“There’s gotta be somebody who looks after you besides yourself,” Sam insists.
I shrug and shove some of the pie into my face. It is the best pie I’ve ever had in my life. Apparently the guys who work for him can cook too, and left him some meals and desserts in the fridge as their way of welcoming him back home. It gives me a good feeling; he must treat his employees well if they do that kind of thing out of the goodness of their hearts. As if there was any doubt.
“Maybe my brother. He’s at college three hours away though.”
“We can drive up there tomorrow,” he says, as if it’s non-negotiable.
I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “What’s your hurry? We just came home from the most mentally exhausting week of our lives,” I reply.
He grins at me. “Because you’re pregnant, and I want to make an honest woman out of you.”
I wave him off. “There’s no way to know I’m pregnant already.”
“I can tell. You’re glowing and you’re tired.”
“I’m tired because I just spent five hours arguing in a jury room. I’m glowing because I’m happy.”
Sam sits back. I take in the full view of him. A man. A bachelor for almost too long, too tall for this tiny farmhouse kitchen.
“If I’m going to marry you, we need to make this kitchen bigger,” I say, gesturing around the room with my fork.
“Why?”
“Am I gonna be a rancher’s wife or are you just planning to keep me locked up in the bedroom?”
He grins. “A retired rancher’s wife. I’m going to sell the business to Smitty and keep some of the land on the other side of the pasture to build my log cabin. It overlooks the hills. There’s a pond, fed by a nice big stream full of fish. How does that sound to you?”
“As long as you catch and release only.”
He nods. “Whatever you want, darlin’. Hey, you want me to become a vegan, I will.”
I’m aghast. “What will people say? The retired rancher’s now a vegan? They’ll miss you down at the chophouse.”
Sam acts like this is no big deal. As if I’ve asked him to change to LED lightbulbs and not give up red meat, his favorite food. “Yeah, but I’m kinda liking the idea of trying new things.”
I smile mischievously. “Oh yeah? That have anything to do with my surprise?”
“Sure does.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one.”
“Will I?”
He stands up. “Let’s find out.”
Sam doesn’t bother cleaning up the dishes before picking me up and hoisting me over his shoulder. I give a loud squeal. Nobody’s ever thrown me over their shoulder before. But then nobody’s ever claimed me so thoroughly before either. I like it.
I playfully slap his ass while he marches me up the creaky stairs and tosses me on the bed.
We laugh and giggle while we kiss and grope each other. He makes quick work of removing my leggings and panties.
“Hey,” I say, teasing him, running my fingers through his soft, silver waves. “Are you gonna let me ride you again, cowboy?”
Sam claims my mouth with a searing, juicy kiss.
“No,” he says. “I’m gonna fuck you with my mouth and make you see heaven.”