I yank the door open and pull her out of the car, right there on the side of the road where half the town is stuck in the sheriff’s fake traffic jam. People are already staring from their cars.
Good. Let them watch.
“Dean, what are you—”
“I love you, Paddles.”
The words tear out of me, raw and desperate. No filter. No smooth lines. Just the truth I should’ve said days ago.
She freezes, lips parting in shock. I keep going before she can pull away or try to deny the obvious.
“I’ve been gone for you since the second that paddle cracked me in the face. Two days, Paisley. Two fucking days and I already know I can’t lose you.”
My hands are shaking as I cup her face. I’m still soaked from the river, dripping all over the asphalt, but I don’t care. The whole town can see me losing my mind over this woman.
“I should’ve locked this down the first night by the fire. I should’ve told you you’re not going back to Denver without me. My family’s already treating you like you’re one of us because they see it too. You belong here. With me.”
Cars are idling with their windows rolled down. Mrs. Carmichael from the bakery is openly watching from her sedan like this is better than cable.
I don’t give a damn.
“Stay with me. Or hell, I’ll go with you.” My voice cracks. “Whatever it takes, I’ll figure it out. What’s a river guide gonna do in the city? I don’t know, but I’ll learn. I’ll get a damn job driving a delivery truck or working construction or whatever keeps me close to you. I’ll sleep in your tiny apartment with the thin walls. I don’t care. Just don’t leave me behind, Paisley.”
I’m at my wit’s end, heart hammering so hard I feel dizzy. I’ve never begged for anything in my life, but I’ll get on my knees right here in the middle of town if that’s what it takes.
She stares up at me, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her hands clutch my wet shirt like she can’t decide whether to pull me closer or push me away.
I rest my forehead against hers, voice dropping to a broken whisper.
“I love you. I’m not letting you drive out of my life without you knowing that you’re it for me.” I take a shaky breath, before I beg, “Tell me you feel it too.”
The whole world seems to freeze in time around us.
Now it’s up to her.
Paisley
My heart is hammering so hard I can barely hear anything else. Dean’s standing in front of me, soaking wet, eyes wild and desperate, holding my face like I might disappear if he lets go. The whole town is watching. Cars are backed up along the road, their windows rolled down, people openly staring, but I don’t give a damn.
All I can see is him.
“I love you too,” I whisper, the words tumbling out before I can overthink them. My voice cracks, but I keep going. “Dean, I love you. I’ve been falling for you since the paddle incident. These days with you have been the best days of my life.”
Tears spill down my cheeks. I reach up and grip his wrists, needing to hold onto him just as tightly as he’s holding me.
“I don’t want to go back to Denver. I wouldn’t miss that stupid job for a second. I wouldn’t even miss my teeny tiny apartment where I can hear my neighbors argue at two in the morning.” A watery laugh escapes me. “I can find work anywhere. I don’t care what it is. I’ll waitress, I’ll work retail, I’llanswer phones, whatever. As long as I’m here with you, I don’t care.”
Dean’s green eyes search mine, something fierce and tender flashing across his face. His calloused thumbs brush away my tears even as more fall.
Before I can say anything else, he shakes his head, a slow, relieved smile breaking through the panic.
“That’s not necessary, Paddles.” His voice is rough, full of emotion. “You’re going to be part of the family. And that means you work for the family. You belong here.”
I don’t bother telling him that sounds like a dream come true. If he spent one day in my cubicle at the bank, he would rip his hair out by the roots.
Letting out a shaky laugh, I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him down into a kiss right there on the side of the road in front of half the town. Pressed so close together I can feel the hard line of his cock nudging my stomach. Just like when we cuddled by the fire it sends a pulse of heat straight to my center.
His arms wrap around me instantly, strong and sure, lifting me slightly off the ground as he kisses me back like he’s been starving for it.
