Page 43 of Texas Snow

“Care to share with the class?”

Rafferty took a sip of coffee and looked out over the horizon. “This has been the most special time in my life.”

Shit. That sounded like the preamble to bad news. I slid from his lap.

“But…” I said, waiting for him to just get it over with.

Rafferty was going back to his old life, having gotten what he needed from this one. I couldn’t blame him.

He shook his head and dragged me back onto his lap, laughing when he spilled a few drops of his coffee.

“Nobut. It’s been the most amazing time of my life, period. Because I got to know you even better, and I like what I’m finding out.”

“You do?” I asked, hope fragile in my chest.

His answering look made my heart soar.

“Yes,” he said with a raised brow. “And this is where you say you’ve enjoyed getting to know me as well.”

I punched his shoulder lightly, then kissed it. Then kissed him.

“But I don’t even know your first name,” I protested, mid-kiss.

Fuck, that fond smile was going to be the death of me. “Eugene,” he answered softly. “My name is Eugene.”

“No wonder you go by Rafferty,” I said, laughing my ass off.

“Such a menace,” he muttered, tickling me until I was breathless.

“I have loved getting to know you better,Eugene,” I said, taking a deep breath. “You are incredibly sexy. And funny. You make me feel cared for. And protected. And I love that.”

“Do you lovethat?” he asked, running his fingertips across my brows. “Or do you love me?”

I blinked at him, my eyes filling in an instant. Fucking Rafferty always had to beat me to the punch.

“Jesse?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

“Mm…yeah. But I want to hear it.”

I sat back and scrunched my nose, and he winked at me.

I let out an undignified grunt, then confessed, “I’ve probably been in love with you since you opened the front door to your cabin. And I don’t want to think about life without you.”

“Good,” he said, his smile brilliant. “Neither do I.”

“Because?” I asked, arching a brow.

“Because I love you too.”

We laughed and kissed and spilled a little more coffee, but it didn’t matter.

“Kinda feels like we’re celebrating Christmas in July,” I said, sighing as I rested my head on his shoulder.

“I agree. And I can’t think of a better present than having you in my arms.”