Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32454 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Packing it up in his truck, he made his way back to the ranch and unloaded absolutely everything. He put her chair in his office so she could sit there when she wanted.
He put several pictures of her family in spots around his ranch, and he hung all of her clothes in his closet. Shae had more clothes than she did. He would rectify that very soon. Picking out a dress, he carried it down to his truck and saw it had taken him until exactly five-thirty to do this.
He got back in his truck, gave his men the instructions they needed, then headed back to town.
Arriving at the bakery, just as Peyton was about to step out, he reached for the dress, which he had kept on the hanger, and went straight to her.
Peyton stopped and he nudged her back inside.
“Go and put this on,” he said.
“You took my dress?”
“I took all of your stuff. It’s now at the ranch.” He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out the cash. “This is for you.”
“What did you do?” Peyton asked.
“You’re not living in that piece of shit apartment.”
“What the—Shae, this is not funny. I need that apartment.”
“No, you don’t.”
She took a deep breath and held onto the money. “It was a good place to live, and do you have any idea what the cost of housing is in Fort? It’s expensive, and finding a good place is hard—”
He kissed her. She looked so damn cute when she was angry and frustrated. She didn’t have any idea what it meant to be frustrated, but he did. His balls were so freaking blue, he couldn’t fucking see straight. He knew he could have taken her multiple times by now, but he didn’t want to just fuck her. No, he wanted to get under her skin and into her head, and ... he wanted to claim her heart. He had a feeling the moment he was in her heart, he had finally gotten her. This was not going to be a one-month, or even a one-year deal. Peyton was his until death they parted. He was in this for the long haul.
“You’re living with me,” he said, pulling away from the kiss. “You don’t need to worry about finding another place.”
“What about when this is over?” she asked.
“I’ve not even fucked you yet, and I told you, this will be over when I say it is over.”
Fifty-plus years wouldn’t even be enough with her. He wanted a lifetime. Ten fucking lifetimes. And he intended to get it.
“Now, go and get dressed. I’m taking you dancing.”
“Dancing?”
“Yes.”
She looked at the dress and he waited for her to argue.
Peyton didn’t argue, but took the dress from him, and he grabbed her bag and keys.
He waited as she went out into the back, and he checked the time. Less than five minutes later, she came back, carrying the clothes she wore, and wearing the black dress with the white little flowers all over. She looked so fucking beautiful. He couldn’t get enough of her.
The bodice had some kind of elastic beneath the bust, but it molded to her curves beautifully and flared out at the hips. It fell to her knees, and the sleeves were short.
Pulling off his jacket, he placed it over her shoulders. He expected her to argue, only she didn’t, and instead thanked him for the jacket. He gave her a single nod and walked her back to the truck. He helped her inside and rounded to the driver’s side.
Turning over the ignition, he fired up the engine, then pulled out and headed to Wade’s place, which he called Fort Paradise. It was the only bar in town, and the best place to be on a Friday night. Usually he had a live band, and this was no exception. The music was thick, heavy, and it was already busy. Parking his truck, he climbed out and Peyton knew by now not to climb out without him. He might have scolded her on the first day, that he was a gentleman and would treat her accordingly.
Helping her out of the truck also meant he got to feel her body pressed against his, and that was a damn good feeling to have. He loved when she was close to him.
Stepping into the bar, people stepped out of his way. Women looked in their direction, and the moment they caught him with Peyton, he saw the disappointment and the spite, and he didn’t give a shit. If anyone caused her trouble, he’d deal with it.
Wade was working the bar. They were friends and had been since they were kids. Wade had settled down with his high school sweetheart and already had seven kids, with another on the way. That man did not like his wife to be anything but pregnant.