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She swallowed, not sure what she was feeling or thinking. “Maybe we don’t need the second bedroom tonight,” she said, her voice a little froggy.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” he said. “Even if I want it.”
“You didn’t ask.”
He shook his head. “Sweetheart, when we do that, I want it to be because I’m in love with you, and you’re in love with me. Not because we had a beautiful wedding and we’re finally alone.” He laced his fingers through hers and led her back to the truck. “I’m fine. I just need to not kiss you like that again.”
“I liked it, Trey,” she said as she climbed into the truck.
“Men and women are different,” he said simply. “I can’t kiss you like that and not want more. And I don’t want to make love to you until I’min lovewith you.” He leaned into the truck, his face getting close to hers. “Okay? I’m not mad at you; I’m frustrated with myself that I first, kissed you like that, and second, that I didn’t anticipate this. It’s harder than I thought it would be, that’s all. Doesn’t mean I can’t do it.”
Beth’s emotions quivered, but she managed to nod. “You’re an amazing man, Trey.”
“I’m still just a man.” He closed her door, and this time, he came around and got behind the wheel. He took a deep breath. “All right. Let’s have a good time for a couple of days, okay? I’ve been working like a dog, and I can’t wait to sleep as late as I want.”
Beth smiled into the darkness as he eased out of her driveway and onto the highway. “It’s funny, but I was looking forward to sleeping as late as I want too.”
They laughed together, and Beth reached over and took Trey’s hand in hers, her gratitude for him off the charts. She didn’t know how to adequately express it, but she hoped she’d find a way in the next few days as they spent time together away from the busyness of the farms and ranches they worked, away from the stress of parenting, and away from any other distractions.
Chapter Nine
Cayden Chappell walked down the lane with Spur and Olli, the two of them hand-in-hand as they all chatted about the wedding. Cayden hadn’t said a whole lot, though he’d certainly seen the way Trey and Beth had exchanged something personal and intimate at the altar when he’d shown her something on his phone.
Trey said the wedding was fake, but Cayden—and anyone with eyes that could see—could tell the feelings between Trey and Beth weren’t.
Blaine had said that Tam had asked him to be her fake boyfriend, and they’d ended up engaged. All around him, not-real seemed to become real, and he hadn’t given Trey’s wedding much more thought since the night he’d asked all the brothers to come so he could talk to them.
Olli’s phone rang, and she answered in a chirpy voice with, “Ginny, hey.”
Cayden couldn’t help the way he looked over to Olli. He’d sat right behind Virginia Winters during the wedding, and afterward, he’d sat at the same table with her, Spur, Olli, Conrad, and Lawrence.
He’d tried not to focus only on her, but she’d been right next to him for the second wedding in a row, and he’d already asked her out. She knew he was interested in her, and she sure seemed interested in him too.
They’d talked about her distillery, her family, and the ongoing festival that took all of her time and attention. She’d said that once the holidays were over, she’d have more time, and Cayden had taken Tam’s advice and faded into the background. He did want all of Ginny’s attention, and he didn’t want to cause more stress for her.
He texted every once a while, and she did the same when they saw something online they thought the other one would like. The latest conversation he’d had with her was about a meme he’d seen for her favorite comedy television show.
She’d sent him a few laughing emojis and then claimed to be watching that show at that very moment. They’d had a couple of back-and-forth texts about eating in bed—okay or not okay?—and the appropriateness of wearing pants inside your own home.
He smiled just thinking about those texts. Ginny had been stunning tonight—absolutely stunning—in a sparkly, rose-gold-colored gown with shiny, sparkly heels that made her look like a princess straight out of a children’s movie.
They’d danced together just once before her mother had called and Ginny had retreated to the back deck to take the call. Cayden had sipped champagne and lingered at the table, watching her, until Spur and Olli were ready to go.
Holding Ginny in his arms, even with a foot of space between them, had reminded Cayden of all the things he’d liked about her months ago. He’d sort of thought his crush on the woman would fade while he waited, but it hadn’t. Perhaps it lay dormant when he wasn’t talking to her and with every day that passed where he didn’t see her.
Then, when she walked back into his life, everything roared back through his bloodstream, making him vibrate in a whole new way.
“I’m sure we can,” Olli said. “I’ll send Spur over to see what’s going on.” She pulled the phone from her mouth and said, “Her car broke down, baby. Can you go look at it?”
“I’ll go,” Cayden said, his voice far too loud in the still, dark night. Spur looked at him, but there wasn’t enough light to read his brother’s expression. “I mean, you guys have that phone call with Frank really early in the morning.”
“You’re better with cars than I am,” Spur said, his voice even and quiet. “Tell ‘er Cayden will come.”
“Great,” Olli said, relaying the information to Ginny. “He’s on his way.” She ended the call and said, “She’s only about a mile down the road, Cayden. You can’t miss her.”
“Okay,” he said, reaching into his pocket for his keys. “I’m sure she’ll update you.”
“Oh, I’m sure she will,” Olli said with plenty of knowing in her voice, and Cayden had forgotten that he’d told Spur about his crush on Ginny the moment it had sparked to life.
