Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
The knowledge has me coming, spilling into her at the same time she screams out her pleasure. We’re together in this moment, and I wish it could always be this simple and easy between us.
“That did not happen!” Lauren giggles from her place on the porch swing. She’s snuggled up against my chest, her head resting on me like I’m her personal pillow. A cowboy should be so lucky.
“Swear on a stack of Bibles, that’s exactly what I did,” I insist and chuckle too. The practical joke I played on Ridge years ago still makes me laugh. That’s the thing about serving together. You get to know the other men in your unit so well that you know exactly how to push their buttons.
She shakes her head and goes back to working on her laptop. She’s been editing photos in between talking with me. We’ve spent the day together, mainly eating and laughing and sometimes, making love. Everything with Lauren is easy. Simple. We just fit and rightness fills my chest as I go back to reading my book.
It’s some romantic thriller. Apparently, Emma May’s son writes romance books under the name Eva Nightshade. The moment she figured it out, she started stocking his books at her registers, and you can’t leave her store without at least one in your cart. No one is prouder than a mama from Courage County.
After an hour of silence has passed, she nudges me in the thigh, toes digging into my flesh. I like the way it feels too damn much. I like everything Lauren does.
“What do you think?” She spins around the laptop to face me, showing me a shirtless picture of Ridge scowling at the camera. He’s got a lasso over his head, the intense look in his eye reminding me of that time he roped one of the guys during a flash flood. Would have lost him if it weren’t for Ridge’s quick thinking. The land here is beautiful and free, but it’s also wild, untamed, and absolutely brutal if you turn your back on it.
I don’t even know what the fuck I’m supposed to say to Ridge’s photo. Can’t remember if I’ve ever seen him smile. “Looks like a cowboy to me.”
She snorts. “Bree and Joyce would be much better at helping me with this.”
I agree with her just as my phone beeps, and I reach for the ice bag on her ankle to remove it for a few minutes. We’ve been alternating twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off. Well, that’s not true. I’ve been alternating. She’s been sending me looks like she thinks I’m hovering. Don’t care if I’m being a little overbearing. I want to spoil the shit out of Lauren.
“I’m proud of you,” I tell her as I gently rub the cold skin to warm it back up.
“You mean because of the website I built? It wasn’t that hard,” I tell him.
“No, but that’s impressive too. I’m proud of you because of who you are. How you keep going no matter what happens. How big your heart is and how kind you are to everyone else. You’re a good person.”
She swallows hard and drops her gaze back to her laptop. “Thanks.”
She doesn’t say anything else, and we just sit there in silence for long moments, soaking in the evening air and letting dusk wash over us.
We’re alone and everything is quiet until Ridge shows up. He appears underneath the porch light holding his hat in his hands, and I know that look on his face.
He tips his head to Lauren. “Sorry to interrupt your evening.”
She gives him a soft smile. “No big deal. I know Bronco is a busy man.”
“You got a minute for me, boss?” he asks, even though he’s probably ten years older than me, maybe more. He’s the oldest guy on this ranch, and from what Lauren says, the women are going to go crazy for him at the auction.
I nod to Ridge. “I’ll meet you in our usual spot.”
“Is everything okay with him?” she asks softly when he’s walked away.
“He’s fine. I’ll be back later. Keep my side of the bench warm.” I press a gentle kiss to her lips before I go to find him.
There’s a winding path behind the house that I take until I arrive in the grove of magnolia trees. I planted these trees after Lauren told me that magnolia trees are her favorite. They haven’t bloomed yet, but I’m hoping next summer is the year they finally do.
Ridge is near one of the trees, running his hand along the bench that I made just for Lauren.
“Good craftsmanship,” he compliments, like we’re out here to discuss my woodworking skills, which aren’t nearly as strong as Vale’s were. Except he isn’t here anymore.
“Again?” I ask, the one word causing my heart to pound as hope flares. I’ll never stop hoping that we’ll get to see him again. As much for Lauren as for me.