Page 103 of On His Ranch

Piper’s eyes were so wide at this point she was sure she looked strange, but she couldn’t help it. “Did you have to see her again?”

“Yeah, I did.”

He said it casually, like it didn’t matter, and meanwhile she was on the edge of her seat! “Well?”

Chase shrugged. “I watched her get arrested. Her and her two brothers.”

“But what did you feel?” she pressured, wanting to smack him.Men!Did she really have to spell it out for him?

“Honestly? I’m glad to see the last of her. It feels like closin’ a chapter, one that shoulda been well and truly closed a long time ago. What I’m tryin’ to say is… I shoulda listened to you, Piper. I’m sorry that it took you’re leavin’ for me to realize it.”

She was breathless. She couldn’t speak. Which worked out, because she had no idea what she’d say if she could. Because as she looked into those familiar dark eyes shining with warmth she realized something: he was vulnerable because ofher. He’d never said so, not in words, but suddenly she knew as sure as she was breathing: he loved her.

“Is there any chance… I mean… I was thinkin’…”

She watched him, shocked further. She’d never heard him so unsure of himself, so tongue-tied. It was beyond flattering. He was doing things to her heart right now she hadn’t known were possible.

“Do you hate me, Piper?” he got out at last.

A lump rose to her throat. “No. I could never hate you, Chase, even if I should.”

“Maybe you should.”

She locked gazes with him. “I know I disobeyed you. But I only did it because—”

“I know.”

“Senior was hurt, and you—”

“I know.”

“Were being so difficult.”

He gave her hand a squeeze, causing her to fall silent at last. “I know, Piper. You were right. I was wrong.”

Her jaw fell so fast it nearly came unhinged. But knowing it wasn’t attractive, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

“I know a good daddy is supposed to be above reproach, and that day, I wasn’t a good daddy to you. I’m sorry.”

He meant it. She could see that in each line of his face—he meant every single word.

“I was angry, and I was harsh. I regret it, Piper. I should’ve cooled off before ever takin’ you over my lap. If I had sat and thought about it awhile, I never would’ve done that. And if I could take it all back, I swear I would.”

The knots in her belly twisted. She couldn’t believe he was here, saying all the things she’d been longing to hear for the last three weeks.

“I miss you. And I was just wonderin’… if you might miss me too, even just a little.”

She never dreamtthis, though. Piper didn’t think she’d ever have been able to imagine the raw honesty she was seeing. She was in control, holding all the cards for once, and damn, it felt good.

But there was more to it than that. She needed to move on with her life. Because as much as he made her body crazy, he’d also proven he could make her miserable. She had never cried more in her twenty-two years than she had since she’d left the ranch.

“No.”

Hurt flickered across his features, but it was swiftly replaced with resignation. “I guess that’s that then.”

“Wait, please. Let me explain.”

“You don’t owe me any explanation.”

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