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I chuckle, heat flooding my cheeks. “It’s been forever since we’ve hung out.”
“Yeah, I’m glad you texted because I was missin’ ya.”
I grin up at him, seeing him in a different light. “I missed you too.”
“Ready to grab some food? Whatever Maize made smells delicious.”
“Yeah! I’m starving.”
Kane takes my hand and leads me to the buffet. If my nerves weren’t getting the best of me, I’d scoop a little bit of everything onto my plate, but since I’m queasy, I opt for some chicken potpie and save room for the peach cobbler they just brought out.
As per usual, Kane’s plate is stacked high. The ranch hands only eat a couple of times a day, so I’m not surprised by how hungry he is. They bust their asses doing manual labor nonstop for hours.
John notices us and waves. Gavin walks in moments later, says hello, then enters the kitchen to find Maize. I hear Alex and Diesel chatting before they help themselves to the buffet, giving us side-eye glances. The awkward tension from each family member who comes and goes is undeniable.
“I’m surprised they haven’t banned me from the ranch yet,” I mutter, lowering my eyes in shame.
“What? Why?”
“I heard what happened on Thanksgiving. Maybe coming here wasn’t a good idea.”
“Nah, you’re fine. It’s not your fault. Knox and I lost our cool.”
“Yeah, because of me.”
“It’s not your fault, Hads. Seriously. No one blames you.”
“Easy for you to say. Everyone’s glaring at me like I’m a home-wrecker.”
Kane grins, then reaches across the table and covers my hand with his. “I’m happy you’re with me, and that’s all that matters, okay?”
“Okay.” I smile in return.
After Grayson and Kenzie grab a plate and sit, their eyes narrow in on our table, but neither says a word. It’s only a matter of minutes until Knox finds out I’m here. We haven’t texted since the other night, and I don’t know what to say to him at this point. At twenty-six, you’d think I’d have more experience with relationships, but I don’t. I didn’t lose my virginity until my freshman year of college and only dated a handful of men since. Nursing school kept me busy, then work kept me even busier. When I actually had free time, it was always spent on the ranch.
“I think I’m ready for round two,” Kane says, patting his rock-hard stomach.
My eyes widen in shock. “Where the hell you put all that food is beyond me. But I think I’ll join you for dessert. That cobbler smells too good.”
“Wait here. I’ll get it for you.” He quickly stands, then flashes me a wink. Good God, why does that do things to me? Maybe it’s because I know the way it feels to have his mouth and hands all over me.
“Here, babe. I even added a scoop of vanilla ice cream.” He sets a plate in front of me, and my mouth waters.
“This is way too much.” I pick up my fork and dig in. “But oh my God, it’s so good,” I moan around a mouthful.
“You can’t say no to Maize’s cookin’.”
“Spending years eatin’ all this delicious food hasn’t been great for my hips.” My eyes land on his. “Meanwhile, you eat twice as much as me and look like…that.”
“Physical labor, baby. Gotta eat to sustain the energy to hustle for twelve hours a day.”
“I still can’t wrap my head around how everyone works such long hours, rain or shine.”
He shrugs casually, taking a large bite of his cobbler. “Bishop genes, I guess. Dad and Mom had us shoveling shit before preschool.”
I burst out laughing. “I doubt that, but I can’t deny y’alls’ work ethic is impressive,” I admit, taking a bite of ice cream.
“You work hard and long too, Hads. Don’t discredit what you do. Being a nurse is admirable, and there’s no way I could do it. I’d probably faint trying to poke a needle in someone’s veins.”
My cheeks heat at the tender way he looks at me. Kane’s always been so damn sweet and knows exactly what to say and when.
Once we’re finished eating, he puts up our dirty plates and tells his uncle John goodbye. Then he grabs my hand and walks me to my Jeep. “Follow me to my place? We can talk and watch a movie.”
“Yeah, that sounds perfect,” I say.
Then he brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
Ten minutes later, I’m standing in Kane’s living room, like I have countless times before, but now it feels different.
“Hads, you look nervous.”
I blink up at Kane, heat covering my cheeks.
“This is new territory for us,” I explain, my heart pounding hard. “My mind is reeling.”
“Maybe I can help ya out.” The corner of his lips tilts up as he wraps a hand around my neck and threads his fingers through my hair. My head falls back as his mouth captures mine, and I sink into his warmth.
