Page 41 of His Texas Claim

“Was just thinking about my ex.”

His jaw tightened. “What about him?”

“He just…used to say I was messy.” I gestured at the printer, the vials, a houseplant I’d impulse bought at the farmer’s market last weekend set beside a pink watering can. “This would’ve driven him insane.”

“Good thing he’s not here.”

“Why’s that?”

Stetson’s lips quirked. “I’d have to clock him in the jaw.”

I let out a surprised laugh. “You would…obliterate him.”

“Love’ll do that.”

“No, I meant because you’re so much bigger than⁠—”

I paused, tripping over what he’d just said.

“Stetson—you⁠—”

He was staring right at me, didn’t so much as blink…just shook his head, his face soft as he smiled. “Said it. Ain’t takin’ it back.”

I laughed in surprise. “You love me.”

“Don’t say it like it’s so outlandish.”

“Well, it is.”

He reached for me with one hand, and I took it—only for Stetson to pull me into his lap, straddling him. He set his hands on my hips and hummed low in his throat. “I don’t just let people in, Bryn,” he said. “Not into my home. Not with all their things. Not into my bed…not my heart. So yeah. I love you.”

I framed his face in both hands, mud-dust and evening stubble under my palms.

“Say it one more time,” I said.

“I love you.” His brow furrowed slightly. “Now don’t make me say it a fourth or I’ll start chargin’ you.”

“Worth every penny.”

“Cheap talk from a woman who hasn’t paid me a cent since she moved her printer in.”

I laughed and he pulled me down to kiss him slow.

“I love you too,” I finally said when we came up for air. “Have for a while. Wasn’t sure how you’d take hearing it.”

“Take it fine.”

“Clearly.”

Buck sighed heavily at the foot of the chair, clearly displeased at being ignored, and flopped himself directly onto the stack of reports I'd spent the whole afternoon organizing.

I didn’t really care.

This was my life…and I was in love.

FIFTEEN

Stetson