CHAPTER 7
DELANEY
It’s been a few days since the picnic with Noel. I’m sure there are some who would accuse me of being weak and folding far too soon. But I’d love to see someone else stand strong in the face of Noel Burns and how intense the man is.
When he fired me, even if it was bullshit, it pissed me off and I just couldn’t take the tension between us anymore. So, yeah, I jumped him, and I don’t regret it.
I probably should, but I don’t. It’s a line I’ve never crossed before and I thought for sure that I would be drowning in shame, but I’m not. With Noel obliterating that line as if it never existed feels right.
The man is fucking addicting and I’ve been walking around needing another hit for days. I’m sure that makes me a sad example of an independent woman. Maybe I am.
Maybe it’s my prerogative to do what I want and change my mind when I want to. Maybe I’m indecisive and unable to stick to the plan.
Either way, my pussy has been begging me to take Noel for another ride, but the opportunity hasn’t presented itself. Even though I’m craving him.
I thought the man wouldn’t leave me alone before, but it’s even worse now.
Every time I turn around, there he is. While I’m finishing up the horse assessments. When I’m using the office in the barn to start putting together a training plan and how to roll out the program.
I’m not complaining, but it isn’t easy to stop myself from climbing the man like a tree at all hours of the day.
Honestly, the night isn’t much better. He’s always there and looking at me with his intense brown eyes. I’ve never squirmed at the dinner table as much as I have the last few nights. Thankfully, August and the rest of Noel’s family are there or else I’m pretty sure I would have launched myself across the table by now.
He would catch me with ease and probably have a smirk on his face the entire time.
I’ve just stepped into the barn, planning to assess of Skittles who is an aptly named Appaloosa and a sweetheart. All the horses are really well mannered and have sweet dispositions that will lend themselves well to the program.
Knowing how much these horses are going to help people makes me feel light.
“Not today, Freckles,” Noel’s rich voice comes from behind me and makes me jump and twirl around to face him.
“Not today, what?” My question is breathless as I press my hand to my chest.
He reaches over and pulls my hand away, the callouses on his fingers sliding over my skin as he entwines our hands. When he tugs me back toward the entrance to the barn, I don’t resist. I’m not entirely sure I could at this point.
There’s something about this man that pulls me in. I’m not delusional and don’t believe this will last longer than my time here, but I can’t deny how much I’m enjoying myself. Maybe, just maybe, in the dark of night I admit to myself how deeply Noel Burns has burrowed under my skin. But I won’t be saying it to him any time soon.
“No work today. Sierra was being stubborn yesterday during your assessment and you deserve a break,” his tone holds no room for argument.
And he is the boss.
“Oh? What do you have in mind?” How my voice comes out steady instead of wavering with need and pent-up desire, I’ll never know. But I’m thankful.
The heated look Noel throws me over his shoulder has my pussy clenching. This isn’t the first stolen moment we’ve had, but Noel has been filling the time with trying to learn as much about me as possible. It’s kind of sweet, even though it makes my heart ache for what I’m fairly certain can never be.
“Today, we’re going to the Flower Market in town.”
“We are?”
He grins and nods as he leads me back toward the house. “We are. We’re going to grab August and head into town. It’s a good way to see what new spring things businesses around town are offering. I also try and get a few new plants for the ranch there every year. If I didn’t then Mom would never let me hear the end of it.”
I can’t help but giggle and shake my head. The landscaping around the ranch is gorgeous and just starting to really bounce back after winter even though it’s still chilly in the morning and at night.
Nostalgia fills me. My mom was always really particular about the flowers on our ranch. The ache of loss I always feel when I think about my mom is still there but it’s not quite as sharp this time.
I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.
August is waiting for us at the front door of the house, and I glance at Noel who only winks at me. Huh. I guess my guys have been scheming.
I freeze for a moment at the thought of Noel being mine, but I shake it off. It’s just temporary.
“Are we ready to go?” August’s excitement is palpable.
I swear the kid is almost vibrating with it and it makes me smile. He’s been thriving since we arrived at Limitless. I’m sure it’s because of the attention from the Burns brothers. All of them treat him like he’s special and none of them judge him or expect less from him just because of his past injuries, even though they’re aware of them. Then there’s Macklin. They’ve bonded and August treats him like a younger brother but not one he’s annoyed by.
It's incredibly sweet. Part of me has been tempted to warn August about getting too attached, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to actually do it.
At least not yet.
I can only hope that doesn’t bite me in the ass.
“Ready for what?” There’s a tease in my voice as I reach over and ruffle my brother’s hair.
He swats my hand away and shoots Noel an exasperated look. “Didn’t you tell her where we’re going?”
Noel holds up his hands in surrender, “I told her, bud.”
August’s chest puffs up with pride as he informs me, “Noel said I could help pick out the flowers for the ranch.”
“Did he now?” I eye the man next to me whose brown eyes are already taking me in. I swear sometimes he’s just waiting for me to look at him.
Or he’s enamored with you.
I shake off the thought and allow Noel to lead me over to his truck while August practically skips next to us. He chirps, “I’m going to pick a rainbow of flowers. It’ll be so pretty.”
“I have no doubt,” I assure him while grinning wide.
“There are usually some good treats at the market too,” Noel adds as he opens the door for August. The way he keeps his eyes on my brother and stays close, just in case he needs help without actually intruding melts something inside of me.
Noel is making me fall in love with him and I’m not even sure he’s trying. It’s unreal.
Once August is settled, Noel closes the door and turns my way with a sheepish smile on his face. His voice is low and insistent, “I wanted to be close in case he needed help. Is that okay?”
“Yeah,” I choke out, my mouth dry as he opens my door, grips my hips, and lifts me into his truck. “You did good, Noel,” I murmur.
The smile he flashes me is blinding as he buckles me in. Damn this man. How the hell am I going to be able to walk away from him?
August asks all sorts of questions while we drive into town. I can’t help but watch Noel. His face is open as he chats with August and the smile on his face doesn’t dim. There isn’t a single part of him that is annoyed, and I didn’t even need to ask for my brother to be included; he just was.
The walls I’ve spent years building around my heart, the ones I needed to survive and keep moving forward without being pulled under by the despair of everything I’ve lost, crumble. Noel isn’t just making an effort with me. He’s making one with August as well.
Could this be our home?
Could this be our future?
Before I can spiral too deep into my thoughts, concerns, and fears, we arrive at the market. Noel is right there, leading us by the various businesses which have set up tents and tables. He gives us some information about the booths as we browse. August is pretty much jumping up and down as we check everything out.
We get stopped a few times with people who want to chat with Noel, and it becomes obvious how much respect the people who live in Wintervale have for him and the entire Burns family. More than one person comments on his military service and every time I watch as my man’s jaw clenches.
My man?
Shouldn’t the thought, the acceptance of what he’s offering me, have me wanting to run in the opposite direction? The odd thing is that it doesn’t. No, it fills me with a sense of pride that I’ve never experienced before.
When it’s clear that he’s becoming agitated by the attention, I slip my hand in his and give a squeeze. The relief and gratefulness in his eyes as he looks at me has my heart beating faster in my chest. Once we get to a large flower stall, he seems to relax slightly.
“Oh,” August exclaims, “these are so pretty.”
“Let’s find the perennials and then you can pick whatever you want,” there’s a strain in Noel’s voice and I give his hand another squeeze of encouragement.
The stress from so many people bringing up Noel’s military service seems to melt away as we watch August pick out flowers. His excitement is contagious and we’re not the only ones affected. Random people I don’t know stop and watch my brother’s joy along with us before they move along.
“Thank you,” Noel murmurs and turns toward me while still keeping Auggie in his line of sight.
I blink up at him and can’t help but ask, “For what?”
“Letting me have this moment, for being willing to share your brother with me. You’ve been raising him for a long time, and you’ve done an amazing job. I wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather keep him and his joy to yourself.” He swallows hard and squeezes my hand this time. “And for helping to keep me grounded.”
“Noel,” my voice cracks as I’m flooded with emotions.
“It’s hard for me to accept praise for my service when it left me changed and scarred in so many ways. I’m not saying I would change anything. I probably would still enlist knowing what I know now, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for me to have people to see me as a hero when I don’t feel like one.”
“It doesn’t make any sense,” I whisper softly, “but I don’t like you being uncomfortable.”
Noel’s grin is victorious. I almost roll my eyes, but I am able to hold back. Barely.
When August runs over to us, he exclaims, “I found everything. All the colors in the rainbow.”
Noel gives his shoulder a squeeze, “Lets get checked out and we’ll grab a snack before we head back to Limitless.”
The air around us is light and filled with Auggie’s happy chatter as we grab the flat of flowers and head back out of the market while grabbing a snack on the way. Even though August has had great experiences in a lot of places, the way he seems to glow here is something I can’t ignore.
When we pull up in front of the house, August’s voice is excited, “Can I go find Macklin?”
I look over my shoulder and nod, “Of course.”
He’s out of the truck before Noel can even think about getting out and spotting him. Noel’s chuckle wraps around me and has me looking over at him with big, round eyes.
“I guess he’s got it,” there’s amusement in his voice.
While staring at where my brother used to be, I nod slowly. “He’s doing so well here,” I muse. “He’s enjoyed other places we’ve lived over the years, but this is different. It’s,” I have to pause and swallow hard, “more somehow.”
Noel grips my chin and turns my face until I’m meeting his gaze before his large hands cup my cheeks. “It’s because he’s family, Delaney. We’re his family. He knows he’s safe here. Safe from judgement, from criticism. He knows he can spread his wings and fly and we’ll be here to help him along the way.”
His words have tears filling my eyes and when one falls, he wipes it gently away with the rough pad of his thumb. As much as I want to get completely lost in his eyes, something holds me back—reality. This won’t be forever. It can’t be; it never is.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do when it’s time to move on. The assessments are going really well, and I’m almost done. I have no doubt that you’ll pick up the training and so will the horses. You’re set for the website to go live.” I try to not sound dejected, but I fail, “Our time here will be over before we know it.”
“No,” Noel growls fiercely and my mouth opens in surprise, “you’re not going anywhere.”
I rear back from him as much as I can, which isn’t much considering the way he’s holding my face. “What are you talking about? I’m not a prisoner,” I snap.
“You’re not,” his voice is softer now, but no less fierce. “You’re not a prisoner, but you are mine, Freckles. You and August. You’re my woman, he’s my little brother or my son, whatever works for you. You both belong to me, and you belong right here.”
My voice is a barely there whisper, “What are you saying?”
“I know it might be fast to a lot of people, but I don’t give a fuck. I knew the moment I saw you that you’re mine and meant to be right here at Limitless. You’ve stopped keeping me at a distance, but you still haven’t been willing to see what is right in front of you.” I open my mouth to argue, but he gives a firm shake of his head. “I don’t blame you, but it’s true. You’ve had to survive on your own while raising August for a long time. I can understand why you hold onto your independence so hard, but you don’t have to anymore, not as tightly.”
“My contract isn’t indefinite,” I protest but it sounds weak, even to me.”
Noel chuckles under his breath and there’s an edge of danger in the sound. “Your contract doesn’t say anything about staying after the job is done.”
“You want me to stay?”
“This is your home,” he insists and something in me believes him. “I know how important your job is. If you want to keep taking on contracts, then we can get a travel trailer or something and I’ll go with you. August can stay here and start school, make friends, and have a home. Our family will keep him safe and happy while still allowing you to follow your dreams. Or you can consult over the phone or whatever works for you. Or people can come here for training. I don’t have all the answers, but I know you’re mine.”
I launch myself at Noel, totally forgetting about still being in his truck. My ass hits his horn and blares, the sound competing with the booming laugh of my man as he catches me easily and then moves his seat back to make room for me on his lap.
My hands find his jaw and cradle it as I search his face. This man has laid it all out there, everything he wants and hopes for at my feet. It’s too much and just right somehow.
“Noel,” I breathe out right before I crash my mouth down on his, unable to put into words how I’m feeling, but wanting him to know I hear him all the same.
I’m not sure if he’s real, if I’m really his in the same way it feels like he’s mine, but it doesn’t matter as I kiss him with all my hopes and dreams trapped between us.