Page 108 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
He drew in a relieved breath, his chest expanding and his eyes dancing with happiness like she’s just made his year. “Hey, Em?”
“Yes?”
He leaned down so close she could feel his breath against her cheek. “I’d really like to kiss you now.”
She let out a breathy giggle as she launched herself up onto tiptoes so she could press her lips to his. He groaned, his arms wrapping around her waist and lifting her off her feet as he kissed her with a passion that stole her breath.
And in the moment, as their lips danced to their own melody and made the rest of the world fade away, she knew without a doubt that this was it. This was her home.
Here at this ranch. Here in Aspire.
Here...with Nash.
35
Was it possible to die of happiness?
Nash was starting to suspect it might be. He couldn’t stop grinning, which was strange enough. But this feeling in his chest every time he caught sight of Emma was making him wonder if he ought to see a cardiologist.
Nearly twelve hours had passed and his heart was still as full as it had been. Spotting Emma in the distance talking to Myrtle and the other pigs had it expanding within his ribcage all over again.
“You were a married man,” Cody said to Kit as they worked in the stables behind Nash. “How long before he loses that goofy grin?”
Kit laughed. “Don’t ask me, bro. You know my deal with Natalie was…” He huffed and shook his head. “Ask JJ.”
“I don’t think so. My marriage lasted all of five seconds. I know even less about love than Kit does.” JJ’s low voice came from the back doorway.
Nash hadn’t even heard him show up. Not a surprise. To say he’d been distracted ever since he and Emma had officially become a couple was the understatement of the century.
Normally, talk of marriage would have put him on edge, but right now it only made his goofy smile broaden. “You guys do know I haven’t proposed to Emma yet, right?”
“Yet!” Kit shouted the word with triumph as if he’d personally gotten the two of them together. He stabbed a finger in JJ’s direction. “Told you he’s already thinking marriage.”
“Good. Although, take your time.” JJ cringed when Nash whirled around to study him. “I met and married in less than six weeks. I was signing divorce papers ten months later.” He clicked his tongue and looked to the dirt. “Look, I think Emma is an amazing fit for you, I just…” He shrugged.
“Emma is the best,” Cody agreed.
Nash grinned, grateful for the support.
“Don’t listen to me.” JJ waved his hand through the air. “You know your heart.”
“No, I appreciate where you’re coming from, man. Thanks for caring enough to be honest.”
JJ grinned. “Not to get all sappy on ya, but I love you, man. I just want you to be happy.”
“Thanks.” Nash nodded, knowing how much the sentiment would have cost a mountain man like JJ.
“And besides, I need time to organize my date and take that pretty lady out. Can’t be doing that when she’s got a ring on her finger now, can I?” JJ winked, but Nash still felt his insides rumble in protest.
Pointing a finger at his worker, he gave him a silentdon’t you dare.
JJ laughed and wiggled his eyebrows. “She won that auction fair and square.”
“She’ll be giving that prize to some other lucky lady.”
JJ shook his head. “Only if she wants to.”
Kit and Cody had joined in on the laughter and Nash spun away from them, glancing back up to the house and noting Emma’s blonde hair blowing in the wind. “Hey, do you guys mind if I cut out early—”
