Page 40 of Live Love Lasso

She shrugs. “You don’t need to watch a potion simmer overnight. Bank it a little more, and I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll have one of the apprentices wrap it up. Given how you did with this, we’ll do something a little more challenging in the morning.”

Unsure if this is some sort of test or not, I dip my head respectfully. “If you’re sure. I’d be happy to finish it myself.”

She chuckles. “I’m positive. Go.”

I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth, so I grab my bag and head for the door.

Furyon turns sideways and flashes a charming smile at my boss. “See ya later, Letitia. Thanks for that. I’ll let Echo know to distribute it around.”

“Goodbye, Ranger Zayle,” she says sweetly.

Like always, her gaze is practically tangible on my back as we leave her behind, and I don’t breathe easily until we’re out of view.

Furyon

I follow Lemon silently down dark halls and through the main potion-making room. She doesn’t turn to me until we exit Glimmer out into the sunshine. Then she halts and turns her face toward the sun, sighing as the rays dance over her delicate features.

“Gods, I feel like I held my breath all morning.” She laughs and peeks over at me. “What a surprise to see you there. I’m sorry I didn’t answer earlier. She literally had me in her office like a naughty schoolgirl.”

I laugh. “Sounds hot.”

She slaps my chest. “Not like that.”

I glance down, smirking when I notice the turquoise boots on her feet. “New?”

She does a little spin, angling her foot this way and that to show off the boots. “I got them on the way in. I was tired of getting dirt between the toes of my sandals. Turns out sandals aren’t exactly practical, but I do believe you mentioned the practicality of my footwear the day we met.”

I wink and slide an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. No sooner have I done it than Merit and Bryony come around the corner with their arms linked together. Merit titters when she sees us.

Lemon clucks her tongue and rolls her eyes, shooting me an exasperated look even though she’s barely holding back a smile. “Hey, ladies,” she says when the elderly twins walk past, staring hard.

“Hello there, dearie,” Bryony says, bright eyes flashing at Lemon and then me. “Furyon. How goes it?”

“Just fine, Bryony.” I tip my cowboy hat to her. “See you two around.”

“Don’t make me your next headline!” Lemon calls out as the twins head up the street toward the residential section. When they disappear, she buries her face in my chest. “Gods, I can almost see The Gulch Gossip next Sunday. We’re going to be the main story yet again.”

I tuck her gorgeous hair behind her ear. Seeing her today, last night hits me all over again. She’s mine, my mate. The woman the fates built to fit me in every way, and I her.

“How are you feeling?” She rests a hand on my chest, just inside my shirt.

I press one of mine over hers, loving the feel of her warm fingers over my tattoos. “Dandy, city girl. Ribs are still a tad tender, but I guess gettin’ trampled’ll do that to ya.”

Her eyes narrow on my neck. “And the part where you got stomped?”

I chuckle. “That part feels fuckin’ great, if I’m honest.”

She lifts her chin. “Well, that’s good to hear.”

I take a step back, taking both of her hands in mine. “Listen, Lemon, I was serious last night when I said I wanted to pursue you, but that we can take this slowly. Let’s just…see how it goes, alright? Not to mention I owe you an apology for forcing you to figure out feeding the animals on your own…”

Her smile nearly blinds me as she nods. “It’s alright, Furyon. You did mention something about lunch. That works for me.”

I spin her so we can walk hand in hand around the corner toward the main drag. Before we get very far, the Keeper’s mansion lets out a loud series of squeaks.

Lemon glances toward the house with a big smile. “I see you, pretty girl. You finally gonna think about letting someone in? I haven’t wanted to bug you, but I’m kiiiiinda getting the sense you’re telling me we should take the next step.”

I look in wonder between her and the house. Lemon’s silent for a moment, and so’s the structure.