Chapter 29 Reese
Showering off the day, my excitement for Lucy coming to the ranch explodes into nerves. I hope she likes the place, I panic-cleaned the house earlier because it seemed like a good use of all the extra energy.
Jarrett’s still out with Mason, so I haven’t had the chance to ask him how he feels about the arrangement the Sheriff and I came up with. He didn’t seem too happy when they left, but that seems to be his factory setting.
Stepping out of the shower, I check my phone just to make sure she hasn’t called. I have about thirty minutes before she’s supposed to be here and I need every bit of that time to make sure everything is ready, and I look presentable.
A knock sounds on the door as I’m pacing the floor, and my heart hammers in my chest.
She’s here, on my ranch.
Opening the door, my heart stalls in my chest. She’s stunning, I mean she always is, but fuck me. She’s wearing another dress, this one with thick straps over her freckled shoulders, it hugs her every curve. The deep blue makes her look even brighter, though I didn’t think it was even possible.
“Hi,” she says, offering me a plate with a slice of cake wrapped in cling wrap.
“Hey, come on in,” I move out of her way and she steps in. “I’m sorry, you’re just. God, you look even more beautiful than I remember.”
Her cheeks flush, and she looks down at her sandals.
Placing my finger under her chin I gently lift her face. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She smiles, and bites her bottom lip. Just then a few of the older riders walk past and don’t make it a secret that they’re checking out my woman.
“I should close the door. Jealousy, I’ve heard, isn’t cute,” I joke. “Don’t you have chores to get done?” I holler at the boys, pleased with the way they jump and hurry off. I look back at Lucy and get lost in her eyes.
This is the moment. The one I know I will go to my knees for again, and again, if only to see her smile like that.
Her blush deepens and I draw in a breath as I try like hell not to imagine her blushing like that while underneath me. Taking the cake from her, I set it on the counter and watch as she steps further in. I figured I’d cook for her, and since she’s usually the one doing the cooking, it felt right.
Her breath halts when she catches me staring. I want to close the gap between us, take her in my arms and press my lips to hers, but I won’t.
Not yet.
It takes everything in me to pull my gaze away and turn back toward the kitchen. Rolling up my sleeves, she eyes me from across the bar.
“So, you got me here. Now what, Old Man?”
“I’m cookin’ you dinner,” I smile, watching her eyes widen. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Nodding toward the couches, she turns to look over her shoulder.
“How’s the plannin’ coming for Indy’s carnival?” I ask, wanting to catch up since I didn’t get to talk to her this morning.
“We’re still waitin’ on the town council, but she loved the cake I made.” Her fingers twitch against the counter and I smile.
“I’m sure it was delicious.”
“You’ll have to tell me later,” she says, shifting on her feet.
“You save me a piece?” I tease.
She doesn’t comment, but I can see her smile out of the corner of my eye. She sits tentatively on the arm of the couch, “That’s what’s on the plate.”
Looking over at the plate she brought, I pay more attention. The cake looks delicious, and if she made it, I know it will be.
“Thank you, I can’t wait to try it,” I tell her before turning around and pulling out the steaks I marinated overnight. “Want a beer while you wait?”
She doesn’t say anything, prompting me to look over my shoulder. She’s staring at me, and when her eyes meet mine her whole face turns red.
“Were you checkin’ out my ass, Goldie?” I laugh, pulling two beers from the fridge and popping the top off one.
She looks away, and I walk around the counter to stand in front of her. Lifting her chin once more, I bend down so she has to look at me. “Check it out as much as you want, I’m all yours.”
Opening her mouth, she quickly closes it and her eyes flicker to my lips and back up. I want so badly to kiss her, to feel her lips against mine, but it needs to be on her terms. I don’t want to push her and end up losing her, so I offer the open beer instead.
“I–I can’t–” She clears her throat, “I actually don’t drink anymore,” she whispers, making me pop one brow.
“Anymore?” I ask.
She nods, and I step back, giving her space to say what she needs to–even if that’s nothing at all. I prep the steaks to go on the grill along with some onions and potatoes. Chopping squash and zucchini, I wrap it in tinfoil with butter and some seasoning.
“Ready for the real beauty of this place?” I ask, watching her lips turn up. With everything I need on the plate, I lead her out the back sliding glass doors to the patio. I love this place, the view, the lights. It’s my perfect slice of heaven and now I get to share it with her.
The mountain scape’s drenched in late evening light, haloing each peak in a pinkish orange glow. It shines against her face, making her freckles stand out and her features even more beautiful.
“This view!” She raves, eyes still locked on the mountains. “It’s incredible.”
“It is, though I’d argue mine is ten times better at the moment,” I respond before I can think better of it. Her eyes snap to mine, her cheeks pulling up in an even wider smile and I shrug. She deserves to hear how fucking stunning I think she is, and until she tells me to stop, I’ll keep doing it.