Coal helps me into the passenger seat of the pickup, the saddle resting in the back. He’s close, his presence almost tangible, even as he buckles my seatbelt for me. He gives me a look that’s both amused and puzzled.
“Funny, I was sure you couldn’t stand me. Yet here you are, back so soon,” he says, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “You’re a curious one, darling.”
“You did ask me to come back,” I point out.
“Did I now? Any issues with that?” He steps back, removing his hat from my head and placing it on his own. His eyebrow arches in a silent challenge. I just shrug and smile. He shrugs back, saying, “Thought so,” and then he closes the door.
I swallow hard, my heart pounding. Damn it, Coal. Why does every little thing he does make me so eager to see what he’ll do next?
I can’t deny it, I love it when he takes control. He’s my boss, but he’s also my boyfriend.
I feel a bit foolish for running away, but I’m touched by his understanding. I expected him to be furious, but he seemed more worried about me than anything else. That’s one of the things I love about him, his ability to be gentle and considerate despite his fiery nature.
I drum my fingers on my backpack as Coal slides into the driver’s seat. His hand finds my thigh, holding it as he drives.
Devonshire Ranch isn’t far, so the ride will be short and sweet. Alone in the truck, I decide to ask some more personal questions.
“So…a sub-in-training,” I say, testing the words, watching Coal out of the corner of my eye. “What does that…involve…exactly?” I feel a bit shy bringing it up. Coal’s hand tightens on my thigh, but he doesn’t let go. The pressure sends a thrill through me, making me hot and restless.
“My situation?” I ask, confused. “What situation?”
“It came up on Christmas morning,” Coal says, his voice low and mysterious. I wonder…is he talking about…the possibility of us getting married one day? “But that’s a conversation for another time.”
Seeing the familiar buildings of the homestead in the distance, I feel a rush of emotion.
I’m home.
“Iza, Anna, Timothy, and his girlfriend are watching a movie with the boys,” Coal says quietly.
“And has Cat been here in the last three days?” I don’t want to talk about his ex, but if she’s in town, I need to know what’s going on.
“She’s asked to see the boys, but she’s not really here for them. She’s here to show off her new boyfriend,” Coal says, sounding incredulous. “She’s pregnant and talking about moving to the States, because Steven got a job here. He’s some big-shot architect, apparently he’s designing rural villas for our small town. What are the odds he gets a job here, right?”
Coal sounds bored by the topic, but he continues, “She’s just here to rub it in that she’s having a girl—she knows I always wanted a daughter. So it’s clear, Cat’s not interested in me, Raven, she just wants to get under my skin.” Coal sounds utterly convinced of this. “Vindictive bitch.”
“Did you ever do anything to get back at her?” I ask. “Like, when you found out she was cheating?”
“Yeah,” Coal sighs, looking uncomfortable as he parks the truck between the stables and the homestead. “I did some pretty shitty things back to her… I cheated too.”
“Her first,” I whisper, feeling a bit uncomfortable myself.
“Yeah,” Coal groans. “I know it’s all messed up.”
“Messed up,” I repeat, trying not to laugh. “You’re using Willem’s words.”
“Messed-up vegetables, messed-up broccoli, messed-up beans.” Coal mimics Willem, scrunching up his nose, before turning to me and admitting, “I don’t like any of that stuff either, for the record.”
“I’ve seen you eat vegetables,” I say, surprised. “At dinner.”
“Only because I’m a grown man and I can’t complain.” Coal laughs and gets out of the truck. “Come on, leave your bag in the truck, I’ll bring it in later.”
I watch him walk past the stables, heading for the barn at the back, where all the hay is stored.
Vader loved to chase rabbits in there, but the new dog is probably inside now, getting cuddles while watching movies with the kids.
I’m sure Ken, Trish, Aunt Jean, and Uncle Grey are inside with them, either relaxing or working.
For the first time in over a week, Coal and I have a moment of privacy.
I ignore Galvin for now and focus on Coal, who closes the barn door behind us. We’re alone, surrounded by stacks of hay and no other animals.
“Can you climb? Follow me,” Coal says, jumping up seven different bales of hay and then sitting at the top. He looks down at me as I follow, placing my feet where he placed his.
On the last bale, he takes my hand and pulls me up next to him.
We’re high up now.
I crawl over and sit next to Coal, our thighs touching.
I take a moment to appreciate the size of the barn and how clean and not too cold it is up here.
“Hey, I’d really like to spend the weekends at the cabin with you,” I say. “Seeing as it’s Friday…maybe we could…?”
“Let’s head up there tonight. If there’s any trouble with River, I can walk back in the dark,” Coal proposes. “I don’t mind the night hike, I could do it with my eyes shut.”
“That sounds perfect,” I agree. “But if you have to leave in the middle of the night, I’m coming with you. I can help with your kids, you know.”
“I was going to bring that up… I know I’ve been monopolizing the boys all week, I just missed them so much,” Coal admits with a nervous chuckle, avoiding my gaze as he continues, “I was wondering if that’s why you…um…”
“I was thinking it might be overwhelming—the idea of suddenly being a mother to three boys you just met,” Coal clarifies. “And I never asked how you felt about that responsibility—if you even want it? My boys are my world. It’s the only deal breaker for me. My girl has to love my sons and not see them as a burden.”
“Willem, Jonas, and River are amazing. I love spending time with them and I have no problem being there for them,” I assure him, hoping to ease his worries. “The only thing I’m unsure about is if I can live up to you.”
“Live up to me? What do you mean?” Coal asks, finally meeting my gaze.
“I just hope I won’t let you down,” I confess. “I hope I can match your energy. The only thing that scares me is feeling like I’m not good enough for a family. I’m used to being independent—but I’m not sure how others see me… You’re my link to this family. So your opinion matters the most to me.”
“Raven, listen to me,” Coal says, looking deep into my eyes, and I know his next words will be heartfelt. “I fell in love with you…” His voice softens, full of emotion. “You’re perfect to me…in every way…exactly as you are…in my heart—you’re meant to be mine.” He watches as I turn to face him.
I reach for Coal’s chiseled face and lean in for a kiss.
Words seem inadequate—not powerful enough.
What I feel can’t be expressed with words. But I can show him.
I push Coal back into the hay and he leans back for me, smiling under my kiss while I straddle his hips. I trail my fingers down his face as I slowly lean up, my hair framing his cheeks as it hangs down between us in thick black waves.
“Show me,” I plead. “How to be what you want and what you need. I’ll be anything you want, Coal. Teach me.”
“I keep forgetting how young you are. I know I need to guide you.” Coal’s hands slip into my jacket and touch my waist, rubbing up and down to my ribs and back. “As your dom, as my sub, I expect obedience, Raven, and respect.” Coal is right on top of me, even while being on the bottom, his dark eyes both knowing and stubborn. “You’re being a good girl right now, but that punishment is still going to happen… You can’t run from me again…”
I gulp and search his eyes silently. In response, Coal reaches up a hand and grabs my throat, squeezing, then releases my neck to trail his hands up to cup my cheek, his thumb now against my lips.
“How would you like a ball gag, right here.” Coal’s thumb brushes over my bottom lip and applies pressure. I open my mouth and I let him slide his thumb over my teeth. “And a collar, around your neck, while I train you to ride my dick all night—does that sound like a punishment you’d like to experience, my love?”
His words cause a deep blush to spread across my cheeks.
All I can do is look away and nod in agreement.
“Yes,” I manage to whisper, breathless, while Coal flips us around so I’m now underneath him. Coal kisses both my cheeks, his leg pressed between mine.
“You want me to please you?” I ask, trying to sound seductive. “Boss?”
“That’s a given, love. By the time I’m done with you…without a word, without me even needing to ask, you’ll know when to drop down and open that pretty mouth—or when to bend over,” Coal explains. “So yes, that’s right, I want you to please me—you’re my woman to use and fuck at my leisure. Prompt. Obedient. Say it, Raven.”
“Prompt,” I say the first one, and it’s hard submitting like this, but I force myself to say it. “Obedient…”
“That was hard for you, wasn’t it, brat?” Coal fights back a laugh. “Don’t worry, there are rewards in all this.”
“Like?” I ask quickly, raising an eyebrow. “Sex when I want it?”
Coal is taken aback.
“Baby”—his eyes light up—“you tell me right away, as soon as you need it.”
Coal means it with all his passion.
I seize the opportunity.
“Right now,” I whisper, challenging him. “Please, boss? I miss you.”
Coal didn’t see that coming.
He takes a moment to process my request.
I expect him to say no.
Or tease me.
Make me wait.
Instead, Coal grabs my hips and flips me over, bending me over into the hay and lifting up my ass. He says nothing while his hips press into my butt, and I feel his hot dick, straining against his jeans while he grinds it against me, all while his fingers find the edge of my jeans, pulling them down out of the way, but keeping them around my thighs so I’m stuck in that position. Coal’s nimble fingers push my panties to the side so he can see my wet pussy. His other hand presses against the small of my back, keeping me down while he unzips his pants to free his cock.
I feel him immediately, his hard and hot length, sliding through my wet lips, heavy with the need to plunge into me.
Coal lines up, the head of his cock teasing me for only a moment.
Coal pushes into me with a firm thrust, drawing me closer and closer. I gasp and whimper at the same time, a mix of pleasure and surprise.
He responds instantly.
His actions speak louder than words.
I want it? I have it.
“Hush, darling,” Coal murmurs, his hand cupping my ass, squeezing gently. He waits for my breathing to steady, his hardness stretching me, preparing me for what’s to come. “Just so you know, this isn’t about you. It’s about me. I’m going to make you pregnant, sweetheart. Make you mine. Make you a part of this family so you won’t leave—so you’ll feel like this is your home. This is where your journey ends, my love.”
“W-what?” I stammer. “You want me to bear your child?” I can’t help the excitement in my voice. I glance back at him as Coal reaches down to wrap my hair around his hand.
“I won’t ever let you go,” Coal vows. “It’s time to bring you home…where you belong.”
I hear it, the dark possessiveness in his voice.
My response is my body tightening around his thick length.
The truth is, I want nothing more than this.
We are a perfect match.
“You want me?” Coal asks, seeking confirmation. “… Like that…?”
Hell, yes.
“Fuck me,” I plead. “Please. Fuck me. Hard. I mean—p-please, Coal. Sir. B-bos-s—” My words are cut off as Coal responds with a thrust of his hips, pulling my hair back, one hand pressing on my back, using my hair as reins.
“Welcome home,” Coal growls. “My beautiful, perfect slut. So gorgeous. You’ll be a good girl once you’re trained to obey.”
Coal’s pace quickens, his body pressing closer to mine. His movements build my pleasure rapidly, his balls smacking against me, hot and heavy. Even his dirty talk—it hits just the right spot.
I feel myself tightening around him as I try to hold back an impending orgasm, and I hear him curse under his breath.
I don’t think I can hold back.
I’ll be Coal’s slut.
I’ll be his everything.
Maybe even his wife.
Forever his.
And Coal? Forever mine.
