We won’t hide her.
We won’t tone down the affection.
But we won’t push unless she’s ready.
And right this minute?
She’s not ready.
So, I lean in close while the others continue to chat about the new cattle we got. My mouth brushes just below her ear, the hair from my mustache tickling her sensitive skin just like I know she likes. “Nervous?”
“How can you tell?”
“You haven’t stopped fidgeting with that dress since we got in here.”
Her fingers freeze.
She glances down at herself like she didn’t even realize she was doing it. “I just—it’s just a lot.”
“The dress is fucking perfect, Red. You’re perfect.”
She shoots me a look. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
I do.
Her voice drops to almost a whisper. “I don’t—I don’t want to embarrass you. Or bring any unwanted attention.”
Lincoln’s eyes flick up at that. Lawson goes quiet. And Beau’s jaw tightens just slightly. Because whisper or not, we all heard her saythat.
“Embarrass us?” I say roughly, tipping her chin toward me. “Abbie Girl, there is not a chance in hell you could do anything to embarrass us. Especially when the only thing you’re doing is loving us.”
Lincoln nods. “We’re not hiding the way we feel about you.”
Beau leans in and presses a kiss to her head. “You’re ours, Darlin’. That’s not something we apologize for.”
I press a slow, deliberate kiss against the curve of her neck.
“You say that now until everyone starts looking at us.”
I lean back just enough so she can see my entire face. “I promise you, none of us care that anyone might look at us.” My thumb traces lightly over her knee. “In fact… let them look and know that they don’t get to touch. Let them see that we have the most amazing woman anyone could ask for. Let them be jealous of somethin’ they can’t have. Let them judge. Idareone of them to say it to my face.”
“Jas—” she breathes.
“I don’t know if I will ever be able to adequately describe how perfect you are for me.For us.There will never be enough words to explain how proud we are to have you at our sides. You set the pace,” I remind her. “If you want distance, we give it. If you want hands off, they’re off. But don’t you dare think for one second we’re ashamed of what we have.”
Her lashes flutter as she absentmindedly spins the untouched wineglass between her fingers.
I take it gently from her hand and set it beside mine. Lifting my hat, I place it on the seat next to her before glancing toward the front to make sure the partition’s up and the driver can’t see a damn thing.
Satisfied, I drop to my knees on the limo floor in front of her.
Her breath catches. “Jasper, what are you—”
My hand settles just above the strap around her ankles.
Bare, soft,warm skin.
I look up at her through my lashes and let my palms glide slowly up her calves.
