Page 69 of Indigo Ridge (The Edens 1)

Except in the past week, I’d spent every night at her place. There wasn’t an inch of her body I hadn’t tasted.

Maybe the lines needed to be redrawn.

Fuck it. I brushed my lips against those silky tresses and moved to the coffeepot.

She looked up at me from beneath those long lashes. “Morning.”

I poured myself a cup, standing beside her as she leaned against the cluttered countertop. “What’s on deck for today?”

“Work. My day is slammed with meetings at the courthouse. You?”

“We’re moving cattle today.”

These were usually my favorite days on the ranch, when I was in the saddle all day. I’d be up at dawn, itching to go. But I was already late to get started. The sun was up and I was sure the guys were already at the barn, saddling horses. Meanwhile, I was still in yesterday’s clothes and bare feet. Every morning I lingered here, in Winn’s kitchen, for just a bit longer than the previous day.

“What are you doing this weekend?” I sipped from my mug.

“I’ll probably go and spend some time with Pops. Maybe do some work, and hopefully a piece of furniture or two will show up today.”

This was how our mornings for the past week had gone. We’d wake up early and she’d come out here and make a pot of coffee while I rinsed off the scent of sex with a quick shower. Then we’d stand in the kitchen, talking about our upcoming days, delaying the inevitable exit when I went my way and she went hers.

We had an unspoken understanding. She had her plans. I had mine. But later, we’d come together.

“I ran into Frank yesterday at the grocery store,” she said, glancing up.

“And what did the asshole have to say?”

“Be nice.” She elbowed my ribs. “He was not overly happy to hear that we were sleeping together.”

“People are talking.” Just like I’d expected they would. Whether it came from Emily or someone else, it had only been a matter of time. “You good?”

“I’m good.” She nodded. “He asked if we were a couple. I reminded him that I was an adult, it was none of his business, and I could make my own decisions.”

I grinned and took another sip, wishing I could have seen Frank’s face when she told him to butt the fuck out. She might be one of the few people in this town not rattled by gossip.

Eventually it might wear on her. I’d dealt with it my whole life, but this was new to Winn.

“I’m not big on labels, but if you need one, if that would make it easier to field questions . . .”

She lifted a shoulder. “I just got out of an eight-year relationship. I think the only label I need right now is single.”

“Fair enough.” I’d gladly enjoy the hell out of the sex.

“But maybe we should put a limit on it. Just to keep the boundaries in place. Keep talk to a minimum.”

A limit? I hated this idea already. “To what?”

“I don’t know. Once a week?”

I scoffed and took a drink. “How about you come out to the ranch tonight? There’s a lot less traffic going past my house than there is yours.”

“So that’s a no on the limit.”

I set my mug down, took hers from her hand and picked her up, earning a little gasp as I set her on the counter. Her legs were bare and the sleepshirt she’d pulled on this morning rode up those lean thighs.

“That’s a hard no.” I pressed in close, dragging my hands up her legs before pushing them apart so I could settle between them. My cock, in a constant state of arousal when it came to her, strained against the zipper of my jeans.

“What time do you have to leave?” She brought her hands to my cheeks, pulling my lips to hers.