Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
And our story wasn’t over yet.
Dev’s body was still tight with anxiety. “Would you mind going back to the ranch to make sure Lellie’s okay?”
I realized I’d forgotten to tell him about the missed call. “Way called. Your phone was on the chair, and since I knew he had Lellie, I answered it. Hope that’s okay?”
“Of course.” He shifted on his feet but didn’t take his hands off my hips. “Everything fine?”
I quickly reassured him. “Way’s Aunt Blake is there. That’s Jo, right?” When he nodded, I continued. “She’s going to stay. They wanted to know if they could move the crib to the house for the night. I said I’d ask you. Would you rather me go back and keep her at your place?” I didn’t want to leave him, but I also wanted to do whatever would give him the most peace of mind.
Dev brought a hand up to cup the side of my neck. His fingertips moved into the hair on the nape of my neck. “I selfishly want you to stay here with me, but I should let you go get some rest.”
I swallowed. “I want to stay.”
He moved closer, until I felt the metal of his belt buckle catch against my clothes. “I trust Jo. Silas and Way would probably be fine, but if she’s there, too, I’m sure Lellie’s in good hands. And if she’ll let them move the crib over, that’s even better. I’ll call and let them know.”
Neither of us made a move to exchange his phone. Instead, we locked eyes. The setting sun bathed his face in a warm, rosy gold, setting off chestnut streaks in his dark hair.
“Stay,” he said in a low voice. “I’d like you to stay.”
My head felt airy and empty. There were words I wanted to say to him, but I couldn’t for the life of me come up with any. All I could think about was kissing him again.
As soon as I leaned in, he met me halfway, crashing his lips into mine and causing me to hitch in a breath in surprise. I grabbed his head, threading my fingers into his hair and holding him while we devoured each other’s mouths.
His aggression surprised me, but I was a hundred percent here for it. It was a relief to know the strong pull I felt toward him wasn’t one-sided. We kissed for long minutes, and Dev’s hands moved down to grab my ass and pull me closer until I felt the thickening ridge of his cock against mine.
“Fuck, wait,” I said, pulling away. “We’re in a parking lot.”
He glanced past me at the vet building, the parking lot, and then the road. “No one’s around.”
“Still. I don’t want one of the vet techs to come out and find me nutting in my pants.”
His huff of laughter surprised me. He stepped back and ran his hands through his hair. “Fair.” His eyes flicked down to the bulge in my jeans and back up to my face. “Why can’t I stay away from you?”
My heart flitted around my chest like it was untethered and at risk of escaping. “Do you want to?”
He closed his eyes and inhaled. “I want to want to.”
I took a step back, feeling slighted and stung. “Why?”
Dev’s eyes opened and met mine. “Because it’s complicated. Because I don’t just want a quick fuck with you. Because you live in Texas, and I’m never going back.” He sighed. “Because I don’t even know if you want me anymore.”
“I w-want you,” I said, hating how quickly the words came stuttering out. “I’ve wanted you for two years, Dev. I wanted to finish what we started. Get to know you better. Hell, I just fucking wanted to lay eyes on you again. And now I’m here, and I feel like my presence annoys the fuck out of you. I can’t tell whether you want me close or you want me to fuck back off to Texas.”
He reached out and snatched a tiny piece of my shirt between two fingers and his thumb, clasping it lightly down by the bottom hem and tugging it so I would step closer again. His eyes were serious, but the corner of his mouth curled up. “Can’t I want both?”
I stepped close again, noticing the familiar combination of faded sandalwood cologne mixed with hay and horse. The world’s most comforting and provoking scent.
“What are we doing?” I murmured before pressing a kiss to his stubbled jaw.
“Dunno, but when you’re touching me like this, I find I don’t care overmuch.”
He kissed me again, and I wondered idly if he realized his voice got Texas-soft with me more than others. We kissed again, featherlight and teasing, until Dev moved to pull me into a tight hug.
“Sexy as fuck, and he can sit a horse,” he murmured under his breath. “How are you still single?”