Scarlett let out a long moan and stiffened. Ty groaned as they rode the wave together. She lay against him and listened to his racing heartbeat. He pulled the covers over her as he kissed her forehead.
A few minutes later, he lifted her off to take care of the condom.
“I feel like I’m in high school,” she confessed. “We’ve snuck off to make out under a tree and dry humping.
“Have you considered taking the pill? I don’t mind condoms and will continue to use them. Since we’ve established our feelings for one another, I prefer not to use them,” he confided. “I want to feel every part of you.”
“I’ll ask Kassie to go over my options. Honestly, I never imagined I’d do this again,” she admitted.
“Why?” he asked, but she detected the hardness in his tone.
“Because I never saw the light until I met you,” she murmured. “Now I see it everywhere.”
He heard the depth of emotion in her answer, and Ty vowed always to remind her that it was she who brought it. “I’ll always keep you from the dark, Scarlett. You’re meant to shine,” Ty said, kissing her forehead.
“I can’t wait to feel you without those,”she whispered.
He glanced back, setting the condom to the side. Ice lay on the side of the blanket near Scarlett, and he envisioned a life with her. She belonged on his ranch as much as he entrusted his heart to her. Sighing, Ty lay beside her and rested her head on his shoulder. He prayed the interview went well on Friday. Wanting to ask her to stay with him, he wondered if the short time they spent together seemed too soon. His heart screamed no. They fit together like cookies and cream. Ty decided to wait until after her interview to speak with her about it. After all, what’s a few months compared to a lifetime together?
Ty pulled the picnic basket closer, and they finished off the rest of the food. Scarlett leaned against his chest as Ty told her about his childhood. She described her family and admitted she missed them, despite their overprotective actions. After all, it led her to Ty.
Realizing the time, Ty rushed to pack up the horse. Helping her mount, he climbed up beside her, and she called, “Hank, take us home.”
Ice trotted beside them as they hurried back.
“When will your mother arrive?” she asked, leaning against him.
“I don’t know. For once, I wish I weren’t a mama’s boy. It means I’ll have to behave while she’s here,” he muttered.
“It doesn’t mean I have to,” she uttered ominously.
He shook his head, taking Hank inside the barn. Helping her down, he handed her Ice’s harness while he removed Hank’s saddle and filled his feed bin and water. Scarlett took a carrot from the bucket and held it out like Ty taught her. Hank gently took her treat.
He held her hand while she grasped Ice’s harness and walked up to the house.
“It’s about time you two arrived,” Cherise said, stirring stew on the stove. “I’m afraid you’ll have to suffer through ameal with canned bread. I’m afraid I don’t have the talent my son has with cooking.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Ty said, glancing at his mom. Cherise raised an eyebrow and grinned as Scarlett removed a leaf from her hair. It reminded him of Scarlett’s comment about feeling like they were in high school. Now, his mother caught them.
Scarlett went to the pantry,scooped Ice’s food, and checked his water.
“How did the poker game go?” she asked as she sat at the bar.
“Victoria cheated. I swear it’s a good thing we play with chips. The woman refuses to allow any of us to win. Carol asked if we wanted to up the ante, suggesting we play for real money. Victoria appeared shocked and asked if we really wanted to play strip poker. After that, we never brought it up again. I believe she meant it.”
Scarlett heard Ty laughing from their room. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Nope. I have everything under control. I set the table while I waited for you. Rocker will arrive any minute. Did the two of you have a spat? He seemed reluctant to join us.”
Scarlett felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “No, only a misunderstanding.”
“Shall we go fishing tomorrow?” Cherise asked. “It doesn’t seem like you and Ty caught anything today.”
“Ummm, no. We didn’t get much fishing done. Did I show you the book Ty purchased me?” Scarlett said, changing the subject.
“No. What did he get? I love to read. Tyand I spent many nights going on adventures when he was a young boy,” Cherise said fondly.
“He told me this afternoon about a website I can join and get five books a month. I’ll have to ask Rocker to help me with the computer,” she said, disappointedly.
