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“Do whatever you want. Whatever feels good.” He lifts one of my hands, presses a kiss to the palm, then places it on his chest. “How about this? How does this feel?”
My fingers bend and release like a cat kneading its paws. Heath’s chest is firm and warm—a sturdy spot to rest my hand or my head whenever I need comfort.
“G... good,” I whisper. Clearing my throat, I peek up at him through my lashes. “It feels good.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
HEATH
“...she’s too young, she’s my boss. In other words, off-limits for a grizzled old veteran-turned-rancher.”
SATISFACTION EASES the tightness in my chest. I was worried Addie would push me away after the rough way I hauled her through the yard and into the stables. My emotions unchecked once I caught sight of her and Levi together—the younger ranch hand clearly flirting with Addie.
Jealousy like I never felt before hit me like a bucking bronco. Forget how pissed I was at Tan for dropping by unannounced. Forget the tangle of emotions seeing Addie again caused. Only one thought materialized in my brain at that moment: Get Levi the fuck away from my girl.
Irrational? Hell yes. But did I regret exiling him to the eastern part of the property for the foreseeable future? Hell no.
Especially when it means I’m free to kiss Addie’s cherry-colored lips and verify she’s just as sweet as I imagined.
Nuzzling behind her ear, I place a soft kiss on the delicate skin. “Fate’s a funny thing. I was cursing myself last night for not getting your number, and now here you are, the owner of my family’s ranch.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, sweet girl. I know none of this was in your control.” And I do. She’s not the one I’m angry at for how my life’s shaken out.
Dad is. Mr. Foster is. Even Mr. Tan.
But never Adeline.
She shudders as I nibble along her jawline, enjoying the freedom she’s giving me. I told myself to leave her alone after I stomped out of the house. Told myself that she’s too young, she’s my boss. In other words, off-limits for a grizzled old veteran-turned-rancher.
But I lied.
No matter how many times I try to convince myself that a relationship between us isn’t a good idea, it doesn’t seem to penetrate my thick skull. The only thing registering in my mind is the softness of Addie’s curves pressed to my body and the comforting smell of vanilla wafting from her hair.
Even the oversized knitted sweater she’s wearing isn’t enough to dampen my need. If anything, it heightens my craving to explore all her hidden secrets.
“I don’t blame you if you’re mad at me. I’m clueless when it comes to running a ranch, which doesn’t exactly bode well for you or your sister. Or Levi and whoever else works here.”
The mention of Levi causes me to grit my teeth. Focus. He’s not the one Addie’s letting hold and kiss her right now.
“We’ll help you. For better or for worse, we’ll be by your side.”
“You just quoted w... wedding v... vows,” she stutters. “Not sure that’s in your official job description.”
“No...” An idea forms. A crazy solution to all of our problems. “But it could be.”
Addie’s brown eyes crinkle at the edges behind her glasses. She clears her throat and peers up at me. All innocence and sweet vulnerability. “What are you talking about?”
“We could get married.”
Her pretty mouth opens and closes as she processes what I just said. “M... married? You and m... me?”
Nodding, I warm to the arrangement, thinking it through. “It would solve our issue. You need help running the ranch. A ranch you feel guilty about owning in the first place, right?”
A small shake of her head in agreement.
“And I want my family’s land back. I want to continue our legacy. With my own children.” Bringing up kids so early is probably a death sentence to whatever goodwill I’d garnered for the union so far, but to my surprise, Addie brightens at the possibility.
