Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“I debated coming because you’re a stubborn man, Kerry Carmichael.” Julian snickered a little. “And it’s okay if this is too much for you. You look a bit shell-shocked. I know I never contacted you, not even about that amazing gift. But unwrapping it about killed me, and I thought talking to you might make this…this longing for you even worse.”
“I…” Holy fuck. I was still unable to form the right words, and as his frown deepened, it pained me.
“So, anyway, thank you for the gift. And I guess I’ll go see the store now…”
When he tried to push by me, my hand gripped his wrist. “Wait. I can’t… Sorry, this just feels like a dream. A really fucking incredible dream. You’re standing in front of me when I was actually going to surprise you in the city.”
His eyes widened. “You were?”
“I didn’t think you’d be home for another couple of days, so I reserved my ticket for next weekend.”
“You’re kidding.” He let out a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure I can even picture you in the city.”
“Maybe not.” I stepped closer, my fingers sliding to his waist. “But you’re there, and I love you, so that’s all that matters.”
He reeled back. “You…you do?”
“Now who’s shell-shocked?” My stomach did somersaults, wondering if it was too much, too soon. But hadn’t I just promised myself that I would be honest and go all in? “Fuck, sorry. Not seeing you every day sent me into a tailspin. I know I was slow to come around to the idea of us being a real thing because I was scared, but I just needed you to know.”
“Know what?”
“If you…well… I know we live a world apart, but I hoped there was some way we could make this work.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Were you wondering if I’d move out here, work the farm with you or figure out something else to do?”
My face fell. “Yeah, I know that’s asking a lot, but—”
“Well, I would…if you asked me. Because I love you too.” He dipped his head. “Besides, I’m really not a city boy at heart.”
“Fuck.” I momentarily shut my eyes, trying to get my pulse under control. When I glanced in Sienna’s direction, she gave me a thumbs-up, and that was when I decided to throw all caution to the wind. Screw it, if people didn’t understand. How fair was it that Sienna got to touch Brad all she liked in public?
Gripping Julian’s waist, I pulled him against me. I felt his soft gasp as he wound his arms around my neck.
“You sure this is a good idea, cowboy?” he said against my ear.
“I think it’s the best idea, soldier boy,” I replied with a laugh. “The way it’s supposed to be done when you’re wildly in love with someone.”
“Thank God,” he said, and I could feel his stubble brushing my throat. Fuck, I’d missed this closeness so much. “Because it doesn’t feel right not to touch you, and I don’t give a damn what people say.”
I pressed my thumb against the pulse at his neck, which was throbbing as erratically as mine. “Guess that means you’re in the thick of it now.”
“Fine by me, as long as we’re together.”
When he offered me a watery smile, I couldn’t stop myself. I brushed our lips together in a hesitant kiss. Julian moaned quietly as he pressed his lips more firmly against mine.
Holy hell, Julian was kissing me in front of all of Wyoming. At least it felt that way with all these people milling about around us. If there was anyone out there unsure about my sexuality, they would undoubtedly know now.
Suddenly we heard soft clapping. I couldn’t tell who’d started it, but I had this strange feeling it was Sienna. Except not everyone was celebrating our display of affection. My father’s face was pinched like he’d sucked on a lemon, and Maggie looked baffled as Melinda whispered in her ear, no doubt filling her in on some details. But when my gaze landed on my mother, she was grinning so hard, it made my eyes sting.
“That’s one way to break them all in,” Julian said, lining our foreheads together.
When I felt a hard pat on my back, I immediately tensed. But it was only Hunter, who apparently was making a public show of support. Talk about being stunned. Suddenly we were encircled—insulated, really—by family, and when Julian’s mom hugged me, she whispered in my ear how happy she was for us.
“Julian!” a familiar voice shouted, and then Ainsley was running up and throwing herself into Julian’s arms. “You came. No wonder my daddy is smiling.”
“Well, he makes me smile too,” he replied, spinning her around. “How about you give me a tour of the place?”
Once he set her down, she led him by the hand through the crowd, pointing out this and that as we followed behind. Sienna kissed my cheek, then got back to work behind the register, telling customers about all the work Julian had done. Pink dotted his cheeks, but I could tell how proud he was, grateful too.