Page 44 of Fall or Nothing

I pushed into her with one smooth stroke and fucked her against the door with quick, relentless pulses.Everything too good. Too real. I wanted to stay buried in her, in this moment, in this woman who saw something worthwhile in the broke, bearded version of me. But a war raged.

Every thrust reminded me that this was temporary.

Every moan warned that I’d fall harder if I wasn’t careful, and then I’d have to walk away.

The inheritance, the challenge, my whole damn life weighed heavily when I should have been blissfully happy inside her, fucking her so good.

Despite it all, the body wanted what it wanted. I came hard, growling her name on my lips, forehead pressed to hers, holding her tight. I filled the condom while the conflict churned inside me.

“Still feel like shaving?” She asked with a breathless chuckle, oblivious to my agony.

“Not anytime soon.” Tonight I just wanted to be hers. Her Carter. Her cowboy. That had to be enough for now.

A few days later,in the Copper Cup, Sage moved around in one of my Henleys, covering over a pair of her jeans. Sleepy-eyed and humming under her breath, she set the first pot of coffee brewing. The sun hadn’t risen yet.

After last time, I tried to stay away, to wait for the weekend to see her again, but I couldn’t. I needed more of her. By midweek, I broke down and begged and borrowedJake’s truck and drove into town late last night to surprise her.

She kept humming a tune, setting a few cinnamon rolls into the warmer.

“I’d say there’s a very satisfied good girl in this kitchen right now.” I came up behind her, arms circling, nuzzling her earlobe.

After spending the night together again, we’d showered together this morning, hands exploring under the hot spray until we were both breathless and late. I’d steal a few more minutes now with her before I had to drive Jake’s truck back and get to work.

“Mm-hmm. Surprise me anytime you like. Black, right?” She asked, pouring a to-go cup for me.

“Perfect. Thanks.” I took a sip and nearly moaned. Strong, hot, no-fuss. Just like her. “I could get used to mornings like this.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Her eyes flicked up to mine, hope flashing there for a second that I didn’t mean to put there.

“Careful, cowboy. You keep saying things like that and I might start believing you’re sticking around.”

I set the cup down and pulled her into me, kissing the top of her head. “You know I wish things were different. But this job back East is important. They’re, uh, expecting me.”

“Who? What kind of work is it?”

I should have known she’d ask if I gave her an entry, especially on a morning like this where I let my guard down. She was too smart for this double life I led.

“I’ll tell you. But first, more kisses.” Easy distraction for her, buying me a minute to think about my answer.

Harper's arrival prevented my having to answer at all. Her voice carried in at us from the front door of the shop, breaking us apart.

“Hello? Sage, you will not believe this news. Oh—hi, Carter.” She entered the kitchen, looked me over and smiled knowingly at Sage, setting an enormous package of brown eggs down on the counter.

I waved, the need to explain hitting me. “I just stopped in to see Sage early this morning before work.”

“Hm-hmm. Lucky for you she’d just opened and happened to have two rolls warming.” She bit her lips, not believing us one bit.

“What’s the news?” Sage diverted her attention. She removed the rolls, setting them both on a plate and handing it to me with a wink and an apple for later. After a night with her in bed, my stomach needed nourishment, replenishing fuel so I’d have enough to get me through the morning.

“Well, it’s about my sheriff’s cold case, you know, the one involving the murder of his father.” Her eyes flitted to me, then back at her with some secret language only they spoke.

“Carter’s new here. You can trust him. He won’t say a word to anyone about what he hears,” she assured.

“My lips are sealed, except to devour these rolls. Just let me sit here a minute and I’ll be out of your way, ladies.”

Harper continued anyway. In the short time I’d been anywhere near the Copper Cup, it always seemed to me she was in the middle of any kind of gossip in town.

“Sheriff Patrick got a court order and raided Red Amos’s property last night,” she blurted.