“Hi,” he said. “Can I come in?”
I blinked a few times, trying to figure out what was happening. I had made peace with the fact that I wouldn’t ever see him again, but here he was.
“I’m actually on my way out,” I replied quietly, no longer able to meet his eyes. If he wanted to say it was over in person, that was fine. I would take it.
I just couldn’t look at him as he did.
“It’s important.”
Even now, I couldn’t say no to him. I swung the door open and gestured for him to come in. His large body passed me, and I caught a whiff of that clean, earthy smell he always had.
He sat on the bed, his legs stretched out in front of him and his hooves crossed at the ankles. “These rooms are nice,” he commented.
“They are.”
The room plunged into an uncomfortable silence. I stood there, my arms crossed, just waiting for the rejection I knew was coming.
“The farm passed,” he finally said.
I knew it would, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this fast. They hadn’t even requested the remaining samples, but maybe they didn’t need them all.
“That’s good.”
Brooks stood, and I watched everything around me darken as he towered over me. “You submitted the correct results. The ones that would get us approved.”
“And?” I asked.
His hand came under my chin and tilted it up so I would meet his eyes. Just looking at him almost caused tears to begin flowing.
“And you didn’t think to tell me that last night?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I just didn’t think it was relevant. I had still thought about betraying you. Ruining the life you built for your entire family.”
“But you didn’t,” he replied easily. “You didn’t even when you knew what he could do to you. That is so incredibly brave, and I don’t know if I would have made the same decision in your shoes.”
I scoffed. “Of course you would. You wouldn’t have entertained him in the first place.”
“I’m not as good as you think I am. But it doesn’t matter; you did the right thing. And even if you hadn’t, it wouldn’t have mattered, because you have become everything to me. Fuck the certification. You’re the one thing I can’t live without.”
My expression turned shocked. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t care. I don’t give a shit about any of it. I care aboutyou. Sydney Jacobs, I think I’ve been in love with you since the day I saw you on the side of the road, and I’d love nothing more than to make you mine.”
I felt tears run freely down my face. “Really?”
He brought me forward, kissing the top of my forehead. My eyes fluttered closed, savoring the touch. “Really. I love you, and there’s nothing that’s going to change that. And we’ll fight Preston together. Whatever he throws at you, he throws atus.”
I smiled through the tears. “He won’t be bothering me again. Or you. Or the farm. Turns out keeping old photos comes in handy.” He gave me an inquisitive look, but I just shook my head. I’d tell him eventually. “All that matters is that I love you too,” I managed. “I don’t know when it happened or how, but you and this town have changed something in me, and I couldn’t see myself going back to who I was before. I want more out of life, so much more, and I want it with you.”
He pulled me close, kissing me hard, as if we’d been apart for years. I wrapped my hands around his neck, and he put his around my thighs, lifting me easily as I tightened my thighs around his middle, needing to feel close to him.
I never wanted to be far from him again.
His other hand found my hair, running his fingers through it and tugging it just the smallest bit. He began kissing down my neck, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. I moaned loudly, just glad to be back in his arms.
“Gods, you’re divine,” he mumbled between kisses. “I have no idea how I got so lucky.”
He took us to the bed and laid us down, draping himself over me. I pulled him in, needing to feel him fully. “I’m the one who got lucky. You’re the one for me.”
