One side of his mouth twitches and he nods once. I’m too blissed out to think deeper about the way his chest seems to puff up with pride.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” His eyes are so earnest that it makes my heart clench.
“No,” I whisper, not trusting my voice entirely, “it was perfect.”
And it was.
His hand slides over my lower abdomen and I smile softly. I’m okay with going along with a plan that is beyond me.
As long as he’s at my side and we take on the adventure together.
It’s what he’s offering me and, for the first time in my life, I want to take the risk.
My blinks get longer and Ford pulls me deeper into his embrace. “Sleep, Sunflower,” his deep voice brushes against my skin the same way his beard does. “I’ve got you.”
“I know, Cowboy,” I murmur.
CHAPTER 11
FORD
I keep glancing at my watch, not caring that my guys keep chuckling at me. They can laugh if they want because they have no idea why I’m so impatient.
Believe me, I wanted to stay in bed with Arden all day and map every curve of her, but there is always work to be done. None of the animals care about the wants and desires of the humans who take care of them. They’re going to live their lives, and we have an obligation to them. The whole business is built on them; it’s the least I can do.
When I woke up this morning, Arden was draped over my chest like she belonged there. I think she does.
I can’t even explain what a good night’s sleep I had. My entire being felt rested for the first time in a long time. And it’s allbecause of her.
Arden stirred when I did and I hated that I woke her up, especially since I had slipped inside of her sometime in the night and interrupted her sleep. I couldn’t help myself and she didn’t mind at all. No, the way she creamed my cock told me just how much she enjoyed it.
“I need to get up and get the day started,” I whispered against her hairline, my body begging me to stay and soak up more of her warmth.”
“Okay,” she mumbled absently, “I’ll get up and get moving.”
“No,” my voice was strained, earnest in a way I don’t usually feel, “please stay. I know you’re off today,” I reminded her, my hand stroking up and down her spine. “You stay and sleep. I’ll be back for lunch.”
She relaxed against me, a small smile lifting her lips. “If that’s what you want,” her words were slurring slightly as sleep tugged her back into dreamland.
When I kissed her forehead, my name slipped from her lips and I felt like nothing could touch me, nothing could bring me down.
And it hasn’t all day.
“I think it’s about lunch time, Boss,” Bo says, his voice filled with amusement.
Without looking at the man, I wave and head toward the house. I don’t look back, my entire focus on getting to my Sunflower.
I’ve missed her.
It’s a wild feeling considering I haven’t known her exceptionally long.
You’ve known her for a year.
True. I nod and my steps quicken. The need to get to her, to see her and make sure she didn’t leave, is riding me hard.
By the time I burst through the backdoor, I’m on the edge of frantic and practically running. Arden spins around, her hand pressed to her chest above her heart, when I slam into the kitchen like I’m one of my bulls and not a man with some damn sense.
“Ford,” she admonishes me as her hand drops and she relaxes, “you scared me.”
