and put it on as they left the house.

  The main house wasn’t far away. It sat on a slight rise, surrounded by large trees. They followed a simple brick path running through the trees toward the main house.

  From what she could see of the exterior of the main house, they’d created an excellent mixture of traditional and modern elements. They’d made the house fit even better within its natural surroundings, which was quite a feat.

  The structure looked old in style with an element of romance coming from the deep, wrap-around porch. It was a symmetrical building, and in the center was a large, carved w
ood front door painted red. The brightness was eye catching and oddly sat well with the tan and white wood cladding and large stone chimney.

  “Isn’t it beautiful here? I wasn’t expecting such intensity of color and light, and the air is crisp and clean.” Sakura shared her awe of where they’d found themselves after days of driving. They were a long way from Japan in landscape and culture, but she was drawn to her surroundings.

  “None of the travel books we brought with us do the state justice. I’m not a camping type of person, but I bet spending nights beneath the stars would be an incredible experience.”

  “I read somewhere Montana is called the Place of Big Sky or something like that, and they were right. Everything appeared clear and bright while the sun was shining, and even now at dusk it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to see it when the moon and stars are spread across the darkness.” She wasn’t into stargazing, although it may be because back home there wasn’t much to see. Maybe there was out in the rural areas, but not Osaka.

  As they started up the stairs leading to the porch, the front door opened and Matt met them with a grin.

  “Good evening, ladies. You settle in all right?”

  Sakura took what he said as genuine politeness. The hug and kiss he gave her ensured she knew she mattered more to him than as a mere friend.

  “Montana, the Big W, it’s all incredibly inspiring and big, really big. We were excited about the adventure and it’s much more than either of us imagined.” She put her hand on his shoulder in a bid to get closer to him as he further tightened his arms around her and held her close. Right then, being held in his arms was where she wanted to be most.

  “You two have done what many Americans never get a chance to do, drive around and see their country up close. The land around here is beautiful and hardly developed compared to other sections of the country. It should give you a good glimpse of something different from what you’ve seen already.”

  He waved them on ahead. “Go on inside. To the left is the living room where we’re relaxing with a drink before dinner. What would you two like? We have everything, including but not limited to water, soda, wine or beer.”