“For the record, I more than like you, too. I want you to know that. I’ve never doubted it. I was hoping you already knew how I felt,” she says bashfully. I nod, wanting her to continue more than anything. “I love our conversations and our quiet nights in the cabin when we cook and talk about our days. I love the family dinners in the ranch house and our walks around the ranch, even Grumps.”
I feign shock and gasp, my eyes dancing when they meet her smiling ones. “Even with his menace, kleptomaniac, and weddin’ destroyin’ tendencies?”
Her smile widens. “Even then. All of it. It’s made me feel like I’m right where I belong.”
I can’t help but expect a ‘but’. It’s probably because I’m always waiting for the penny to drop. Instead, I jump in before it does. “Gorgeous, that’s because you are.”
“I know that now. You’ve helped me realize that. Doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be some obstacles in the way moving forward.”
The corner of my mouth quirks up. “I happen to be good at obstacles. Think I proved that today when Grumps tried to ruin the weddin’.”
“Touche.”
The song changes to an up-tempo number and with the mood change and the hooting and hollering that’s coming from my family and guests as they return to the dancefloor, I decide a change of scenery is needed. “Would you like another dance or…”
“I think there’s somewhere else I’d like to go with you,” she says, rubbing her hands over my chest. It’s both comforting and teasing and suddenly there’s absolutely nowhere else I’d rathernotbe right now.
“Cabin?” I ask, already dropping my hand to hers and leading her away from the crowd.
“Are youallowedto leave your brothers’ wedding,” she asks with a giggle.
I stop and look down at her, loving the pink glow of her cheeks and the happiness shining back up at me in her beautiful eyes. “When it comes to you, gorgeous, I’m not sure I care about whether I’m allowed or not.”
“Who knew you could be such a rebel. Here I was thinking you were the strait-laced one in the Cooper clan,” she teases.
Two days ago I told this woman that she was my destined soulmate. The verylastthing I expected was to not only get the slow dance of my dreams with thewomanwho owns my heart, but now to have the chance toshowher just how important she has become to me.
“There are a lot of things for you to find out about me,” I say, holding her close and focusing on those shiny pink lips of hers.
I’m ready to do whatever she wants. She’s mine and I’m ready to show her that. In fact, my body is demanding I make her mine in every way possible.Is the Call some sort of aphrodisiac too?
“The choice is yours, gorgeous. Should we stay or should we go?”
I don’t get an answer, but maybe that’s because less than a second later, Blair is dragging me away. Not that she has to because I’d follow her anywhere.
Chapter 20
Blair
Now that I’ve accepted that I’m not in control of my destiny, I’m starting to wonder if I ever have been. Everything I’ve done, every road I’ve taken, and every choice I’ve made was always meant to lead me here. To Timber Falls, to Cooper Ranch, and—most importantly—to the man who’s changed my world and the way I view it.
Sutton is the man I want. The man Ilove.He’s the very essence to invigorate, revitalize, and empower me. More than anything else, that’s what I want to be for him too.
The one I’m always thinking about, the one who makes my heart race, my cheeks blush, and my body ache. He’s theonlyperson I’ve ever felt this sort of all encompassing, consuming passion for. It’s more than that though. It’s all I can think about since leaving the dance floor.
I want him. Ineedhim. Ever since we left the dance floor, my body has felt like a live wire in need of grounding and every single part of me knows there’s only one man to do it.If only Alex and Cate could see me now…
When we reach the cabin, I put my hand on the door to let us in but pause when he moves in close, his warmth radiating onto my back and heating me up.
His hands rest on my hips as if to steady me–or maybe to anchor himself. All I know is when I lean back into him and his arms wrap me up tight, his mouth dipping down to drag slow and teasing kisses along my collarbone, I’ve never felt so turned on.
Tilting my head, I rest my forehead against his jaw, my breathing becoming heavy and labored. “I need to get you inside, gorgeous.”
“Not a fan of the outdoors, doctor?” I ask, my breathy tone giving me away.
He chuckles and I feel it as well as hear it. “More like I don’t trust Grumps not to interrupt us. Or anyone else for that matter.” His words spur me into action. I open the door and walk forward at his urging.
Being alone with him, knowing there’s nothing between us brings new clarity. Knowing what we’re feeling and where we’re going–or at least that we’re doing this together–is freeing. All the noise that’s always in my head about having to be a strong, independent woman with everything under control and accounted for has gone. I don’t have to be that way for Sutton. All he wants isme—the woman he wants, the one he believes has been sent to him as a reward by the mountain.
