Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
I hated the little spike of a thrill that gave me. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’m going to move out here and become a rancher. My life is back in the city. I love my work.”
Dev’s smile returned. “And thank god for that since money is so tight. How would you even begin to balance your consulting workload with spending time with the man you love?”
“I don’t love Waylon Fletcher!” I hissed. For some reason, it sounded more wishful thinking than actual fact.
“You sure seem intent on pretending you don’t,” he agreed. “Why, Silas? You that eager to be alone forever?”
I glared at him. “Devon, if I had a mirror, I’d hold it up to your face right now.”
“Deflecting now, are we?” He sighed. “I admit, after everything with my brother, it’s been easier to spend time with horses than people. But again—and this is a pretty fucking important distinction, Silas—I am not the one who got drunk and tripped into marriage with a hot cowboy who also happens to be a good guy. Just give it a chance, that’s all I’m saying. Don’t reject this opportunity because Justin fucking Hardy made you doubt yourself. Don’t let that asshole steal something else from you.”
For the first time in a long time, mention of Justin didn’t make my gut tighten and my anger spike. My ex was simply a pathetic human being. A user who would never have a happy and fulfilled life. Maybe that was punishment enough for his behavior.
As I drove back to the house, I had to admit I did want a happy life. I wanted companionship and love. But it would take a long time for me to learn to trust someone.
You trust Way.
Maybe. Maybe I wanted to trust Way. But I knew I could no longer trust my own damned judgment.
I trusted Dev, though. What if he was right? What if there was something real between me and Way? Could I at least let myself relax and enjoy the remaining weeks I had here with him and then figure out the future in July?
When I pulled up, Sheridan and ZuZu were stepping out of the front door.
“How is he?” I asked.
“Naked,” ZuZu said with a laugh at the same time Sheridan said, “Ornery.”
I’d forgotten that I’d put him to bed straight from the shower with no clothes. “Shit, sorry. My fault. He was kind of out of it before.”
Sheridan waved my words away. “Seems mostly banged up, but nothing too bad. I got him to drink a protein thing. I can bring you guys something for dinner if you—”
“No, no,” I said. “It’s late. I’ll have a bowl of cereal or a sandwich. Go and rest. Thanks for all your help out there.”
Her face brightened. “We did good, didn’t we?”
I nodded. “Got it done. He’ll be able to rest easier now.”
“It’s a cute house, isn’t it?” ZuZu gazed at the house with a soft smile, reminding me that his sisters didn’t usually—or maybe ever—venture beyond the front door. “Very Way. Kind of unassuming on the outside, but on the inside…”
“Yeah,” I grunted. “It’s special.” He was special.
Sheridan stepped closer and clasped my upper arms. “Thanks for everything. You really showed up this weekend, and we can’t thank you enough for that.”
I wanted to say something trite, something like, “That’s what family’s for,” but the words stuck on my tongue. Instead, I nodded again.
“Get some rest yourself,” she added before squeezing my arms and joining ZuZu in her SUV and pulling away.
I entered the little house. No noise came from the bed nook, so I snuck past it to the bathroom and took another quick shower before drying off and climbing into bed with him.
I’d considered finding someplace else to sleep so I didn’t accidentally hurt Way. But the truth was, I couldn’t bring myself to leave him. I wanted to touch him, assure myself of his presence, and be there if he needed me.
“Silas?” His voice was muffled by the pillow. His hair stuck up in wild tufts from where he’d fallen asleep with it wet.
“I’m here. Go back to sleep.”
He settled back down. A bare shoulder peeked out from the covers, so I reached out a fingertip to brush across it.
He turned his head and met my eyes. Unspoken words flowed between us, soft and languid. My heart slowed until it felt like it was drunk and half-numb, like that moment of euphoric comfort just before sleep.
“Hi,” he whispered.
I couldn’t keep myself from kissing him. Just a slow peck was all I needed, but as soon as my lips touched his, I couldn’t stop with one. I kissed him over and over again, keeping it as gentle as possible so I wouldn’t disturb his comfort.
He murmured my name again and again, the words warm against my mouth… and then the words changed.