“We don’t have to tell them we got married. That’ll be dissolved soon, and no one will be any the wiser. But if we’re going to date…” She bites her lip, and that knot in my stomach twists a little tighter.
“I’m not…” Friggin’ hell. How do I say this without sounding like a dick? “I’m not ashamed of this. I like you. A lot. But what’s the point of telling them if we aren’t even sure we can make something more of it? We’re seven and a half hours apart, babe.”
“And yet you showed up at my door last night like it was nothing.” Her eyes widen hopefully. “If we each make the trip once a month, we could make it work.”
“But for how long?” Yeah, I sound negative. Like I’m already expecting the fallout. But I know myself. I know how I pull back and eventually walk away completely.
Just as I open my mouth to try to explain, my phone vibrates in my pocket with a text.
Holden.
“It’s your brother.” I show Tessa the screen before I open the message. “His ears must’ve been ringing.”
She gives a soft snort as she wraps her arms around her knees and peers out toward the mountains again.
Heard you’re off this weekend. Good for you. Do me a favor when you get back and check with Wilder on those cattle he wants to get rid of,Holden’s text reads.
10-4.
I’d do it myself, but I gotta make an unexpected stop in Omaha.
No problem.I don’t point out that Kaden could call or even drive out to the Roman Wilde ranch, all things considered.
Alright, man. Thanks. See ya when I get back.
Yep.I hit Send on the final message and tuck the phone away again.
“Nothing serious,” I explain.
Tessa offers a small smile, but the disappointment in her dark eyes and the slump of her shoulders is obvious.
She wants more, just like I knew she would. Like she’s said from the start.
chapter 17
TESSA
“Iwish I had a bigger bed. This one isn’t very conducive to snuggling.”
Fresh from the shower and wearing nothing but boxer briefs, Dean chuckles from the other side of my full-size bed. “We did just fine last night, sweetness. We’ll do all right again tonight, too.”
I bite my lip as I turn back the blankets. “Confession?”
“Okay…” He lifts an eyebrow as he tosses a decorative pillow onto my accent chair.
“You’re the first guy who’s ever slept over.” I’m not sure why, but telling him that feels important.
“Really.” Both brows and a crooked smile rise at that little nugget of information. “So you’re the one who does the walk of shame in the morning, huh?”
“God no. I mean, I have. A time or two. But what I meant was I haven’t dated since I graduated.”
“At all?”
“Just you.”
“No shit.” He runs a hand around the back of his neck like he isn’t sure what to make of that.
“Don’t freak out. It’s not like I said I’ve never dated.” I climb into bed and pat his side. “Now, get in here so we can cuddle.”
