Awaken My Heart: An Age-Gap/Curvy Girl Romance, page 1
awaken my heart
saddle creek, tx: the whitmores
book four
Kat Baxter
contents
Awaken My Heart
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
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About the Author
awaken my heart
An Age-Gap/Curvy Girl Romance
Abraham
I already had my happy ending. Childhood sweethearts, my late wife and I made four beautiful kids together who are now grown and married off themselves. I’m content to be their old dad, tending to my ranch and my tomato plants. Until Emily Carson and her tempting curvy body and her smiles that she hands out like candy, crashes into my life making me want things I have no business wanting.
Emily
I’ve been on my own, more or less, my entire life. So when given the chance to move to the cutest, most quaint small Texas town I’ve ever seen, I jump. I’m the newest resident of Saddle Creek and I’m settling in perfectly. I love my new town and everyone seems to love me too. Everyone except, widower and silver fox, Bram Whitmore, who seems to hate me at first sight. Too bad the feeling isn’t mutual. Because that man, with his legit dad bod, is the most tempting thing I’ve ever seen.
He's a man I could easily fall in love with, but I know I'm not enough to compete with the woman who loved him first.
Awaken My Heart
Kat Baxter
Copyright 2024 by Kat Baxter
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author or publisher, except where permitted by law.
Edited by: Emily Beierle-McKaskle
Copyeditor: BookReadingJenn
Book cover: Cormar Covers
Cover image: Eric Battershell Photography
Cover model: Charlie Garforth
With regard to digital publication, be advised that any alteration of font size or spacing by the reader could change the author’s original format.
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chapter
one
Bram
There are times when a man wants more than a cold beer to get him through the night. Times when even the comfort of a good conversation isn’t enough to settle the restless parts of a man’s soul.
The restless parts that want to stir up trouble, pick a fight, punch something, drive too fast and howl into the wind.
I work hard to bury those unruly parts of myself. I’m a grown-ass man, with four grown kids and grandkids. I’m a damn pillar of the community, for fuck’s sake.
I’m too old and too set in my ways to give in to any of those urges.
Despite that, there’s something in the air tonight that has me drinking my beer too quickly and my mind drifting from the conversation. I force my attention back to Grant, my best friend for forty years and the man currently seated across the high top from me.
“At least now your son has an option for a general practitioner instead of continuing to see me,” Grant says. “He makes my other patients nervous.”
I chuckle thinking about Garrett still trying to go to his pediatrician like he’s not a fully grown adult. “Felicity is whipping him into shape.”
Grant pops me on the back. “How does it feel to have all four of your kids engaged or married off? You’re done now.”
That’s what everyone keeps telling me. I raised my kids and now I’m done. But I don’t know what the fuck that means for my future. Which must be why I’m feeling this soul deep restlessness.
Because this was not the way it was supposed to go. She’s been gone for more than fifteen years now; I should be used to the new normal. But I’m struggling. I was Lisa’s husband and then I was our kids’ dad. Now I’m really neither of those things and I’m not quite sure what I should do with myself.
Grady, my oldest, and our crew keep our family ranch running smoothly. He barely needs me around anymore. And there’s only so many tomatoes a man can raise. I don’t even like tomatoes. But no one would know that from walking past my back yard. It’s a veritable tomato plantation out there.
Grant is regaling me with funny stories of what he pulled out of toddlers’ noses this week when the front door to Ace’s opens. I’ve got my burger halfway to my mouth, and then she walks in.
The first thing I notice is that she’s new to Saddle Creek. I don’t know if she’s passing through or a new resident, but I know that I don’t know her. And I know everyone.
And then I notice everything else about her, and it’s like an assault to my senses. Her body is wrapped in one of those wrap-around dresses. It’s bright pink with tiny flowers scattered across the fabric. She’s plump and curvy in the very best way. The dress hugs her big tits, showing off a mouthwatering amount of cleavage. Her waist dips in just enough to highlight how thick and wide her hips are. Hips you can grab onto; leave bruised fingerprints on while fucking her from behind.
Her long brown hair falls around her shoulders, framing the most beautiful face I’ve ever laid eyes on.
No, that can’t be right.
I mean she’s objectively pretty, but the prettiest?
Somehow our eyes meet and that sugar sweet smile she has falters as our gazes lock.
Grant waves a napkin in front of me. “Hey, you’re drooling on the bar, man.”
I tear my eyes off of her and glare at my friend. “What are you rambling about?”
“Only that the eye fucking is making you drool.”
I rip the napkin out of his hand and like a damned fool, I wipe my chin.
Grant bellows a laugh beside me.
“Fuck you,” I mutter.
“Invite her over,” Grant says.
“What for?”
“Uh, to meet her? You obviously think she’s pretty.”
“She is pretty. Objectively speaking,” I snap.
Grant smiles and it just irritates me more. “Okay, we agree, she’s pretty. Which is why you should meet her.”
“I don’t need to meet her. She’s young enough to be my daughter. Doesn’t look a day older than Daphne.”
“Pretty sure you’re wrong about that, but it doesn’t matter. Age is just a number. It’s time for you to get off the bench and get back on the field.”
“Nice try, coach, but I’m not in this game.”
“Right. Because you’re so old. And she’s young enough to be your daughter. Whatever.” Grant points a French fry at me. “For the record, if you and Lisa had started having kids any earlier, you could be my dad too.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble. But my eyes are on that woman again. The way she gifts everyone around her with that blinding smile. I want her to shine it at me. Just once.
“Just saying,” Grant says. “You don’t have to be out of the game. You can jump back in any time you want.”
“You gotta stop saying shit like that. You know I’m done with that sort of thing.”
“Yep, one woman man and all that. But I’m pretty sure all those songs were about only having one woman at a time, not your lifelong limit. Plus, it doesn’t seem like you’re all that done, considering you haven’t looked away from that one since she walked in.”
“She’s alone. I’m just worried about her being in a bar alone. It’s dangerous.”
“In Saddle Creek?” Grant snorts. Then the bastard does the unthinkable. He catches her eye and calls her over.
She saunters towards us, and my eyes eat her up. She’s not a snack. She’s a whole goddamn meal and fuck me if I don’t want to savor every morsel. My dick goes rock hard in my jeans, and I nearly get lightheaded with how swiftly the blood rushes to my groin. What the fuck is even happening right now?
“You’re new,” Grant says in his smooth, flirty voice.
“Are y’all the welcome wagon?” she asks, smiling widely at my friend.
He laughs. “We sure are, sugar.”
I have never wanted to throat punch him more.
“I’m Grant, but most people around here just call me Doc since I’m the local pediatrician.” Grant makes a big show of kissing her hand. Then he thumps a hand against my stomach. “This here is my buddy, Bram.”
She looks over at me.
Her gaze catches mine, and that smile dies right on her lips. Probably because I’m scowling like a mean son of a bitch.
“Bram, interesting name.” Then she’s all grins and giggles again as she looks at Grant. “I’m Emily. I mean Emma and yes, I am new to town. Just moved here a while back.”
< br /> “Well, it’s nice to meet you Emily, I mean Emma,” Grant says.
“It’s not safe for a young, single woman to be at a bar alone like this,” I rumble.
Her brow arches as she looks at me. “I’m pretty sure my virtue is safe. Besides, I’m not alone, I’m meeting a friend. I believe she just walked in. If you two will excuse me.”
“Welcome to Saddle Creek, Emma,” Grant says.
“Thank you, Doc.” She winks at him.
And I have the irrational urge to stab my fork in his thigh.
“Oh, and Bram,” she says my name all short and clipped. “I’m older than I look.” Then she walks off.
Grant bellows out another laugh. “She handed you your ass,” he wheezes.
“You’re an asshole.” Then I sit there and stare at my half-eaten burger, unsure if I should go home and tend to those fucking tomato plants or if I should stay here and make sure Emma is safe.
chapter
two
Emma
I make my way over to my newest and closest friend in town, Luna Coleman. She’s a fellow teacher at Saddle Creek Middle School and we’ve hit it off pretty great. Everyone has been nice, but Luna has the stuff for lasting ride or die material.
I sit at the table and she’s already laughing.
I frown at her. “What?”
“I see you met Doc West and Bram.”
“I met ‘em alright.” A strange growling noise comes out of my throat. “Only crap like this would happen to me. Because I have the world’s worst luck. Bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, so of course they belong to a giant asshole.” I toss my hands up. “And by giant, I obviously mean that figuratively and literally. He’s a beast of a man, thick and broad, with a barrel chest and thighs the size of tree trunks.” I lick my lips, knowing that I’m probably salivating and not having enough sense to stop my tirade.
“They’re hot as fuck,” Luna says conspiratorially.
I whimper. “The silver threading through his temples and his closely trimmed beard are like specially designed catnip for me.” I look up at my friend, and then drop my head on my crossed arms on the table. “Emma loves a big man. Emma especially loves an older, big man.”
She laughs. “Does Emma also speak in the third person when she’s in a certain mood?”
I wince, then peek at my friend. “She does. Doc was very friendly, but Bram—like that’s a real name—what is he, Dracula? Anyways, he’s a jerk and clearly hates me, which makes no sense since I don’t even know him. And everyone likes me. I mean why wouldn’t he like me? We just met.”
“I doubt he hates you. Bram is a big teddy bear. The nickname is short for Abraham.”
“Teddy bear.” I snort. I shove away the mental image that springs to mind—that of me curled up against his broad chest, those massive arms wrapped around my body. A man like that can make a chunky girl like me feel petite and small.
She laughs again. “Clearly you find him attractive.”
“Looks only.” I wave my hands as if to clear away all the negative energy. “Whatever. Can we talk about something else? Grumpy bear is not part of this girls’ night.”
Her smile widens. “Sure. Of course. How’s the play going? Do you need help with anything? Mason won’t be back from California for another week, so I’ve got time on my hands.”
Luna just got engaged to an honest to God rockstar. Mason Ball from Soul Obsession, the biggest boy band of my youth. He’s moving here to be with her so he’s packing his house in Malibu. She’s living a legitimate fairy tale, especially considering they met and fell in love online first.
“No, it’s good,” I say. “I’m used to doing things on my own. I’ve already got a handle on the costumes. I found the mother lode of stuff at Madison’s Mercantile and I’m already busy making the necessary adjustments. With all the sequins and feathers I’m adding, I’ll probably need a new sewing machine when this is all over.”
“I’m glad it’s you and not me. I can’t even sew a button on,” Luna says.
“The only other thing is set design, which I did most of at my old school. Though one of my students offered to have her grandfather help me.”
“Oh, that was sweet. Which student?”
“Taylor Whitmore.”
Luna chokes on her drink, then proceeds to fall into a coughing fit.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She nods, her eyes watering. “Fine,” she croaks. “Must have gone down the wrong pipe.”
I nod. “I mean, I’m not sure how much help an old man is going to be. Maybe I should send him a message and tell him not to worry about it. That I don’t need his help.”
“No,” Luna says with a shake of her head. “You should at least meet with him.”
“Really? Because I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
Luna nods earnestly. “I get that, but you have to remember that you’re not in the big city anymore.”
“True,” I say.
“You keep saying that you’re determined to make a place for yourself here? Well, in small towns when someone offers to help, you take them up on it. So you definitely need to meet with him in person. And then let me know how it goes.”
I reach over and squeeze her hand. “Thank you, Luna. You are a great friend.”
chapter
three
Bram
I stayed at Ace’s until she left.
Even Grant deserted me, claiming some lame excuse about an early morning. I should have left after seeing her sit with her friend—a woman I even know since she’s my son Dane’s fiancé’s sister.
Still, I couldn’t leave.
Not until I saw her get safely into her car. I’d even tracked her drinks, making sure no one put anything into them (unlikely here in Saddle Creek, but you never know) but also ensuring she didn’t have too much to drink before she got behind a wheel.
One damn look at her and now I’m a damned stalker. I don’t know what’s happening. More than likely it’s because I don’t really have to worry about Daphne anymore. Fletch takes the best care of her. He’s every father’s dream for their little girl.
So maybe I just need to focus my protective papa bear energy on someone, and this girl is new to town. That’s all it is. I remind myself of that fact again and again on the drive home, where I force myself to drive out to my ranch and not follow her.
I remind myself once I get home and all the way until I’m in the shower, the hot spray of water beating down on my body.
Here, though, my reminder falters because there’s nothing papa bear-like about the heavy weight of my balls or the raging erection straining between my legs.
I can’t even begin to process my reaction to her. The insatiable need coursing through my veins. I shove all the thoughts out of my mind as I brace one hand on the slicked tile wall and grip my dick at the root. My fist tightens around my hard length, and I close my eyes.
Emma’s plump curves fill my mind as I begin to shuttle my hand. Fantasy Emma pulls at the ties of her wrap-dress, and it flutters to the floor. She’s a walking wet dream in bright pink lingerie. Her full tits press upwards over the lacy pink bra and her matching pink panties barely cover the strip of her pussy.
My cock jerks in my hand. Fuck this feels good.
She feels good.
She turns away from me and bends herself over the bar stool because apparently my fantasy isn’t creative enough to get us out of the damned bar. A little ass wiggle and she glances over her shoulder.
“It’s bad manners to make a lady wait,” she says with a sexy little pout.
I barely pull her panties down to her knees before I’m pressing myself into her.
Hot. Wet. Tight.
Perfection.
I grip her hips and pound into her. No preamble. No manners. No patience. Just raw need.
She’s so damn slick around me and her pussy walls squeeze against my cockhead.
I kick one of her legs further out to shift my angle so I can thrust right into her G-spot with every movement.
It doesn’t take my fantasy Emma too long before she’s coming all over my dick. I growl my own release as I paint the shower walls with ropes of my cum. It’s one of the most intense orgasms of my life.
