“And do they always work?”
“Not always. Sometimes the anxiety’s too much, and I can’t do anything else but move. Go on a walk or run…an attempted run.”
Octavia laughed. “Gotta practice in those heels, I’m guessing.”
“You and these heels.”
“Oh, no, it’s definitelyyouand the heels.” Octavia lifted the stack of clothes she’d brought. “That's why I’m here. A gift for my new ranch hand.”
“Oh?” I accepted the stack of softened knitwear, a pair of denim jeans, and a pair of fresh work boots.
“It’s not fancy or designer,” she said. “But it’ll keep you warm and safe out there mending fences and whatnot. Wouldn’t want you to ruin your workwear before your next TED Talk.”
“You’re always trying to dress me in something else,” I teased. “In your clothes.”
She shrugged. “They look good on you.”
“Do they?” My voice went lower. I shouldn’t poke at this. At her. Not when we hadn’t had time to catch up. But time was always racing. And there would never be a moment in which something wasn’t happening in our lives.
“They do.” Octavia picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. “I have…a thing for seeing you in them.”
“Should I put them on now, then?”
Octavia looked up, her jaw tight. My breath caught in my chest, waiting for orders on how to proceed. She steppedcloser, reaching for the sleeve of the sweater. I moved in too, hoping to have even the back of her knuckle brush against my skin. Hell, I’d take the tip of a nail. The flutter of an eyelash. I needed something to feed the ache in my chest for her. Something to anchor me.
“Why not?” Octavia whispered.
I raised a brow and set the clothes down on the table. It was a terrible decision (perhaps) to lift my shirt. But I couldn’t help it; I’d been due for one.
As soon as I tossed the shirt aside, Octavia’s lips were on mine, parted, searching, and hungry. I kissed her back, offering my tongue. Something fell from the table, causing her to pull away. But I shook my head and grabbed her waist, so she’d stay pressed against me. I backed her until she pressed against the wall in the hallway. My nipples poked against her soft tee as the pressure of her breasts urged them to harden. I didn’t know what to focus on first. How long I’d have.
“Is this—” I pulled back, needing her to look at me before letting desire become my latest guidepost. “Are you okay with this?”
Her eyes were barely open, and her mouth barely moved as she confirmed, “It’s literally all I dream of nowadays.”
TWENTY-SIX
Basedon the outside of the RV, I expected a far more cramped bedroom. But there was room to walk. Room for two people to stumble, laugh, and forget what they were doing.
“Before we…” I paused when the backs of my knees pressed against the bed. “Start.”
Rae pulled back to inspect my face. Her smile faded.
“I haven’t actually…” I took a breath and willed myself forward. “Done this with a woman.”
I searched her face. Rae’s mouth parted, but nothing came out.
“But I know I like women regardless of whether I’ve…” I added because that had caused contention in the past.
“Eaten one out?” Rae filled in. Her smile slowly came back, this time paired with a soft laugh.
“That’s one way to put it,” I murmured.
“What’s another way?”
“There has to be something less crude,” I murmured against her lips.
“Do you not like dirty talk?” she wondered.
