AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Slowly, I ease myself up into a sitting position, careful not to wake Avery. She looks so peaceful, her lips parted slightly as she sleeps. For a few moments, all I can do is stare at her, wondering how the hell I ended up in bed with this gorgeous woman.
I must be the luckiest man in the world.
I press a soft kiss against her forehead before gently pushing myself out of bed, padding out of the bedroom and into the kitchen as quietly as possible, looking for something to make for breakfast. After all that exercise last night, I have a feeling Avery’s going to have an appetite. But the cupboards are disappointingly bare.
I pull on some jeans and a shirt, scribbling a quick note to Avery telling her I’m heading to the bakery so I can bring her back some pastries. I creep into the bedroom and leave it on the nightstand, glancing one last time at the beautiful angel curled up in my sheets.
Fuck, she’s so perfect.
I have to force myself to turn away and head for the living room, grabbing the keys to my pickup before pushing open the front door and stepping out into the morning sunlight. I squint against the brightness and catch sight of my brother, Jackson, galloping on horseback in the distance. I texted him last night asking him to take over my ranch duties this morning, and I’m grateful that he agreed. It means I get to spend more time with Avery today.
I whistle loudly, catching Jackson’s attention. He turns his horse and rides toward me with a big, shit-eating grin on his face.
“Good morning, Romeo,” he says once he reaches me.
I roll my eyes at him. “I’ll let that one slide since you’re doing me a favor this morning.”
“You’re damn right I am.” Jackson dismounts, landing with a muffled thud on the grass. “And since I’m doing you such a huge favor, I want a few questions answered.”
I raise a sardonic eyebrow. “What questions?”
“What’s happening with you and Avery?” he asks, cocking his head.
“Mind your own damn business.”
He ignores me. “Is she really your girlfriend?”
“Refer to my previous answer. I didn't answer you yesterday, so why do you think I'm gonna answer you today?”
It’s Jackson’s turn to roll his eyes. “There’s obviously something going on between you two. Why else would you need me to take on your ranch duties this morning?”
“Well if you know so much then why are you bothering to ask?”
Jackson shakes his head like he’s disappointed in me. My brothers and I are always teasing each other and messing around. We’ve always been that way, but when shit gets real, we Ryders are loyal as hell, and we look out for one another. That doesn’t mean I have to tell Jackson shit about my love life, though.
“What is happening to the men on this ranch?” Jackson asks with a sigh. “Is there something in the water?”
“What are you talking about?”
He looks at me like I’m dumb. “I’m talking about the fact that a few years ago, none of us gave a shit about relationships or things like that. Now, there are wives and babies all over the ranch.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I say, scowling at him.
“Not at all.” Jackson grins. “I love all our little nieces and nephews, and our sisters-in-law are pretty awesome too. I’m just wondering if I’m now officially the only happily single man in this whole damn family.”
“Well, if you are, I can’t understand why. You’re just so damn charming.”
He snorts. “Fuck you. Anyway, where are you off to so early? I thought the whole point of me doing your work was so that you could stay in all day?”
“I’m heading to Sweet Tooth Bakery.”
“Oh.” He looks at me thoughtfully. “In that case, you can bring me back a slice of red velvet cake to thank me for being such a good brother.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
Jackson laughs. “I am a good brother though. I’m doing all your tasks, and don’t forget I stopped you beating that Edmund guy to a pulp yesterday.”
The mention of that asshole’s name makes my jaw clench. “Yeah, well, I’m not so sure that was a good thing.”
