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I don’t know what is happening to me. I’ve spent my whole life single, and I’ve never wanted to change that for anybody. I figured I was just made to be a loner. But something about Maeve is making me question everything, and with every second I spend in her presence, the feeling is getting stronger. It’s exhilarating, but also really fucking scary.
“You’re good at this,” Maeve says with a smile as I finally secure her bandage with a pin and roll the leg of her jeans back down. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Reluctantly, I let go of her leg and push myself up off the ground, suddenly unsure of what to say. I’ve never been the most talkative guy, but Maeve’s got me totally tongue-tied.
“Is Artemis okay?” she asks, that sweet voice making my heart clench.
“She’ll be fine. She just spooks easily.”
Maeve nods. “It was really impressive…what you did before.” She clears her throat sheepishly. “The way you roped her in like that.”
“Well, I’ve been a rancher pretty much my whole life. Roping animals comes with the job.”
“It must be cool to be a rancher,” she says with a smile. “Being outside all day surrounded by animals.”
I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t know any different. It’s what everybody in my family has been doing for decades. It’s hard work, but it’s rewarding as hell.” I move to sit beside her on the couch, forcing myself to keep a respectable distance. “What about you, Maeve?”
She frowns. “What about me?”
“Owning a bookstore. That sounds pretty cool to me.”
Maeve chuckles lightly. “Well, I don’t own a bookstore yet. It will take a long time to save up for a premises.”
“But when you do own a bookstore,” I continue, “what do you want it to be like? Tell me about it.”
I’m endlessly curious about this girl. I want to hear all about her hopes and dreams, all about what she loves and what she’s passionate about. I want to know it all.
“Well,” Maeve says thoughtfully, “when I think about it, I always imagine shelves overflowing with books. All kinds of books, so there’s something for everyone. Romance, mystery, biographies, cookbooks, books in different languages, classics, non-fiction, you name it. There would be a cozy little fireplace and comfy chairs scattered around for people to read, and perhaps a corner for making coffee or cocoa. There would be a resident cat for people to stroke and hold, and paintings by local artists on the walls…” She tapers off dreamily before shaking herself. “Sorry, I’m getting carried away.”
“I don’t mind.” I smile at her. “Your bookstore sounds really nice. I’d want to go there all the time, and I don’t even read.”
Maeve’s eyes light up, her pretty pink lips stretching into a grin. “You really think Winterdale would appreciate something like that?”
Her perfect smile makes my words catch in my throat, but I force myself to speak. “Of course. We love all things rustic and cozy out here. You’ll have people lining up outside just to get in.”
Maeve hums thoughtfully, her smile turning wistful. “One day.”
“I’m sure it’ll be sooner than you think.”
“Would you really want to come all the time?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah. I really would.”
I started off on the opposite side of the couch to Maeve, but as we’ve been talking, we’ve gradually leaned in closer and closer. Now we’re so close our thighs are touching, and the contact is already making my cock harden. She smells so damn good. Like apples and cinnamon: sweet and spicy. Everything about her is irresistible. My eyes drift to her mouth, tracing the outline of her plump lips, aching with the need to kiss her, to suck on her pouty lips and taste her sweetness. Maeve has woken up my whole body, and I want her so badly it fucking hurts.
Maeve’s cheeks are pinkening. I’ve been staring at her for too long. Too openly. But she doesn’t look away. She’s breathing hard, and for a second, I swear she’s looking at my lips too. I lean in slightly toward her, not thinking, not asking myself if it’s a good idea. All I know is I want to kiss this perfect girl more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
“JACKSON!”
Maeve and I spring apart at the sudden sound, immediately wrenched back to reality. There’s a loud knocking on the front door and a familiar voice shouting my name.
“IT’S CADE! I’M COMING IN!”
My stomach drops and I get up off the couch, listening as my best friend pushes open the front door and heads up the hallway.
“JACKSON, ARE YOU HERE? HAVE YOU SEEN MY SISTER—”
