Page 34 of Charming But Reckless

There’s a reason it was a cliché phrase. It held some truth beneath its overuse.

Needing a breath, I pulled back to see how he felt about this kiss. His eyes remained closed tight, his lips tilted in a smile.

Fucking gorgeous.

“Arick,” I said, voice like gravel.

His eyes popped open. “Yeah.”

“You good?”

“Yeah.”

“Know how to say anything more than ‘yeah’ now?” I teased.

He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Too mixed up.”

“I understand that. This wasn’t at all how I thought this morning would go, but I’m happy it did. I’d like to have more of these talks with you when we’re home.”

I winked to let him know I was partially teasing about the talking part. We would have plenty of time together to talk and kiss and do whatever other things he felt comfortable with. I wasn’t going to rush something that had the potential to be great because my hormones were awake for the first time in years.

No performative attraction here.

I was on fire for this man.

“Let’s get the rest of the stuff packed up. I’m ready to get you both home.” I pressed one last kiss to his lips, then stood and held out my hand.

He didn’t immediately move to take it. His eyes searched mine like he wasn’t sure if this was how things would be fromnow on. I didn’t want him to doubt me, which is why I wasn’t hiding anything from anyone.

Arick had been my friend all those years ago.

Now, I wanted him to be more.

Upstairs, we double checked that we had everything, then he followed me to the bunkhouse to get the last of my items. We loaded the bags into the car before taking off to find Sol. The snow had melted enough to let us roam around without feeling like we were fighting for our lives.

The air was still crisp though, and there was a silence that hinted at the storm we knew was coming. While I hadn’t truly planned to leave so soon, I couldn’t fathom being here for possibly three more weeks.

I needed to get Arick and Sol to my place. Needed them in my home, learning all about my way of life so they could tell me what to change to give them space there. I didn’t want to change them or myself. Just my routine and such because I didn’t want to live without them in my life anymore.

Even if we were only ever friends again — which was not the goal by the way — then I’d still help Arick out this way. I’d still want him around and to be part of his life.

When it was to the point that we couldn’t put off leaving any longer, I set us off in search of Sol. I knew he’d likely be wherever Dakota was. The two of them had become fast friends during his stay. They loved working chores together, eating right beside each other, and giving all the men a run for their money.

If Sol had been able to stick around, I had no doubt he’d be just as spoiled as Beau and Jackson’s son was.

“Time to go, kiddo.” I ruffled Sol’s hair as I stepped up beside him.

Sure enough, I’d found him with Dakota, who also happened to be with Bobby Allen. He was working with a fowl that they’dall hoped would become part of the next generation of horses on the ranch.

The Colemans were a family run operation. Though it wasn’t family in the sense of biological factors. They’d accepted all kinds of people, and apparently animals too.

“I’m not ready to leave yet,” Sol admitted shyly. His eyes filled with tears as his gaze darted to Dakota. The other boy had his face buried in Bobby Allen’s shoulder, likely from his own overwhelming emotions at losing his friend.

Arick stepped forward, then dropped to his knees to give Sol his full attention. “Remember what I said about the people we care for, son?”

“They always come back to us, or we find our way to them.”

I smiled at the familiar message. It was my mother’s saying. She’d said it to me and Arick as kids when we wondered what would happen if his father got arrested and sent away. It wasn’t stuff we should have been thinking about, but we were both far too bright to ignore the obvious abuse. There was just nothing we could do about it.

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