It was theonlymove.
“Cam and I were talking in the car on the way home, and I think if we are replotting and planting, we should go with the Cosmic Crisp. Long storage life…hardy variety.”
WA 38, or the Cosmic Crisp, was an apple variety developed exclusively by Washington State University. It’s becoming one of the most sought-after varieties, but we scratched that notion because it has a significantly delayed return on investment and a high probability of market saturation. It’s risky, but when the trees are finally able to produce a high-quality product, there’s also a possibility the payoff could be substantial.
A privilege that comes with being one of the leading apple producers in the country.
Fuck, this is too much to think about at ten o’clock at night.
Unintentionally, I turn my head, glaring toward the direction of the back door. “If you two are set on the Cosmic Crisp, we can discuss it again tomorrow.”
Brennan narrows his eyes at me questionably when I turn to face them again.
“What?” I growl.
My harsh tone pulls Brennan’s mouth into a devious smile. “You’re just,” he waves a hand at me, “on edge.” He knits his arms over his chest. “And you have been since you and Taryn walked through that door.”
Cameron remains silent.
Jesus Christ.Is it really that obvious?
My little ghost is thoroughly fucking with every part of my body now and not just my head.
Giving them my back, I mutter, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Brennan’s strangled laugh follows me into the kitchen, the sound grating against my skin. I open our designated junk drawer, reaching to the back to pull out a pair of keys and a phone before marching straight out the back door. I’m barely across the yard when I see Taryn at the bottom, where the grass flattens out in front of my house.
The solar lights along the sidewalk and in the garden reflect off the blades of grass, while the lights on the edge of the house illuminate her silhouette and the ball she throws through the air. Rossco darts after it, his black body temporarily disappearing into the hazy darkness before he reemerges and returns it to her. She crouches down, wrapping her arms around him as she nuzzles her head into his neck.
The gentle touch of the breeze stirs the curtain of hair framing her face, the moonlight painting her high cheekbones silver.
She’s beautiful.
It never crossed my mind that someone else might belong here. With us.
But she does, in ways I can’t ignore, no matter how hard I try. And that’s a big fucking problem.
She stands to her feet, and Rossco drops the ball on one of her shoes. A giggle rattles her shoulders. I can’t hear the addicting sound, but I damn sure feel the way it weaves tightly around my chest, the string pulling tighter the longer I ogle her.
Her mouth shifts into a smile when she throws the ball across the yard, my skin heating in response to the warmth that one expression can exude.
“I thought we were past all the stalking,” she says, distractedly watching Rossco.
I don’t know why I find it sexy as hell that she can sense my presence like I can sense hers.
She doesn’t bother glancing at me, but I catch the amusement laced in her tone. “So, are we going to get this over with now? Or are you going to share your victory with your brothers since they’re home early?”
Oh, goddamn.
Does she want that?
I don’t share. I divulged that fact the night I chased her through the orchard.
The one line I won’t cross. Not with her.
Not because I’m incapable, but because I’m afraid of what seeing her like that would do to me. Being with my brothers behind closed doors is one thing, but seeing her bend and conform to Cameron and Brennan will feed the envious beast concealed in the caverns in my chest. It would drive me to madness, pressing the side of myself that wants to make her mine.
Only mine.
