Page 90 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“Sure.”

He brightened up considerably at dinner, and she was happy that he had his family around to help lighten the blow he’d suffered today. With the whole ranch crew there, there was no room for personal stuff, which was ideal. It was a real party, and it kept Kane occupied. He ate well, he laughed at Tess’s jokes and after they’d stuffed themselves with some incredible food, they all played poker and drank.

She was also happy to see that he hadn’t had too much to drink. It would have been understandable if Kane had wanted to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Instead, he’d kept it to a few beers and then switched to coffee, which he’d had along with two different types of pie.

He seemed okay, but he wasn’t quite himself. He was quiet. Answered questions and engaged in conversation, but she thought she knew him well enough by now that she knew his moods. And this one was still tense. Not that she could blame him. He’d had a hell of a shock today—one you just didn’t get over right away. So he might seem fine on the surface, but underneath there was a powder keg of emotion just waiting to explode.

James, on the other hand, appeared to be blissfully relieved to have it all out in the open, and maybe that helped to ease some of the tension between Kane and his dad. She wished that Kane’s mom had come, but Mae wasn’t in control of that. She wasn’t in control of anything, frankly.

And wasn’t that frustrating as hell? She was a helper, which was why she loved the business she was in. Helping people get married, making their dreams come true, was what she lived for. She was good at solving problems, alleviating crises, and calming anxieties. When there was a bride in meltdown? Mae had it all under control. Whatever the problem was, she could fix it.

But this? Kane’s family falling apart? She did not have this under control. She couldn’t fix this.

Some things couldn’t be resolved. The best she could do was to be here for Kane and offer comfort.

Everything started to wind down around ten. Those who lived on the ranch took off. Early for most nights, but everyone had been up at dawn this morning, and would be at it again tomorrow, so they all headed to bed.

Kane shut the bedroom door and heaved a sigh.

Mae went into the bathroom, grateful to have a nice soaking tub in there. She turned it on and let the water run.

“Taking a bath?” he asked.

“I thought I might.” She leaned against the doorway. “Care to join me?”

His lips curved. “Tempting. Think we can both fit?”

“Oh, we’ll fit.”

She undressed. So did Kane. He got into the tub while she wound her hair up in a bun. She turned from the mirror to see him holding out his hand for her. She climbed in, settling her back against his chest. The water was steamy, and sliding her legs along his felt intimate, and even hotter than the water surrounding them.

She loved this deep tub that allowed the water to rise around them, covering her. Not that she was cold or anything. Not with Kane’s hot body behind her. She laid her head back and just…rested.

••••••

For the firsttime today, Kane relaxed. Having Mae’s body against his probably had a lot to do with his current state. Today had been a shitshow of emotions, and all he wanted right now was a little peace.

Mae seemed to instinctively know exactly what he needed—some warmth and comfort. They stayed like this for a while, neither of them saying anything or even moving. It felt peaceful, serene, to just be with each other without feeling the need to talk.

God, the last thing he wanted was to engage in conversation. He was talked out and his mind needed to rest.

She sighed. A deep inhale followed by a long sigh. He wondered if she was getting uncomfortable.

He swept his hand over her, his fingers resting on her rib cage below her breasts. “You okay?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He smiled. Yeah, he was good, too. Really good, in fact. The hot water and Mae’s warm body were really doing it for him. The only thing he needed right now was—her.

Just the thought of her, the feel of her, the way her body had started to shift against his—made him harden. When she turned around and straddled him, his breathing quickened and all he could think about was sinking inside her and losing all sense of time and place, being only with Mae.

He swept his hand around the nape of her neck and brought her lips to his, kissing her with a depth of passion that swamped him. He broke out in a sweat. Then again, Mae always heated him up. And now, with her body undulating against his cock and his need for her at an all-time high, he was desperately feeling the heat.

“Let’s get up,” he said.

“Mmm, good idea.”

He stood with her, intending to get out of the tub. But she had other ideas. She got up on her knees and took his cock in her wet hands, looking up at him as she encircled her fingers around it and began to stroke it slowly.

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