The pressure in my balls and at the base of my spine bursts, and I follow after her, coming with short, hard thrusts, buried as deep inside her as I can get.
But she’s inside me, too. I felt the tug the second we met, just like she did, and I realized in Vegas that I couldn’t deny it forever.
The only problem is…
How do I give us what we both want, knowing it could cost us so much?
And is something more even her end game?
I guess we’ll see come sunrise.
chapter 11
TESSA
“Oh my gosh, everything looks and smells great!” I say, taking in the setup at Pony Up.
Holden is due to arrive with Alana in an hour. He’s getting her here under the guise of grabbing a burger for dinner. Charlotte, their housekeeper and cook, is allegedly off for the night, but in reality, she’s been cooking up a storm all day in preparation for the party.
Hallie and Camille grin from the bar, where they’re enjoying well-deserved cocktails. The twinkling lights and paper lanterns they hung from the rafters are whimsical without being cheesy, and the vases of Alana’s favorite wildflowers scattered here and there add some color under the warm glow. Of course, they’re tied up with twine, likely because there’s always plenty to find on a ranch, but it only adds to the rustic charm and ambience.
“Join us for a drink while the guys help Charlotte carry in the rest of the food,” Hallie says, waving me over. “Madelyn should be back any minute with the cake. Then all we’re waiting on is the guest of honor.”
“Thank you so much for helping with all this. I’m pretty sure every single one of you has done more than me.” I claim an empty stool with a sigh, discreetly watching for Dean. Once again, we have no game plan for how we’re going to go about our interactions, though I suppose we did just fine last night. Better than fine if my sore, sated muscles are any indication.
“Nah, don’t sell yourself short. You’re the mastermind, and Alana is going to love it.”
“To be fair, Dean did a lot, too.” I give the bartender my order and dig into my purse for cash.
“I’ve noticed. And frankly, I’m impressed.” She glances to the back door as it opens and the devil himself pushes inside carrying a stack of stainless-steel buffet pans. “He’s usually grumpy about crowds, but he’s come out of his shell for this. Either he’s got a little crush on Alana, or you bribed him with something he couldn’t resist.”
I snort, though the thought of Dean having a thing for my brother’s girlfriend–a woman he sees more than my brother does these days–makes my stomach sour a bit. “I did promise he could take some of the extra food home.” I wink.
Camille laughs. “If he’s living anything like Levi was, he needs it.”
“Mm-hmm.” I’m not about to admit that I’ve seen Dean’s cabin, and he’s doing just fine. I may not have seen the inside of his cupboards, but a man who keeps his home as tidy as he does probably has more than beer and pizza on hand.
Wilder and Levi follow Dean, with Alana’s brother Aiden and Charlotte on their heels. The older woman directs them to the bar’s heated buffet, and they all obey like the good little helpers they are.
“I think that’s it, boys. Thanks for being my muscle.” With a bright grin, she shoos them out of the way and begins organizing the salad fixings.
“Madelyn’s here with the cake,” Wilder says, looking up from his phone. “Levi, come out and help me carry it in, will ya?”
The younger James brother nods but steals a quick kiss from Camille before he and Wilder head back outside. Dean and Aiden stroll over to the bar, and Aiden and the bartender chat about bar business, since Aiden is married to Emma, the bar’s owner.
“How’d we do, sweetness?” Dean leans against the bar beside me, scanning the open space and all the décor.
My face warms immediately at his public use of the nickname he’s given me. And maybe because his proximity has me thinking about last night all over again, too.
“You nailed it. And Alana has no idea what’s in store for her.” I’d hung back at the ranch today so she wouldn’t get suspicious. It was bad enough she caught me just after I snuck back into the house this morning. Thankfully, I’d changed out of yesterday’s clothes before I went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, so she thought I was just up to pee.
“I’m glad you approve.” He reaches out and discreetly runs a fingertip along the underside of my forearm. There’s no way anyone in the bar can see, given their positions, but I shoot him a sidelong glare anyway. One wrong move in public—in front of my brothers’ friends, no less—and we’ll be in a heap of trouble. Ten months ago at Christmastime, I wouldn’t have cared. But things are different now. We’re more than messing around this time—we’re legally married, for god’s sake. I really don’t want to have to explain that.
I shift away from him and clear my throat. “What do I owe you for the cake? Before I forget—”
“Nothing. Holden took care of it with Joy before I had the chance. Charlotte, too.” He frowns at me. “You all right?”
“Yeah, of course.” I just don’t want to get busted and have whatever this is between us end earlier than it has to. “Let’s talk later if we can get some privacy.” I say the last few words on a whisper.
