A blush had started in his cheeks and ears, too. “So are you! Why did you ask that?”
He coughed a couple times, regaining his composure, but unable to fully quell the smile on his face. “Beacuse I’m hoping this low-pressure arrangement includes kissing you.”
A sharp breath filled my lungs as desire pooled inmy belly.
His eyes dropped to my lips, his voice lowering. “What do you think about that?”
I reciprocated, surveying his soft pink lips that perfectly contrasted his nice teeth, tanned face, and auburn stubble. Like it had happened a few minutes ago, I remembered the way that stubble felt on my lips and neck—rough and tingling, allowing me to feel him long after we’d parted. “Kissing is included. Butjustkissing.”
He repeated, agreeing with a single nod. “Just kissing.”
Although, granted, a lot could happen under the umbrella of kissing. It was a rather loose term.
Jesse’s breaths came more shallow, and the jokes fled his face. “As soon as I get you alone, Hollie, I’m going to kiss you.”
I nearly melted into the faded quilt on his bed.
I glanced toward the door, which stood ajar, but the cabin beyond was quiet. “I…think we’re basically alone right now.”
“Not alone enough. Plus…” He narrowed his eyes. “I haven’t taken you on a date yet.”
“A date?” My brows rose.
“Yep. And kissing before the first date is just crossing a personal line for me.”
I giggled at his sarcasm, not forgetting he lifted me onto the work bench twenty-four hours after he shook my hand. “And where do you propose taking me?”
“Somewhere away from the kids, this ranch, and everyone on it.” The tone of his voice, rich and warm, made my nerves tingle. “Let’s make our last night together one to remember.”
FORTY-ONE
Jesse
Itossed a square of alfalfa into a black bucket hanging on the side of a stall. The particles flying in the air made my nose twitch, but the smell comforted me like a favorite pillow. Cade came behind with a scoop of feed. We were almost done with the feed rounds, and I still hadn’t asked him about Hollie.
Summoning courage, I cleared my throat. “Hey, I need to talk to you about something.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just need to discuss something pretty serious with you.”
“Alright.”
I paused, trying to still the way my heart raced in my chest. What if he hated the idea of Hollie and I together? I’d been fretting over that possibility for the last hour.
“It’s about Hollie.” Expecting him to be confused, his smile surprised me. He never smiled before 9 a.m. “I have feelings for her.”
“Oh, I know.”
His nonchalance hit me out of left field. “Wait. You do?”
“Yeah. Izzy knows too.”
“Really?”
“It’s pretty obvious.”
“No, it’s not.”
