Chapter 28
Cole
“Today’s the day,” Jesse said, his naked body wrapped around mine under the covers. “Our one year of torture is finally over.”
“Torture?” I scoffed. “That’s not what you were saying last night while you were riding my dick.”
He smirked, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “Different kind of torture altogether.”
I rolled over to face him, tracing my fingers along the stubble of his jaw. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting golden patterns across his skin. Even after all these months together, the sight of him still took my breath away.
“You nervous?” I asked.
“About Whitaker? Nah.” But there was a tightness around his eyes that told me otherwise.
Today marked exactly one year since we’d agreed to the terms of my father’s will.
Twelve months of working the ranch together, building the business, and falling deeper in love than I’d ever thought possible.
Mr. Whitaker would be here at noon for the final audit.
If we passed—and I was damn sure we would—the ranch would be officially ours.
No more monthly check-ins, no more proving ourselves.
“Liar,” I said, poking him in the ribs. “I can see right through you, Jesse.”
He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Maybe a little nervous,” he admitted. “I’m just ready for it to be over with.”
“It will be,” I assured him, leaning in to kiss him properly. “We’ve done everything Dad asked of us. The ranch is thriving. The business is booming. Most of it thanks to you.”
“And we haven’t killed each other yet,” Jesse added with a mischievous smile. “That’s probably the biggest miracle.”
I laughed, pulling him closer until our foreheads touched. “That was the real test, wasn’t it? Keeping you from driving me insane with your city-boy ideas.”
“My city-boy ideas made us a fortune,” Jesse retorted, his fingers trailing down my bare chest. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
He wasn’t wrong. The online business had exploded beyond anything I could’ve imagined.
We were shipping premium Montana beef to customers in every state now, and even had a waiting list for our specialty cuts.
Jesse’s marketing genius had turned Nelson Ranch from a struggling operation into one of the most sought-after boutique beef producers in the country.
And our campaign about being gay cowboys? Absolute stroke of genius.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, trying to sound unimpressed though we both knew better. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Jesse’s expression softened, his hazel eyes searching mine. “You know what I was thinking about last night?”
“How to drive me crazy in new and inventive ways?”
“No,” he said, smacking my arm playfully. “I was thinking about that first night you kissed me. In the barn. When you were so goddamn angry and confused.”
The memory sent a rush of warmth through me. “I wasn’t confused. I knew exactly what I wanted.”
“Bullshit,” Jesse laughed. “You were terrified. You practically ran away after.”
I couldn’t argue with that. Those first weeks after Jesse returned had been the most confusing of my life. Fighting my attraction to him, denying what I’d felt since we were teenagers, trying to convince myself it was wrong.
“Well,” I said, brushing my thumb across his lower lip, “I figured it out, eventually.”
“Only because I’m irresistible.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t contradict him. We lay there for a few moments, just breathing together, his leg hooked over mine beneath the sheets. These quiet mornings were my favorite part of us. The easy intimacy we’d built, the comfort of his body against mine.
“We should get up,” I finally said, though I made no move to do so. “Evelyn will be here soon, and we need to make sure everything’s ready for Whitaker.”
Jesse groaned, burying his face in my neck. “Five more minutes.”
His warm breath against my skin made me shiver. “You said that twenty minutes ago.”
“I’m very persuasive.”
I couldn’t argue with that either. His hand slid down my stomach, fingers teasing along the dark hair above my cock. My body responded immediately, and I caught his wrist before he could go further.
“Don’t start something we don’t have time to finish,” I warned.
“Who says we don’t have time?” His eyes glinted with mischief. “I can be quick when motivated.”
The sound of a truck pulling into the driveway made us both freeze. I glanced at the clock and cursed.
“That’s Evelyn. Fuck,” I swore, scrambling to find my jeans on the floor. “She’s early.”
“She’s always early,” Jesse grumbled, reluctantly pulling away and sitting up. His hair stuck out in all directions, and I had to resist the urge to run my fingers through it again.
“Get dressed,” I ordered, tossing his shirt at his head. “And don’t you dare come down looking like you just got laid.”
Jesse caught the shirt with a grin. “But I did just get laid. Last night. Twice.”
“And if you behave, maybe you will again tonight,” I promised, pulling on my jeans and grabbing a clean shirt from the dresser. “After Whitaker leaves and this is all official.”
Jesse’s face lit up at that. “Is that a promise, cowboy?”
I paused at the door, looking back at him sprawled across our bed.
Our bed. Not mine anymore. Somewhere along the way, Jesse had taken over half my closet even though his was just down the hall, filled the bathroom with bubble bath, and completely invaded my life. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “That’s a promise.”
I headed downstairs, trying to make myself presentable before Evelyn walked in. She knew about us, of course. Hell, the whole town did by now. But I still tried to maintain some semblance of propriety around her. Old habits die hard.
Evelyn was already in the kitchen when I got there, unpacking groceries and humming to herself. She looked up as I entered, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
“Morning, Cole,” she said cheerfully. “Sleep well?”
I felt my face heat up despite myself. “Just fine, thank you.”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed, turning back to the groceries. “I brought extra coffee. Figured you boys might need it today.”
“You’re a saint,” I told her, moving to help with the unpacking. “Whitaker’s coming at ten.”
“I know,” she replied, handing me a carton of eggs. “That’s why I’m making a proper breakfast. Can’t face lawyers on an empty stomach.”
The sound of Jesse’s footsteps on the stairs made us both look up. He appeared in the doorway, hair still damp from a hasty shower, wearing jeans and one of my flannel shirts that hung a bit loose on his frame. My chest tightened at the sight.
“Morning, Evelyn,” he said, making a beeline for the coffee pot.
“Morning, sunshine,” she replied with that same knowing smile. “Sleep well?”
Jesse caught my eye over his coffee mug, his lips twitching. “Like a baby.”
I shot him a warning look that only made his grin widen. Evelyn chuckled, shaking her head as she turned to the stove.
“You boys sit down,” she instructed. “I’m making my special omelettes. You’re going to need your strength today.” She glanced at me meaningfully. “Both of you.”
I couldn’t argue with that logic. Between the nerves about Whitaker’s visit and last night’s activities, I was starving. Jesse and I sat at the kitchen table while Evelyn worked her magic at the stove, the smell of peppers and onions filling the air.
“So,” Jesse said, leaning toward me once Evelyn’s back was turned, “what’s the first thing you want to do once this place is officially, one hundred percent ours?”
I considered the question, watching him over the rim of my coffee mug. “Sleep for about three days straight,” I answered honestly. “This year has been exhausting.”
“That’s your big celebration plan? Sleeping?” Jesse looked disappointed. “Come on, Cole. Think bigger.”
“Fine,” I sighed. “What did you have in mind?”
His eyes lit up, and I immediately regretted asking. “I was thinking we could take a trip. Just the two of us. Somewhere far away from cows and fences and nosy neighbors.”
“A trip?” The idea hadn’t even occurred to me. In the sixteen years since Jesse left, I’d barely left Hell Creek, let alone Montana. “Who would run the ranch?”
“Evelyn could manage things for a week,” Jesse said, glancing over at our housekeeper, who was pretending not to listen. “Right, Evelyn?”
She turned, spatula in hand. “I’ve been running this place behind your backs for years,” she said with a wink.
“I think I can handle it while you two take a proper vacation. Old Pete McGrath owes me anyway. He’d send over a couple boys to help keep things going while you two take some well-deserved time off. ”
“See?” Jesse looked triumphant. “Even Evelyn thinks we need a break. Besides, the ranch hands won’t give her any trouble. They’re terrified of her. Just like everyone else in this town.”
I mulled it over, trying to imagine leaving the ranch in someone else’s hands, even temporarily. The thought made me uneasy, but then again, so had most of the changes Jesse had brought into my life. And those had all turned out better than I could have dreamed.
“Where would we go?” I asked cautiously.
Jesse’s face broke into a wide smile, like he knew he’d already won. “Somewhere with a beach. And drinks with little umbrellas in them. And absolutely no cell service.”
“That sounds... nice,” I admitted, surprising myself with how much I meant it. The idea of Jesse and me, alone together somewhere far from Hell Creek’s watchful eyes, was suddenly incredibly appealing.
“It sounds perfect,” he corrected, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “Just you and me and no responsibilities for a whole week. Maybe two.”