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I could feel the soreness of my cheeks from smiling so hard. “Tell him I love him more.”
“She said back at ya.”
“Daddy!” I said with a laugh.
“Yes, I did hear from them. It’s all been filed and taken care of. You’re welcome, son. It was my pleasure.”
I tilted my head, wondering what they were talking about. I decided to let it go while I looked back down at the marketing plan I had been working on. I had a meeting with Trevor, Mitchell, and my father to discuss my ideas about getting our ranch name out there on the horse breeding side of things. Yes, we were a cattle company, but Mitchell and Daddy had been toying around with breeding horses the last few years and had done a good job of it. It was an area I really felt like we could expand on. Uncle Trevor mainly dealt with the cattle, but ever since his daughter Aurora started to show an interest in horses, specifically raising and breeding them, Trevor started to pay more attention to that side of the business. If he thought he could rustle his little girl into the family ranch, he was going to do it.
“That could be a challenge, but I think we can handle it.”
I looked up at him again.
“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. Talk soon.”
He hung up and I asked, “What will be a challenge?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he replied, “Mitchell thinks we need another barn, one near the south pasture. Rip’s been looking over the financials.”
“Is it not in the budget?”
“No, it is. I just want the boy to figure out how to do it. If he’s going to be doing the books for this ranch, he needs to show me he’s got what it takes.”
“I have faith in him,” I said, pride clearly in my voice.
“So do I, Chloe Cat. The boy has a good head on his shoulders. I guess if you were going to end up with someone, I’m glad it’s him and not douchebag Easton.”
“Dad!” I wanted to laugh, but somehow managed to hold it in.
“I’ll let you get back to work, Chloe Cat. Just wanted to come in and say hi.”
When he stood to walk out, I stood as well. “Dad?”
He stopped and faced me. “What’s wrong?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
Smiling, I said, “For letting me find the right path.”
“Oh Chloe, it was so touch and go there for a bit. I almost had to kick the little asshole’s ass, but I knew you’d find your way.”
I tossed a pencil at him. “You never did like him.”
“I didn’t. Neither did your brother. As a matter of fact, the first time you brought him home and he got so sick, I’m almost positive Gage put something in his tea.”
My mouth dropped open. “What!”
He winked and headed out of my office. I smiled and got back to work.
Later that evening, I stood in the middle of the farmhouse bedroom, stunned by what I was looking at.
“So? What do you think?”
My mouth opened, then shut. Then opened again. I couldn’t seem to find any words.
“Do you not like it?” Rip asked, clearly concerned.
“It’s…beautiful.”
“I found it at an old antique shop in Johnson City. Jonathon brought it back to his shop, and I sanded it down and then repainted it white.”
The old iron bedframe sat in the middle of the freshly painted master bedroom we had finished painting grey yesterday. It wasn’t a dark grey, but a beautiful light grey with a touch of blue mixed in.
“It’s perfect, Rip.”
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck, causing goosebumps to erupt across my body.
“Want to break it in?” he asked, his breath hot against my skin.
When his hands slipped under my shirt, I sucked in a breath. Slowly he worked his way up, cupping each breast while he laid soft kisses on my neck.
“Chloe,” he whispered, pinching my nipples through my bra. My head dropped back against his chest, and I moaned in pleasure.
His other hand unclasped my bra before I could register what was happening. He turned me around and lifted my shirt over my head, tossing it to the floor.
My pulse raced in my ears when he took one nipple into his mouth. I needed more of him. Needed to feel his skin on mine.
I worked at getting his pants unbuttoned. When I finally gained access, I slipped my hand into his jeans. He was hard and ready, exactly how I wanted him. My body instantly heated with the need for him.
“God, your touch drives me mad with desire,” Rip breathed out.
“I feel the same.”
We quickly shed our remaining clothes and soon found ourselves in our new king-size bed. Rip rolled over so that I was straddling him. The heat of his hard dick pressed against me, teasing me as I moved to feel him.
