When I reached a small clearing, I swung the pickup around. The box of the truck faced the best part of the view. During the day, it was breathtaking in a simple way. A slice of Montana that didn’t make it onto the postcards but was stunning all the same with its simplicity. Trees and rolling hills led to the mountains. Farther to the north was the back side of a popular ski resort, but here it was quiet. Peaceful.
Perfect for my last few moments alone with Ruby. When we returned to the cabin, she’d retreat to her room. I’d go to mine with nothing but memories of how that dress of hers swirled around her hips. How good she felt in my arms. The way she clung to me.
Ruby Casteel was a vixen who had no idea of her sex appeal. Had her douchebag ex been too wrapped up in himself to see it?
At least it hadn’t been Ruby getting her face plastered with cake after her vows. It hadn’t been her eyes filled with disappointment and betrayal. Cara must’ve told that dick she didn’t want a cakey mess on her big day and he’d ignored her.
The highlight of the night was that it hadn’t been Ruby in that fitted wedding dress, promising herself to someone forever. The relief cooling me all night was startling. Ruby wasn’t off the market.
In the morning, she’d be fully on the market. Back in the dating pool. She would return to Bozeman and our paths would only intertwine when it was about work.
Fuck.
“I’ve never been this far out of town,” she said, peering out the window at the darkness beyond. “The sky is so vivid.”
“The light pollution from the ranch doesn’t reach this far, and the clouds are clearing off.”
Her eyes shone in the dash lights. “Are we stargazing?”
The genuine excitement in her voice amplified my own. “Yeah. You said you never get a chance to.”
“No.” A line pinched in her forehead. “You remembered.”
I remembered everything about her. She liked fruity bourbon cocktails, no bitters—she frowned ever so slightly whenever she had to use bitters to make a drink. She preferred her books smutty and her reading private. She didn’t think she could dance, but she trusted the right man to lead her. When it came to food, she loved anything homemade, but not by her. And when she slept, fully relaxed after a climax, the world could disintegrate around her and she wouldn’t wake up.
I liked to study, and Ruby was my favorite subject.
She opened the door and hopped out, breaking my reflection.
Ruby was special, but I wasn’t the guy for her.
Except she seemed to like me. Appreciation filled her eyes when she checked me out. Her grin and excitement were real when we were together. And she got along with my family.
Why couldn’t it work?
Right, every breakup ever. In the beginning, I’d set out to prove to her that she hadn’t been the issue. When she attracted men who would trip over themselves to be with her, she’d see I wasn’t a catch. An older bachelor with board games in his pantry and a cabin built for one wasn’t a catch. The orgasms wouldn’t be worth it.
I climbed out in the dark, cool air.
“The Milky Way just opens up above you.” Awe filled her voice.
I had put it there.
From the back seat, I dug out a pad and some blankets, along with a small bin I’d stashed before we’d left for the wedding.
I juggled everything in one arm and dropped the tailgate. The moon was almost full, giving me enough light now to see a shadowed Ruby and her curious expression.
“You came prepared,” she said.
I spread out the foam pad I used for camping. Teller and I used to go more often. Then I flipped a blanket over it. “I didn’t think we would stay at the wedding that long and I didn’t want you to be let down by a boring night.”
“I’m certain no night with you could be boring.”
“ExhibitA: painting tiny models.”
She laughed. “You underestimate how much I love to read for hours on a comfy couch.”
I almost believed her.
