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That did it for Momma. She click-clacked her way out the door, acting like a two-year-old throwing a hissy fit because she didn’t get her way.
Daddy stayed for a bit longer, looking at me as if it was the first time he ever saw me. Maybe it was. The businessman who could command a room with his words and presence seemed at a loss for what to say or do. He finally let out a heavy breath and approached us. He awkwardly kissed my head and said, “I’ll call you,” before he rushed out. I didn’t even have time to respond, but I found I didn’t care. I was where I wanted to be—in the arms of the man I loved.
Mr. Carrington, in contrast, was not awkward when he came and kissed my forehead. “You did good, kid.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
He waved away my concern. “Honey, I’m sorry you had to live through it.” He directed his attention toward Ryder. “See that she always comes first in your life.”
“Yes, sir,” Ryder responded.
Mr. Carrington nodded and wandered off toward the family room.
Once we were alone, Ryder cupped my face with his hands and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I am sorry, Shelby,” he whispered between us. “You make my life worth living. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He leaned away enough for me to see the glint in his eye. “I’m happy to hear that because dang, woman, you’re sexy when you get all riled up.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, ma’am. I think we should capitalize on it. I just happen to have Bobby Jay’s truck and a picnic basket full of delicious food made by the most beautiful woman on God’s green earth. Not to mention a bottle of sweet strawberry wine and a blanket or two.” He flashed me his most wicked grin
“That all sounds perfect, but what about the distributed attack thing? I meant what I said—I don’t want you to lose your company.”
He tenderly ran his thumb across my cheek. “I’m not going to lose my company. I’m going to trust my people and hire a project manager and more developers so I can spend more of my time doing what I love most.”
“And what would that be?” I asked coyly.
“This.” His hands ran down my curves until they took hold of my hips. He pulled me flush against him before taking a moment to gaze into my eyes while his lips teased mine, so close but never touching. The pressure of his hands increased on my hips as the tension mounted between our lips. Each breath between us became heavier and deeper before his warm lips came down upon mine. There they teased more before his tongue slid across my lips and into my mouth. He tasted like home and everything good in my life. With every sweep of his tongue, my pulse raced, making my body tremble with delight.
I pulled away only enough to catch my breath. “I think my momma was right about one thing. You are wicked.”
He groaned before picking me up and carrying me out into the night. “I plan to show you how right she is.”
Oh Mylanta.Epilogue“Are you sure you can’t see?”
“I’m sure.” I touched the blindfold Ryder had placed on me before we left the Ranch. I wasn’t sure where we were at, but I could feel the late August sun beating down on me and it smelled like someone was barbecuing. “We’re going be late signing the lease,” I told him.
Ryder convinced me that leasing a condo in Edenvale until we could find the perfect home made the most sense. And I suppose he was right, especially since my little yellow house had a big fat Sold sign on it.
“We’re not going to be late, darlin’.” He called out to me. He had left me standing who knows where, but I heard the jangling of keys and what sounded like a door opening.
I stood there twisting the vintage wide-band byzantine diamond ring on my finger. Ryder had placed it there almost immediately after my parents left town. I hadn’t taken it off since.
“Okay, are you ready?” Ryder spoke in front of me.
“Ready for what?”
He swept me into his arms. “You’ll see.”
I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck. “What are you up to?”
He planted a kiss on my cheek. “Trouble, as always.”
“That’s what I thought, Mr. Prescott.”
“You are right, Mrs. Prescott.”
I loved that name more than any other, even though it had only been mine for a short time. We decided not to leave anything to chance and wed at the Ranch under the pergola that was rumored to bring good luck and a lasting marriage, in front of our friends and, of course, Bobby Jay. My parents had refused to come and his couldn’t, but they gave their blessing. My daddy did send a check, though, as a wedding present.
