I did as he said. Mama had made a ground-beef-and-pasta dish that was cheesy and creamy. A perfect meal for people who’d been outside all day.
After the worst of our hunger was sated, I peeked at the way the muscles in his jaws bunched when he chewed. My fingers itched to ruffle through his flattened hair. The look was different on him. It softened the edges of his sharp, professional persona and the jaw carved from stone.
“How’d it go?” I asked.
He pushed some pasta together, not seeming to mind all his food mixed. Was it just when he was extra alert, like meeting Mama?
Mama had piled both of our plates high. I would have enough for lunch tomorrow, but Gideon was almost done. “Good.” He took another bite.
I kept eating.
His fork clinked on the table. “Actually, it was really fucking fun, and I’m a little pissed about it.”
“Oh?” I turned in my seat to face him.
He shoved a hand into his hair. Clumps stuck up between his fingers and stayed mostly in place when he removed his hand. “There were a couple of cows in the brush and I chased them out. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve done that? Since I’ve done any of this?” His jaw clenched. “I loved every part of it. Those days when Dad and I used to move cattle? I don’t remember those fondly. But today... I remembered when Mom used to be with us.”
“And the fun came back?” I asked quietly.
He stared at his mostly empty plate for a minute. “Yeah.”
When he returned to eating, I swiveled back to my food. “I am glad you found the joy again.”
He grunted, likely thinking about how it might be the first time since he’d left town but the last time for the rest of his life.
I put the wrap on top of my plate and put it in the fridge. “Don’t worry about tomorrow night. Summer’s bringing Chance, Brinley, and Darin to Mama’s, so we don’t have to rush. Scarlett wants to order pizza.”
“Got it.” He rose, but didn’t move. “Is Mark going to be there?”
I blinked. My thoughts had been consumed with Gideon. People still congratulated me on my marriage. I’d almost forgotten that I’d been on a few dates with Mark. “No. He’s steering clear of me.”
“Good.” He took his dishes to the sink. “I’m going to shower.”
His jean-clad ass had my rapt attention as he sauntered down the hallway and disappeared into the bedroom. He’d had fun and he was pissed about it. That summed up his mood.
I sighed and went to the bedroom. I’d clean up in the bathroom after him.
A few minutes later, he was done, exiting the bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. The scruff on his cheeks was longer. He hadn’t shaved yesterday or today.
I grabbed my pajamas and scooted around him. This bedroom was tiny when he was in it.
He grasped my elbow and spun me toward him.
“What’s wro?—”
He smashed his mouth onto mine. The kiss was immediately all-consuming. His whiskers brushed my skin, sending rivulets of tingles down my body. I shivered, and he hugged me closer to him. My arms were crushed between us, but I still had a hold on my pajamas. I couldn’t drop them if I tried. They’d have gotten caught on the thick erection pressing between us anyway.
He pulled back enough to say, “I missed you today.”
“Mmm. It’s been a while since I’ve helped. Tate tries not to do it over weekends all the time.”
His gaze bounced between my eyes. “I kept thinking how sexy you’d be out there with your boots and cowboy hat.” He pressed another kiss to my lips. “I kept wondering how much your tits would bounce when you rode.”
The tingle turned to a full-body shiver. “Mr. James, did you give yourself an erection on horseback?”
“Yes. That was fucking irritating too. Good thing I had to go flush out the cattle right then.”
“I like where this is going, but I’ve gotta use the bathroom.”
