“I’m always sexy. You know this.” I know that’s not what he was asking, and I’m conflicted about sharing information with him about Rhett. But I need to talk to someone. With a huff, I drop the knife and lean against the table. “Do not breathe a word of this.”
He makes the sign of the cross and places his hand over his heart. “You know I’d never.”
I know he wouldn’t share, but I don’t normally share this kind of thing with anyone. Best friend or not.
“We had an amazing trail ride, it rained on us, and then…holy fuck, Levi, it was hot and intense.”
“You were naked in the rain?” He sighs. “That is so romantic.”
“Well, not exactly. We were soaked from the rain, and things escalated. Without spilling everything, it was the best damn orgasm of my life.”
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“You and me both. He’s just so…” I don’t know the right word, so I use the one Rhett used. “Complicated.”
“Oh. I don’t like how that sounds. What are you gonna do?”
The oven timer rings, and this time I remove a tray of cookies with a stern glare at Levi to not touch while I transfer them to cool.
“We didn’t make any plans. I think he was in a post-sex haze, to be honest.”
“As he should be.” Levi nods before heading to the staff fridge and stuffs a five-dollar bill into the jar next to it. I don’t expect my staff to contribute to the snack fund. I provide the jar so they don’t feel guilty, and if they want to, they can drop money in. I empty it once a month and donate it to the local cancer support centre, but nobody but me needs to know that.
“The bronc riders are arriving this week, and he said he’d be busy. I was going to wait.” Well, he didn’t actually say that, but I already know that’s happening. Cowboys share about work and rodeos all the time.
“Wait for what, Dee? After the first wave of broncs, he’s likely away at a rodeo, then it’s back to the facility. He’s always going to be busy. If you want him, you’re going to have to go get him. Make something work.”
He’s right. Rhett is into me. That was obvious, and I already have our wedding planned. Assuming he approves of a small affair in an orchard, that is. It seems silly for me to just standback and wait when he clearly needs a little push to accept we’d be amazing together.
Cocking my head, I smile at my best friend. “When did you get so smart?”
“I’ve always been smart.” Levi grins, and we both laugh.
“You are. So you think I should go over to the training facility?”
“He’ll be there late. Just saying.” He swipes a cookie and evades my swatting hand. “Don’t give up just because he did the whole ‘it’s complicated’ line. I bet there’s more to him. Remember…you asked the universe for him. Don’t waste it.”
With a wave, he’s out of the kitchen and off to his training with Hunter. I return to my baking duties, lost in thought over his words and Rhett.
What makes Rhett complicated? I’m not exactly a walk in the park. I’m anxious when I get a cold, and I constantly need reassurances that I’m still attractive with one less nut. I don’t like plain coffee, and I hate it when things don’t match.
I can be a lot for some people, and sometimes that makes me withdraw even though I don’t want to. Well, sometimes I do, but not with Rhett. Something happened in his room that day that was far more electric than any encounter I’ve had.
He brought me to my knees. Not physically, although that will come, I’m sure. No, he showed me a man who constantly gives and perhaps isn’t used to taking.
Rhett needs me to lead and give him more than he’s used to. It’s not complicated. I refuse to believe that. We all crave someone to love us. Not even Levi knows the depth of my longing to just have someone to love me until their last breath and not break my heart.
“You okay, boss?”
When did Morgan come in?
“Of course I am.”
“Those bananas will be soup if you mash them anymore.”
Looking in the bowl, I wince at the mess of banana guts.
“Lost in thought, I guess.”
