Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“Don’t say that too loudly, or I won’t ever leave.” It’s hard not to respond to that, because if I had it my way, I’d tie her to my bed and never let her leave. Instead, I nod my head, wait for her to go back to her dinner, and then do the same, my mind coming up with all kinds of ideas that include Dove.
Six
Dove
I wish I could say that last night ended with Trace and I in a tangle of limbs in his bed, but that didn’t happen. He did leave me with a kiss that I felt through my whole body. It took a lot for me not to ask for more. I immediately went to find my mom and told her absolutely everything, even the whole not knowing what I want to do in my career. Now that she’s on the mend, both of my parents will be back at the hardware store, and where will that leave me? So, I let her know what Trace said about spending time at the ranch and figuring things out. Momma stood up and told me in no uncertain circumstances was I working at the hardware store when I was made for bigger things and told me to get my ass out of the house tomorrow.
That’s what I did, well, after calling Trace to make sure it was okay for me to head out to his place, which is where I am now.
“About time you got here.” He opens my door. The car is barely in Park when he’s reaching in to take off my seat belt and kiss me stupid all at the same time. The only thing I can do is hold on. His tongue licks my lower lip until I’m the one chasing after it with my own. Last night was a tease, soft and slow. Today is a whole other story. It probably helps that I’m parked by his small house that’s set away from the main house and neither of our parents are peeking through the blinds.
“Trace,” I moan against his mouth. He deepens the kiss. I arch my body wanting to feel him, but I’m trapped in the damn car. My hands find his abdomen, going under his shirt, feeling his warm skin against the tips of my fingers. Trace is solid compared to my softness, and when he pulls away, it’s me who wants to go back after him.
“Sugar, if this keeps going, the only place you’re gonna see is my bed,” Trace grunts, but he’s moving away from me, his hand out for me to take it in his.
“You drive a hard bargain, see the land or your bed,” I joke, but slide out of my car. It’s the same car my parents gave me on my sixteenth birthday, well past its prime, but it gets me from point A to point B and is great on gas.
“Fucking hell, Dove.” He’s staring at my lips as if he wants to taste me again. I lick mine wanting Trace to know how much I want him.
“As if that kiss didn’t give you enough of a hint.” This time, it’s me teasing him.
“I’ll give you that. Now, you wanna ride around on the side-by-side or horses?” he asks.
“As much as I’d love to see you on the back of the horse, me on one, not so much.” I put my hands in the back pockets of my jeans.
“Oh, sugar, you’ll be riding a horse soon enough. Even if it’s us riding together. We’ll do the side-by-side today, but the next time you’re out here, I’m getting you in a saddle.” His boyish grin takes over his face, a couple of days’ growth of stubble outlining his firm jaw.
“We’ll see about that.” I’m not too keen on the idea of getting on top of something that weighs nine hundred pounds and trusting it with my life.
“We will, and I bet you’ll love it. You ready to ride around? I got a cooler packed full of drinks and food.” I take my hands out of my pockets. He grabs one, leading me to the side-by-side. My other hand goes over both of our hands. I’m tempted to pinch myself to see if this is real, if this is actually happening. Me, the nerdy unpopular girl with the handsome cowboy who each of those mean girls wanted, but he didn’t give them the time of day, not back then at least. I can’t attest to what has happened since I’ve left town, and to be honest, I don’t really want to know. All that matters is the present, and that’s where I plan to stay.
Seven
Trace
The sheer joy coming from Dove keeps a smile on my face all day long. I mean I could have just let her go off on her own, soak up the sun and nature. But I was selfish and wanted time alone with her. And, I had dinner with her last night, which I’m sure created a story for all the local gossip mongers, and without a doubt, my mom was the first one to get the scoop. That’s also why I dodged her all day and made sure I worked on everything I could around the ranch. I heard her laughter in the distance. Both Dad and Knox knew what would be coming the minute I sat my ass down at her table tomorrow morning for breakfast.