His gaze softened. “I sure did.” He let out a slow breath. “I love you, Jamie.”
A smile crept across her lips. “I love you, too, Clayton.” She stroked his beard before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I wish I could remembereverythingabout last night.”
His mouth curved into a knowing grin. “Well, if you need a refresher I’d be happy to oblige.”
She winked. “I might take you up on that.”
He pulled back the covers and pressed a slow kiss to her neck, but before he could go any further she tugged the blankets back over herself.
He frowned. “Something wrong?”
She hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m just not comfortable with my body.”
His brows knitted together. “Jamie, you’ve got the best damn body I’ve ever seen. Not that I’ve seen many—only been with two women in my life.”
Two?
Her throat tightened. She didn’t want to tell him. Didn’t want to show him the scars. Didn’t want to admit what she used to do.
But she had to.
She pushed back the covers, tracing a finger along the faint lines on her thighs. “I used to cut myself.”
Clayton’s gaze softened but his voice was steady. “Why?”
“Because feeling pain was better than feeling nothing.”
A beat of silence stretched between them. Then he reached for her, his fingers brushing over the scars with a touch so gentle it made her chest ache. “I can’t change the past,” he murmured, “but I damn sure want to be part of your future. I’m not going anywhere, Jamie.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her skin, and something in her heart shifted. She swallowed hard, almost believing him. “Thanks.”
Clayton rolled onto his side and held up his left elbow. “We’ve all got scars, darlin’.”
Jamie exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing. He didn’t flinch. Didn’t pity her. Just accepted her.
She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Now, about that refresher . . .”
Later that morning Jamie and Clayton drove toward the horse camp. She couldn’t stop smiling, still feeling the lingering warmth of his touch.Honestly, it was the best sex she’d ever had. Slow. Intentional. Like he was memorizing every inch of her.
But now reality was creeping in. What was he going to tell his family?
As they pulled up to the fence, the sight of children trotting around on horseback greeted them as their parents watched. Charlotte and Emily rode alongside them, guiding the way with Clayton’s parents and Nolan not far behind.
And then Jamie saw her.
Ruth.
Shit.
Her stomach flipped. She hadn’t expected her to be here. She’d know the minute she laid eyes on her.
Clayton leaned over, stealing a quick kiss before they climbed out of the truck.
“Howdy, folks,” he drawled, flashing his signature grin.
The parents standing near the fence lit up, some rushing over. Clayton greeted them like old friends, taking selfies, signing hats and shirts, and tossing out easy laughs. Jamie lingered back, watching.
God, he’s good at this.
