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“Okay.”
It’s only one word, but it feels like I just scaled a mountain. One tiny word, and my future is suddenly within reach.
My real future. One I make for myself, instead of one forced on me by familial obligation. A chance to be not only be head of Canyon Spring, but to have someone at my side who I want there. A chance to be happy.
“Okay?” I test it out. How far can this one word go?
“I guess it’s only fair to give you a chance. For the baby’s sake.” Her plump bottom lip disappears between her teeth, and my cock stands at attention.
She pins me with her arresting dark eyes. “But I don’t do second chances. And it’s just for the baby. You and me… We’re never going to be together.”
I can’t help my cocky grin.
And from her reaction, I’d say that’s probably a good thing.
She leans closer still, her expression severe and her breath coming in short, shallow bursts. “I’m serious.”
“I know you are, and it looks fucking good on you. Makes me want to kiss that smart, pretty mouth of yours.”
“Ridge,” she groans.
That’s it. That one sinful sound is all it takes for my composure to snap. What little of it I had left.
I push up into her space and capture her mouth with mine.
In an instant, she’s opening for me—not just her luscious lips, but her thighs part as well, allowing me to wedge myself between them.
She’s hot, persistent, and possibly the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
My fingers tangle in her long, dark hair, and stroke over the graceful column of her neck. She returns the sentiment, raking her nails over my scalp and shoulders.
“Fuck, Lace,” I growl into her mouth. “I want you.”
She freezes, her body rigid, and despite wanting nothing more than to finish what we’ve started, I pause.
She tears her mouth from mine, covering it momentarily with her delicate hand, like she can still feel me there.
“I’m sorry.” She backs farther away. “This was a mistake.”
Not trusting myself—or more like, my body—I stand and stalk the length of the room, taking in some much-needed air, away from her intoxicating scent.
When I turn back toward her, she’s standing too. “I should go.”
“Please, don’t.” It sounds like I’m begging, something I’ve never fucking done nor ever expected to do. “Let’s talk…nothing more. Let’s figure this out.”
“Figure what out, exactly? You said you’ll deal with your mother, and I said I’d give you a chance to be in your child’s life. There’s nothing more to discuss.”
“Really? Don’t you think—”
I’m interrupted by a short tap on the door, right before it swings open.
Chastity. Fuck, I almost forgot about her. We haven’t spoken since our lunch with Mama—since the day I decided to upend my entire life—and it was easy to put her out of my mind when she never took up much space there to begin with, but I’m the one who left the message, inviting her here today.
“Oh, pardon me,” she says, her hand flying to her chest and eyes going wide in fake surprise. “I didn’t realize you had any business meetings today. It wasn’t on your schedule.”
“It’s fine.” Lacy turns to face the intruder, head held high and spine ramrod straight. “I was just leaving.”
“Lacy, wait. We’re not done here.”
