All I know is I want to enjoy my time with him before getting those answers. I’ll show him around my town, but I’m letting him take the lead on us for now. Unless, of course, he moves at a snail’s pace and pisses me off.
Then, I’ll reevaluate.
All around me, families greet their loved ones, both young and old. Massive groups of people pile through the double-wide doors, exiting to the outside, but they’re all a blur amidst the search for my guy.
With my back against my car and the curb at my feet, I sift through faces, looking for a head of healthy dark brown hair, lean muscle, and my favorite collection of tattoos scattered across tan skin. This is when being petite does not come in handy. I reach high and low searching for him, only to stop at the sound of his voice from my side.
“Hey, lost girl.”
That’s him.That’s my Ranger. I know when I turn around, there will be no hiding the joy in my heart. The love written across my face.
Spinning toward him, I stop dead in my tracks at Easton Voss in all his glory. My favorite combo of tight jeans, work boots, and a plain white T-shirt with a jacket thrown over his shoulder.
But it’s the light across his face that almost brings me to my knees.
“Hi, Ranger. ’Bout time you came for me.” I cross my arms at my chest, but my insides are buzzing.
His smile almost reaches his eyes, lit up for the world tosee. He shuttles me over with his free hand. “Get over here, girl.”
Abandoning his suitcase altogether, Easton’s arms open wide for me as I rush toward him, leaping into his embrace. My arms find his neck and my legs his waist as I drink in his warmth. His tranquil smell. The sense of comfort only he’s able to give me.
“Fuck. Feels so good to hold you again, Collie.”
I never want him to let go. Not when being in his arms feels like this. “You’re really here,” I murmur, nuzzling into his tatted neck.
“Let me take a good look at you,” he tells me, bringing my feet to the ground.
I curtsy dramatically, displaying my cuteness in leggings and a sweatshirt. “Damn, girl. You been liftin’?”
I throw my head back and laugh, appreciating our teasing already. “Hit a new deadlift PR, actually. Glad you noticed.” My head lifts with pride.
“Lookin’ strong. Lookin’ beautiful.” Easton pulls me against his chest, his chin resting on the top of my head. He places a soft kiss, making my entire body melt.
This is the reaction I’ve searched my whole life for when it comes to a partner.
The feeling no time or distance can shake.
Is what we have together traditional? God, no. But screw traditional if it means I don’t miss out on this kind of love.
Love…
“Show me around. I want to see everything. Even the tree where your chump boyfriend gave you your first kiss,” he whispers into my hair.
“You really wanna know all about me, huh?” I ask bashfully. My cheeks already hurt from smiling so much.
Easton nods. “I do.”
“Okay,” I huff. “If you insist. But just know…my first kiss was not by a tree. It was behind the bleachers of my elementary school. Get it right. And Danny Richardson was the farthest thing from a chump. The boy knew how to use his tongu?—”
A pinch to my butt causes me to yelp. “Kidding!”
“Har har,” Easton teases. “So, Timber Heights got any good coffee shops? I could use a second wind.”
“Oh, we specialize in craft coffee. And seafood. But we’ll save that for another day. Follow me, Ranger.” I pull him toward my truck, his long legs catching up much quicker than my short ones. “And welcome to Timber Heights.”
“Never knew I’d wish for food trucks back home so badly.”
“Literally any vacant corner they can find, they’re there. And you’ve only seen half the town so far. The BBQ street tacos from Heidi’s are my favorite.”
