Chapter 2 #3
My heart gave a little squeeze, aching. If I was any sort of good boyfriend, I’d be exploring his mental health after such a day.
Hmm. Another thing to feel guilty about once I got my wits back.
I went for another wallboard, pulling one off the pile. Mace met me there, grabbing the other side. “Whiskey’s gonna be the perfect addition to help me corral our animals. He’s strong and easily follows my commands.”
We took the board, and he lifted it to the wall, easily holding it steady. I quickly used the gun, locking it in place. While I worked, I begged this brain of mine to end the drama I’d started that day.
“Stop bein’ pissy,” Mace said calmly. “I’ll do better, I promise. After I got past the guilt, it felt right to be in the saddle. I missed it.”
I nodded again, taking another board from the pile. We were close to finishing. Mace jumped in to help again, holding the board while I screwed it. “I’m not pissy. I don’t want to leave. I can manage our lives better from here.”
This time Mace nodded, anticipating my argument with the logic that was all Mace. “You have to stick to your plan. If you do, you’ll be back here full time when you film with Austin. Hang on to our goals.”
Our goals. My gaze sought Mace’s. He’d been very clear that he had his life and I had mine. His new wording did help my irritation.
“I haven’t told you the extent of the crazy that follows me around.
I’ve had to file many restraining orders.
Some people lose sight of reality…” Where I’d have continued installing the wallboards, Mace set his side down, resting it against the piece I’d just installed.
He came to me, his hand reaching for my hip, drawing me closer. I liked that move a whole lot too.
He gently knocked his fist against the bottom of my chin, demanding my gaze reach his.
“We’re safe here. No one knows about this place—” Mace started.
“You don’t know that,” I said, cutting him off.
“But I do know. We’ve had no problems here. There’s no reason why it won’t continue when you’re gone. You’ve designed it that way,” Mace said, staring me in the eyes. His strength was everything, and I clung to the hope he presented. Well sort of.
“You helped me find my way in life again,” I confessed quietly. “What if I leave and you decide I’m not worth the energy.”
The sweet grin that spread over Mace’s handsome face had me clinging to him tighter than before. “I feel the same way. I’m a lot to deal with. I might make Hollywood look doable.”
“That’s not true, not anymore. You’re steady, feet grounded. Honestly, I believe you dealt with the accident before you met me. What kept you away from people was the gay thing.”
“I can say those same words about you too.”
I drew us closer, my hand clutching Mace’s neck.
“Don’t forget me. I’ll be here waitin’ for every other Sunday.
Next year at this time, you’ll be around here full time.
This is gonna work out.” Mace bent in to press his lips against the corner of my mouth.
A charming new way he’d begun to treat me.
If he gave a traditional chaste kiss, I’d always turn it into more, no matter what we were doing.
My forehead bent to press against Mace’s.
“I don’t want to leave you. We’re building a great life. I won’t be here to watch the ranch come together. I won’t be here when you bring in the first displaced animals. I can’t stand it.”
Mace stayed right there with me, his eyes closed. Mine followed suit.
“We’ll FaceTime each other all the time. Then after I let you out of our bed Sunday mornin’, you’ll see it all.” He reared back to nod vigorously.
My smile was genuine and I angled backward too, aiming for a sinister glint in my gaze as I said, “So that means I’ll never get to see the ranch with my own eyes. I planned to fly in, spend every minute with you underneath me, or on top of me, lots of that time spent with you inside me.”
“Yeah, then it’s unfortunate that you won’t see anything we’re doin’,” Mace grinned.
This time, he kissed me right on the lips and moved out of my reach just as quickly. “Let’s go practice.”
I wasted no time removing my tool belt, carefully lowering it to the ground.
I resisted the urge to drop to my knees and blow Mace right here.
We had forty-eight hours until I left. I was more than fine with each and every one being spent in our bed.
Our room, our house. Luckily, the calm descended again.
“Let’s go, handsome. I’m calling your bluff. ”
“Not a bluff,” Mace teased, heading for the door.
“Tell me more about Whiskey. I watched you two. He’s fast, and y’all are fluid together.”
“Yeah. He’s pretty perfect,” Mace said, locking the front door as we stepped out onto the porch. “If you did buy the horse, you picked a good one.”
My laugh was instant. He insisted I’d bought Whiskey, and I hadn’t, not yet. The payment was scheduled to arrive next week. “That one’s all on Kitt. You saw his note.”
The look I received meant he didn’t believe me. We’d see if he got the truth out of me that night.