Page 80 of Burning Skies
“I know what you’re doing.”
“What?” She shrugs innocently. When he’s done, she folds her hands under her chin. “I need a favor.”
His expression goes flat. “Of course you do.”
“Can you hold off talking to Dad or Trig about this?”
“They’re gonna find out.”
“Give me two weeks.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “I need to tell Dad I’m in Baylee and Maverick’s wedding first.”
“Jesus, Honey. Are you trying to give the old man a heart attack?”
“I’m just saying I’ll break that news to him first and then I’ll tell him about Beau. But I can’t dump everything on him at once.”
“No shit.”
“So will you help me? Will you keep this between us for a little while so I can talk to him?”
He stands and gets his keys out. “You’d better pray he doesn’t hear this from someone else.”
She runs up to him and hugs him, and he wraps his arms around her. “Thanks, Cash. I owe you.”
He glares at me. “You sure as hell do.”
When he leaves, she collapses on the couch. “That wasn’t so bad. I could have done without him catching us naked, but all things considered, I’m glad I ripped off that Band-Aid. Besides, it’s his own fault for showing up unannounced. I’ve invited him over a dozen times, and he chose today to stop by.”
I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry this is all so hard.”
She smiles at me. “I’ve often heard that nothing worth doing is easy.”
“So you’re thinking about ‘doing’ me?”
Chuckling, she elbows me. “Pretty sure I already did you.”
Marveling at this beautiful, courageous woman, I kiss her. “I know this is fast, but I meant what I said. I care about you, princess. We can take this as slow as you want until your family is comfortable with us.”
“I appreciate that.” She gives me a breathtaking smile. “You mean a lot to me too. Thanks for all those nice things you said tomy brother about me, but I hope you don’t really think I’m out of your league. That’s not true. You’re amazing. Everyone knows this.”
If I hadn’t seen their million-dollar house or state-of-the-art ranch, maybe I could accept that. For now, all I can do is hope our differences aren’t too much to overcome. “If it’s okay with you, I think I should tell my family about us. My brothers should be on alert in case Trig finds out and does something stupid.”
She nods. “If you’re sure they can keep it a secret for a while.”
“They won’t talk about it outside of our family.” Frankly, I’m shocked Jace hasn’t spilled the beans to Rhett.
As much as I hate leaving Honey, I have a busy week at the ranch, so I need to get going. We spend the next ten minutes saying goodbye, and by the time we’re done, I can barely walk straight. When we part, she glances down and chuckles at the giant bulge in my jeans. “Sorry about that.”
I reach into her robe and gently tweak her nipple. “No, you’re not.”
Laughing, she shakes her head. “Go home. Call me later.”
I kiss her one last time and then head down the stairs. When I get in my truck, I text the family group chat.
Me: Family meeting tonight. I have some news.
Jace: Did you get the centerfold of the calendar? I can hear the ladies now. Beau the hottie firefighter!!! Heart eyes!
Me: I’m not in the calendar this year. Remember I had that black eye?
