Page 87 of Small Town Boy

I throw my head back, barking out a roar of laughter. My body shakes, Bronwyn bouncing in my lap from the movement.

“I’m glad you think that’s funny,” she quips.

“Honey, I promise, there will be plenty of snacks and bathroom breaks whenever you need. So, whaddya say, be my ride or die?”

“Yes, but the town hates me, and Mrs.—”

I cut her off with a kiss, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, holding her in place. She whimpers and I deepen it, my tongue finding hers, sparks flying all around us. Because that’s what kissing Bronwyn does to me—makes me feel like I’m in a field of lightning bugs, witnessing the magic of the random, rapid fire.

“But nothing. The town does not hate you,” I tell her as we come up for air. “They simply don’t know you. But we’ll fix that. As for the two old biddies with nothin’ better to do, in the words of a very wise Georgia man, ‘frankly, I don’t give a damn.’”

Bronwyn giggles, covering her mouth as she pitches forward into me. I tickle her sides, making the happy sound continue, echoing into the night sky and bouncing off the stars.

“I’ve fallen for you, Bronwyn Ainsworth. And I know it might seem fast, but I think you know me well enough by now to know that I don’t say things unless I’m sure. Damn sure. And of this, I am really, really fucking sure. I love you.”

My heart stops. Hell, the world stops. All of time is frozen, cloaked in silence as I wait for her response. It takes forever—or so it feels—but then her lips move, the biggest, brightest smile taking over. Pretty sure right now that thing outshines the moon. And it’s still nothing compared to the light in her eyes.

Taking my face in her hands, she plants one on me. Her kiss is hard and soft at the same time, slow and steady, kick-starting my heart again. It’s everything I need in this moment. Could ever need. Because that’s what she is.

Everything. She’s everything.

“I’ve had to stop myself from saying it so many times,” she whispers into the kiss. “So. Many. Times. I didn’t want to be that girl. Because it does sound a little crazy. But I’m crazy for you, Noel.”

“Be that girl, Bronwyn.”

Leaning back, fingers interlaced behind my neck, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known looks back at me. My heart is so full I think it could explode.

“I love you too, Noel Keller. Six months ago I would have said that such a thing could never happen. That love—if it was even real—didn’t work this way. Guess I just needed a small-town boy to prove me wrong.”

“Never been so happy to be right in my life.”

Bronwyn shoves me again, shifting in my lap and dragging her core against my crotch. I let out a groan, that fleeting friction feeling way better than it has any right to. But we don’t have time for that now. I’m sure that my family is wondering where we are. Which means fucking her on my tractor will just have to wait.

But not for long.

“We should get back. I know Mama wants to apologize for upsetting you.”

“I owe her one too. I don’t want her to think that I don’t want to be a Keller, or that I don’t want her recipes, but after everything…”

“She’ll understand. She’s had a lifetime of Mrs. Burch too. And, if you play your cards right, maybe you can convince her to give you that deviled eggs recipe early, so that we can have it at our Friendsgiving next week.”

I waggle my eyebrows, hoping she likes my plan. She may have never tasted these eggs, but once she does, she will understand.

“One thing first.” She holds up a finger, face resolute.

“What?”

“Since we’re currently sitting on the tractor, I feel this is an appropriate time for an explanation.”

An explanation? What on earth could need… Oh shit. It hits me square upside the head, and Bronwyn sees the exact moment it does. She starts to nod, a knowing look on her face.

Fuck me…of all the things I regret…

“Exactly what does it mean to crank one’s tractor? Hmmm?”

Her smile is devious, her pupils wide with desire, and the little wiggle she does in my lap is downright dangerous. Fuck, is she incredible. Words cannot explain what she does to me.

I thrust up, holding on to her hips so I can make sure my growing erection hits just where I want it. Her gasp, flared nostrils, and wide eyes tell me I did my job. Maybe we do have time after all.