“How are things with you? With the farm?” I ask, moving the conversation along. It’s not that I don’t want this sexy man to tell me he thinks I’m brilliant, but I need to steer the conversation to something that will make my heart flutter less. He doesn’t even know how his words affect me.
“The farm is good. Dad and I are still splitting duties. He wants to retire, but I think he’d be bored, and I know he would drive Mom crazy.”
“You’re probably right,” I agree. “Are Laramie and Colby going to build here on the farm too?” I ask him.
“I don’t really know. Hell, I’m not sure they know,” he comments. “Lara has nothing but wedding on the brain.”
“I’m sure they’ll figure it out. And yes, she’s so excited. I’m happy for them.”
“Yeah,” he agrees.
“You said you did all the work yourself. Anything you would change? On the house, I mean?” I’m fumbling for safe conversation topics.
“Nah, I thought long and hard about every room, every step of the renovation.”
“And what if your future wife doesn’t approve?” I don’t know why I ask the question. I guess spending time with him has me wishing that things were different, and that this home might be ours one day. That maybe one day, he might choose me for real.
He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. His eyes bore into mine. “As I recall, we’re married,” he says. He’s not teasing. His face is stone-serious.
“Come on now.” I laugh.
“Tell me, McKenna. As my wife, what do you think about living here?” He swallows hard, almost as if he’s afraid of what my answer will be.
“Rip—” I start, but he interrupts me.
“Humor me.”
“Fine.” I heave out a sigh, reaching for my beer and taking a long pull. “If I… if I were your wife, I would love nothing more than to live here. I love this house and everything you’ve done to it. The kitchen is incredible, one I’ve always dreamed of, and you know I love the wraparound porch. However, I’ve always loved this farm. It feels as much like home to me as Gram and Gramps' place.
“I spent a lot of time running these fields with you and your sister, and this place holds special memories for me. Life, before I came here, was grim, and meeting your sister, and by association you, that was one of the best highlights of my childhood.” I clamp my mouth closed. I didn’t mean to say all of that, but once I parted my lips, words just started spewing out of me.
I keep my eyes on my lap. I can’t believe I just said all of that.
“Kenna.” His voice is soft. I know he wants me to look at him, but I can’t. It’s not until I feel his index finger under my chin that I give in and lift my gaze to his. His brown eyes flash to my mouth, and I lick my lips.
I think he’s going to kiss me. I really want him to kiss me.
He leans in a little closer. “I really want to kiss you,” he says, his voice gravelly.
“Yes, please,” I reply, breathless with anticipation.
He moves in closer. He’s so close yet so far away. I’ve missed him and his kisses. His lips molded to mine for longer than I can even remember. I lean in, and he curses under his breath before pressing his lips to mine. They're soft and tentative. I’m about to reach out and hold him to me when a knock at the door has us pulling apart.
He gives me a smoldering look before pushing back in his chair and standing. I watch his every move so I don’t miss it when he adjusts his hard length before making his way to the door. “What’s up?” I hear him ask.
“Let’s go grab dinner,” Corbin says. “I was passing by on my way home,” he says, explaining why he’s here.
“Can’t. I’m in the middle of something.”
“Well, finish up, and we can go.”
“Nah, I already ate.”
“Then come with me. We can catch up.”
“I have a lot of paperwork to finish.”
“What’s going on, Rip?” Corbin asks.
“Nothing. I have company,” he confesses. “We’ll grab dinner at the Silver Star tomorrow. First round’s on me.”
“Fine. See you then, old man.” Corbin chuckles. I listen for the door to close and stand to start clearing the table. I don’t know why, but I wanted him to tell Corbin he was with me. I know that our friends would be fine with it. Hell, Laramie already suspects, and she’s happy for me. For us. But that’s just it. If “us” is really what Rip wants, then why wouldn’t he tell Corbin? Maybe he isn’t as sure about us as he wants me to believe. Maybe I’m jumping into this too fast because it’s what I’ve always wanted. I definitely need to slow down and protect my heart. He’s just proven that. He was caught up in the moment. He’s being nice by making me dinner, and it’s a romantic setting. We both got lost in the moment. That’s on me. I wanted him to kiss me—more than I’ve ever wanted anything.