Page 36 of Until Easton

"What happens after the person who's stalking you is found."

Easton's body goes tight. "You still don't get it, do you?"

I move to face him. "Get what?"

"That I'm not letting you go. That's what this is about, right? You're worried about what will happen with us."

Casting my eyes down, I don't answer.

"Look at me," Easton demands, and I give him my eyes.

"I know what we have is real, Easton. It's not your feelings for me that I'm questioning." I sigh. "My life is here, on this ranch: my grandfather, this Inn, my memories. And your life is out there, touring, playing your music, and living your dream. I don't want to come between that."

"Baby." Easton cups my face between the palms of his hands. "You're right, I have been living my dream, but I have a new dream now."

I suck in a sharp breath, and he continues.

"There are no rules to how we live our life, Becca. Who says I have to give up one dream to have another? And the same goes for you. I would never ask you to give this place up for me."

"Then what do we do?" I ask.

"We blend, baby. We live both dreams and have the time of our lives doing it."

My eyes grow wet, and I fight like hell to keep my tears at bay.

"What do you say, Red? Are you going to take that ride with me?"

"Yes," I breathe. "I'm going to take that ride with you, Easton."

"Good." He kisses me. "Now, are we ready for bed?"

The space between my legs clenches at the way his voice drops. "Yes."

Then Easton takes me to bed, where he shows me just how well we blend, and I fall asleep in his arms where I have nothing but sweet dreams about our future, whatever that may be.

I'm startled awake by a noise. Sitting up in bed, I rub the sleep from my eyes and note the time. The clock on the table beside the bed says it is two fifty-two in the morning. The noise sounds again, and it's then I realize it's the dogs barking in the distance from outside. Then suddenly, my grandfather's voice booms from outside the bedroom door.

"Becca!"

Suddenly, Easton is up and on high alert. Both of us jump from the bed at the same time. Easton makes it to the door first and flings it open. "What is it, Arthur?" he asks my grandfather, who is charging toward us.

"The barn is on fire! I've already called nine-one-one."

I stand rooted in place for all of two seconds before only one thought comes to mind. "Oh god! The horses!"

Easton goes to reach for me, but I am too quick. Within seconds I am flying down the stairs and dash out of the house. Easton is hot on my heels, booming my name.

"Becca, wait!"

I don't listen, though. The only thing on my mind is getting to my horses. Ignoring the rocks digging into the bottom of my feet as I run across the gravel driveway toward the field. All the air leaves my body once the barn is within sight. Red and yellow flames shoot out from the roof, and the horse's cries are all I hear. Picking up my pace, I run as fast as my legs will carry me. Then, movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. It's a dark figure moving off in the distance, heading toward the woods. I don't give whoever it is a second thought because all I can think about is saving my horses.

"Becca!" Easton calls for me again the moment I breach the barn doors. The heat from the flames is almost unbearable, but I push forward. Debris and embers fall from above my head and nip at my skin. Ignoring the pain, I make it to the first stall.

"Goddamnit, Becca! Get the fuck out of here." Easton clamps his hand down around my wrist.

"No! Not until the horses are out."

"Fuck," he hisses. "I'll get the others. Hurry."