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We stay like this until it becomes evident we can’t. We finally move—me to the bathroom, and Eli to the kitchen.
After a quick rinse off, I’m at the vanity in my bathroom throwing on concealer to disguise the weariness displayed below my eyes. Eli sets a coffee mug on the bathroom counter and catches my reflection in the mirror. “Love you, darlin’. Kick ass this morning. I’ll see you at the hospital when you get there. And, Bright? We need to tell Brax. June was one thing, but we’re well past that.” He motions between us. “This isn’t something dirty. I’m not ashamed, and it’s time he knows.”
I hold his eyes, set down my mascara tube, and take a long sip of coffee. I nod once. “It’s been nice having it be ours. I’ll miss that.”
He kisses my shoulder before meeting my eyes in the mirror again. “Me too. Be safe today.”
“I’m not worried. And I’ll only be a couple of hours behind you.”
He levels me with his gaze and a raised eyebrow, practically daring me.
“Fine. I’ll be there as fast as I can. The horses haven’t had normal in seventy-two hours. I need to see they’re okay. I’ll hand it over to Cyler and the hands as soon as I’m comfortable. Who’s with Pop tonight?”
“Not us. We’re coming home, no matter how late. You’re grouchy when you don’t have your boots on and horses in sight.”
I slip my arms around his neck, and lift on my toes. I kiss him. It’s not light or gentle. It’s intentional. “Thank you for loving me well.”
He squeezes my ass and takes control of the kiss. “Don’t tempt me, darlin’. I have shit to do and need to get to it, but later—” He pulls me tight to his body. “Later, I’ll make good on these promises.”
He rubs a thumb over my cheek before giving me a kiss on the forehead and turning for the door.
My heart fills and my ovaries want to burst as he leans over and gives Luna a scratch between the ears. “One day we’ll be nine-to-fivers, but probably not in your lifetime. Thanks for going with the flow.” The steady thump of her tail on the hardwood floors greets my ears as I turn back to the mirror and fight to look presentable.
* * *
Elias
“Knock, knock.”I push open the door to Kimp’s hospital room after rapping on the wood surface and waiting for a response.
Willa is at Kimp’s bedside, feet propped up, chatting away. Her dark hair is swept up into some messy ponytail. Her extravagant tattoos are mostly concealed. Only one on her right hand shows as she’s talking animatedly with Kimp. It readsslays her own dragons, and I know that’s true. Though, with Exton by her side now, she doesn’t have to anymore.
Their gazes turn to mine. Pop offers a muted good morning and extends a hand to a chair near Willa. The woman in question offers me a dazzling smile and pops up to offer me a quick hug. “We were just talking about Colt.”
When we take our seats, Kimp asks me about Bright.
I hedge. He’s in the loop, but Willa isn’t. I owe it to Brax to tell him before his brother’s fiancée knows. “She’s good. She needed to check on the ranch and the horses. Y’all have a hell of an operation, and Cyler and the team have done well, but Bright needs to get her hands dirty and is only confident doing so knowing you’re out of the woods and have great company.” I nod to Willa who offers a grin. When I look back to Kimp, I add. “She’ll be here this afternoon.”
No sooner do the words leave my mouth than there’s a tentative knock on the door, and Emberleigh’s voice filters to us. “Good morning. Is it okay to come in?”
Kimp pushes his voice to its limit. I know because I can see the grimace with his large inhale and the resulting response. “Of course, darling girl. Come on in.”
On her heels isn’t Braxton, but Exton, who carries three coffees on a tray filled with breakfast food.
“Morning.” He sets down the tray and offers a coffee to Willa and then Kimp, before setting a plate of eggs and bacon in front of his dad. “Don’t admit to the contraband,” he stage-whispers and passes a blueberry muffin to Willa. “We’re going to need more coffee.”
“I’ll join you.” I stand, offering my seat to Emberleigh. “How do you take your coffee?”
She tells me, and I follow Exton into the hall. There’s a quiet presence about Braxton’s younger brother. He fully commands any room, but doesn’t demand your attention. Respect is offered because respect is due, not because he requires it.
We stride down the hall.
“How was last night?” I ask
“He’s stubborn. That’s good. He’s not going to let anything keep him down, but his body isn’t twenty-five anymore, and his brain doesn’t want to admit that.” He pushes through the metal double doors.
“Do you think he’s in more pain than he’s letting on?”
“He was shot. Gut wound. That’s enough. But, if I’m reading it right, there’s more going on mentally. His privacy and security were breached, and his family was in danger. And he couldn’t save the day.”
