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My fists clenched at my sides, and it took everything I had not to hit my own grandfather. When I was finally able to control my emotions and my voice, I said, “I’m leaving to go back to Montana.”
“No. I forbid it.”
It was my turn to laugh, but mine was devoid of any humor. “You forbid it? I’m a grown man. You can’t forbid anything.”
“If you leave this company and go back to Montana with that girl, you can consider yourself written out of my will.”
I suddenly felt sorry for my grandfather. Money was his only card to play…because it was the only thing that meant anything to him.
“Granddad, I’m going to do what I wish my mother had had the strength to do twenty-eight years ago. I’m going to tell you to take your money and shove it up your ass. I don’t want, nor do I need, your money. The one thing that I need in my life is currently sitting at my apartment, waiting for me.”
“That child you’re sleeping with? You’re willing to give up everything for her?”
Pointing at him, I fought to keep the anger out of my voice. “Don’t you ever utter a single bad thing about Avery. She means everything to me.”
“You just met her, Beck! For fuck’s sake, stop thinking with your cock and start listening to your brain!”
I stared at the man whom I’d always looked up to as a father. But he wasn’t a father figure at all. He was a sad old man who would end up dying alone, surrounded by his cold fortune.
Turning, I started for the door as he called out. “If you walk out that door, don’t ever come back! Do you hear me, Beck? You’re not welcome back here!”
I opened the door, gave my grandfather one last look, and said, “Fine by me.”
I slipped the key into the door and opened it. Avery was sitting on my sofa, a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She was so devastatingly beautiful, she took my breath away.
Slowly, she stood, and those sapphire eyes of hers caught my gaze.
“Avery,” I whispered, as I dropped everything on the floor, kicked the door shut, and met her halfway. She flung herself into my arms and started to cry.
“I missed you so much!” she said, pulling back to kiss me.
The kiss was exactly like I remembered, yet it felt brand-new at the same time. I held onto her tightly, urging her to open her mouth to me.
“Avery,” I growled, walking her through the apartment and straight to my bedroom.
I set her down, and with shaking hands, we started to undress each other. When we were naked, I picked her up, lay her back on my bed, and made love to her all night, until we were both exhausted.
Hours later, my fingers moved lazily over her arm as I stared up at the white ceiling.
“Do you know what I miss about Montana, besides you?”
She snuggled into my side more and asked in a tired voice, “Hmm…what?”
“The wood. All the exposed wood and beams. This place is so dull and boring. Everything is white.”
Avery took a breath. “You could add some color to the walls.”
I shook my head. “No. I think I’m going to call the agent I bought the place from and put it on the market.”
It took Avery a few minutes to let that settle into her tired brain. She drew back and looked at me. “You’re selling this place? Why?”
Smiling, I tapped her nose with my finger. “Because I no longer need it.”
Confused, she asked again, “Why?”
Pulling her to me, I kissed her and rolled her onto her back. I took in every inch of her beautiful face. Never again would I ever be separated from her for so long.
“I love you, Avery.”
Her eyes went wide before filling with tears. “I love you too, Beck.”
“Good, because I want to build a house on my father’s…on my land…marry you, and help you build your business.”
Avery scrambled to sit up, taking the sheet with her to cover her breasts, but I could still see her nipple peeking out at me. It instantly made me hard.
“Wait, Beck—what are you saying?”
Pushing a strand of her light brown hair behind her ear, I answered, “I’m saying I’m moving to Montana…for good.”
Her look of disbelief nearly had me laughing.
“But what about your grandfather? The business here?”
“The only thing in my life that matters to me right now is you. Our future together. I knew that before I even came back to Dallas. The only reason I stayed this long was out of a sense of obligation.”
“And what changed?”
I grinned. “A bunch of things changed. You. Stella and Ty. My family back in Montana. Your mother and father. I think the moment I met them all, I knew I wasn’t staying here,” I sighed. “And tonight, I overheard my grandfather saying he faked the heart attack just to get me back here. I’ll never be able to work for him again. The trust is gone.”
