I swallow thickly, threading my fingers through his. “Not one. What’ll you do when you get home? Are you going to talk to your dad about opening the sanctuary?”
He rests his chin against the side of my head, his breathruffling my hair. “I think so. I’ve wanted it for a long time, I just… I don’t know if I’d be any good at it.”
“You won’t know if you don’t try. For what it’s worth, I think you’re exactly the kind of person who should run a rescue—kind, gentle when the situation calls for it. Not a single red flag in sight.” I say those last words with a teasing lilt.
He laughs once, still leaning into me. “Yeah. Maybe.”
A long silence passes before either of us speaks again.
“Come to Oak Ridge,” he says. “Meet my family. I’ll take you for a trail ride. All of it.”
“I’m not sure?—”
His grip tightens on my hands like he thinks I might run, his thumb making gentle patterns on the side of my palm. “This feels like it could be something, Angel. I’ve never felt this connected to anyone before. I don’t—I can’t let you go.”
I pull one hand free to stroke the side of his cheek, soft bristles chafing against my palm. “You didn’t let me finish, you overbearing ass. I was going to say I’m not sure when I’m free, but I’ll check my schedule.”
“Thank fuck.” He lifts me into his arms and spins me in a circle. As he sets me on my feet, the oven timer goes off. “Is that”—he sniffs the air—“potatoes?”
“Breakfast hash brown casserole.”
“Goddamn, Angel. You really are my dream girl.”
We spent two and a half blissful days together talking, laughing, and getting to know each other intimately. It was the best birthday I can recall in recent memory, and I didn’t want it to end.
I wake Monday morning with a dull, throbbing ache between my thighs, and a kaleidoscope of memories surges to the forefront of my mind.
I reach across the bed, craving the comfort of his arms. My heart sinks when the sheets are cold and empty. I roll onto my side and check my phone. The only notification waiting for me is from Jess asking about our weekly lunch date. I text her back to let her know I’ll meet her at Hoffman’s deli around noon, then I burrow deeper into the covers.
It was just a fling. It didn’t mean anything.
Griffin
Good morning, Angel. You were sleeping so well, I didn’t want to wake you. I almost said fuck it and missed my flight, but I have to get back to the ranch. I’ll text you when I land, and we can make plans for you to fly out. I owe you a trail ride. xo Griff
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Chapter 1
Are you feeling lucky?
? …Where is my husband! - Raye
Griffin
Present Day
There she is.
Angelina Rossi, soon to be Angelina Myers once she marries my best friend. And I have to watch it all happen, standing beside them at the fucking altar no less.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
Beautiful and so off-limits.
I could get high off the sight of her alone.
I slide my hands out of my pockets and lean my elbow on the bar. “What are you doing, Angel?”
