“No regrets?” she asks tentatively.
“Only that since we’ll be at Marshall’s place, I won’t get to hold you all night.”
“Or get your cock sucked.”
“I was not thinking about that.”
“No?” She cups me, running her thumb across my tip.
“I was not thinking about that yet,” I amend.
She laughs and steps out of the shower.
I hand her a towel, then take one for myself.
“I guess we won’t find a chance to be alone together until Marshall and Raven are back?” she asks.
“Why?” I grin and tap my cock. “Gonna miss this guy?”
“Well, yeah. You have the cock and can see it every day if you want. I’ll be the one without.”
“If you’re a good girl, I might sneak you a little peek.”
She laughs.
I pull her in for a hug, my heart lighter than it’s been in years. “I love you,” I say against her hair.
She wraps her arms tightly around me. “I love you.”
And I understand then. This is what Marshall has. This feeling of life being complete because of a woman. “After Marshall and Raven return, stay at my ranch with me.”
She doesn’t even hesitate for a second. “I’ll move all my stuff here that same day.”
“I want to warn you. I’m not letting you go,” I say.
“And I’m not letting you go. I’ll handcuff your ass if I have to,” she says.
We both laugh at the reminder of how we first met.
Then we dress and head out for the drive to my folks’ ranch to get the kids. I reach across the seat to take her hand and she smiles at me.
I’m as sure as I am that I’ll always be a cowboy that Melody and I can build a happy future. And I’m looking forward to it. Arms wide open, holding nothing back. I’ll risk all that I am, all that I have for that.
Chapter 10
Melody
The next day at the flower shop, I can’t stop smiling. A few of the customers pointed out how happy I look. And I am happy. Over-the-moon-can’t-believe-this-is-real happiness.
With the cowboy I thought I hated. Life sure is funny. My cell phone rings and I snatch it up, thinking it might be Jonas. It’s my sister Valentina, instead.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Grandpa and I will be passing through Lucky River tomorrow and want to have lunch with you.”
“Sure. Let’s meet at Bear’s Diner.” I’m surprised she agrees to that since she’s a strictly five-star restaurant person. And her new husband is very image conscious to boot. He wouldn’t want her to be seen at a diner.
Unease works its way up my spine, but I dismiss it. Maybe my sister has just missed me and I’m reading too much into it. “I’ll bring Jonas with me. I want you to meet him,” I tell her.
