CHAPTER 27
NOAH
Wind whips at my face as I twist the throttle of the ATV back, sending it careening over the expanse fields surrounding me. Trees, greenery and paddocks pass me in a blur as I crest the hill to the main ranch and finally breathe a sigh of relief when the big house comes into view.
I’ve been out since four this morning tending to emergency repairs to the fence-line in one of the south paddocks. Grayson couldn’t get out there because Rueben is sick with a cold and he didn’t want to leave Liv to man the fort alone, which is totally understandable. That left just Hunter and me.
Hunter left to return to the ranch once we had repaired the fence, while I lapped the perimeter of surrounding paddocks to check for any other faults. Luckily, it was only that one, but now I’m exhausted, hungry and dirty.
As I pass my parents’ house and approach the small garage, we store the ATV in, a familiar vehicle comes into view and my stomach sinks.
Killian leans against his truck, his legs crossed at the ankles, a backward hat atop his head and dark shades covering his eyes. From this distance I can’t gauge the look on his face, but his body language is relaxed, settling a little of the panic that reared its ugly head at the sight of him.
Schooling my features and sending up a quick prayer that I don’t look guilty of touching his sister in almost every way I promised not to, I pull up beside him and turn off the engine.
I remove my hat, wiping a hand over my sweat covered brows. “What’re you doing here?” The question comes out a little harsher than intended and I wince at the way his head rears back slightly.
“Sorry. It’s been a long day,” I say, trying again.
Killian pushes off his truck, shaking his head. “No worries. Hunter told me y’all have been out there since four. You get it fixed?”
“Yeah.” I nod, offering nothing more. I’m afraid that if I say too much, I might end up slipping up about Bella living with me. Or worse.
Killian watches me curiously for a moment and I swallow under the heat of his gaze. Can he see that I’m hiding something – many somethings – from him? Am I completely transparent?
I brace myself for his questions, every single muscle in my body tensing with every millisecond of silence between us.
His dark brows furrow. “You okay, man?”
Dipping my chin, I clear my throat. “Yeah. Sorry, man. I’m just exhausted.”
His head bobs in understanding. “I just came to see Daisy, so thought I’d swing by and see if you felt like going to The Boot later? I’m outnumbered by women at home and if I don’t get out of there soon, I’m afraid they might convince me to join in on one of their pamper nights.”
I laugh at that, my body relaxing for the first time since I pulled up.
Despite the guilt that is eating me alive, it’s been a long time since Killian suggested a night out at The Boot.
The last one was my idea and let’s face it, none of them wanted to be there.
Hopefully, this night out will be different.
And even if it’s not, there is one thing that most definitely will be.
Because this time, I won’t be returning home to a quiet, empty house. I’ll be returning to her.
“Sure,” I say, climbing off the ATV and pushing it into the garage. “Hunter and Gray coming?”
Killian shrugs. “Hunter is. Gray, I’m not sure. Jaxon has also asked to tag along.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
He chuckles, his eyes taking on a mischievous look. “Yep. He’s our DD tonight.”
***
Killian texts me to let me know that him and Jax will be at the ranch at six to pick us up and I fire off a quick response, letting him know that I will drive myself and pick up Hunter on the way.
It had only taken a few minutes after we parted earlier today for me the remember that Killian arriving at my house and seeing Bella’s car parked beside it would raise questions, I don’t have the answers for right now.
Driving myself also means that I can leave if Bella happens to end up needing me for something.
I shake that thought away as quickly as it comes. It’s been over twelve hours since I left a note on the pillow beside her and left for work and so far, I’ve heard nothing. Not even a text to let me know she saw it.
I almost drove over to her café earlier and asked her why she hadn’t texted me, but refrained, not wanting to go all caveman when I was the one who stopped things from progressing further last night.
I almost told her it was because I had made her brother a promise but stopped myself at the last minute, knowing it was a bullshit excuse. I broke that promise years ago. I broke it again the second my lips touched hers.
I wasn’t lying when I said I would get greedy. ‘Cause I will. I’ve wanted Bella every day since the first time and I know that once will never be enough for me.
The front door opens and the woman herself walks in.
The heart in my chest picks up speed as she rounds the corner, her body draped in a pale-yellow dress that is stark against her sun-kissed skin.
Blonde hair falls in natural loose waves down her back and her face glows, making her look almost ethereal.
God, she’s pretty.
A smile stretches across my face. “Hey, Bells.”
“Hey,” she says, her cheeks pink.
“Long day at the office?” I ask and instantly hate myself for it. Long day at the office? Apparently, it’s not just Killian I can’t make small talk around.
Bella smiles, moving to the fridge to take two bottles of beer, uncapping them both and handing one to me. “Yeah. It’s been busy with tourist season in full swing. Did you deal with your emergency?”
Her question comes out completely innocently, but her eyes betray her unspoken worry. She thinks I’m running.
I nod, rounding the island to her. I tuck a stray hair behind her ear and lift her chin with my thumb and forefinger. “There was a break in one of the fences. I’m sorry I left you like that, Bells.”
Her eyes flit back of forth between mine, searching for truth and I stay silent, letting her find what she’s looking for. After long minutes, she nods, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth.
I don’t even think about it, I lean down and press my mouth to hers, capturing her lip between my own teeth. Her body goes lax against me, her small hands finding my biceps and squeezing as she returns my kiss.
We pull apart at the same time, both of us breathless and I cup her face with both hands, my thumbs tracing her cheeks. “Your brother asked me to go for a drink with him tonight.”
Her expression switches from relaxed to panicked in an instant. “Does he know?”
I shake my head once. “No. He just needs some guy time.”
A relieved breath leaves her. “Okay.”
“We need to tell him you’re living here.”
She sighs. “I know. I just don’t know how to explain everything without him losing his shit.”
“He’s going to lose his shit regardless. But telling him is better than him finding out some other way.”
“And what about last night? Are we telling him about that?” She asks and my heart skips a beat just at the thought of owning up to that.
“Do you want to tell him?” I ask her. I’m not even close to being ready to confess to Killian. But if she says yes, I will walk out of this house right now, drive over to his house and come clean. It’ll be the end of our friendship, for sure, but I’ll do it if that’s what she needs.
Bella shakes her head in my hold. “No. Not yet.”
I breathe a sigh of relief and nod. “Okay.”
“Don’t tell him tonight, though, okay? About me living here, I mean. I’ll be the one to tell him. There’s less chance of him punching me.”
I laugh at that and bend down, placing another kiss on her soft lips, a groan of regret escaping me. “I have to go.”
A sinful smile teases her lips as she runs her hands down my t-shirt covered chest, her thumbs brushing over my nipples before moving lower, her fingers teasing the button on my jeans.
My cock instantly hardens as she blinks up at me from beneath thick lashes. “I’ll be here.” And then she saunters away, her curvy ass causing her dress to sway with every step as she goes.
***
Nine p.m. on a Monday night in The Boot in off season compared to in season are two very different things.
The place is packed with out of towners.
A country music band plays in the staging area while men and women alike two step around the dance floor like they spent the months leading up to now practicing.
Hunter, Killian, Jax and I managed to get our regular table having arrived earlier in the evening and we’ve barely moved from it since. April comes over every now and then with fresh drinks, and we thank her for it each time with a generous tip.
Jaxon’s eyes are alight in amazement and fascination as he takes everything in. At eighteen, this is likely the first time he’s stepped foot in a bar. He can’t drink, of course, but he doesn’t mind.
The corners of my lips lift in a smirk as a young woman dressed in a pair of barely broken in cowboy boots swaggers toward him and asks him to dance.
He blinks up at her in pure surprise before looking at the rest of us, almost as though he’s asking permission.
It’s his dad who juts his chin at him, telling him to take the lady for a dance and without another glance, Jaxon stands and follows her to the dance floor.
I chuckle, lifting my beer to my lips. “You need to teach him how to flirt,” I say, eyeing Killian.
He glares back, his face deadpan. “I’ve been with one woman in my life. I think I’ll leave the flirting lesson to you two.” He points two fingers at Hunter and me.
“Hey now. I’m about to be a married man,” Hunter argues with a frown.
Killian laughs, rolling his eyes. “Don’t pretend you weren’t the biggest fuckboy at this table before Savannah came to town and knocked you on your ass.”
Hunter gives him the finger, and we all chuckle lightly before turning our attention back to Jaxon on the dance floor, a little more confident in his movements.
My phone vibrates in the pocket of my jeans and I pull it out, my heart beating double time in my chest when I see Bella’s name on my screen.
Bella: How’s ‘guys’ night going?
I can almost hear the teasing in her tone, and I smile down at my phone, typing a response.
Me: Boring without you, beautiful.
Bella: Oh, I’m sure it is. But I’m sure there are plenty of beautiful women to keep you occupied;).
I shake my head with a chuckle, thumbs flying across the screen.
Me: There’s only one woman occupying my mind, doll.
Bella: Oh yeah?
Someone clears their throat and I look up, my eyes moving straight to Killian, whose attention is thankfully, still focused on his son, before looking at Hunter.
He has an eyebrow raised in my direction, looking between me and my phone and I narrow my eyes at him, a silent conversation happening in those looks.
Stop smiling at your phone.
Fuck off.
Ignoring him, I focus back on my phone, deciding to play into Bella’s little game.
Me: Yeah. And I’m dying to know something.
Bella: What’s that?
Me: What are you wearing?
The three dots appear, disappear and reappear as if she’s contemplating her answer and I can just imagine her gnawing on that plump bottom lip in the way that drives me fucking crazy as she debates her response.
Bella: A thong.
My chest rumbles with a groan and I’m suddenly grateful for the noise of the crowd over the music.
Me: And?
Bella: And nothing else.
My dick twitches against my jeans and I decide to test her limits as I type back my two-word reply.
Me: Prove it.