“Because you’d be bored out of your mind. Besides, you have a case. You can’t just drop that!”
“It’s just a small case, though.”
“It’s a murder trial, and your client’s life literally depends on you!”
“Yeah, but he didn’t do it. I’m sure he’ll get off,” he said as he started grabbing clothes.
I stepped in front of him, pressing my hand to his chest. “Ryder, you’re being ridiculous. A young man is on trial for murder. This is your first big case out here. Do you really want to have the reputation of flaking on a client who desperately needs your services?”
He rolled his eyes at me, but finally conceded. “Fine, I’ll stay here and defend justice and all that shit.”
Grinning, I leaned up on my toes and kissed him. “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown.”
“If I was a good man, I would go with you.”
“Well, despite the fact that you’ll be too busy, I also don’t need a babysitter to do something I’ve done for years. You know, apart from the last few months, I’ve actually been a functioning adult for a while now.”
“Are you trying to tell me you don’t need me?”
“Not even a little. Now, go take a shower, or you’ll be late.”
I smacked him on the ass as he grabbed his things and headed for the shower. It was tempting to slip out while he was preoccupied, but that would only end with an angry phone call and the very strong possibility that he would drive after me, hunting me down until he caught me, and then he would yell at me for a good ten minutes.
Instead, I finished packing, then hauled my suitcase into the other room and made myself a coffee to go. When he came out, freshly showered with a towel draped around his waist, I knew instantly what he was up to.
“Nice try,” I grinned, placing the lid on my mug.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Showing off your incredibly sexy body will not convince me to stay. You forget, women can hold out longer than men.”
“Is that so?” he asked, stalking toward me with a mischievous grin stretched across his beautiful face.
I already knew what was coming and was prepared for his attack. I walked around the counter, putting the island between us as he raised one eyebrow in challenge.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“As far away from you as possible.”
“You only think so,” he chuckled.
“Actually, I know so. JR!” I shouted.
Confusion swept over Ryder’s face as JR came in through the back door and stalked toward my possessive boyfriend.
“Hey, don’t do this,” Ryder pleaded.
“Sorry, but if you don’t let her go, then my woman is gonna be pissed at me, and there’s no fucking way I’m letting her go all the way to Helena without me.”
Ryder feigned left, then dashed right, but JR leapt over the counter, tackling my fiancé to the ground. “Run!”
I took off, grabbing my suitcase before blowing a kiss at Ryder. “I love you! See you in a week!”
“Ellie, I’m gonna beat your ass for this!”
“Only if you can catch me!” I called out before slamming the door. I cringed as I heard a crash from inside, and decided it was best if I ran. Grabbing my suitcase, I hustled to the car, tossing my suitcase into the back of my Jeep, then got in and backed out, hitting the gas.
But I only made it as far as Murky Falls Ranch on the way out of town before I was blocked by a truck parked across the road.
