Page 141 of That Rush

Love.

He bought the exact edition I wanted because he remembered which one I kept touching. He read the book because it mattered to me. When I handed him a fantasy, he listened to every limit I gave him and let me decide how it became ours.

Oh, God.

I’m falling in love with him.

“You’re annoyingly good at this,” I say.

“At sex?”

“That too.” I tuck myself against his side. “I meant paying attention.”

His arm closes around me. “I like paying attention to you.”

That answer is much too close to the thought I’m trying not to have.

I press my face against his chest. “You can stop talking now.”

Aiden kisses the top of my head.

“Get some sleep, lady.”

I close my eyes, listening to his heartbeat beneath my ear.

For once, I don’t argue.

The next morning, I bring the special edition to the ranch, intent on reading the epilogue. I find Aiden at the stove, turning pancakes. He glances over his shoulder, a slow smile spreading as he takes in the book in my hand, then me.

“Priorities,” he says, and before I can argue, he crosses the kitchen in two strides, backing me against the counter for a kiss that tastes like maple syrup. He pulls back only when his phone buzzes.

“Josie,” he says, reading the screen. “We’re late.”

I leave the book beside his coffee maker and follow him out the door, the epilogue still unread.

Chapter 19

Aiden

Paige points to two open spaces beneath the cottonwoods. “One table there and the other beside the checkout tent. Leave enough room for the stroller traffic.”

I shift the folding table against my shoulder. “Yes, ma’am.”

“You sound suspiciously pleased to be taking orders.”

“I’ve learned they can lead to interesting places.”

Color rises across her cheeks, but she holds my gaze. “There are children present.”

Josie skips past us carrying a roll of bright yellow raffle tickets. “I’m helping.”

“So am I,” I tell Paige.

“Josie is behaving professionally.”

“I brought every item on your list.”

Her attention moves to my truck, where six tables, two coolers, and three boxes of donated children’s books fill the bed. The library’s summer fundraiser starts in forty minutes, and two volunteers canceled before eight this morning. Paige sent one text asking whether the ranch had spare tables.