Page 41 of Cowboy Dreams
“I suppose.”
“We fit together, like…”
“Like peanut butter and jelly?”
I choked a laugh. “You’re definitely the nut.”
“And under that tough Sylvester scowl, you’re sweet.” This time he kissed me first. “I’ve fallen for you too. All the way down. I’m pathetic. Lovesick.”
“Me too. We’ll enjoy it together.” I arched my neck to deepen the kiss and flinched. “Platonically, dammit, until my fucking back heals. Sorry.”
“I can wait. We have time, right?”
“All the time in the world. That’s what I want with you.” I took a breath. “Will you stay with me? Move in, live here, share the work and the ranch?”
“Move in.” He paused. “That’s a big step.”
“It feels right, though, don’t you think?” I had a moment of panic that I’d read him wrong, pushed too fast.
Then he sighed, deep and slow, and pressed his face against the curve of my neck, his stubbled chin rasping my shoulder. “Yes.” His lips moved against my skin as he spoke. “Feels damned near perfect. I hate the nights without you now. Days as well. I do the work for Mr. Ford, but all I want is to be at your side.”
“Then stay.” I cupped his head against me, threading my fingers through his hair. “We’re months away from Valentine’s Day but… be mine.”
Joe laughed, a soft puff of breath. “When I was young, I used to dream of someone asking me that. A man. Someone strong and smart and kind. Time went on and the dream wore thin. But now, against the odds, here you are.” He reached up to his hair, not to pull my hand away but to press it closer, his fingers over mine, his face against my throat. “I’m yours,” he murmured. “Hey, whaddya know? A cowboy’s dreams sometimes do come true.”
