Page 23 of Labor of Love

“I can handle myself.” I’m up early to help at the ranch tomorrow anyway. “But I might start getting questioned about my constant whereabouts.” My parents have noticed my absence lately but haven’t said anything. This time around feels wrong keeping us from everyone.

“My bed enjoys you, but a night apart might allow us to actually sleep.” She’ll sleep. I’ll be thinking about her all night.

“Sneaking around again has been keeping me restless.” Tension within releases as I speak my mind.

“You want to tell everyone about us, don’t you?” I can’t tell if her voice is uneasy or disappointed that I want to be out in the open about us.

“You don’t?” My phone dings for the fourth time with my manager’s name.

“Sounds important. I’ll meet you back at the house.” Layla smiles.

“Stay.” I already know the inquiry. “She’s trying to get me back on the road to attend events. Wrangler has a new line that’s about to launch.”

Layla smirks. “Like sister, like brother.” My smile cracks at her teasing. “You should go. Seems like a fun, quick way to make some extra cash.”

“I just got home.” Pausing, I look her straight in the eyes. “I just got you.”

“I could join you behind the scenes depending on the dates.” My heart warms.

“Layla, I told you I wasn’t leaving. If I do, I’ll be sure to bring you along with me.”

“Things aren’t like last time, Stetson.” Her reaction has me smiling. I can’t imagine leaving her behind though. “A few days apart would suck, but we’d manage.”

“You still haven’t wanted to tell anyone about us.” Her bottom lip tugs between her teeth.

“It’s not that I don’t want to.” She glances down, petting Ranger’s neck for comfort. “I’m scared.”

“Of them not approving?” If previous conversations are to go by, my parents would be ecstatic.

“Once it’s in the open, there’s no going back.” Her voice shakes. “I want this, but with my family’s track record and mine, relationships haven’t ended great.” Understandable.

“I don’t want anyone else.” I mean every word.

“It’s been two weeks of hot sex, Stetson. Yes, we have a past, but what if you change your mind? Miss the hype of rodeo life?” Trust is hard to earn with Layla, but I’m gonna do it.

“An eight-second ego stroke isn’t worth risking my life.” I shake my head, wishing we had hopped off our horses earlier. “Not anymore it’s not.”

She stares at the open sky silently. Each beat screams louder.

“Okay then.” Her voice is cautious as I watch the wheels turn in her pretty little head. “I can count on you attending my gallery showing?” A grin spreads across my face.

“I’m here for you no matter what it takes, sweet girl. I’d double-check you’re okay with me taking a campaign even if you couldn’t make it.”

“I trust you, Stetson.” Another pause weighs around us before a small smile meets her eyes. “We can tell everyone about us at family dinner tomorrow.” Joy floods me as I hop off my horse and pull her off Ranger.

Her squeal startles him slightly, but he stays put. Layla’s legs wrap around my waist as she smiles. Kissing her, overlooking my ranch, with our childhood horses at our sides, is the epitome of home.

“I can’t wait to spend every day proving you're worth it.” She leans back a little further, her arms around my neck holding on.

“Can it really be this easy?” I’ve watched my parents fight to keep their relationship as strong as it still is. And yeah, my crazy ass growing up didn’t make it easy on them. But if I’ve learned one thing from them, it’s that a wedding means you’re married, but effort and love keep your marriage.

“If we want us to work, we will make it happen.” My hands squeeze her round ass cheeks.

“I owe it to Karli to tell her beforehand.”

“I’ll be by your side.” Her head shakes.

“No, this is something I should do alone.” She gives me a pointed look. “I don’t need you chiming in with explicit content to get back at her for the things she’s shared about her and Parker.” Hearing anything about my sister’s sex life is too much. And she’s shamelessly open.