Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
When both men come into the house, I avoid Ace and hug my dad. “There she is. How you doing, pumpkin?”
I don’t even glance at Ace because I know I’ll give all my feelings away. “I made some chili and cornbread. You want to stay for lunch?”
“No, I need to get back to the ranch, but I wanted to come in and wish you congratulations. I know Ace is going to make you happy.”
I look at Ace, but he’s not smiling. He’s staring me down, and I look back at my dad. “Uh, thanks, Dad.”
He turns to walk out the door, and Ace and I follow him. He shakes Ace’s hand. “See you later, son. Now you kids tell me when you set a date.”
Speechless, I nod my head and wave bye to him as he gets into his truck and drives off.
I turn to Ace, and he’s still not smiling or saying anything. I’m not sure what happened with them today, but obviously my dad gave him some kind of ultimatum or something. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell him I broke it off. I don’t know why’d you tell him we’re getting married anyway.”
And before I start crying, I barrel back into the house with Ace following close behind me. “I told him we’re getting married because we are.”
I stop, and he almost runs into me. I throw my hands in the air. “No, we’re not. Fuck, I knew coming into this how you are with me. You always think you have to protect me like I’m some kid or something. I don’t need protecting. I knew going into last night what it was—”
He cuts me off. “What was it? Please enlighten me because I’d love to know what you thought last night was.”
When I don’t answer him, he crosses his arms over his chest and asks again. “Tell me, Lila. What did you think last night was?”
I put my hands on my hips. It’s either that or wrap them around his throat. I walk across the room because I have to put some distance between us. “We fucked, Ace. That’s what it was. It was a mind-blowing, life-changing fuck—that nothing can come of. You rocked my world, but I’m not stupid enough to think that you had forever in mind. Hell, you, spent the day with my father, and I’m sure he guilted you into doing right by me.”
He stomps toward me, and I know he’s pissed because he doesn’t even flinch as his booted foot bangs on the floor. His nostrils are flared, and he’s breathing heavily. He grabs my hand and drags me to the couch, pulling me down to sit next to him. “Let me tell you about last night. Every fuckin’ prayer I’ve had was answered last night. You were not a one-night stand; hell, honey, you are my forever. Even thinking your dad may not approve didn’t stop me—and today, today went like this. I told your dad I love you and I want you to be my wife. Obviously, I should have told you all that first, but he assumed you’d said yes.”
My mouth falls open. “Wait a minute. You love me?”
He looks me straight in the eye with no hesitation. “Princess, after everything we shared last night how could you have any doubts? Damn, I’ve done this all wrong. I love you more than this ranch, more than every trophy I’ve ever won... I love you more than anything, Lila.”
I loop my arms around his neck and softly ask him, “So why when Dad was talking about the wedding did you look like you were mad?”
He leans in until I feel his breath on my cheek. “Because you wouldn’t look at me, and I thought you’d changed your mind or didn’t want me. None of those are options, Lila. If I have to, I’ll wait for you to catch up. But you’d better get good with the idea soon because you’re going to be my wife.”
I caress the stubble on his chin. “You know you said no boyfriends for me? Well, that means no more buckle bunnies for you. You realize that, right? I don’t like to share either.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t get it. You’re the only one I want, the only one I need. I love you, now and forever.”
I lean in and kiss him, showing him what I feel about him. And just in case he needs to hear it, I tell him, “I love you, Ace.”
He nuzzles his nose against my neck. “I know you do.”
Epilogue
Ace
Three months I’ve been married to the love of my life, and I don’t think my life can get any better. Lila spends her days working at the hospital, and I spend mine working our ranch. At night, I wait patiently for her to get home and then she can’t get away from me until she goes to work the next day.