Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
I take a few steps away from him and lean against the fence in front of me. I look out at the mountains and take it all in. I get lost in thought as I try to figure this all out. He acts as if he doesn’t want to be married to me, but he also makes a point to claim me at every moment. I chance a look at him over my shoulder, and he’s staring at my ass. I turn away, and a thrill goes over me. After that kiss, after the way he pleasured me the other night, there’s no denying he wants me.
I grab my truck keys out of my pocket and dangle them between my fingers before turning to face him. “I guess we’ll just need to figure things out, Cole. We’re married, and you’re wanting to go back to the way things were before. I’m not going to live my life as a virgin.”
I wait for my words to sink in, and it’s apparent he’s not happy about it by the look that registers on his face. Before he can answer me, I hold my keys up. “I better go.”
It takes him three strides to get in front of me and block my path to my truck. His hand wraps around my elbow. “What does that mean, Sassy?”
I flutter my lashes at him, all wide-eyed and innocent. “Exactly what I said.”
I pull my arm from his grip. “I have to go. I’m going to the cattlemen’s meeting tonight.”
He follows me to the truck and opens my door but positions himself so that I can’t get in. “Since when do you go to the cattlemen’s meetings?”
His eyes study my face. I know he sees more than he lets on, and there’s no hiding it from him. “Since my father has been unable to.”
Emotions float across his face. Pity, possession, and then something else. Something that I can’t name but makes me feel that he’s about to either kiss me or hold me. Right now, I’d take either. This roller coaster of emotions he has me on is keeping me on my toes. I wait with bated breath for him to touch me, but he doesn’t. I point to the inside of my truck. “Can you let me in?”
He takes a step back, but I still have to slide my body along his to get to my seat. His hardness against my softness has me going slowly, enjoying the feel of his body against my own. When I get into my seat, I let out a breath. He’s blocking my door, but he moves, holding it open. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
He shuts the door, and I lean out the window. “What? I can drive-“
He shakes his head and starts to walk away as if the conversation is already over. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
I watch him walk toward his house, and as I pull around to drive down his driveway, I see him standing on the porch watching me. He doesn’t lift a hand and wave, nothing, just watches me as I drive away.
I’m not seeing the whole story with what’s happening. That’s all I can come up with. He’s obviously not thrilled to be married to me, that much is obvious, but he’s not said one word about getting a divorce. Heck, at this point we can get an annulment. No, there’s more to it, and I’m going to find out what it is. It feels like all my dreams are within reach right now but I can’t quite grasp them. But a future with Cole is worth fighting for.
Cole
It’s crazy to think Sassy has lived next door to me all these years. I’ve forced myself to stay away from her, and now I can’t even imagine letting her drive into town by herself. This crazy need to claim her is getting out of hand.
I always go to the cattlemen’s meeting. Usually, I pick up Delilah, we have dinner, go to the meeting, and then I take her home. I wasn’t lying when I said I hadn’t slept with her in years. I haven’t. And she really is just a friend, but I can understand why Sassy has a hard time believing it. Small town gossip definitely goes rampant sometimes.
I pull up to Sassy’s house at a quarter to six. I make my way to her front door and knock. Amos answers the door, and a big smile comes on his face when he sees me. “Cole, it’s good to see you, son. What are you doing here this time of night?”
I smile and walk through the door he’s holding open for me. I shake his hand. “Good to see you, Amos. I’m here to pick up Sassy.”
Right at that moment, Sassy comes in. “Yeah, we’re going into town to get something to eat. Can we bring you anything back, Amos?”