Page 73 of Westin

She takes a shuddering breath and releases it. I feel her pain on it, sharp like a knife. I already know what she’ll say.

“If you have the money to buy this land out from under my brother and the influence to stop them paving it, I’ll go home with you tonight, Mr. Westin River Quinn,” she says, voice shaking.

I knew what her answer would be—I don’t have either of those things, at least not yet. But I’m confident I can get both the land and figure out some way to stop the road. I just don’t have a solid plan, and I know she needs that.

I get that, I do.

“I’ll figure it out,” I say. “I swear.”

She offers me a sad smile. I brush her hair back and kiss her mouth because I can’t stop. I can’t get enough of tasting and touching this woman.

“I like the way you call me Westin River Quinn,” I say. “What’s your middle name?”

She shakes her head. “Oh no, I’m not telling you that.”

I flip her over, laying halfway on top. The grass is warm underneath, and everything smells so good. I prop my chin on her pelvis, gazing up at her like she hung the moon and stars.

“Tell me,” I beg.

She bites her lip. “Okay, but don’t tell anyone.”

“Cross my heart, darling.”

“Okay, it’s Lemon. It’s a family name.”

I can’t stop smiling, it’s too perfect. “I like that. Lemon Carter and River Quinn. Feels like we could be two different people who don’t have to deal with all this bullshit.”

“Hmm,” she says. “I feel like it doesn’t fit with Diane, but it’s pretty all on its own.”

I nod, but all I can think about is how I’ve been dying for this for so long. She doesn’t know and I probably won’t tell her how many nights I almost walked across the field and pulled her out of that house.

But everything is so complicated. I promised Sovereign revenge, and he has waited so long for it. The Garrisons’ blood belongs to him.

And then, there’s the shame of what I've done.

I close my eyes.

I can’t just take her home. If she loses her land because of me, she’ll never forgive me. I learned pretty quickly Diane isn’t the type to give everything up for love. I don’t blame her; I’d do anything to save Sovereign Mountain.

I wish I could tell her I can pull a solution out of thin air, but I can’t. Instead, I keep my mouth shut and kiss her again. She smiles, and her hand slides through my hair, stroking it with her delicate touch. Her hands are calloused, and I hate that. She shouldn’t have to work so hard.

We lay there, hazy. After a while, she stirs and pushes herself upright.

“Do you feel like…I cheated?” she whispers.

I sit up, reaching for my belt. “Do you feel like Thomas cheats when he sleeps around?”

She works her lip then shakes her head.

“That’s your answer, darling,” I say. “As far as your conscience is concerned, you did nothing wrong. And if you’re worried about it, tell that pretty head it wasn’t your fault. You were just walking in the field, all alone, and I took advantage of you.”

Her lips part. A slow flush creeps over her face.

“You like that,” I say.

She shakes her head hard. “No, I don’t.”

“Do you fantasize about me doing that to you? Being rough?” I say.

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