Page 58 of Sweet Escape
“Technically, I’ve only had one actual boyfriend. And… well… you know how that turned out.”
This woman deserves so much better than that sorry excuse for an ex. The more I learn about Jake, the harder it is to resist the urge to fly to Colorado and beat the shit out ofhim. I’m not usually a violent man, but I’m more than willing to make an exception.
We pull up to the ranch, and I put the car in park. Liv looks at me expectantly.
“I wanted to take you up to the waterfall on horseback,” I say, “but I can’t do that, so I planned something else. Hope that’s okay?”
“I’m up for anything.”
I smirk. “Mmm. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I grab the picnic basket from the backseat and tug her down the path behind the big barn where there’s a quilt laid out.
“Look at all the flowers!” she says, a smile breaking across that beautiful face when she takes in the yellow and white daisies scattered around the quilt.
“One of Storm’s favorite snacks.”
She giggles. “I love them. I used to play ‘he loves me, he loves me not,’ when I was a kid.”
Something twists in my chest. I set the basket down and lead her over to the fence where Storm has her head hanging over the side, waiting for any scrap of affection Liv is willing to give.
“Hey pretty mama,” Liv says, stroking Storm’s neck. “Wish we could go for a ride together.” She leans down and plucks a few daisies from the grass, holding them out to the mare. Storm takes them, then nudges Liv’s shoulder.
“Alright, Stormy girl. Go steal someone else’s date.”
Liv’s nose crinkles, and she gives Storm one last pat.
“Never thought I’d be jealous of a horse,” I mutter.
“Aww, is my big broody cowboy feeling neglected?”
“Yourbig broody cowboy, huh?”
“You got a problem with that?”
I grip her ample hips and dip my head down so we’re nearly nose to nose. “Being claimed by the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on? No, I’ll wear that badge with honor.”
She slides her arms around my back and hugs me. Just a hug. Simple, but perfect because it’s her. It feels… nice. Unable to resist the urge to have my mouth on her, I bring my lips to her forehead and inhale. “As much as I want to devour you whole, I should feed you first.”
“Just… one more minute.” I sweep my hand over her long, golden locks, playing with the strands. Hearts beating in a synchronized cadence, we stand there holding each other like if we dare to let go, we’ll fall to pieces. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
“You make me feel special.”
“Good. You deserve that and so much more.”
She blows out a breath and pulls away, taking a little piece of my heart with her. “Ok. Let’s eat.”
Olivia
As first dates go, this is one I won’t soon forget. The view from this vantage point is absolutely breathtaking. The sky is painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun sets beyond the edge of the pasture. Our empty plates are discarded in the center of the quilt. I lean back on my hands and take it all in. His fingertips brush mine as he mirrors my posture.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed home until this very moment,” I murmur. “Nothing beats a Kentucky summer sunset.”
“I don’t know. My view is pretty great, too.”
When I glance over, Wilder’s looking at me, his eyes roving over me like a brand. His pinky finger locks around mine, and he leans in ever so slightly. “It's been a while since my last first date. When is the appropriate time to kiss?”
“Hmm. I think it’s a vibe thing. Like when the sun is setting just right and your lips are almost touching. Right”—I move in closer and our noses brush—“about…”
