Page 60 of Wildflowers & Whiskey

I feel the anger rise, but I do my best not to react. Not to show him that he’s affecting me, returning to my original position facing away from the direction he was just in. Several attempts of reading the same three lines go by when a layer of soft fabric is wrapped around me with no warning. It is followed by two tattooed large arms that wrap around me, holding my favourite beverage, the steam instantly heating my face. He'd even remembered the splash of cream instead of milk I'd started taking it with after I had one in town and fell in love with it. I feel a light kiss on the top of my head, and the boiling anger turns into a small simmer. All because he got me a blanket and a coffee, I am such a wet wipe.

It shouldn't matter. It's just a blanket and a coffee. Yet, my chest does that annoying squeeze it keeps doing lately whenever he notices what I need before I ask.

Wade moves around to sit near my feet, giving me a small smile before acting like everything is normal.

“Nope, you can’t just sit there in silence after being disappearing yesterday.”

“Did someone miss me?” his cocksure tone irritates me but also has heat pooling between my thighs.

“You weren’t here yesterday,” I point out.

“And you were nowhere to be found on the ranch, so I guess that makes us even.”

“Were you looking for me?”

“Yes, Maeve, because as much as I know this is a terrible decision, I can’t get you out of my fucking head. It’s killing me knowing you’re here on my ranch, in my house, drinking my coffee, and yet you’re not mine.”

I gulp the coffee and force myself to maintain eye contact.

He continues, “You said you needed time, and I am trying to respect that. To protect everyone, especially Colt, it will need to be a secret until you have to leave, but it can be our secret if you’re willing to make that choice…”

My stomach twists at the mention of me leaving, because suddenly all I can think about is everything—and everyone—I’ll be leaving behind.

Mrs. Mae fussing over whether I’ve eaten enough. Horse rides with Colt. Naomi dragging me out for coffee. Mornings spent on this porch with a grumpy cowboy and a mug of coffee warming my hands.

The thought of it leaves an ache in my chest.

Maybe that's what scares me most.

Because if I let myself have this—have him—then eventually I'll have to leave it behind.

Losing something you've never truly had is one thing. Losing something that finally feels like the thing you've been chasing all this time is a different one entirely.

My feet slip as I attempt to shuffle myself to sit fully upright, instead of the slouch I let myself fall into. I knock Wade in doing so.

“Wow there, angel, don’t think my absence warrants a beating,” he laughs. He looks so bright, the brightest I have seen him since being here. No trace of the brooding Cowboy Batman, not that I will change his name.

“Look, I just wanted to give you some time, like you asked for.” He reaches over and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Such a simple gesture, but Wade isn’t a naturally touchy person. Every touch from him feels deliberate, like it means something.

He continues, “I apparently don’t have the patience to go another day.”

In that moment, all the reasons why we shouldn’t do anything come rushing to me, but then he places his hand on my bare leg, and I feel the roughness against my freshly shaven legs. Not that I was preparing for anything to happen. I squirm a little from the ache I feel in my core.

“I am afraid you might have to be a little more patient. I don’t think I have come to an answer yet, Wade… there’s so much—” In seconds, this man is on his feet. He lifts my chin slightly to look up at him as he towers over me, staring at me with such intensity. A position that any sane woman would feel intimidated by, but not me. No, I am sat here ready to combust over the dominant aura he has.

“That’s fine, Maeve…” his hand slowly traces down my shoulder, which is now bare from him moving the fabric off the T-shirt. “But I think you should make an informed decision, and to do so, you are missing one vital piece of information.” His hands continue wandering.

I swallow hard. “And what information would that be?” my voice, despite my efforts, does not sound as confident as I want it to be. Instead, I am very much a girl staring at a man she wants, even if my sensible self won’t give in. Not fully,anyway.

Wade bends lower, his mouth close to my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath against it. “How good it will feel when I make you cum.”

A gasp escapes me, Wade's mouth now kissing my neck. My body tingles with anticipation.

“Do you want all the information, Maeve?”

I nod, because fuck being sensible.

“I am going to need you to say it, angel.” He demands, his voice so low and soft that I fear I will cum by listening to it alone.