Stevie gave him a high five, laughing. “I could use an ally.”
I swallowed thickly and walked over to the refrigerator. As I opened it, I felt a presence against my back. Kess.
“Seeing them talk and become friends is emotional, isn’t it?” he whispered, kissing the edge of my ear.
I sniffled. “Shut up.”
He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist as I grabbed the jug of filtered water.
“No. I’m not gonna shut up. I love how you love the people in your life. Those two need support. They’re a little different, and they see the world differently than others do. Putting them together is like creating a bit of magic. And that’s all on you.”
“How do you know that’s what made me emotional?”
“I’ve been paying attention for a while now, Rowd. It’s one of the things I love best about you.”
He grabbed a glass for me and took the water jug, filling it. He returned the jug to the refrigerator and shut the door, then handed me the glass. I accepted the water and took a drink.
“Everything’s ready,” Dawn announced. “We’re doing it buffet style, so belly up to the bar and fix you a plate.”
We got in line, filled our plates, then shoved in around the large table. Several conversations were going on at once: Stevie’s newest crush, Dawn’s latest travel adventure, Sadie’s excitement about having her very own office, and Jaxon’s love of ranch life. Stevie also retold the decapitated horse head birthday cake saga,and Jaxon laughed so hard that a tiny piece of spaghetti flew out of his nose.
Kess wrapped his arm around my shoulders at one point, and I caught Woody’s eye. Em had wrapped his arm around Woody’s shoulders at the same time.
“We’re pretty damn lucky,” I said.
“Yep. The luckiest.”
Kess heldmy hand as we walked up to the cabin and did one final check on the animals. I knew he wanted to go over and pet every single one of them, just as much as I knew he was aware that would never work. He did figure out, however, that if he hung by the water trough and didn’t move, the animals would come up to him, and some would nudge him with their noses.
A Corsican sheep, who had come to us from a hunting ranch missing a horn, seemed to warm up to Kess more than anyone else and liked to rub the non-horn side of his head up against Kess’s hip.
“You are so proud of yourself for making a friend.”
“What can I say? I know how to handle the horny ones.”
“You did not just make that bad joke in front of me, did you? Have I taught you nothing?”
Kess laughed and walked over to me, planting a kiss on my lips as I topped off the feeder.
The Corsican nudged his ass, nearly pushing us to the ground.
“Hey, eat your dinner,” I said, waggling my finger at the damn sheep. “This one’s mine. Back off.”
“I am yours, aren’t I?” he asked, taking me by the hand.
“Yes. For as long you’ll let me have you.”
Kess walked me to the cabin and followed me inside.
“After we shower, would you mind playing a little guitar for me?” he asked, gesturing to the guitar in the corner.
“Happy to.”
The shower took a little longer than we expected, mostly because the second I’d rinsed the soap from my ass, he was spreading my cheeks and rimming me like it was his job. I, for one, was glad that we were way back here and no one could hear me scream.
Especially when he said I needed to learn patience and that he wasn’t going to let me come for a while. I should’ve never told him I liked the edging as much as I did.
After we toweled off, he strode across the space, completely naked and comfortable. He set up the pillows against the headboard as I grabbed the guitar. I sat cross-legged in between his legs and we adjusted until we were both comfortable, if still turned on.
