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Page 87 of The Only Thing That's Real

“Positive. But we can always try it again to be certain.”

Expecting a different reaction, I’m disappointed when he kisses my ass again before getting up to remove the condom and pull his pants back on.

“Come on,” he says. “We’re going riding.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Ryan

“Cheers.” Knox and I tap our plastic wine glasses together and take a sip of the delicious rosé he pulled out of Mabel’s saddle bags.

We’re taking a break from our ride under the shade of a group of Ponderosa Pines on a beautiful Pendleton blanket, eating bread, cheese, blueberries, strawberries and, of course, sipping our chilled wine.

He thought of everything. From my new boots, jeans, and McKinnon ranch T-shirt to the horses being ready and waiting for us when we got to the barn and now our perfect picnic. The evening summer breeze keeps the heat of the day at bay as the sun sets.

There’s nothing like watching the sun setting over the acres of tree-lined rolling hills with the Cascade MountainRange as our backdrop. It’s the peace and contentment I desperately needed after such an emotional week.

We haven’t talked much, letting the serenity of the ranch sooth our souls while we rode. But as we sit on our blanket, sipping our wine, I can tell there’s something he wants to say. Before I can ask what’s on his mind, he shares what has him so deep in thought.

“I’m gonna see Sawyer tomorrow. And Mia. I’m gonna see Sawyer and Mia tomorrow.”

He seemed nervous to tell me and I’m not sure why.

“That’s great.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course it is. It’s been a long time coming and if you’re here, why wait until after the tour is over? You’ve waited long enough.”

“You don’t care that I’ll be alone with Mia?”

Oh, this man.

“Not at all.”

“I would care.”

“If I was alone with Mia?”

“Hilarious. If you were meeting up with another man. A man you had slept with.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t sleep with Mia. From what I hear, it was a ninety-second bang in a bathroom.” I wink at him. “Besides, she’s my friend and your son will be there.”

“And you aren’t mad that I won’t be with you? I came here to be with you, but now that I’m here, I can’tnotsee him. It’s killing me to be this close and not see him.”

“If you felt any different, you wouldn’t be the person I want to spend mylife with.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to shove them back in.

His expression softens and he pulls me onto his lap. “Is that what you want? A life with me?”

“I thought we were talking about Sawyer.”

“Well, if you spend your life with me, heisa part of the package.”

“I think it’s a pretty great package.”

He nuzzles his nose against my neck, and I feel his words against my skin. “I want to spend my life with you too, Ryan.” My heart drops. “Do you know how happy you make me?”


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