Page 42 of Long Time Coming

He lets out a sigh and then looks past Tagger at me instead. “You should have been a lawyer.”

Tagger says, “She’s a real ballbuster, but I think the ranch is lucky to have her.”

I almost snapped back, but the big charmer came around with flattery. If I weren’t already caught up in the delicious aftermath of what we just did, I’d be all his now.

Tapping the side of the vehicle, Dirk says to Tagger, “Listen, I’m letting you go this time, but get on your way. And make sure to stay on the right side of the law when driving through our county.”

The look on Tagger’s face speaks volumes without saying a word. “Yes, sir. You got it.”

When Dirk looks at me again, he smiles like we’re at Sunday potluck and he scored the seat next to me. He always did have a crush on me. A lot like I had on Tagger. Full circle moment. “I’ll see you around The Pass.”

“Sure, Dirk. See you around.”

As soon as he walks away, Tagger rolls up the window, then shoots a glare in my direction. “He wants to fuck you.”

I snort. “I think he wants more than that.” Waggling my ring finger, I say, “I think he wants to get married.”

“He’s quite the catch. Deputized and all.”There’s that jealous streak.“Solid job. Good provider. Works the night shift so I can come visit you in bed after hours.”

My thighs rub together. The exhilaration of coming to life from an orgasm is the best feeling in the world. “Well, well, well.Who’s the naughty one now?” I reach over and run my nails over the back of his head and down his neck.

He leans into it as if the touch itself is needed. Maybe it is. Maybe he needs the presence of someone as much as I am. Pulling his seat belt on again, he says, “Buckle up. Don’t want Deputy Dirk to pull us over again.”

“Technically, we didn’t get pulled over. We were already here.” I buckle up just before he shifts into drive. “Also, you should be thankful I was in the truck with you, or you might be spending the night in jail.”

Holding a finger up, he says, “First off, you were handling it just fine without any help from me. Second, you’re the only reason I was pulled off to the side of the road in the first place. Something about wanting to kiss you again, and there you were, daring me to make bad decisions.”

I mimic his finger in the air. “Well, first off, there was no dare involved. You came willingly?—”

“Sadly, I didn’t come at all.”

The laughter is light, just enough to share at this hour. But he still has such sad eyes like his puppy was stolen. “I’ll owe you one.” That appears to appease him. I reach over, wanting to touch him again. I rub his shoulder, then slide my fingers into his hair. “And second, that was pretty great.”

“Even though it was cut short?”

“Not for me,” I whisper, suddenly feeling exposed in a new way.Vulnerable. I’ve lost my snapbacks to mushier feelings. “It was good and enough.”

He rests his hand on my thigh and gently rubs. “I’m glad.”

“As for your situation, it seems to have gone down because of the deputy. But I want to take care of you.”

His hand returns to the steering wheel, and I already miss his warmth on my thigh. “You don’t need to. I’ll be fine.” He pulls onto the property, and I start praying my dad is not on that front porch.

I think Tagger said a prayer as well, and it was answered. Nothing but a porch light is there to greet me. He puts it in park, and we sit, neither of us seemingly anxious to say good night. I’m content like this, which is something I can’t typically admit. I have so much silence in my life—at night in my room, during the day doing my job—that I usually like some noise. Too much time with your own thoughts isn’t always a good thing. He is the difference. With Tagger, the silence isn’t filling my brain. I don’t feel alone with him here, even if he is about to drive away. But I still savor his proximity.

Resting back on the seat, I roll my head to the side and look at him, taking him in. He stares ahead as if a part of him doesn’t want to leave either.

A girl can dream.

But we can’t sit here all night despite wanting to. Time is ticking, and I hate it.

Not wanting to rush through our ending, I whisper, “What time do you leave?”

“We need to be on the road to Austin by six o’clock for our flight.” He rests his head back as well, his gaze dipping down to my hand before reaching over and taking it. Holding it in his, the comfort of his thumb runs over my knuckles. “We made a mess of things, huh?”

I’m not so sure he’s asking more than stating the obvious. “I suppose we did.” The high I was riding has faded, and my mood has turned somber. “And I still owe you one,” I add with the softest of laughs, hoping the levity will clear the gray skies from between us.

Half a smirk is satisfying enough. “I’d say we’re even. You’re not the only one who enjoyed themselves. Watching you was . . . it was pretty incredible.” He shifts and says, “Tell me you’re not just lonely, Pris.”