Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I guide her into another slow turn, not fancy, just enough to make her smile again when she comes back into me. That smile… it hits me square in the chest like it always does. I’ve longed for all her smiles to be mine, and fuck, this feels like that wish might become my reality.
“I meant what I said,” I tell her, my voice dropping a notch as the song carries on around us. “About telling you everything tonight.” I don’t want her to think I brought her here to seduce her. I know we’re not there yet, even if I’d give anything to explore every inch of her soft skin.
Her gaze flickers, a mix of nerves and something softer, something I can’t name. “Everything?” Her brow furrows because she has no idea how long I’ve wanted her, but after tonight, she will.
“Yeah.” I swallow, because I’ve wished for this moment for years, and it’s finally here. We’re in the same place, same time, both single, but hopefully, not for long. “It’s a good story. A love story,” I murmur, my lips next to her ear.
Her breath catches. I feel it more than hear it.
“A love story? I didn’t peg you for the type to be a love story kind of guy, more shoot ’em up western if I had to guess,” she teases, trying to lighten the moment. “I thought I was getting dinner and some rodeo tales.”
She’s bluffing, and we both know it. “And you still agreed to come over?” I add, a crooked smile tugging at my mouth. “Brave.”
She huffs out a quiet laugh, but she doesn’t look away this time. “Or stupid.”
“Not stupid,” I say, shaking my head, my hand sliding just a little higher on her back, keeping her close. “You showed up. That’s… everything, Baylor.”
The song dips into the chorus again, and for a second, neither of us says anything. We just move, slow and easy, like maybe this isn’t the first time, like maybe it won’t be the last either.
I really hope it’s not the last.
I want all of her dances, and she can have all of mine.
With each note, she relaxes into me. Really relaxes this time, her head tipping just slightly closer to my chest. I let out a breath.
She’s all I’ve ever wanted.
I’m all in.
This isn’t new to me. I’m not shocked at the revelation. However, for the first time, it feels like she might be stepping into this dream with me, a willing participant.
The song ends, and another begins, but dinner is waiting. I press my lips to her temple and hug her tightly before reluctantly stepping away. It feels like I’m letting her go when all I want to do is hold her close. “Dinner is getting cold,” I say, offering her a reassuring smile.
“Thank you for cooking. I didn’t know that you could.”
“Takeout gets old, especially after years of living on the road, and the options in Magnolia Ridge aren’t exactly vast. Mom taught me when I was younger. It’s just a pain in the ass to make a meal like this for one person. So, thank you for helping me eat this.”
She surveys the counter, and her blue eyes snap to mine. “This is my favorite,” she whispers, but the smile she gives me lights me up inside.
“I know.” I wink, and I’m rewarded with a light pink flush to her cheeks. “Make yourself a plate. I’ve already got the dining room table set up for us. What would you like to drink?” I ask, rattling off the choices, but I know what she’s going to pick.
“You have strawberry milk?” she asks in disbelief.
“Of course, I do. I know it’s your favorite.”
“How do you—? You know what? Never mind.” She shakes her head, as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing but is going to go with the flow. “I’d love strawberry milk. I can get it if you show me where the glasses are.”
“I’ve got it. You make your plate, and I’ll meet you in the dining room.” I don’t even hesitate when I press my lips to her forehead, because she’s here, and even though I know she’s not—not yet—she feels like she’s mine.
Fucking finally.
Her breath hitches, and I don’t bother to hide my grin as I get to work making her some strawberry milk and pouring myself a glass of lemonade. Baylor makes her plate and pauses, reaching for the glass of milk, before carrying everything into the dining room. I’m quick to make my plate and join her.
“Candles?” She seems surprised. “And fresh flowers?”
I nod, setting my plate and glass on the table before sitting down. I make sure I have her attention before I answer. “You don’t know yet, but the CliffsNotes are that you… here with me like this… is something I’ve wanted for a long damn time, Baylor. You can bet your sweet ass that now that I have my shot, I’m not holding anything back. I want you to know what life with me will be like.”