“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” I said quickly, needing him to understand. “I still don’t want to stay in this town and I still want to sell the ranch. None of that has changed.”
“So what’s stopping you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Shitty buyers,” I said first. Then I stared at him for a long moment. “And somethin’ else I don’t want to say.”
His hand found mine between us, our fingers intertwining. “Say it anyway.”
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “You. You’re stoppin’ me.”
The smile that broke across his face was like watching the sun rise. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine. It was almosttoointimate.
“I’m still goin’ to leave,” I added after only a second or two, unable to stand the sudden closeness of it all. “I have to. I can’t stand it here.”
To my surprise, Mike nodded. “I know. I’d never ask you to stay somewhere you hate. This place wasn’t kind to you. Out of everyone, I feel like I understand that the most. Sometimes places just need to be left behind.”
I nodded, hating where the conversation was going. But it had to be said. “That’s why this…thingbetween us can’t be more than just sex, okay?” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. “Once the ranch sells, I’m gone.”
“And I’m contracted to be the pastor here for at least five years,” Mike replied, offering up that piece of the equation that I didn’t know about.
Even if I wanted him to, he couldn’t follow me.
“Then we understand one another,” I sighed, pulling away from him. “It’s just sex. Nothin’ more.”
Even as I said those words, I felt a tightness in my chest that I couldn’t explain. Mike’s face remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. Disappointment, maybe? Or resignation? I wasn’t sure.
“Just sex,” he repeated softly. “Nothing more.”
The silence that followed felt heavier than it should have. The morning light was growing stronger now, highlighting the curves of his body, the mess we’d made of his sheets. I should’ve felt satisfied with setting those boundaries, making things clear between us. Instead, I felt hollow.
“I should get up,” I said, throwing back the covers. “Got calls to make about the ranch.”
Mike nodded, stretching his arms above his head in a way that made his muscles ripple. Damn him. “I’ve got to prepare for Sunday service, anyway. The refugees from the tornado are finally getting other lodging from the insurance companies. This’ll be my first sermon since arriving here and I want it to be a good one.”
I stood, suddenly aware of my nakedness in the bright morning light. Usually, I didn’t give a shit who saw me naked, but something about Mike’s gaze made me feel exposed in ways that had nothing to do with my lack of clothes.
“You want coffee?” he asked, sitting up and reaching for his discarded sweatpants.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied, grabbing my jeans from the floor. “I’ll, uh, be out in a minute.”
He nodded and padded out of the room, giving me a moment alone with my thoughts. I ran my hands through my hair, exhaling slowly. What the hell was happening to me? I’d come here with a simple plan. I was going to sell the ranch, get the money, and never look back at Sagebrush again. Now I was tangled up with a pastor who made me…feel things. When the fuck had that happened?
When I finally made my way to the kitchen, Mike was standing at the counter, shirtless, pouring coffee into two mugs. The sight of him, relaxed, at ease in his own space, made my stomach flutter.
“Here,” he said, sliding a mug toward me. “Black, right?”
I nodded, surprised he’d noticed. “Thanks.”
Our fingers brushed as I took the mug, and that simple touch sent electricity up my arm. I pulled back quickly, taking a long sip of coffee to hide my reaction.
“I’m thinking of making breakfast,” Mike said, leaning against the counter. “Eggs and toast? Nothing fancy, but?—”
“You don’t have to feed me,” I cut in, harsher than I intended. “I can take care of myself.”
He didn’t return my harsh tone, only raised an eyebrow. “It’s not a marriage proposal, Cash. It’s breakfast.”
I felt my face heat up. “Sorry. I just... I’m not used to this.”
“To what? Breakfast?”
