We made it to the end of the corridor and turned. The building was only one floor and laid out like a figure eight. We’d already done one lap and Mabel was aiming for four.
“What would you call him then?” she asked with a smile on her face.
“Frustrating,” I said automatically. I tossed up my hands. “Honest. Good looking. Bossy.”
And sweet. And cozy like a big teddy bear. The big guy was like a furnace and radiated heat.
My phone chimed from my purse, signaling a text. I pulled it out.
Shep is goingto bring you to the ranch when you’re done.
I heldmy phone out for her to read. “See? Bossy.”
She read it, then laughed. “He’s being protective.It’s been snowing all day. My car has new tires, but it’s ten miles out to the Wilder ranch. And before you came here, when was the last time you drove?”
“A car? A few years. A tractor? Last night.”Thathad been fun.
My cell chimed again.
This is Shep.Buck says you’re with Mabel. Text me when you’re done and I’ll meet you out front.
“I don’t needto be picked up like I’m in middle school,” I told her.
“Shep runs the mechanic shop. Since he’s nearby, I think it’s nice that he’s going to drive you out to the ranch. That’s what family does.”
“In New York, I–”
“You’re not in New York and Buck Wilder is taking care of you. Making sure you’re safe, unlike your parents who only care about you when it suits their purpose.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but snapped it shut, because she was right. Jackson was that way, too, getting what he wanted from me–connections to my father’s legal networking and the family money.
“Want to tell me when your relationship started?”
“Relationship? With Buck?” I repeated. “I don’t know what it is between us.”
It was as if Buck had decided I was his and he’d incorporated me right into his life. His couch, his tractor, his bed. Making sure I got to the ranch safely. As if it was a given as beinghisinstead of temporary while Mabel’s basement was fixed.
She frowned. “He hasn’t made himself clear? That’s not like the Wilder boys.”
I huffed. “Oh, he has.Veryclear.” My pussy ached with emptiness because of it.
“And?”
We turned another corner. Mabel waved to someone in pink scrubs as we passed.
“Aunt Mabel, I met himtwo days ago.”
She stopped and looked at me. “So?”
“So? He wants… he wants…”
I couldn’t say that he wanted to put a baby in me. That he wasn’t going to fuck me until I said yes to everything with him.
“He wants you, honey,” she said with a smile.
I knew very well how much he wanted me. He couldn’t keep his hands off me.
“Jackson wants me, too.”
