Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The Ranch
“You didn’t,” Hadley said, her mouth dropping open.
I grinned. “I did.”
Hadley squealed and hugged me. “Thank you.”
The back porch had four lounge chaises with pillows, blankets, and tables covered with snacks and candy. A movie popcorn machine was currently popping kernels and the smell of oil and butter hit me with a nostalgic smack.
I’d strung up garden lights, like the ones that used to be on the cabin porch, and a huge movie projector had been delivered earlier in the day and set up. I’d asked Wyn and Poet to keep Hadley occupied so I could unveil the surprise.
“What are we watching?” Poet asked.
“Hadley’s three favorite movies,” I said with a grin. “We’re starting with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, then we’ll move on to Meet Me in St. Louis, and finish it off with The Harvey Girls.”
“I have to watch them in that order, and always all together.” Hadley grinned. “I don’t make the rules. That’s just the way it is.”
“You guys are okay with crashing in the den tonight, so you don’t have to drive back to The Regal Beagle?”
“Yep,” Poet said. “You told us to bring our overnight bags, so we’ve got them.”
“Good,” I said. “Gracie wanted to come, but Cole is working tonight and the grandparents who would normally watch their daughter are at an antique road show in Montana.”
“We’re missing a few things,” Wyn said.
“What?” I asked. “I’ve thought of everything.”
“I need a dog to snuggle,” Wyn said.
“We’ve got four Border Collie Aussie puppies,” Hadley said. “But they’re working dogs and don’t really understand the word chill.”
“I’d settle for your goat,” Wyn replied. “Where is she, anyway? Did you leave her with Declan?”
“Nope,” she said. “She’s upstairs with my dad and Jane. Declan went out about an hour ago with Bowman for his bachelor party.”
“What does that entail?” Poet asked. “The town is cute, but I didn’t see a lot of activities suitable for a bachelor party.”
“They’re going to the Copper Mule to play pool,” Hadley said with a wry smile. “The Monroe brothers are joining them.”
“Wild and crazy,” Wyn said mockingly.
“So wild. So crazy.” Hadley laughed. “Let me get the goat, and then our night can commence.”
We were in the middle of our second movie when the sun finally set. Hadley conked out. As soon as Tempest saw Hadley roll over onto her side, she jumped down from snuggling Wyn and went to curl up next to Hadley.
Hadley instinctively reached out and pulled the baby goat close to her.
I took out my phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Declan.
Me
Your fiancée is partying hard
Declan’s reply was almost instant.
Declan
Me too. I’m two beers in and refusing shots
Smiling, I tucked my phone aside, but it buzzed with another text.
Cas
you’ve ruined me forever.
Me
What a nice compliment
Cas
Seriously. I’m hanging out with the guys playing pool, shooting the shit and all I want is to be at home with you. you’ve domesticated me.
I slid my hand beneath the blanket and let it rest on my stomach. There would be one day, not too far from now, that Cas and I would be curled up together on the couch, my belly round.
For the time being, I was suspended in a place of secrecy. Cas and I shared something private and I realized this was a true relationship. We were building something. A foundation for a life together. A foundation for a family.
It made sense now. I hadn’t understood before when Hadley had no desire to stay in the city and hustle her way through life, grinding for some modicum of success. She’d found a man who loved her. She was having a child. She was home with her family.
And I wanted that now too.
I caught Poet looking at me, her expression pensive. I smiled at her, but she didn’t smile back.
We all had our own paths to walk.
And if you were lucky, you’d find a few friends that would be by your side along the way.
“Salem,” Cas groused. “Move over.”
“What are you doing in here?” I grumbled, my face smushed into the pillow.
“I miss you. I don’t want to sleep alone.”
He removed his jeans. His belt buckle clanged, and then denim hit the floor.
“This is bullshit, Salem,” he said as he climbed into bed next to me.
I pulled the covers up over us. “What’s bullshit?”
“This. You and me, sneaking around like teenagers.”
“The wedding is in two days,” I reminded him. “We’re almost done with the sneaking around. And in a way, it’s been fun. Admit it.”
“Fun for about five minutes,” he growled, pulling me close, his lips finding mine.
I put a hand between our mouths. “No kissing.”
“Why not?”
“Because kissing leads to other things, and we’ve got a full house tonight. Wyn and Poet are crashing in the den. And Muddy no longer sleeps with ear plugs.”
He sighed. “Great. So I’m going to wake up with your ass pressed against me and I’m not going to be able to do anything about it.”
“What do you want to do to my ass?” I asked, making my voice even softer.
“You want me to tell you?”
“Yes. Tell me.”
“I want to fuck it. Slow. While my fingers are inside you.”
I shivered at the filthy picture he painted.
“Would you like that, Salem?” he rasped.
“Yes.”
He rocked against me. “Have you ever been fucked that way before?”
“No,” I whispered. “You’ll be the first.”
“I’ll be the only.”
He brushed his lips against my forehead. “I’ll make it so good for you, you’ll beg me to do it again and again.”
“You’re not playing fair.”
“If I have to suffer, so do you.”
“Misery loves company, huh?”
“Yes.”
I raised my chin and bit his lip, causing him to curse. And then I soothed his pain with my tongue.
“Two can play that game,” I stated. “I’m not having sex with you until after the wedding. If you want to torture me, then I’m going to return the favor.”
“You wench.”
I moved against him, brushing against his erection which caused him to hiss.
“I have no one to blame but myself, do I?” he rumbled.
“Kinda. Yeah.”
I grinned and kissed his chin. “Good night, Cas. Sleep well.”
And then I rolled over and wiggled my ass against him.
With a growl, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight to his chest. “Go to sleep, tater tot.”