Page 41 of Hating the Book Boyfriend

"Oh, we love it here. We already tried to book it again next year, but your property manager informed us it wasn't clear if you'd be listing it again."

He pulls me with him as we start making our way toward the front door. "Yes, my wife and I will be moving back into this home after the holidays. You will be the last tenants to rent the property before it becomes our full-time residence."

"Well, that's unfortunate. Obviously, not for you, but for me. The property is gorgeous, the views are stunning and the house is cozy. If you change your mind, you have my contact information."

Colton grabs the knob on the front door, and I pull my hand away. His brow briefly furrows before he sees that I need to put my boots on. "Beau's out back," I remind him once I have them slipped on.

"That's right. We'll go out the back door, and yes, I'll keep you in mind should something change."

The man nods, and we make our way to the back door. Closing it, I ask, "What reason did you give him for us being inside the house?"

"I told him the horse ran off, and by the time we found him here, you needed to run inside to use the restroom. We thought we'd be in and out before they noticed, but then you knocked over the vase in your haste."

I narrow my eyes as I loosen the rope, tying Beau to the post. "I don't know that I like how easily you can tell a lie."

"The only lies I've ever told revolve around one truth. You. It’s said that lies always catch up with you. Deep down, I've always craved the day mine finally would because then I'd have you." He kisses my forehead and mounts Beau.

"You're lucky I kind of like you," I say with a smile.

He holds out his hand. "You more than like me. You love me. Come on, let's get out of here."

"I didn't walk here from the farm. I drove Archie's truck. It's parked on the gravel road that leads to the shed."

"We'll get it tomorrow. Now that I have you, I'm never letting you go. You have five seconds to throw your leg over and mount this horse before I jump down and throw you up here myself."

"So demanding," I snap, taking his hand and putting my foot through the stirrup.

"Wait," he scoots back in the saddle. "I want you in front of me."

I grab the horn of the saddle before pulling myself up. He grabs my leg and helps me on before pulling me tight against his front, positioning me right where he wants me as his arms wrap around my stomach and he whispers against my ear. "I love you."

"I love you more."

He nips my lobe. "Not possible."

"Take me home, cowboy," I say, as he motions Beau to walk.

His head dips into the crook of my neck, his lips lightly brushing the sensitive flesh. "You are my home."

Epilogue

NEW YEAR’S

COLTON

Iknow it's fast, and some would call me crazy, but in my eyes, crazy is just a word people use when they don't understand. It doesn't hurt that I don't give a fuck about what anyone thinks. The one person I cared about hurting is fully on board. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little butt hurt about how okay Archer was when I told him about my feelings for his sister. I couldn't help but reflect on all the years I missed with her. However, I'm not a complete knob. I know if I had a sister, I wouldn't want my friends coming over thinking she was free game, especially in high school. In the end, it doesn't matter because I got the girl. Well almost.

"You know, I was thinking, what if she says no?" Archer asks as I finish lighting the candles.

"You're her brother. Do you think she's going to say no?" I shoot back, unworried. There's no doubt in my mind she will say yes. He's probably asking to see if I have cold feet.

"It's a possibility. We both know JoJo has a mind of her own. Hell, it's one of the reasons I didn't lose my shit when you laid everything out at Friendsgiving."

"One of the reasons?"

"Yeah, the other is I know you, Colton. You assume I see the guy tabloids have made you out to be, but I don't. You might be a prickly fucker from time to time, but I know there's a heart of gold behind that heartless exterior."

I nod and take a look around, checking to ensure I remembered everything. "Are you ready to make that call?" I ask.

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