Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Kelsie
T he insurance company calls to let me know that the insurance should pan out next week.
Yet, now I’m torn. What will that mean for Carson and I?
It makes sense for me to move into my own place while we sort things out.
Even if we are “dating”, we shouldn’t live together, right?
I go down to the kitchen to find him, but all I find is a note.
Come find me in the barn.
Collin is staying with a friend tonight.
My heart pounds like a war drum as I approach the barn.
. A rustic wooden table stands in the center of the barn.
Mason jars overflow with wildflowers.
Tears prick at my eyes.
My gaze drifts across the table, taking in every detail.
A bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket.
Two place settings. And in the center, a small vase holding a single red rose.
This isn't just dinner - this is a declaration. My heart flutters wildly, a caged bird taking flight. I press a hand to my chest, trying to calm its frantic beating.
“Do you like it?” Carson's deep voice startles me.
I turn to find him standing in the shadows.
He steps into the candlelight, his rugged features softened by them.
His piercing blue eyes drink me in as I take in sight of him.
He’s dressed in a crisp button-down shirt and dark jeans.
He gestures towards the table, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and he pulls out a chair for me.
“This is... incredible,” I finally manage.
“I don't know what to say.”
He reaches across the table, his hand hovering near mine but not quite touching. “You don't have to say anything,” he replies. “I just... I wanted to do something special for you. To show you how much you mean to me.”
I swallow hard, fighting back tears. How has this man, this beautiful, caring cowboy, managed to slip past my defenses yet again so quickly?
Carson lifts a cloth napkin, revealing a basket of golden rolls. My mouth waters instantly. He passes me a plate with tender, herb-crusted chicken and roasted vegetables.
“I hope you like it,” Carson says,. “I wanted to try something special.”
I take a bite, savoring the burst of flavors. “It's delicious.”
As we eat, I catch Carson watching me. My cheeks warm under his gaze.
Carson clears his throat, setting down his fork. “Kelsie, I... there's something I need to say.” His voice is low, tinged with both hope and hesitation. “Having you here, on the ranch... it's changed everything. You've brought a light back into my life that I thought was gone forever.”
My heart clenches at his words. “Carson, I-”
“Please, let me finish. I know you've been through so much, and I don't want to push. But I need you to know how grateful I am for your presence here. You've not only helped with the ranch and with Collin, but you've... you've helped me remember what it feels like to truly care for someone again.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I… I feel it too. This connection between us. We both know it’s always been there and maybe we shouldn’t have split all those years ago. Or maybe that was what it took for us to come back to each other.”
“I agree. The things we have experienced have set us up to be the people we are now, and these people fit together perfectly. But I know you will hear from the insurance company soon… and I just want to say that you are welcome to stay here with us as long as you want. There is no rush on either side of this.”
I lean forward. “Being here, with you and Collin... it feels right. It feels like home.” I pause, my heart racing. “I want to stay, Carson. I want to explore what we have, whatever it might be.”
The tension in Carson's shoulders eases. “You mean that?”
“I do. It won't be easy, and I can't promise I won't have moments of doubt. But I'm willing to take the risk if you are.”
Carson reaches across the table, his calloused hand enveloping mine. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You've brought light back into my world, into Collin's world. I'm not letting that go without a fight.”
Before I can second-guess myself, I lean forward, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet in a tender, lingering kiss that sends sparks coursing through my body. Carson's hand moves to cradle the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair as he deepened the kiss.
When we finally part, both breathless. This is right. This is where I belong.
“Wow,” I whisper, unable to keep the grin off my face.
Carson chuckles, his forehead resting against mine. “Yeah, wow.”
“What are you thinking?” Carson asks, his breath warm against my ear.
I tilt my head, resting it on his shoulder as I consider the question. “I’m thinking about how right this feels,” I admit. “How, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.”
Carson presses a tender kiss to my temple. “I feel it too. Like all the pieces are finally falling into place.”
This is my home.
Carson's arms are like steel bands around me as he carries me, without hesitation, to his house. My heart pounds. We barely make it through the door before our clothes are flying off.
His fingers fumble with the buttons on my blouse, yanking it open to reveal my lacy bra. His mouth finds my nipple through the fabric, and I let out a sigh of pleasure as he sucks and teases me. I arch my back, pressing myself closer to him, desperate for more contact.
With a growl, Carson lifts me up and pins me against the wall. I can feel him hard against my thigh, and I grind against him, relishing in the feeling of him inside me, even if it's just through our clothes. He thrusts against me, his breathing ragged and hot against my neck.
“Fuck, you feel good.”
I wrap my legs around his waist, hooking my ankles together behind him as he grinds against me.
With a grunt, Carson carries me to the kitchen island, setting me down on the cold marble countertop. He spreads my legs apart, his fingers tracing a path up my inner thigh. I moan as he reaches my core, his fingers teasing my damp folds. I'm already soaking wet, ready for him to take me.
But Carson has other plans. He drops to his knees, his hot breath against my core making me shiver. He looks up at me, his eyes dark with desire.
“Do you want me to taste you?” he growls, and I nod. With a wicked grin, he dives in, his tongue flicking against my clit. I cry out, my fingers tangling in his hair as he licks and sucks at me.
An orgasm builds inside me, my body tensing as Carson brings me closer and closer to the edge. Just as I'm about to tip over, he pulls back, a wicked glint in his eye.
“Not yet,” he says, and I groan in frustration. He stands up, his hard cock pressing against me.
“Please,” I beg, and he smirks.
“Please what?” he asks, teasing me.
“Please fuck me,” I gasp, and he doesn't hesitate. He thrusts into me, filling me up in one swift movement. I cry out, my nails digging into his back as he starts to move.
Sweat drips down our bodies as we make love. I can feel myself getting close again, my orgasm building deep inside me. I moan his name, begging him to fuck me harder, to make me come.
And he does. With a final thrust, he sends me over the edge, my orgasm crashing over me like a wave. He’s pulsing inside me, his own release following mine. We collapse together, panting and breathless, our bodies slick with sweat and desire.
Carson looks at me, his eyes softening as he brushes a sweaty lock of hair from my forehead.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” I reply, and we lay there, tangled together in our own little world.