Page 64 of Will to Run

“This is really special, Della.”

I’m not sure if he’s talking about the picnic, or us, or our chemistry, or the way I fit in his arms, but I’d still have the same reaction… a giant freaking grin.

We spend the next hour talking and laughing, but it’s so much more than a surface-level conversation. He’s talking about what he’s excited about at the ranch, and what is stressing him out. He mentions that Cayson is going through something, and he doesn’t know how he can help. I confess that I have no idea what I’m going to do when my contract is up, and where I’m going to go.

The golden sunshine is tipping into a sunset chill, and he rubs my arms when he feels me shiver.

“So why this spot?” I ask, curious if there’s a reason for it.

“It’s just my favorite spot on our property. My siblings, Kellen, Molly, and I had so much fun here. It was far enough to feel like we were actually away from our parents, and we got into a lot of shit. Case, Kellen, and I had our first drink here when we stole Goldschlager from his house and rode out to this spot. We got so drunk that we had to call Everest to rescue us and he had to bring Hazel so everything could be driven back,” he laughs at the memory. “All of us puked that night. Haven’t touched it since, and I still struggle with cinnamon. But besides those kinds of memories, I love the stream that runs through it, and the wildflowers that pop up here. In two and a half weeks, this will be an explosion of color. These are pretty, but when all of the flowers emerge, oh man, Del, you’re going to want to paint it. Do you know what the state flower of Wyoming is?” he asks.

“Can’t say my Wyoming state trivia is up to par,” I laugh.

“It’s called the Indian Paintbrush. It’s a stunning red flower that looks like a brush dipped in paint.”

“No way! You’re making that up,” I laugh.

“Hand to God. You were meant to land here, Della.”

I turn my head to look at him because the ease with which he said something so heavy is powerful, but before I respond, his hand strokes my cheek, and we get lost in another earth-bending kiss.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe I was meant to land here after all.

30

JAXON

We pack up our things and start heading back to the main part of the ranch, but I’m distracted by a singular thought. This evening took me past the point of pretending this is just a fuck buddy, even though that title is less than forty-eight hours old. I have feelings for this woman. But before we get into that, or the conversation of where she’s sleeping tonight, because the answer is with me, both of our phones ring.

Hazel

If you’re not doing anything, come by… we’re having a fire. Everest, Molly, and a couple of other people are here.

Everest

I know you’re not doing anything productive. Get your asses here.

She looks at me with her mouth parted. “Why am I on here?” she asks.

“My family’s a huge fan of the group text. But that’s a big deal, Tatroe; you should feel honored. Most people never make it on.” I don’t know why I say that. My family is a case study in accepting people with open arms. We put everyone’s significant other in our chats as quickly as we take them out when the relationship is over. But I want her to feel like she’s special, so I lie about it.

“But I’m temporary,” she says.

“Twist the knife,” I grab my chest. “I’m hoping not quite as temporary as you initially thought. I don’t know what I’m going to do without those lips.” I murmur, sweeping mine across hers. This is getting weird because I can’t, for the life of me, seem to stay away from her.

She laughs, but scoots closer to me on the bench seat in the truck, and I put my arm around her like we’re driving around in a different decade. All we need is a milkshake and two straws, I laugh to myself as we make our way back towards the cabins and houses.

“Want to stop by?” I ask. My guess is that some of our favorite people have gathered for a drink or five.

“For sure. But I want to change first. I was getting chilly out there.”

So at the fork in the road, I take the path that leads to the cabin she’s in. I don’t even get out of the truck when she does, because if I end up in her room with a soft bed when she’s shedding clothes, we’re not making it to my sister’s. I can’t stop thinking about how tightly she squeezed my fingers during her orgasm and how that’s going to feel when I’m fucking her. Shaking my head, I have to stop those thoughts, or me, Della, and Sir Magnum Biggs are showing up at my sister’s house.

She changes quickly and is out of the cabin within minutes. When she turns to lock the door, I enjoy the way those emerald green pants sculpt her ass before she turns back toward the truck and smiles so brightly I swear it lights up the dusk sky.

“Should I bring anything?” she asks through the window before hopping in.

“Nah, Hazie is always well-stocked.”