Page 23 of Pure Bred

“I wanted to have flowers for you when I first saw you,” he says. “But the airport was so overwhelming, I didn’t get a chance. Better late than never, right?”

“They’re beautiful,” I say quietly, touched. “Thank you.”

We arrive at my house, and I can barely wait for the car to stop before I’m pulling Logan inside. The moment the door closes behind us, I drop the flowers on my kitchen counter and throw my arms around Logan’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

Logan’s muscular arms wrap around me, and we stumble backward, not breaking the kiss as my back hits the wall. His hands roam my curves as I start unbuttoning his flannel shirt.

Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed by the intensity and depth of my feelings for him. Breathlessly, I pull back just a little so I can look him in the eyes. Logan’s eyes are dark with desire, but there’s a softness there, too.

“I love you, Logan,” I whisper.

A smile spreads across his ruggedly handsome face.

“I love you too,” he says, his voice husky with emotion. “Sierra, I never stopped loving you.”

Tears prick at my eyes as I pull him in for another kiss. When our lips meet, it feels like everything in the world has finally clicked into place.

9

LOGAN

The skyline of LA is soaked in pink and gold as the morning sun slowly rises over the horizon. I lean against the railing of Sierra’s balcony, taking in the breathtaking view. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s not home. My heart aches for the wide-open spaces of Montana.

I rub my face, trying to shake off the conflicting emotions fighting inside me. How can I feel so content being with Sierra, yet so out of place in her world? The past few days have been wonderful, but they’ve also highlighted just how different our lives are.

Back home, I’d be up before dawn, checking on the horses and starting my chores. Here, the day’s barely begun and the city’s already humming with activity. Cars honk in the distance, and I can hear the faint whir of a helicopter somewhere overhead.

I try to imagine ways we could make this work long-term. The idea of only seeing each other for a few days every few months makes my stomach churn. But I also don’t see a practical way that I could leave the ranch for extended periods—and Sierra’s career demands so much of her time.

We’ve managed to stay connected through texts and calls these past few months, but it’s not enough. I need to hold her, to see her smile in person, to feel her body against mine, to share our lives day in and day out.

I close my eyes, picturing Sierra on the ranch. She’d be beautiful there, her hair catching the sunlight, her laughter filling the air. But would she be happy? Could she give up all of this—the excitement, the glamour, her hard-earned career—for a quieter life?

I feel Sierra’s soft lips press against my back, warming my skin. She wraps her arms around me, a sensation I never want to go a day without.

“Morning, handsome,” she murmurs, her voice still thick with sleep.

I turn and pull her close, drinking in the sight of her. Even with tousled hair and sleepy eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“Morning, gorgeous. Want to watch the sunrise with me?”

She nods, and I settle into one of the plush chairs on the balcony. Sierra curls up in my lap, her head resting on my chest and her curves tucked cozily against me. We sit in comfortable silence, watching as the sky transforms.

My heart pounds as I gather the courage to broach the subject that’s been weighing on my mind. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.

“Sierra,” I say, my voice low and serious. “Have you ever thought about moving back home to Eagle Falls?”

She stiffens a little in my arms, and for a moment, I worry I’ve overstepped. The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, she speaks, her words careful and measured. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. The idea of moving back home, being closer to you and my family…it’s tempting.”

My heart leaps at her words, but I can sense what she’s about to say next.

“But realistically,” she continues, “I don’t see how I could continue my career if I made a permanent move. I need to be here.”

I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. It’s what I expected, but hearing it still stings.

Sierra shifts in my lap, looking up at me with those soft brown eyes that always make my heart skip a beat. Her tone is more upbeat as she says, “But we can make this work, even long-distance. We’ve been doing great so far, haven’t we?”

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