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“Yeah.”
I pulled her between my legs and held her to me. She rested her head on my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist. I could feel her getting used to the idea, working it out in her head how she was going to do what I asked. Live her own life with me popping up periodically.
“And, after two years?” She looked up at me.
“I get to have my Little Tree all to myself.” I rubbed her back. She tilted her head up and puckered her lips. I kissed her. A small chaste one. I pulled back; it was time to diminish the intimacy level between us. Get back to more of where we were, it seemed safer somehow to think of her as my best friend’s sister, off-limits. It gave this day a surreal glimpse into the future. Something we both needed to force us to take a step forward. Start living life without him.
“You do realize it’s a bit of a gamble on your part?” She stepped back and climbed up into the truck bed. She laid down and pulled on my arm to lay down next to her. “I’m just talking odds here.”
“How do you figure?”
She laid her head on my shoulder. Her hair tickled my chin as she draped her arm across my chest. She fit next to me perfectly.
“I’ll be surrounded by men all day, every day.” She tapped her fingers against my chest. “I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve never suffered for lack of male attention.”
“Are you trying to piss me off?” I scowled. Ciara giggled.
“And, what? You’re surrounded by men all day.” She shrugged. “I’m just saying. The odds are in my favor, so don’t wait too long in claiming me, Enrique Alexandro Lopez.”
I chuckled at her fake Spanish accent. I decided to leave out the part about three women being in my unit. I was their superior officer and would never cross that line, but what she didn’t know wouldn’t make her worry.
“You’re right.” I ran my hand through her hair and massaged her scalp.
She moaned. My cock twitched, so much for lowering the sexy level. She nuzzled closer to me.
“I guess I’ll just have to save myself for you.” I gripped her hair. “All that pent-up energy will be unleashed on you when we visit.”
She squirmed.
“Fuckfest part two.” She laughed. “I better start working out. Do some yoga.”
I laughed. “Oh, poor baby.” I caressed her cheek. “Did I wear you out?”
“I may not be able to walk straight for a week.” She lifted her head. “I’ll be more prepared for next time. Wear you out.” She winked and laid her head back down.
My laugh echoed through the trees.
I could feel her smiling. I thought I’d never feel joy again, but Ciara proved that theory false. I loved her for it.
It didn’t take long for Ciara to drift to sleep. Her breath smelled like barbecue, peanut butter, and beer. I smiled and kissed the top of her head and closed my eyes. It reminded me of my sexy Little Tree. Always one hundred percent herself.
The sun would be up soon, and it would be the next day. The first day of the next part of our lives. The first day knowing the girl in my arms would be mine for the rest of our lives. I was sure of it. I thought Bishop dying would be the end of it. For all of us, but life did go on.
* * *
A car engine in the distance woke me up. The sun had risen, but clouds in the sky dampened its full power. Ciara hadn’t moved from the spot next to me. “Hey.” I shook her. “Wake up, Little Tree.” I kissed her forehead. “I think we’re about to get kicked out.”
She blinked her eyes open and rubbed them. She leaned up.
“Kicked out of where, exactly?” She looked around. A truck, from the sound of it, approached from the road we entered. Dust kicked up in its wake. It turned around the bend and I recognized it. It belonged to Roman’s father’s ranch. The land we were currently trespassing on.
I sat up and waved. I knew some of the guys at the ranch, but if they were new, they might not know me.
The guy in the driver side threw the truck in park and stepped out as it skidded to a stop. He wore a black polo with the ranch logo on his sleeve and the name Hank stitched across the left side of his chest. One hand rested on his hip, while the other hovered above his holstered gun. I held my hands up.
“Hey.” I waved.
“You are trespassing on private property.” He stepped to the back of the truck. His eyes twitched when he saw Ciara. She lay on her back. Shielding her eyes from the sun.
