Page 213 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“Almost eight.”

She jumped out of bed like someone had set it on fire. “Shit! I promised my new friends I’d meet them for breakfast at eight!”

“Can you call and tell them plans have changed? We have things to discuss.” I did not like this change in my morning plans. Not one bit.

“I could, but… I’d really like to meet up with them. They’re pretty great, and it feels really good to make real friends again. It's been a long time. Please can we just push our talk off for a few hours?”

She stood naked at the edge of the bed nibbling her lip and wringing her fingers in front of her like a naughty little girl, and when she batted those beautiful bright eyes at me, I found it impossible to tell her no.

Fuck, you better get that shit under control or she’s going to run you ragged.

I also knew the life we lived could be a lonely one, and having women with so many similar interests that she could talk to would mean a lot to her. As much as I wanted to be the only thing she ever needed, I was not that clueless. Women needed other women as friends, and I was not going to stand in the way of having her needs met.

“Fine. But come lunchtime, your ass is in this room with me. We can order in and talk about everything. Deal?”

She squealed happily and jumped on top of me, peppering my face with kisses. “Thank you, thank you! Yes, it’s a deal.”

Then just like that, she was running out of the room and away from me.

A-fucking-gain.

At least this time she was wearing my handprints on her beautiful ass, and I knew when she would be coming back. I sighed heavily and flipped the covers back. I couldn’t lay there and think about her or I would lose my mind. I needed to take Onyx out for a long ride, anyway. That should keep me busy enough. Maybe.

Ripley

I got dressed and ready and made it downstairs only two minutes late. Wren and Reese were actually waking up at the exact same time as me, so I didn’t have to feel guilty that they’d been waiting.

“Morning!” Reese smiled and waved.

Wren, on the other hand, was regarding me with a questioning look on her face.

“Morning?” It came out like more of a question than a statement. “Everything okay?”

“You look different.” Wren narrowed her eyes, like staring at me could give her the answers she was looking for.

“I feel different,” I responded honestly.

How could I not? Cade and I had made a major relationship shift. I knew there were a lot of things to discuss, but I was continuously shoving that to the back of my mind so I could just enjoy the cloud I was floating on.

“I knew it!” Wren clapped her hands together loudly. “What happened? Tell us everything!”

Reese looked back and forth between us like we were speaking a different language. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

“You’re still learning the ways of the Ranch, but this glow around Ripley… it’s the Ranch Magic glow.” She cupped her hand next to her mouth and mock whispered, “Also means she got some last night.”

“Ooooo!” Reese’s eyes widened in excitement. “Yes, tell us everything!”

I felt embarrassment heat my cheeks. “Can we maybe go inside and find a more private spot to talk?”

Both girls burst out laughing.

“It’s way more private out here than anywhere in there, but we can try.” Wren pulled the door open and her point was instantly made.

The Ranch cafeteria was a bona fide school cafeteria. There was a small section that held only adult-looking individuals, and there were some couples scattered throughout, but mostly it looked like any other normal school cafeteria. There were groups of people sitting together chatting loudly with trays of food in front of them. There was a beverage area, and a line of people making their meal choices in front of a long countertop that kind of looked like a buffet, except there were people behind it serving food.

“Wow.” I couldn’t really think of what else to say.

“We told you it was a little overwhelming. You kinda get used to it, but there are lots of other places to eat. If this is too much we can go to the Café,” Reese assured me.

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