Epilogue
Dakota
Three weeks later
“Where’s Ari?” I ask, stepping into Cooper’s office.
“Her and Ryder rode out to the ridge,” he says, glancing up from his desk.
“I’m speechless.”
He leans back in his chair. “I think it’s hilarious.”
I walk inside, then perch on the edge of his desk. “I think she’s going to break him out of his shell.”
“I think he just finally realized she won’t take no for an answer.” He moves his legs, wheeling over to position himself in front of me.
“I don’t know. Ryder may not be as grumpy as he lets on.”
“Oh, believe me. He’s grumpy as fuck.” Cooper laughs before his hands land on my thighs. “You know." He runs his palms up higher, ghosting his fingertips very close to the seam on my jeans. “Everyone is out right now. We have this barn all to ourselves.”
“Oh really?” I lean back to rest my hands on his desk. “What do you suggest we do about it?”
He grins, pushing up from the chair to cradle my face. “I think I should strip you down.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “Bend you over this desk.”
I nip at his lip, my hand sliding over the denim of his pants. He’s hard as steel.
It’s been a little tricky to navigate alone time while living with a teenager. She’s not na?ve and we’d like to not scar her for life if possible.
His lips slant over mine, his tongue stroking against me as I unbutton his pants and pull down his zipper.
A hum sounds in the back of his throat as I reach inside to pull him out.
My palm wraps around his shaft just as someone shouts. “Anyone here?!”
“Shit,” Cooper curses, stepping back before he’s tucking himself inside of his pants.
I roll my eyes when Parker appears in the doorway.
He pauses, his eyes bouncing between us. “Did I interrupt?”
“Nope,” I say, as Cooper mutters, “yes.”
Parker grunts something under his breath while I slide off the desk. “What brings you to Mayson Ridge?”
He opens his arm for a hug, giving me a quick squeeze. “Sorry I couldn’t be at the wedding. Surgery was brutal.”
Parker won the championship at the finals, but before he could leave the arena, a collision had him sustaining a concussion, four broken ribs, a ripped rotator cuff, and a jaw fracture.
“It’s ok. Maybe you’ll be at our next one.” I pat his back. “We’ve already had two.”
His chuckle his gruff, just like the rest of him.
Cooper motions to the duffle bag in his hand. “You staying?”
Parker gives him a look. One I’m not exactly privy to. It seems like some inside conversation between the two cousins.
“Ruthie said the loft was open.” He shrugs.
Cooper studies him a moment. “Just you?”
Parker nods. “Just me.”
“Alright.” Cooper shoves his phone in his pocket, then strides to me. “Let me get him settled then we can finish our conversation.”
I can’t help but smile when he leans down to brush a kiss across my lips. “Promise?”
He slaps a hand across my ass. “Promise. Now get out of here.”
I leave the office, heading to the cabin that’s now cheerfully decorated with Christmas lights. Ari even convinced Cooper to build a life size Santa sleigh, reindeer included.
My foot is planted on the first step when I see a car coming down the drive. Laiken skids to a stop, then dives out of her SUV.
“What’s wrong?” I frown.
Laiken never gets mad. Like ever.
“Laiken?” Parker stands at the edge of the barn, his brows furrowed.
Laiken glares at him before facing me.
Her hand lifts, a finger pointed directly at the infamous bull rider. “That, is what’s wrong.”
The End.