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A week later,after abandoning my own bedroom altogether, I still haven’t told Dash about my sister. And I haven’t told my sister about Dash—well, not that so far, he’s still going to be living here when she arrives.
How the hell am I going to make this happen? I want two very conflicting things with two people I care about. On the one hand, I want to keep going and see where this takes me with Dash. I feel it in my bones. It just feels right. I don’t want to put any space between our intimate moments. By the soul-deep look in his eyes every time he takes me, neither does he.
But will he want to live here with us? Hell no. At the thought of even the slightest distance between us, the old Molly returns—the insecure one who worries if I don’t keep pulling at the growing connection, he’ll retreat with it. No matter how many times we’ve laughed together, eaten together, cuddled, kissed, and God knows whatever else, we still haven’t clicked our status over from friends to something new.
Even in all the euphoric times we’re sharing, I still see glimpses of a cool, protective fourteen-year-old boy. Every once in a while, he withdraws and gives ground. He never flees, but I see him working to draw a line. And it’s me who reaches across the invisible barrier and reminds him its safe on the other side. I’ve completely fallen for him and the idea of rescuing him. This is a lethal combination, but somehow, I spend every waking minute wanting to die trying. I’m like some insane crusader, fully convinced Dash is a worthy cause.
Equally, the other cause since as long as I can remember is just weeks from arriving in our territory. I can’t wait for Lily and me to start this new life here in the Canyon together, hopefully with our mom. The city is no good for her. It’s too hectic. It’s too loud. Nature heals.
Maybe Lily and I can fit two twin beds in the room? Maybe Mom and Lil can stay in there, and I live with Dash in his room? Maybe I’m totally nuts thinking like this. Yes, I truly am. There is no fucking way Dash will want in on that scenario.
A heavy sigh leaves my body. Dashiell Hunter will never agree to that plan.Idon’t like that plan. It’s ridiculous.
I need to talk to him, and I need to do it soon, before he thinks I’m deliberately keeping it from him, which I’m not. It’s just… when we’re together, everything else seems to fade into the background.
I’m finishing up my morning tasks on the ranch, which today, involves breaking up a lot of ice. It’s November, but it already feels like deep winter. Snow sticks to the mountaintops. Pine trees are dusted like they’re cake toppers with powdered sugar. It’s breathtaking here. This has to be the most beautiful place on the planet. If fate thought I deserved to land here, I must have done something right.
I’m walking back from the pastures and check my watch. Shit. Picking up the pace to a jog, I hurry to my car because Jolie invited me out with her and Logan. They’re having lunch at I de la Cremes in town and invited me.
I pop Dash a quick text.
Me
I’M HAVING LUNCH WITH JOLIE AND LOGAN. ARE YOU GOING? WE CAN DRIVE TOGETHER?
Dashiell Hunter- Starlight Ranch
I SAID NO, BUT YOU CHANGED MY MIND. SEE HOW PERSUASIVE YOU ARE?
I gush.
Dashiell Hunter- Starlight Ranch
JUST LOOKING AT SOMETHING WITH HANK. WAIT BY MY TRUCK. BE THERE IN 5.
I wait by Dash’s truck, and for a minute, it’s like I’m his gi
* * *
Logan is so different from the other Hunter brothers. Dash is mysterious, sexy, and brooding. Colt is warm, thoughtful, and decisive. And Logan, besides being just as gorgeous as his brothers, he’s his own man. He’s charismatic, friendly, but aloof all the same and has a flirty dimple that I bet gets him his way quite a lot.
In fact, with confidence like his, I’m very sure he’s often served what he wants with a side of puck bunny whipped cream. Though he gives off player vibes, it’s impossible not to like him. A lot like Jolie, he tries hard to put me at ease and acts like our short-lived celebration drinks wasn’t the first time we met.
We’re finished eating and he asks about my sandwich.
“Did you like your tuna melt,Chicago?” Logan, like all Hunters, just had to give me a nickname. “If you do, honestly, at the ranch restaurant, at bar time, the chef, Hux, does a fancy one, with celery and chilis and these little ball things…”
“Capers,” Jolie adds.
“Yeah, you know he puts his Michelin-star thing to the ordinary and makes it…” he kisses his fingers, “chef’s kiss, man.” He tips his chin up at Dash. “You should take her there.”
Dash and I glance at each other like maybe the other one has been talking to Logan about our little trysts. We gaze back at Logan whose eyes are narrowed.
“Aren’t you two dating?” His eyes question Jolie. “I thought you said they were dating?”
Jolie laughs, not nervously, but like she’s been caught gossiping, which is exactly the case. “No. I said theyshoulddate.”
But she has no interest in covering it up.
