“The pies in this fridge belong to Tanner. Hands off!”
She opened the fridge door and took out one of the pies, examining it closely.
“These are my pies, Tanner, the ones I sold you earlier in the week.”
She let out a soft, delighted giggle that warmed his heart.
“I can make you more pies anytime you want, Daddy.”
Daddy.
The word rolled off her tongue so naturally, so sweetly, it still damn near knocked the air out of his lungs every time she said it. But that wasn’t the only effect it had on him. Heat surged through his body like wildfire, pooling low and heavy in his groin. His cock twitched hard behind his zipper as he stared at her. It was a struggle to fight the overwhelming urge to pull her against him right then and there, crush his mouth to hers, and make her say it again—slower, breathier, right against his lips while he pinned her to the door.
Fuck, he loved the sound of it coming from her. Loved it more than he should. It sparked something deep and possessive inside himwhile simultaneously making him ache to claim her in every possible way.
He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady even as his control frayed at the edges.
“That’s a dangerous offer, Cupcake,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling. “Because once you start taking care of me like that… I’m not sure I’ll ever let you stop.”
Junie glanced around his room, taking in the heavy beams, the big stone fireplace, and the sturdy, masculine furniture. She inspected each facet of the décor. “It’s the perfect mix of bunkhouse and mancave.”
“Thank you, I fixed it up myself.”
“That’s something you didn’t have to tell me. I’ve known you were all man for a long time. But… this,” she paused to wave around the room, “this says it all. It’s definitely decorated perfectly for a single man like you.”
The words landed wrong.
Was she implying that he was still single, still unattached?
Then it dawned on him. She still thought this was temporary. Thathewas temporary. That one day, he’d get bored and ride off like he had when he left for the rodeo. At first, the idea that she could still doubt him after everything that had passed between them recently clawed at him, made him angry. Then he paused, reflecting on how he’d actually treated her over the last few years. Maybe she had good reason to feel that way.
Regardless, she needed to understand how he felt—not just hear the words butknowthem in her bones. From his perspective, this wasn’t temporary. This room, this ranch, this life… she was home now. And she washishome.
He wouldn’t push her right away. Instead, he let her wander over to the big picture window overlooking the Tetons. The early evening light painted the mountains in soft purples and golds. He gave her the quiet moment, watching the way the light caught in her hair, the gentle sway of her hips as she moved. His hands itched to touch her,to pull her back against his chest and wrap himself around her so tightly she’d never question where she belonged again. He took advantage of her momentary distraction to duck into the adjoining room.
At his return a moment later, she turned slightly, tilting her head. “Why don’t you have curtains? What if you want to sleep in one morning?”
He stepped up close behind her, close enough that his chest brushed her back and his breath fanned across her ear.
“I don’t sleep in.”
She shivered. He felt it roll through her body, and it sent a bolt of pure satisfaction straight to his cock.
“Up until now,” he added, voice lowering to a rough whisper, “I haven’t had a reason to.”
He let the words sink in, let her feel the heat of him at her back, the promise in his tone. She needed to understand exactly what kind of reason he was talking about. Her. Naked and soft in his bed every morning. Her sleepy little sighs. Her body curled trustingly against his. The thought of waking up with Junie in his arms—his Little, his woman, his forever—filled him with pleasure and desire.
He was done waiting. Done pretending. Done letting her think for even one more second that he wasn’t all in.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her tight against his body.
Her nipples tightened visibly against the thin fabric of her dress. The delicate shiver that rolled down her spine vibrated against him, sending a surge of pure, primal satisfaction through him.Good.He wanted her feeling every single word. Every breath. Every dark, possessive intention rolling off him in waves.
Watching the movement of her chest move up and down in increasing speed, he let the moment linger for another heartbeat before he gently guided her toward the big leather sofa facing the massive stone fireplace. Once she was seated, he dropped to siton the raised hearth directly across from her, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on her face like a predator watching his prey.
“Tell me again why you didn’t tell me about the gifts.”
“I thought maybe you’d forgotten about that,” she said.
