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The words flow out of me before I can catch them. I’ve never been like this with anyone, not even my ex. Something about this woman makes my heart beat so hard I think it’s going to fly out of my chest. And when she grabs my face and her eyes are watery, I know she feels the same. There’s something happening here, something big and scary and too much.
“I like you, too, Rhett Black,” she says, pulling me impossibly closer. “Especially when you’re not being an ass.”
I laugh and kiss her hard, sweeping my tongue across hers to keep me from blurting out all of the things racing through my heart and mind.
Fuck me. I’m gonna fall in love with this woman.
Grabbing her ass, I hold her flush to my body as I pick up speed. I can feel her getting close, and I’m struggling to hold out. It just seems to be like this with her, where she gets me so worked up I lose all sense of self-control.
“Yes.” She whimpers, and her teeth bite down on my shoulder. “Yes, Rhett. Fuck.”
Hearing my name on her lips is enough to push me over the edge, and thank god she’s there, too. I don’t think I could’ve held out. I spill inside of her, an image of her pregnant flashing through my mind briefly before I stuff that down…way, way the fuck down.
Jesus Christ, what is wrong with me?
We lie here, breathing heavily and holding each other until I can feel myself leaking out of her. So I clean her up and then help her get dressed before slipping on my own clothes. The thing about having kids is knowing you should be dressed at all times. You never know when you’re gonna have someone with a nightmare or, heaven forbid, the damn house catches fire.
That’s a recurring nightmare I have.
“I’m sorry about the sappy story earlier,” she says, breaking the silence. “I can get a little emotional when I have to talk about my mom.”
She rolls over and lays her head on my chest, and I wrap my arm around her to give her any kind of comfort I can.
“It’s okay. I screamed at you over my sister’s apron. So…” I huff or grunt or somethin’, I don’t know. I’m not great at admitting when I’m wrong.
She laughs softly. “It’s okay, Rhett. I can’t imagine what was going through your head when you saw me standing there. I felt awful.”
“I’ve done all of this for Addie. Every rescue animal I bring onto this damn ranch is for her. She always wanted it, and this is the only way I can keep her close.” I sigh and kiss the top of her head. “I’m so sorry for yellin’ at you.”
“It was Addie’s dream to run a rescue?” She moves her head so that she can look at my face.
I nod. “Always loved animals. She was bringing something home every damn day. Pretty sure she adopted everything from a duck to a dog.”
“That’s so cute. She had a big heart.”
“She did.” I clear my throat of the tears threatenin’ to fall again. I haven’t let myself feel this much about Addie since she passed. I’ve had too much goin’ on between the shit with my ex and Dean being in and out of rehab. Not to mention running the whole damn ranch. My shoulders are fucking heavy with it all.
I’m ready to change the damn subject.
“You got any siblings?”
“Nope.” She pops thep. “I think that’s another reason I’ve always wanted kids. It was lonely growing up without anyone to play with. I mean, sure, I had friends. But Mom was always gone working, and I had the house to myself every day after my dad left. So it was quiet.”
“Never quiet here,” I grunt.
“No, it’s not.” I can feel her smile against her chest. “You’re a great dad, Rhett. Those kids love you to the moon and back.”
“They’re pretty fond of you as well, you know.”
“Yeah?” She looks up at me again, hope shining in her hazel eyes. “I like them, too. Good kids. Funny as hell.”
“Wells tell you about the adoption event in a few weeks?”
“Yes, I’m so excited! It’s on my birthday weekend.”
“You tell him that? Because he’s gonna tell the whole damn ranch.”
She laughs. “Yeah, he said something about getting drunk and making a bonfire? Is that what you country folks do for fun around here?”
