Page 61 of Barn Burner
I want to be with Jesse in every sense of the word, and I know that asking him to leave the ranch behind would destroy him. It’s not something I could ever ask of him, either, because when I think about my future, it’s him and Huxley Creek Ranch.
It’s waking up at the ass crack of dawn and riding to the top of the hill, watching the sunrise with him. It’s watching him care so tenderly for the animals in his care. It’s the mountains and how it felt like home from the moment I saw that wooden sign hanging from the gate.
My home is with him.
The first period goes scoreless, and when we head back out for the second period, the frustrations begin to rise on both teams. I’ve had so many opportunities, but none of them came to fruition. I’m itching to score a goal, but every shot I take on net gets denied.
By the third period, I’m so amped up I’m jumping on the spot in the tunnel, trying to tame some of my energy.
“Okay, who turned Neil into a kangaroo?” Henrik laughs from where he’s bent at the waist and resting his stick on his thighs.
“I need to get a goal in this period,” I say. I stop jumping and twist my upper body from side to side instead.
“Then you know what to do.”
And that I do. Nineteen seconds into the third period, I score our first goal of the game. My teammates surround me in celebration, and then I hear my goal song for this season blast over the sound system.
My teammates teased me endlessly for picking “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” by Big & Rich as my song, but it was a lighthearted way I could incorporate Jesse into my celebrations.
I bend my knees and pretend to ride my stick as I skate toward the bench, but before I reach my teammates waiting for their fist bumps, I glance up toward the family suites. I can’t see him because it’s too far away, but I know he’s watching. I bring my glove to my mouth and blow him a kiss. A little promise that he’ll get the real thing later.
But my luck doesn’t stop there. I end up scoring my first hat trick of the season. For the third time tonight, my goal song blares, and I’m grinning from ear to ear as I gallop on the toeof my skates, and once again, I blow a kiss up to where Jesse’s sitting.
“You are incredible,” Jesse says for the tenth time since I met him in the family room after the game. I’ve just parked my car inside the garage, and I’m eager to get upstairs and celebrate with my man.
I feel my cheeks heat under his praise, unable to stop the broad grin from splitting my face.
“Seriously, Brayden. I’m so fucking proud of you, I don’t think I have enough words to tell you just how much.”
Leaning over the centre console, I hover my lips over his. “Why don’t you show me instead?”
His answering growl goes straight to my cock. We both get out of the car and head into the house. Jesse grabs two bottles of water from the fridge, then follows me upstairs.
I don’t turn on any lights. There’s enough light coming in from the nearby streetlights, and the darkness only enhances my senses.
He places the water on the side, then moves to stand in front of me. Placing his hands on my hips, he ducks his head and runs his nose up the column of my neck.
“You know, seeing the number of people who adore you, who worship you, idolize you… it sparks this primal side of me.” He peppers kisses along my heated skin. “Because you’re mine, and because they don’t know you like I do.”
My eyes flutter closed as my head falls back, granting him more access.
“They don’t get to see your smile as you watch the sun crest over the mountains or when one of my horses steals your hat.”He lifts his head and cups my face with his hand, guiding me to look at him. “They don’t get to see the guy who loves with his whole fucking heart, even when he knows it’s going to hurt. But I see you. I see everything about you. Your passion and dedication and how you put everything into every single thing you do because you can’t bear to disappoint someone.”
He becomes blurry as my eyes begin to fill with tears. I’m unable to speak, throat thick with emotion as my heart thunders in my chest.
“You’re my entire world, Brayden, and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world because I get to call you mine.”
A tear slips down my face, but he wipes it away with his thumb.
“I love you,” I say in a choked whisper. “I love you more than I ever realized was possible.”
A soft smile lights up his face. He kisses me so tenderly it sends goosebumps coursing over my entire body.
“I love you, too, Brayden. And I can’t wait to continue loving you for however long you’ll have me.”
“How does forever sound?” I ask.
“Forever sounds perfect to me.”
