Page 20 of Run to Me
“I remember you being less careful,” I say, not meaning to.
“I remember you being less reckless.” His words land somewhere between a joke and a dare. It doesn’t feel like an argument, even if that’s what it should be. It feels like the kind of thing we’re used to. Too used to.
The back and forth between us since we casually started sleeping together has been mind boggling. At a certain point, after that many years, you have to feel something for the other person. But things have been different. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes he is still a pain in the ass, but I love him.
Eight years of mind blowing sex with this man and moments where he brought me to my knees… and I’m scared of loving him. He gave up his dream for me in a way. It’s a grand gesture if I’ve ever heard of one, so does that mean he loves me too?
“We should divide things up,” he says. His voice is lighter, teasing. “Or does the Bougie Cowgirl do it all herself these days?”
I feign a seriousness I don’t feel. “She might,” I say. “But she’d rather have a good hand on the job.” The words hover between us, charged and dangerous, sparking all the wrong feelings in all the right ways. I don’t know whether I mean him or the barn.
“Let’s call it a day for now. I’m starving.” I take his hand and lead him out of the barn and toward the house. “You wanna stay for dinner?”
“If you have to ask, then you don’t know me as well as you think. I can always eat. It’s like my superpower.”
We walk into the house, but he doesn’t even make it into the kitchen before he’s pushing me up against the wall. His face is an inch from mine.
“So, how about a shower, huh”?” Ace asks, his hand finding mine and pulling me toward the bathroom, and turning the handle.
“You are in a great mood, aren’t ya?” I watch him as he takes off his clothes, but his eyes are locked on mine. His shoulders and chest are so fucking sexy.
“Don’t make me feel awkward here.”
I take off my shirt and then my bra. His eyes drink me in, as each piece of clothing falls to the floor.
“You are fucking astonishing, Liv.” His lips crashed against mine and then he pulls us into the shower, hands on each other. “All these years I’ve wondered when I would finally have the balls to say something, and now I get to have you in my arms… luckiest fucking man alive.”
His hand falls between my legs, but his lips never leave mine. This man is going to be the death of me, because he picks me up and pushes me against the wall easing himself into me. A moan escapes my throat and then all hell breaks loose.
My nails dug into his back and he pounds into me, and I get closer and closer to climax. He has always been amazing about knowing exactly what my body needs and giving it to me with certainty. The way his fingers find just the right spot inside, or the way he knows just how to kiss my collarbone to make me shiver.
“I’ve been waiting two days to feel you come on my dick and I’m not waiting another second. Come like a good girl, Liv.”
All it takes is hearing my name on his lips and I explode, riding him through the intense wave.
He waits for me to stop writhing and eases me back to ground with a huge grin. “I’ll never get used to that.”
After we wash up, I get dressed and he puts on the same clothes since he doesn’t have any here. “Maybe you should bring some clothes to have here in case this becomes a habit.”
“Do you plan on letting me stay often? I’ll never say no to falling asleep next to you.”
Okay, am I rushing things? No, we’ve been doing this for eight years. We know the sexual part of this relationship is on par, and honestly he has treated me better than any other man has… why delay the inevitable?
“I’d love for you to stay here tonight.”
He smiles and takes out his phone. “Just shooting Gavin a text that I’ll come there and grab some stuff.”
“You aren’t staying at the Montgomery ranch anymore?” When he explains what happened with his father, my jaw is on the floor. He finally stood up for himself. It’s about fucking time.
“I’m gonna run to Gavin’s and I’ll be back. Also, I think I’ll see if I can round up some helpers for tomorrow. If we get some help, we can get that barn up to par faster.”
He plants a kiss on my lips, and walks right out of the door. That’s my man.
***
They roll in just after sunrise, boots clack on the wooden steps, the same steps I remember sitting on as a child while chewing homemade jerky and listening to Daddy’s stories. Today, I’m all business. A handshake here, a “Let’s get to work” there. Ace stands ready by the red utility truck, directing a small group to unload paint cans and tools.
A woman with streaked gray hair claps me on the shoulder. “Gonna need more than elbow grease to get this old barn in shape!”
