33. Jace
JACE
The moment we’re done, I brace myself for that choking sensation I sometimes get right after sex. The one that makes me wanna flee like my ass is on fire.
“Don’t wanna crush you.” I turn us sideways, keeping Rory in my arms. I kiss her temple, hoping she doesn’t pick up on my anxiety.
I meant what I told her earlier. I want this to be good for her.
I’m the unknown variable here. “You okay?” I need to break the silence. To get a sense of how she’s feeling.
Rory tries to talk but has to cough. “I’m hoarse. Did I scream?” She laughs, low and husky, and I smile into her neck.
“Yeah, you did. I liked it.” Goosebumps break out along her skin and my grin widens.
Leaning back, I study her flushed face. I wait for the panic to set in. For the urge to pack up our stuff and get away from this place where we tell secrets.
But when she smiles shyly, all I feel is an overwhelming sense of rightness. Like this was meant to happen. Like we’re meant to be here. To have sex under the stars.
I cup her beautiful face. “Was that okay? Was it too rough?” Shit. Did I get carried away?
She nibbles her bottom lip and shakes her head. “Not too rough. Or at least… I liked it.”
Fuck. I shove my face in her shoulder again, liking when she rakes her fingers through my hair. “We need more time away from the tour bus.”
“I know what you mean. I’m always afraid someone will hear us or we’ll wake up Layla.”
“Mmm. Yeah.” I’m having a tough time forming sentences. “Hold up. Need to take care of the condom.” I ease out of her, enjoying the view of my wife.
I linger on that word “wife.” I know we’re doing this stupid game for the record label, pretending I’m not married so we don’t turn off female fans, but that’s starting to wear on me.
As I stand, I see a flicker of lightning in the distance. If that’s a storm, it’s far enough away that it won’t bother us tonight.
After I get rid of the rubber and toss it into a plastic trash bag, I lie down next to her again, pull her into my arms, and cover us with some blankets. “Tell me the truth. How are you doing with the tour?”
She drags her finger across my chest. “Some days are better than others. I miss spending time alone, and I feel a little stir-crazy on the bus. But I really like those quiet nights you, Layla, and I duck out to do laundry and grab dinner together without the rest of your crew. And I love your concerts.”
Leaning up on my elbow, I smirk down at her. “So you’re saying you like my music.”
“Yes, goofball.” She shoves me, and I laugh and roll her under me and kiss her.
We kiss so long, I’m wondering if we have time for round two.
But then someone clears his throat. Who the fuck is that?
I jerk up to make sure Rory’s all covered up and come face to face with Sheriff Reynolds.
He shakes his head at me. “Now why in the world am I not surprised to find Jace Walker naked as the day he was born in the back of his truck?”
I chuckle. “Hi, Sheriff. Nice to see you too.”
“Son, you shouldn’t bring groupies here. I should arrest you for public indecency.”
“I’m not with a groupie.” Damn it. Now Rory’s not gonna believe that I’ve never brought a woman here before. “I’m with my wife.”
Rory’s disheveled head pops up and she waves. “Hi, sir.” She’s so fucking cute.
“Wife, meet the sheriff. Sheriff, meet the wife. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear I got hitched.” The label might want that quiet, but I’m sure the town’s been talking.
He squints at Rory. “Aren’t you the librarian?”
“Yes, sir. But I got fired.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He scratches his gray beard. “Been outta town for a while, so I didn’t hear the news.”
I smile, hoping we can avoid getting arrested. “If I promise we’ll get dressed and stay dressed, can we stay a little longer? I’ve got a picnic I need to impress the wife with, but I kinda got carried away.”
Trying not to laugh, he looks away. “Guess I could overlook this one time. As long as you’re not here with another wife anytime soon.”
I hold up my hand. “Cross my heart. Hope to die.” I can genuinely promise to never bring another woman up here. I only brought Rory ’cause she’s special.
“All righty then. I’d say have a good night, but I know you are.”
When the sheriff drives away, Rory and I stare at each other a beat before we both lose it. Then she smacks my chest. “Jace, he could’ve seen us going at it like little feral rabbits.”
I laugh harder and kiss her. “I didn’t even hear his patrol car drive up. Good thing he didn’t get an eyeful of my bare ass.”
She snorts and reaches for my shirt, tugs it on and buttons it up. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
I take her in. Her messy hair and swollen lips. Her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “You look good in my clothes, wife.”
She bats her eyelashes at me playfully. “Careful, or I’m going to start stealing more of your shirts, husband.”
I might like that.
The next morning, I get Layla dressed and fed and wait for Rory to wake up.
Paige and Baylee sit across from me, and Baylee waggles her eyebrows at me. “So. How was your date?”
“Good.” Fucking fantastic, but that’s between me and Aurora. Not for the peanut gallery.
“That’s it? Just good?”
“Don’t you have your own house across the street? Go harass Maverick.”
Her grin widens. “Did you do the picnic?”
“Yes.”
“Did she enjoy it?”
Rory shuffles into the kitchen, wearing shorts and one of my t-shirts and looking delectable. She drapes her arms around my shoulders in a hug. “Yes, I enjoyed it.”
“Morning, babe.” Turning, I kiss her, and Frick and Frack squeal.
Layla startles on my lap, and I scowl at my sisters-in-law. “Ladies, please have some decorum. You’re frightening the children.” Rory takes Layla, kisses her cheek, and bounces my daughter on her hip.
Just then, Honey bounds through the front door. “How was the date?”
Baylee fist-pumps. “I’m deep in my feels over here from how well it went.”
“Really?” Honey waddles closer and glares at me. “Don’t look at me. I know I move like a duck now that I’m pregnant. I can’t help it. Have you seen your brother? Beau’s huge, and his manchild growing in my belly is enormous too.”
“How’s your pregnancy going?” Rory asks as she sits next to me with Layla in her lap.
Honey grabs the seat across from us. “I’ve puked more in the last few months than I thought was possible, but food is starting to smell good again.” She holds up her hand and counts each item off with a finger. “The baby’s healthy, I love Beau, and he loves me. That’s all that matters.”
There’s a wistful look in Rory’s eyes. I almost miss it. Because a moment later, it’s gone. Does Rory want kids? We’ve never discussed it. She loves Layla, that’s obvious. But does she want children of her own?
Do I want more?
Kinda have my hands full with one.
But would I want kids with Rory down the road? Would she like that?
Once again, I register I’ve done everything backwards. But I’m trying to figure shit out now.
All this adulting is giving me a headache. I turn to Rory. “Wanna go for a ride? I was thinking we could saddle up the horses. I’d love to show you and Layla around the ranch.”
“That sounds really fun, but could we maybe do a short ride?” She smiles, but blushes and leans close to whisper, “I’m a little sore.”
Aww, my poor girl. I kiss her forehead. “Whatever you want.” The peanut gallery sighs, and I roll my eyes. “Leave us alone.”
Paige clutches her hands to her chest. “But y’all are so cute! Rhett and I were never this cute. I love that grumpy man to pieces, but he wasn’t this sweet.”
He stomps in behind her, holding a giant bottle and a lamb. Frowning, he leans over to kiss Paige. “The hell I wasn’t sweet. Who bought you all those chickens and agreed to bottle-feed Fluffy here?”
Everyone chuckles.
Affectionately, Paige caresses his cheek, but turns back to us.
“As I was saying”—she points to her best friend—“Baylee and Mav were a hot mess, we all know that. And no one knew Honey and Beau were dating ’cause they were sneaky, which I suppose they had to be since her brothers wanted to kick Beau’s ass.
But now they’re having a baby and all is well in the world. ”
“We’re gonna go.” I motion toward the barn.
“My point is, none of us got to appreciate how cute a couple can be, and you and Rory are adorable. Aren’t they, girls?”
Honey nods. “The cutest.”
“So sweet.” Baylee smirks. “We should give them a nickname. Like Jory or Race.”
Excited, all three of them start talking over one another.
I lean over to Rory, who’s struggling not to laugh. “Please ignore my family. They’re all insane.” I stand, take Layla from her, and offer Rory my hand to help her up.
Hand in hand, we stroll back to the barn, and she smiles into the bright sun. “Did you love growing up on a ranch?”
“No.” It’s an honest answer. “My brothers and I had to do all the work because my dad was drunk. But I appreciate it now. Even though I love music, I have to admit I enjoy working with my brothers too. I didn’t think I’d miss them or the ranch this summer, not because I don’t care but because I thought I’d be too preoccupied with the tour. Except…”
She gives me a knowing smile. “Except you do miss them. You miss this.”
“Crazy, right? Growing up, I was dying to get away. To go off and do my thing. But coming home now feels good. Without the shadow of my father hanging over us, I realize how much I love this place.”
She hooks her arm in mine. “The ranch is beautiful. Growing up, I always wanted horses and chickens. Maybe a garden. Somewhere quiet I could read.”
A foreign feeling in my chest swells when I look at my wife.
“You’ll love it here.” I realize what I just said.
That I’m describing her life here like it’s a foregone conclusion.
I wait for the urge to walk it back. It doesn’t come.
“This place is a lot of work, but you’re never alone.
Someone always helps. Having a big family has its advantages.
And there are lots of quiet places around here for you to enjoy your books. ” I wink at her, and she grins.
When we reach the barn, I take my girls to my horse and stroke his soft muzzle. “This is Dreamer. He’s a buckskin quarter horse. He’s mine when I’m home, but Beau rides him a lot so he can get some exercise when I’m gone.”
“He’s beautiful.” Rory glances at me. “Can I pet him?”
“Yeah, like this.” I show her where Dreamer likes it best. “Every horse is a little different, but he loves being stroked on his muzzle and neck.” Dreamer snorts and stomps, pushing me with his head, and I laugh.
“Here’s your treat, you big baby.” I pull a carrot out of my pocket and he gobbles it down.
Then I hold up my daughter. “Layla, say hi to Dreamer.” Layla squeals with happiness and kicks her legs, but Dreamer doesn’t flinch.
He’s as steady as they come. “You hafta be gentle with the horses, okay, honey? You need to let them get to know you.” Her eyes are the size of saucers as I put her hand on Dreamer. “Good girl. Just like that.”
“Jace,” Rory says softly, and holds up her phone. “For you. So you have it for later.”
“Thank you.” I never would’ve thought to record this, and it makes something in my throat go tight that Aurora knows I’d want to remember this moment.
I narrate what we’re doing as she records.
“This is the first time Layla’s been around horses, and I just introduced her to my horse Dreamer. Layla, honey, do you like horses?”
She squeals and claps and babbles. That was a definite yes to my question, but I don’t think she can say “horse” yet. Hmm. Let me try something else.
“Horses go neigh. Layla, can you say neigh?”
“Neighhhhh!” she yells, and Rory and I both cheer.
“All right, baby. Good job.” I kiss her cheek. “You’re such a smart girl.”
After the introductions, I saddle up our horses and duck back into the house to get the baby carrier so I can strap Layla to my chest. Rhett’s walking by just in time, and I hand him my daughter while I get Rory situated on her horse.
Once I’m mounted, he hands me Layla and I get her in the wrap so I can use my hands.
My big, gruff brother smiles at us. “Have fun out there.”
“Just going for a short ride. We’ll be back soon. Actually, could you take a pic of the three of us?”
He glances at Rory and nods. He snaps a few shots, and we head off. It’s the best morning I can remember.
As I head out across the ranch with my girls, I can almost forget about how much is on the line next week when we get into the recording studio.