Chapter Text
Texas
Beths giggles filled the suite as Rip carried her naked to the bed, the shower water still dripping from both of them, the smell of luxury products lingering on their skin, both smelling exquisitely expensive.
He lay her down gently, her arms outstretched above her head while her legs fell partially open to him. He couldn’t help but take a moment to admire every inch of her in all her naked glory.
“You just gonna stare or you going to do something about the ache between my legs”
Rip couldn’t help but chuckle at her, pulling her hips to the beds edge as he crouched on his knees, wrapping either leg over his broad shoulders before delving between her silken folds, lapping at the pleasure that pooled on his tongue. Her moans of delight echoed through the grand suite, her hips writhing off the bed as he tried his best to pin her down.
Her breathy moans fell from her lips in rhythm to his tongue. Her pants slowly growing as her fingers grinned the duvet into fists.
“Baby…I’m so close” she panted, her heels digging into Rips shoulders, encouraging him to push her over the line.
As much as he was tempted to keep her teetering on the edge, his own pleasure was throbbing painfully, begging to be sheathed in her heat.
“Ahhh…ahhh”
He knew she was there, on that edge ready to fall. Her whole body shaking in anticipation as he sped up his ministrations until her whole body convulsed under his skilled tongue.
“Fuck baby…god I missed that”
“Three days baby, I’ve been gone three days”
The looked she shot him would have killed most men, her eyes narrowing in on him judging his comment. He knew better that to say any more, his own desperate need for her begging for realise as he pulled himself on top of her, giving her little time to recover as he pushed inside her, groaning in pleasure at the feeling.
“Fuck!!” She cried out, gripping his biceps as she wrapped her legs around his waist encouragingly.
He gave her a moment to adjust to his size, not wanting to cause her any pain, before he moved within her.
“God Beth” he hissed, his needs racing towards completion far faster than he wanted. “I … I need a moment” he breathed burying his face in her neck in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.
Beth giggled as she ran her fingers through his hair. “It’s only been three days baby” she teased, heels nudging his behind to encourage him.
“You do things to me Beth” he panted, driving into her hard and fast as she cried out in pleasure. His tongue and fingers teasing her peaked nipples until she squirmed in pleasure.
In one motion he had pulled out and flipped her over, pulling her bum towards him as he entered her from behind, giving her no time to think he plowed into her with force, knowing she liked it a little rough. She was desperate and so was he.
“I won’t last much longer” he moaned, his thrusts never letting up.
Without so much as a glance back, Beth worked her fingers down between her legs, speeding up her release to meet his.
The sight of Beth toying with herself was enough to send Rip over the edge, his thrust faltering slightly as his pleasure overtook him, spilling every last drop into her as she quivered and clench around him, her second orgasm ripping through her hard.
***
Beth lay in Rips arms, tucked in tight as he gently brushed his fingers over her back, a peaceful silence settled over them.
“You hungry?”
“You want me to order food?”
“There’s a speakeasy downstairs”
“A speakeasy huh?”
Beth peered up into Rips eyes, her fingers dancing in his chest hairs as she nodded. She wasn’t really interested in food, she just wanted a date with her cowboy.
“You know, this is the first time we’ve been out of Montana together”
“Hmmm…first time I’ve ever been out of Montana”
“Really? You never been to the beach?”
“No beach Beth”
She lay her head back on Rips chest, unable to hide the sadness that filled her eyes.
“Imagine what we could do if we weren’t shackled to the ranch”
Rip paused for the briefest of moments, remembering why exactly he was shackled, that he chose to be for her.
“I chose to be shackled Beth”
And he knew from her eyes that she wished he hadn’t, that she wished he could have had the experience she had had. He brushed a thumb under her eye, wiping the lone tear that fell.
Montana
The crisp autumnal morning nipped at Rip’s nose as he strode out across the dew tipped grass towards the bunkhouse. The silence on the ranch unnerved him as he took in the empty corals, the breeze sweeping shadows of dusty sand through the air.
As Rip neared her noticed the signature bow legged silhouette of his best friend, busying himself in the barn. A small smile tugged at his lips despite the internal pain that was currently chipping away at his heart.
“Lloyd!”
The sharp grin of the older man broke out from beneath the wrinkles as he quickly footed his way of to Rip, his broad fatherly grin quickly diminishing, buried between his weathered face as he took Rip in.
“Whatcha doing here…not meant to be back for months?…The wife missing you?”
Sickening emotion caught in Rips throat as he thought of Beth, her tiny fragile frame still curled up beneath the thick duvet when he had snuck out only ten minutes earlier.
“Johns dead”
The words fell upon deathly silence. Two sets of eyes just staring back at the other as the cold air drew their breaths out visibly between them.
“Dutton?” Lloyd clarified.
Rip chewed at his cheek with a nod. He knew the news had broken but the bunkhouse wouldn’t watch the news, he wasn’t even sure they knew what channel it was. The haunted look in Lloyd’s eyes confirmed to Rip no one knew.
“Suicide…that’s what there saying”
“Shit damn it!” Lloyd cried , kicking his worn boots into the dusty ground. “Ain’t no way he took his life…damn hit!”
“Lloyd, I need you to sit tight. Act normal”
“Normal!” He cried, his voice an octave higher than usual.
Rip ushered the older man into the barn, deep to the back away from any other early risers.
“I got to be the one to tell Carter okay, keep it to yourself. Tell Colby if you must but don’t tell the kid. Got it”
“I got it boss”
Rip sighed, he felt anything but a boss in that moment.
“Don’t call me boss”
“But Rip…”
“I ain’t no boss right now. Beth is my priority. Your in charge here and Ryan’s in charge there for the moment”
Lloyd nodded, his head hung low as he patted Rips back.
“How is she?”
It took all Rips strength not to cry as he replayed the heartbreak in his wife’s eyes as she ran on shaky legs, launching herself into his arms.
“Not good”
“You heard from Kayce?”
“Yeah…he was with her last night until I got there”
“Rip you let me know what I got to do”
“Right now you play foreman, when I need you I’ll let you know”
***
The sun was slowly rising by the time Rip retraced his steps back to the lodge, the hues of pink and orange slowly fading to a cloudy blue in the distance.
He saw Kayces trucks as he approach, diagonal across the drive as though he had jumped out while it was still rolling. It was then he heard her, her blistering cries that made his eyes sting and his heart clench. It didn’t take him long for his eyes to follow the sound, to find Beth fighting against Kayce on the porch, her slim frame worming against her brother grasp as she sobbed and kicked, begging to be freed.
“Hey hey what happened!” Rip asked, rushing to the porch to grab Beth.
“Found her out here crying when I pulled up”
Rip reached out for Beth as she clung to the railing, her eyes filled with an anger he hadn’t seen before, an anger he quickly realised was directed at him.
“Sweetheart…”
“No!” She cut him off ,wiping the snot and tears from her face as she collapsed in the ground. “You left me”
Rips heart broke as he scooped Beth back up and into his arms, wrapping her legs round his waist as though she were a small child. He took a seat on the bench between arches, Kayce across from him as he cradled Beth to his chest.
“I’m sorry Beth, I’m sorry I left you”
He was sorry, deeply sorry that he caused her anymore pain. She had seemed so deep in what he had guessed was the first good sleep in a while that he thought he could be back before she woke.
Rip held Beth in his arms until her sobs subsided, her face so deeply buried in the crook of his neck he couldn’t help but wander if she could actually breathe. Somewhere between her sobs, Kayce had got up to make breakfast, a breakfast that inevitably no one would really eat but it at least allowed Rip a moment alone with Beth.
“Sweetheart, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you” he whispered, his lips caressing her ear.
“Wake me if you’re leaving” she grumbled, her voice muffled by his neck. Somewhere beneath the tears and heartache he could hear the fiery snap of her usual fierceness .
“I promise to wake you”
Her cute nod and subsiding sniffles told him he was forgiven for now and he took the opportunity to brush his finger through her hair and take in her face before suggesting breakfast.
***
Kayce watched as Rip led Beth into the kitchen, their hands firmly entwined as Beth remained close to his arm, much like she had when they had run into the Governors Mansion. The innocence and vulnerability written across his older sister’s face reminded him that she was human.
“Pancakes” he said flatly, pushing a sharing platter towards the centre of the breakfast bar. “There’s orange juice and coffee”
He watched as Rip gave his sister a sideways glance before helping her up onto a stool, her absent eyes falling to the empty plate making no attempt to help herself to food.
“You want first pick Beth?” He asked, giving Rip a silent look of concern.
Beth shrugged her shoulders at him and helped herself to a glass of juice, taking one sip before grimacing and spitting it back into her glass.
Kayce felt the burning glare of his sister’s cold eyes as though he were to blame for the out of date juice that, come to think of it had probably been there since Gator left, six weeks prior. It came as no surprise to Kayce, he wasn’t sure if Beth had ever really done a full shop before, he had always imagined in her years away she survived on adrenaline and bourbon.
“Guess no one fancies pancakes” he sighed, before tipping the tray into the trash. “I’ll ask Monica to do a shop”
Kayce noticed Rip nod and nudge his head towards the lounge, following behind him as they left Beth to stare into her coffee mug.
“Have you told Tate yet?” Rip whispered, remaining visible in the doorway so as not to panic Beth.
Kayce shook his head, worry etched into his tired skin as he fell against the door frame, his head lolling backwards as his eyes fixed upon the ceiling. The sting of tears welled along his waterline as he considered the impact of the news on Tate. He had spoken to Monica the night before, broken down to his wife when he knew Tate was asleep, unable to bring himself to tell his boy.
“I need to tell Carter…I don’t want to risk him telling Tate if your not ready for him to know”
Kayce shook his head pushing off against the frame slightly.
“I’ll tell him this morning, I can’t hide it forever”
Rip only nodded, the words he was about to say interrupted when Beth threw her coffee mug against the kitchen cabinets.
“Beth….”
“Fucking Jamie…this was that Weasley pathetic , weak minded….fuck…he can’t get away with this!” She snapped, now pacing the kitchen as though she had built her anger up inside for the past ten minutes just waiting for the right moment to explode.
“Darling…”
“I’m gonna fucking kill him” she warned, pointing between her brother and husband.
“Beth…we don’t know..”
“Look him in the eye! Look him in the eye and ask him Kayce” she spat, launching towards her baby brother.
“Beth, I will find the truth but you got to calm down”
A scoff left Beth’s lips but before she could launch into another unjust attack towards Kayce, Rip pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her waist as he kissed her brow. His touch soothing some of the fire rolling around inside her.
“We will get the truth sweetheart but first we need to tell the boys, and the wranglers and get a plan. Going in guns blazing isn’t the solution”
Rips voice was calm and soft and although he felt Beth tensing, clenching her fists against his shirt he knew she was listening. As she calmed in his arms, Kayce slipped out, promising to return later that day with food.
Rip waited for Kayce to leave before tilting Beth’s chin. “You want to shower?”
A small nod and furrowed brow responded as she waited for him to lead her upstairs, her head bowed the whole way as she sniffled back another onslaught of tears.
***
The heat of the shower and pleasant smells of Beth’s expensive products offered some kind of calm. As Rip had washed her body from head to toe, she had sagged in relief, her tears no longer falling and her usual fierceness slowly returning to her face.
He helped her out the shower and dried her off, a small part of him enjoying her vulnerable side, taking pleasure in looking after her, in being the person she could let all her walls down around.
When she was dried, he left her to sort her hair while he busied himself making the bed, folding back the pink blanket how she liked and fluffing up the pillows. He waited patiently for her, perched on her side of the bed, his fingers grazing the silk nightgown she had been wearing that night.
“I need to see him, I need to look him in the eye” she bit, as she marched out the bathroom, clad in only mismatched underwear.
Rip couldn’t help the small smirk. Beth had always made sure her underwear at least matched in colour, except in days she didn’t feel well or apparently when she was in mourning. Her choice today was a lacy black bra with pink trim and a bright green thong that barely covered her.
“Why are you smirking?” She almost snapped, her eyes softening at her tone.
Rip gave a little shake of his head, admiring her as he held out his hand for her to come join him, pulling her to sit in his lap. He could still see her vulnerability was hovering beneath the facade she had put in place, her eyes giving her away.
He brushed his fingers up her bare legs, his other hand holding her waist softly, stroking the curve of her hip. He needed a moment to feel her, to inhale the scent of vanilla and sweet fruits that lingered on her skin.
“We need to tell the boy” he sighed, lips grazing her freckled arm.
He felt her tense tightly, felt her itching to escape his arms but he held firm.
“I … I can’t Rip…you have to”
“Sweetheart….”
“No”
He knew her tone and knew pushing her wouldn’t work. He hoped they could both talk to Carter, but her reaction was enough for him to accept he would be having the talk alone.
“Okay baby…I’m going to do it now. Kayce has gone to tell Tate…if the boy wants to come back to the house….”
“He can” Beth whispered and Rip thought Beth sounded hopeful. Like she missed Carters presence.
Rip nodded and kissed her neck, standing with her sliding from his legs as he pulled her into one final squeeze.
“I’ll be back soon”
“Don’t rush…I need to go out”
“Beth” Rip warned, a sudden sense of unease building inside him.
Beth ignored the warning and brushed past him, heading straight for her wardrobe to find herself an outfit.
“Beth, you don’t need to do this now…”
“Yes I do”
Rip heaved a heavy sigh of want d to argue with her but he knew his wife well enough to know, when she had decided something there was no changing her mind.
“Can you come here please” he asked, his tone accepting and soft.
She did as he asked, dropping the dress and blazer she had selected to the side as she stepped into his arms. Her eyes focusing on his, waiting for her lecture.
“You don’t do anything stupid Beth, promise me”
“I just need to talk to him”
“I know, but getting into a confrontation isn’t going to solve anything. Kayce and I will help you deal with all of this. Don’t get yourself in trouble. I can’t live with you behind bars, understand”
“Understood”
“Promise me Beth” he warned, tightening his grip until she agreed.
“I promise”
He kissed her lips softly and let her step back, her tough exterior so firmly in place he almost wondered if he had dreamed her earlier reaction.
***
The bunkhouse was silent when Rip entered, save for the rustling of covers from where Carter lay. The single bed had become the boys home over the last few weeks. Having started in the lodge with Beth, he quickly requested to move to the bunkhouse with the boys, wanting to be a true cowboy with the same limited luxuries. Beth had agreed but unbeknown to the boy she had been gutted.
Rip crept over to the chair that sat next to his bed, straddling it quietly before brushing his knuckles against the boys arm.
“Carter”
The young boy rolled over, his big sad eyes meeting Rips, surprising him with how much of a man he now looked.
“I got to talk to you kid”
“All my life, everyone’s left me”
Rip frowned, he had asked Lloyd not to say anything, but from Carters eyes he could tell he knew.
“How did you find out?”
“The radio”
Rip looked over at the dusty old radio in the corner. He hadn’t seen it used in years.
“Does that thing even work?”
“It’s crackly but I got the jist”
Rip rubbed a hand down his face, sighing sadly.
“When?”
“Day after I think…Lloyd and the others went to the bar…Beth weren’t home so I put it on. I wanted music and got that”
“I’m sorry kid, I’m sorry you found out like that”
Carter pulled the blanket down a little as he sat up a little further, letting his head lol backwards against the metal head rest.
“No one suspected you knew”
Carter shrugged. “Guess not…I didn’t let on”
“Why not?”
Carter finally sat up fully, swinging his legs round to face Rip.
“Took a leaf out of Beth’s book I guess, she always acts tough, she don’t let no one see her emotions…accept maybe you”
Rip nodded knowing his wife well, replaying her cries in his mind.
“Yeah well Beth might not be the best person to copy…not when it comes to emotions.”
Carter gave Rip a small smirk but quickly averted his tearful gaze once more.
“What happens to me now?” He asked softly, recoiling in fear of the answer.
“What do you mean kid?”
“Do I have to leave?”
Rip shifted on the chair so he was sitting on it properly, facing Carter with a face of calm and love.
“You got a home and job here kid, you ain’t going no where, You got me and Beth, Lloyds got your back, Colby the others…”
“Ain’t seen Beth. She’s never home”
Rip sighed, he knew Beth had been upset when Carter asked to leave the main lodge. Not that she actually admitted it to him but he could tell from the little she did say. He also knew her defence to emotions was to act tough and run. He knew her not being home much wasn’t a means to avoid Carter, but to avoid the loneliness he left behind.
“Well Beth needs us now more than ever so you gotta step up”
Carter nodded in agreement, wiping his eyes furiously.
“Sitting in here won’t change things kid” Rip said softly as he left the bunkhouse.
***
When Rip returned home he found Beth sat studiously behind her fathers desk, her face full of exhaustion. He watched her silently for a moment, her eyes not yet meeting his as he studied her. It was not long ago she had been a sobbing mess in his arms and now she sat dressed to fight, determined to destroy. To the outside eye she looked composed, not hint of emotion but to Rip she looked small, fragile, on the verge of breaking down once more.
“Are you going to hover and stare all evening?”
Rip swallowed hard, clearing his throat as he entered the office, the smell of Johns cologne still lingering in the air.
“Where have you been today?”
Beth removed her glasses, her head falling into her hands as she rubbed her tired eyes, smudging the layer of mascara she wore.
“I took the liberty of getting answers”
“What did you do Beth?”
“He did it”
“Beth” Rip warned, moving to lean against the desk, pulling her up from her seat to stand between his legs. “What did you do baby?”
Her hands caressed his chest through his shirt, embracing the feeling of his muscles under her touch.
“I asked him and he didn’t deny it…he couldn’t even look at me Rip”
“Sweetheart…”
“Im going to be the last thing he sees before he dies…I’m going to make him suffer as I…” she began, her voice quivering as she spoke.
Rip brushed his knuckles done her cheek, his fingers stretching to trace her jaw. He could feel the tension in her body, the anger that simmered just below the surface. He didn’t miss the hesitation in her voice. She’d never killed before, never felt the weight of ending someone’s life and he knew, no matter how badly she wanted Jamie gone, how much she hated him he would need to be the one to do it, if that’s what she wanted, if it came to that.
“I told you once before Beth, you need help you come to me.”
Her lips twitched, readying to argue, but she had no fight left in her today. No fight to plead her case, to be the one to pull the trigger because deep down she knew she couldn’t do it alone, she needed Rip to be there. Whether he did it or she did, she needed him there in the aftermath. So instead of arguing she collapsed into his waiting embrace, the weight of the day easing from her body as Rip held her in his arms.
***