Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
I walk over to the couch and sit down. “Five minutes.”
He comes to sit next to me. He takes both my hands in his. “I love you, Maddie.”
I pull out of his grip. “Don’t. Don’t say that.”
He lets me go, but he keeps talking. “I fucked up. I knew I wanted you. I was stupid to think I could do one night—two nights—with you and that I could just move on with my life.”
When I don’t say anything, he keeps talking. “You have this huge ranch. You’re smart and young and have your whole life in front of you. I never imagined that you would want anything to do with me.”
I roll my eyes. “Rhett, that’s crazy talk. I’ve been in love with you for years.”
His mouth drops open, and he scoots closer to me. “You love me?”
I reach up and cup his jaw. “You were here with me. Every time we made love, I told you how I felt. Maybe not with words, but in every other way.”
“I tried to tell you… I asked you for more time.”
I shake my head. “You asked me for one more night. My heart was breaking. I knew I couldn’t spend one more night with you, knowing that would be it.”
He puts his hands on each side of my face and searches my eyes. “I don’t want one night… I want forever.”
“Oh, Rhett.”
I’m waiting for him to kiss me, but he doesn’t move in. “Listen, if you want to travel, we can travel. I can make it work. I know my house is nothing like the house you live in, but I promise that I’ll work every day to give you everything you want.”
I put my arms around his neck and scoot closer to him. “You promise?”
He nods solemnly. “I promise.”
I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “First of all, I don’t want to travel. I love my life on the ranch.”
He leans in. “But your brother said—”
I interrupt him. “I told my brother I wanted to travel, but I didn’t tell him why.”
He waits for me to answer, but I’m not quick enough because he nudges me. “Why?”
I blink, remembering how much it hurt to even think about it. “Because I thought you’d find some other woman, and I wouldn’t be able to stick around and see it. It would kill me to see you with someone else.”
His hands go to my waist, and he picks me up and drags me onto his lap. “That’s not happening. You’re the only woman I want, Maddie.”
I lean into his chest. “Second of all, I would love to live at your ranch. I don’t think you get it. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters. I wasn’t just saying it, Rhett. I love you.”
“Fuck,” he groans. He rests his forehead against mine. “We’re going to get snowed in again.”
I pull out of his lap and stand up. Slowly, I start walking away from him, pulling off my clothes as I go. “Well, the last time, we spent most of our time stranded without clothes on. We going to do that again?”
He pounces on me, and I turn, squeal, and run to the bedroom. He picks me up and carries me to the bed. “Yep, me and you, no clothes. The only difference is I’m not bargaining for one night, Maddie. I won’t take anything less than forever.”
“Forever sounds good to me.”
And then he kisses me until I’m breathless.
EPILOGUE
RHETT
Six Months Later
“I’m wondering if I should whoop your ass now or later?”
I look at my brother-in-law and just laugh. This isn’t the first time Elliott has threatened to punch me. “What for this time?”
He shakes his head. “Har, har, really? You’re looking awful smug.”
I can’t stop smiling, so I don’t fight it, and I shrug my shoulders.
But Elliott’s not done busting my balls. “First you move my sister into your house before you’re even married.”
I’m still smiling, and he grimaces. “Then you get married, and not one week later, you announce that you’re having a baby. My baby sister is having a baby.”
I puff out my chest. I probably shouldn’t do it because it looks like it angers Elliott even more, but I can’t help myself. Ever since the day I told Maddie I love her, I’ve never felt happier or more at peace.
Elliott holds his beer bottle out and gestures to Maddie, who’s across the room. She’s surrounded by her friends, and she’s laughing. My gaze is locked in on her as Elliott keeps talking. “I mean, look at her, she’s pregnant. Pregnant.”
I nod. “Yep, she is.”
He shakes his head. “Really, Rhett. You could at least act like you feel bad for everything. I mean, I roam around this big ol’ house by myself, and it’s too quiet.”
I slap him on the back. “Maybe it’s time you start to fill it.”