Page 86 of When Sparks Fly

Two days without her was unbearable. Even worse than previous weeks. The possibility of more is killing me bit by bit.

I tell Maci none of what’s going on in my head. I wait for her to calm and release me willingly.

“I called dispatch. County’s on the way.” Nick returns from moving the truck.

“County?” Maci leans back to look up at him.

“Sheriff’s office. City limit’s there.” He points to a parking lot up the road.

“You need to file a restraining order, Maci.” Izzy squeezes closer.

I agree with the sentiment, keeping the idea that it may do nothing to deter him to myself. Tonight, she’s coming home with me, and I’m going to keep her at the ranch as long and often as possible. Still, I know she’ll have to be away and out of my sight at some point. For starters, when she heads back to Austin.

Any time away from her is too long at this point. Having her out of my sight if Colt is on the loose sets me on edge.

Chapter 38

Maci

Falling asleep in Sutton’s arms with him running his fingers through my hair and holding me tightly against his body was everything. Waking up still cocooned in his warmth is pure bliss. I don’t think we’ve moved the entire night.

Curtained darkness blankets the room when my eyes flutter open. I have no idea what time it is. It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay here all day given the opportunity.

I suck in a giant breath of his leather and hay scent, basking in the peace of the moment. Undecided if I want to wake him or not, I press a tender kiss to his sternum. Something about the heat of his skin on my lips does things to me and wetness gathers between my legs. I press another kiss to Sutton’s chest, this one longer with my lips parted. I ache to taste him.

Sutton sucks in a deep breath and stirs. “Morning, Firecracker,” he mumbles into my hair. A delicious tingle snakes down my spine.

“Hi, Cowboy.” Kiss. “Want to make it a good morning?” Kiss.

His lips press into my hair and his arms squeeze tighter. “It’s always a good morning waking up with you in my arms.”

To hide my heating cheeks, I tuck my face deeper into the soft sheets. My heartbeat has kicked up and those stupid butterflies are threatening to take flight.

“How are you feeling?” He shifts us in the bed so he can take in my face. My forehead is beginning to ache and I suspect there’s a bruise.

“Mm. My head hurts a little.” Sutton places a soft kiss on my forehead and begins to untangle himself from me. My protest comes out as a whine. “Where are you going?”

His low chuckle causes more wetness between my legs as he pads to the bathroom in boxer briefs. “I’m going to get you some Tylenol.”

Groaning, I roll onto my stomach and place my chin on my folded hands, eyes trained on the doorway. “I hate for you to leave, but I love to watch you go,” I call after him.

Another chuckle floats into the bedroom. “Yeah, you caused yourself some damage last night.”

“Nope,” I say, popping the P. He returns, holding out a glass of water and two pills.

My phone begins vibrating atop his dresser as I swallow them. With an annoyed grunt, I slide off the bed, finishing the rest of the water as I check the caller ID.Stephanie.“Well, this should help my headache.” Next to me, Sutton’s eyebrows raise.

Cringing, I swipe to accept the call and press the phone to my ear. “Yes?”

“Maci,” she huffs. No doubt because of my less-than-appropriate greeting. “I’m planning to be in town Saturday to discuss Mother’s house with Randi—"

“You mean Randi’s house?” I begin searching through the clothes I left previously for something to wear. Normally, the annoyed tone Stephanie has adopted wouldn’t bother me, but I’m emotionally tapped out from last night.

“If you’d let me finish. That’s not why I called. If you will be in town, I’d like to have lunch.”

I plop onto the bed. I can’t remember the last time my mother and I had lunch together as an event. Our relationship was already so strained when I was in high school, it had to have been prior.

Sutton sits with his back resting on the headboard. Even in my peripheral, the intensity of his eyes isn’t lost on me.

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