Page 23 of Untamed

“Have a good night, Hayes.”

She throws the Jeep into reverse, and I step away to let her pull out of the driveway. I stand there and wave, and even after she’s long gone, I just stand there.

I should’ve realized that it would take more than nice words to make all the damage I caused go away. She needs actions, not words. River needs to see that I am fucking serious when it comes to getting her back. From now on, I’m on my best behavior, showing her that I am dependable — that I’ve changed.

“You alright, son?”

Pops scares the ever-loving shit out of me.

“Jesus, Pops!” I turn around and see him rocking in the chair on the front porch. How long has he been there?

“Just making sure she didn’t break ya.”

I walk toward the main house, up the stairs, and plop down in the rocking chair next to him. He just smiles and looks out toward the setting sun.

“You eavesdropping, old man?”

“Not my fault you kids decided to put on a show right in front of my house.”

“We didn’t know you were here,” I tell him with a groan. “Maybe announce yourself next time.”

He just chuckles.

“You gonna be good to her?” he asks, looking over at me. God, he’s gotten old in the past few years. It’s crazy how your parents are perpetually thirty-five until one day you look over and their hair is grey and their bodies are weaker.

“I’m gonna try, Pops.”

“She always has been head over heels for you, kid.”

“Would’ve been nice for a heads-up back then.”

“Some things you just need to figure out on your own. Some things,” he adds, “can only be learned from making mistakes.”

“You think she can ever forgive me?”

“Depends.” He shrugs. “How hard can you love her?”

It rained cats and dogs last night, and I’m eagerly waiting for River to pull into our driveway. I told her to meet me at the main house — she hasn’t been to my side of the property yet, and I don’t think I’m ready to have her in my space. I don’t trust myself to keep my hands off her.

When she finally pulls up, I bound off the front porch steps like a dog greeting their best friend. I can feel how wild my smile is, but I get River to myself for most of the day, and that has me wanting to do backflips.

“Hey there, boy. Easy,” she teases as she jumps out of her Jeep.

She takes my breath away. Dressed in faded jeans, old boots, and a shirt that has more holes than fabric, I don’t think she’s ever looked more beautiful. All of her hair is tied up in a knot on top of her head, with little pieces flying away around her face. It makes her eyes shine bright against the grey sky.

“Took a ride out there early this mornin’,” I tell her, flipping my baseball cap backward so I can get a better look at her. “It’s muddy as hell. Ready to get dirty?”

“Born ready.”

Without even thinking about it, we fall back into our old selves. She grabs ahold of my shoulders and throws herself onto my back. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have blinked at holding her like this. But now? I can’t stop thinking about how her arms are wrapped around my neck and my hands are so close to her inner thighs…

“Giddy up, then, cowboy!” She leans back and smacks my ass, and I’m so shocked that for a second, I just stand there and listen to her laugh her heart out.

“I’m going to get you back for that.”

“Sure thing. Let’s go!” She squeezes her thighs and urges me on. I carry her over to the side-by-side, but I cannot get my mind off the feeling of those thighs wrapped around my body. Someone needs to tell my cock to settle the fuck down because right now is not the time.

“The one with the netting? Really?” she asks when I set her down.

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