Page 45 of Falling For Her Cowboy
“Thanks.” She smiled and ducked underneath his arm and went inside. She went over to the sink and placed the dishes down and turned the water on.
“You do not have to do this. You are a guest.” He set his down in the sink next to hers and opened the dishwasher.
“You cooked. I clean.” She rinsed off her plate and elbowed him to move out of her way.
He barked a laugh and held up his hands. He backed away from her.
“Fine.” He moved over and snagged his beer, tilted it back, and finished it off.
She worked in silenceand quickly loaded the dishwasher up. Their conversation turned to his work. She was always curious to hear about his day. It was interesting to hear him speak of his patients as if they were humans. Anyone could see how much he truly loved what he did. From scheduled procedures, checkups to emergency surgeries, he’d had a busy few hours. Once she was done with cleaning, she went over to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. Ridge fell quiet. She turned and found his gaze on her.
“What?” She twisted open the bottle and took a swig of water then replaced the cap. She tilted her head and met his eyes as he studied her.
“I like seeing you here,” he admitted.
“In your kitchen?” She arched an eyebrow at him. She walked around the island and came to stand before him.
He chuckled and shook his head.
“In my home,” he replied softly.
He took the bottle from her and set it on the counter. He reached for her and lifted her. He sat her on the island. Melah’s legs automatically parted to allow him to stand between them. She inhaled sharply at their closeness. His hands ran along her bare legs. A tremor snuck through her at the feeling of his hands on her skin.
She had thrown on a soft yellow summer dress and sandals after she’d gotten out of the shower. She had left her hair in twin braids. She’d fixed it up a little because it had felt good to keep her hair off her neck with the heatwave they were experiencing.
“What about me being here?” she whispered. She rested her hands on his shoulders. Sitting on the island allowed them to be eye level with each other. She memorized the clearness of his blue eyes, the stubble on his jawline, and his perfect white teeth as he smiled at her. His muscles underneath her touch were relaxed.
His hands slipped underneath the edge of her dress. “You belong here.”
“And you know this only after me being here a couple of times already?” She arched an eyebrow at him again and slipped a hand up along the column of his neck to the new growth of a beard on his face. She loved the feeling of the prickliness of the short hairs on her palm. She ran her thumb along his bottom lip. “I’m just a woman visiting.”
“It could be more than visiting.” He gripped her thighs tight and moved one of his hands up to her face and held her in place. He lowered his head. His lips brushed hers in the softest kiss.
Melah’s breath caught in her throat. This mandid not beat around the bush when it came to sharing what he was thinking. What was between them was moving faster than a bullet train, and at the moment, she didn’t want to get off.
“Ridge, we just met,” she whispered. It was a feeble excuse, but it was the truth. A few weeks ago, she’d only known of him. Now, she’d slept with him already and was clearly falling for him.
“And? What is that supposed to mean? I know all I need to know about you.” He nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck.
She tilted her head to the side to give him access. His devilish tongue slid along her skin. A moan slipped from Melah. Her core clenched with need from the feeling of his hands and his tongue.
“Say you’re mine.”
“Ridge,” she gasped and dove her fingers into his thick hair.
She loved the feeling of his strands. She gripped it tight, and he nipped her gently.
“Say it.” His lips brushed along her skin. He pressed hot open-mouthed kisses to her neck while his hands got busy and lifted her dress from underneath her bottom. He bit her again. “Melah.”
“I’m yours,” she moaned.
It was freeing to have the words spill from herlips. It was the truth. In the short time they’d been together, she felt owned and possessed by this man. Not in a negative way, but Ridge immediately had her feeling as if she truly belonged to him. He was open with his feelings, made her feel wanted, was ready to protect her—everything she had never felt before in her previous relationships.
Fuck it.
She was his and he was hers. This was something she was damn certain of. Everything else, she’d figure out in the future. One day at a time was going to be her new motto. And each day, Ridge would be included.
“What about you?” Melah asked.
