Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
His eyes light up. “That could be a good one, Drake. I don’t know what shape it’s in, but it was a nice place the last time I saw it. And it has a chunk of land with it, I think.”
Drake laughs. “I know you all like your land, but all I see is more to mow and keep up with.”
“City boy,” Gianna says, laughing, too.
They banter back and forth about yardwork and how Gianna won’t be caught dead on a riding lawnmower. I tip my beer back and relax in my chair, scanning the room. It takes all of two seconds for my gaze to land on her.
Cutoffs and cowgirl boots make her tanned legs seem a mile long. A tight-fitting top is cropped at the navel, hugging her tits like a glove. Mira’s mid-laugh with her head tossed back, her long, dark hair wobbling on the top of her head, as she walks into Patsy’s alongside Markie.
“What do you think about it, Hartley?” Audrey asks.
I shake my head, turning back to the group. “I’m sorry. What do I think about what?” I patently ignore Brooks’s smirk.
“About Gray and Astrid living on the ranch full-time,” she says.
I take another drink to cool myself off before answering her. Every muscle in my body aches to twist in my seat to find Mira. Knowing she’s this close is torture, and it’s usually my cue to leave. I’ve learned the hard way that just because you want something doesn’t mean you get to reach for it. That level of restraint doesn’t come easily … and sometimes, it’s all I can do to resist.
“Yeah, I think it’s great that they’re going to stay on the ranch,” I say, setting the bottle down. “Feels like that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
“I agree,” Audrey says. “And that’s why you should move here, Drake. I’ve always dreamed of the three of us raising our babies together. Although I didn’t think it’d be on a ranch.”
Brooks pulls her onto his lap. “Keep talking about having babies, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you home, Doc.”
My palms slide down my thighs as I glance over my shoulder toward the dance floor.
Mira stands next to her sister in the middle of the room, the crowd thin enough now that I have an unobstructed view of her. Her body catches the rhythm, and she moves effortlessly to the music. It’s cruel to watch, knowing she should be the mother of my children and wishing I could be the reason she looks so damn happy tonight.
“Did you see Jasper when you walked in?” Brooks asks, nudging me with his elbow.
Sighing, I bring my bottle to my lips and turn to him. “Yeah.”
“What did you say?”
I take a long drink before I answer. “Thanks.”
“What are you thanking me for?” Brooks asks, a brow lifted.
“No,” I say, setting my bottle on the table. “I told Jasper thanks for opening the door.”
Gianna leans forward. “I take it we’re mad at Jasper?” When no one answers, she huffs. “Guys. Hello. I’m moving here, so I need the tea.”
Drake shakes his head as he slides an arm around her waist and whispers something in her ear that makes her cheeks flush.
“Jasper’s … all right,” Brooks says, searching for words to sum up the situation. “I don’t know what the fuck got into him. You’ve met Markie, the girl he was dating.”
Gianna nods. “Yeah. I liked her. She gives me me vibes.”
“Jasper cheated on her,” Audrey says.
Gianna flinches, her eyes darkening. “We ride at dawn.”
“You aren’t riding anywhere.” Drake chuckles. “You can’t even see to drive at dawn. The sun must be all the way up for you to get your bearings.”
“That’s why I said we ride,” she says. “You’re driving.”
I stretch my legs to the side, as my attention is pulled to the dance floor again. The song changes, and the new tune is a little slower. Mira’s cheeks are beautifully flushed as she heads toward the crowd. But before she can weave her way to the bar, Derrick Gaines takes her hand and pulls her back to the dance floor.
My breath holds as I watch his hand go to her hip, then slide around her waist, and then he pulls her closer to him. She swats at his shoulder, saying something that makes him laugh.
This is exactly why I don’t stick around. I should’ve already left.
Fuck this.
I finish my beer and then set it a little harder than necessary on the table. My fingers itch to remove him from her orbit, and my arms beg to wrap around her. I want her so badly that my body mistakes it for actual pain.
“Want another beer, Hartley?” Drake asks. “I’m going to take my chances at the bar.”
“I’m good. Thanks,” I say, keeping my eyes pinned on Mira.