I bit my lip, giving him a nod.
“Running that op didn’t just mean making a shit-ton of money, it meant building something. Something important, at least for me. I bought real estate, established myself as a business owner—”
“InColorado!” I hissed.
“Here, too. I own property not far from here. I’m also invested in several businesses in Colorado, and a couple close to Big Ernie’s. I even own a small apartment complex in Beaverton.”
“Why do you have property here?”
“Because the plan was always to come back, and now that I’m here, I’m staying.”
“You’re not staying because of me, right? Because I’m not making any promises.”
“You’re rushing to the end of the story,sweetheart.”
“Would you just get to it, Kam?” I prodded.
“My beautiful, gorgeous, impatient, KitKat. Don’t ever change.”
“Suck my dick, Rooster, just finish the story.”
“Say the word, Katie, I’ll suck you off any day.” He chuckled at my frustrated grunt, then finally continued, “About a year ago, I went to Sundance and floated the option of doing what I do in Colorado here. I wanted to come home. I had a two-year plan, reached out to Hatch, and the three of us started making moves. But then your mom got sick, and my plans got moved up.”
“You started your plan to move homean entireyear ago?” I tried to climb off his lap again, but he held strong. “Why the hell didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I wanted things stable before I came to you. I wanted to be established and have something real to offer you.”
I pushed at his shoulders, but he didn’t budge. “Rooster.”
“Baby, settle.”
“Or, you can let me up,” I snapped, and he finally released me.
“Don’t spiral.”
“Don’t tell me how to feel.” I dragged my hands down my face as I paced the room. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He stared at me for a few tense seconds beforeletting out a loud sigh. “Because I’m a coward.”
I could no longer hold back the tears and he rose to his feet, closing the distance between us and pulling me back into his arms as I broke down again.
“I’m sorry, baby. I swear to god, if you give me the chance, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“I don’t know how to get past the fact you tore out my heart then stomped it on the ground.” I glared up at him. “Repeatedly.”
“I know. I’m the worst.” He grinned, cupping my face. “But I promise, I will never do it again.”
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed his shirt, tugging on it frantically. He got the message, and his mouth covered mine, his tongue sweeping between my lips.
Our kiss turned frantic as Rooster lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he carried me down the hall.
“Bedroom?” he rasped, and I nodded to the left.
He carried me inside and settled me gently onto the mattress, leaning over me, one hand on each side of my hips. “We doin’ this?”
I bit my lip, my heart warring with my head. “Yes.”
“The whole thing, Kate. Not just sex.”
