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“Zach!” Libby screeched as he threw her over his shoulder.
“Time to celebrate, princess.” Dodging kicks aimed at his groin, he made his way over to the staircase.
Today had been a good day. Today he had officially become the owner of the ranch. Tomorrow, when he met with his brothers, it would be an even better day.
“This is more uncomfortable than it looks in the movies,” Libby grumbled. “Can you please put me down?”
Zach didn’t know what she was complaining about, she only had to withstand his shoulder for another thirty seconds at most. He just wanted to make her trip to the bedroom a little more fun. And now he was climbing the stairs, he was practically there already.
Once inside her room, he lay her on the bed then hovered over her, until she stopped pouting and allowed him a kiss.
“This is way too much excitement for a Tuesday night, Zach. What’s going on?”
His lips quirked up as she squirmed beneath him.
“My dad signed over the ranch today. Tomorrow, I’ll be signing over three quarters to my brothers.”
“Oh my God, that’s amazing news!” The smile she gave him was dazzling. “You must be so relieved. I know it’s been on your mind a lot.” Her genuine joy on his behalf only made him like her more.
As if that was possible.
“Yeah, I am,” he admitted. “I really didn’t think it would be this easy. Wade was convinced dad would try and delay it. Or somehow find out what our plans were and sell it out from under us before we had a chance to split it up. I’m just so glad it’s almost over. And we have a plan.”
“What is the plan?” she asked.
“Well, Jonah’s looking after the books. We’ve all put together a business plan. And Wade has already started implementing the changes we agreed to. Best of all, everyone’s happy, which is a damn miracle.”
“If you wanted to make one more person happy today, then I have a few ideas.” The sultry smile she gave him had his pulse quickening. Suddenly, the ranch was the last thing on his mind.
“Oh yeah? I’m all ears, princess.”
“Why don’t I show you instead?”
She could do whatever the hell she liked, and he’d let her. Especially if she kept looking at him like that.
After a soft push to his chest, he lifted himself up until his knees rested against the mattress. She came up with him, quickly dropping to her knees too. There was that smirk again.
His eyes hungrily followed as Libby dragged her dress up, revealing miles and miles of creamy skin. When the material was flung over her head, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer to touch her. Propelling himself forward, his mouth captured hers. Moments later, he was taking the kiss deeper, feasting on her moans as his hands were unclasping her bra.
Keeping their connection, he guided their bodies back down into the plush sheets and settled himself between her thighs. His favorite place. Swallowing down another whimper, he rocked into her. He would never get enough of those sexy sounds or the way she moved with him. Pressing herself closer.
His fingers trailed over heated skin, working their way between them. As his hand disappeared beneath damp panties, it was his turn to elicit a groan.
He broke their kiss just long enough to look into glazed green eyes. “You ready to celebrate, baby?”
Libby’s response wasn’t a verbal one. It involved her hand fisting the comforter and her head being thrown back as he sunk his first digit into her.
So. Fucking. Sexy.
***
Two months in to hooking up with Libby, and Zach was done messing around. He’d been careful to respect her boundaries and hadn’t pushed her to label what they were. Mostly because he was confident they were exclusive. He didn’t want anyone else. And he’d been keeping Libby busy enough that even if she wanted to, she didn’t have time for anyone else. Not that he was worried.
They’d also not been keeping the fact that they were together a secret. When they went out, affection came easily. Hand holding, kissing, hugging ... the works. And not just in front of strangers, but in front of his family, friends and all the guys he worked with.
Her actions weren’t exactly mirroring her words. It was as confusing as hell, but he hadn’t wanted to bring it up with her for fear she’d stop.
The problem was, when people asked him what was going on with them, it was getting harder and harder to shrug it off or give a vague answer. And if he was being honest with himself, he was tired of it. He didn’t want to do it anymore. It was obvious to everyone what they were and how happy they made each other. They couldn’t deny it forever. To others or themselves.
Today probably wasn’t the best day to bring it up. It was Sunday and his last day off before he was back at work for another four days. But every day that passed, his feelings for her grew stronger and he was at a point now where he needed more.
Like most Sundays they spent together, they’d made a big dinner, watched a movie and were now cuddling up on the couch. However, Zach was far from relaxed. His knee hadn’t stopped bouncing since the movie ended.
It’s now or never.
“Baby, do you think we can talk?” His voice was rough. His heartrate rougher.
Libby’s head came up, those big, beautiful eyes studying him before she pushed up until she was sitting upright again. “Everything okay?”
She knew it wasn’t. Her teeth had already sunk into her lower lip as her gaze continued to scan his features. Looking for clues.
“No, baby, it’s not ...” He fought back his own panic as he spoke. He needed to be strong. She needed to hear what he had to say. “We can’t carry on like we are. I can’t do it anymore. Things need to change.”
“What do you mean?” Confusion marred her pretty features.
She must have known this was coming. How could she not?
“I need to be able to call you mine.” He reached out for her, his fingers delicately tracing the contour of her face. “I want that label. I need it. I want us to start planning a future together. For real. And ... the first step to doing that is calling this what it so clearly is. A relationship. A really fucking good one.”
Libby was quiet as her arms curled around her torso. He recognised that move. She was retreating. That was not a good sign.
“And if I can’t?” she whispered.
His hand dropped and he squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want it to come to this. “Then I can’t do this anymore.’
“So that’s it?” Her voice shook. “It’s all or nothing?”
“Yes.”
As his eyes flickered open, his stomach became tight. Moisture pooled in those wide Disney eyes. And perfect pink lips quivered.
“I’m trying, Zach. I am. Really hard. But I’m just not ready. I need more time.”
Maybe she was. Maybe she wasn’t. But was he really prepared to wait for what could be forever?
“And when will you be ready, Libby?” Well aware his voice was rising, he tried his best to rein in his frustration. “I knew how I felt about you three months ago. Before we even kissed. Before we went to bed together. Are you really gonna pretend you don’t feel this? How good we are? How happy we make each other? I’m so goddamn sick of pretending. Pretending we’re not together. Pretending this isn’t real. And that I’m not completely in love with you.”
That’s it, shout I love you in her face. That’ll make her love you back.
“W-what?”
“You heard me, princess. I’m completely fucking crazy about you. I’m in love with you. You make me so goddamn happy. We’re talking truly, Disney, singing critters happy here.” He threw her words back at her. He’d never forgotten them. He’d kept them with him every day since she’d told him.
She didn’t reply, instead, she folded in on herself, drawing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. When two silent teardrops started their descent down her cheeks, he had to use all his strength to stop himself from tugging her back into his chest. From giving in and telling her he’d wait forever.
When it was clear she didn’t know what to say, he decided to prompt her. “What are you so afraid of?”
When she didn’t answer straightaway, he expected more tears. But as soon as she wiped her cheeks, he caught a glimpse of fire. Defiance. The next thing he knew she was on her feet. Laying it all out for him.
“You want to know what I’m afraid of? Okay, fine.” Her hands were waving now, and that shaky voice had been replaced with a louder, stronger one. “Say I move here. Permanently. Say we give it a go and we become a real-life couple. What happens a year from now when you’ve made me fall in love with you and I’m in way over my head? What happens when you get sick of my weird habits or annoyed that I want to stay in all the time and read my books or watch my TV shows ... what happens then?”
Libby wasn’t making sense. Had she not just heard him? He was in love with her for God’s sake. That meant he loved everything about her. Everything.
“I’ll tell you what happens,” Libby continued. “We break up. You break my heart. Then ... then I’m stuck. Stuck in this town where I’ve made a life. A real one. With friends and church fairs and Mrs Tucker’s bake sales. And I’m running into you every damn day, ‘cause let’s face it, this is a small ass town! You might be used to running into exes, but I’m not. I won’t be able to handle it. Seeing you every day. I can’t even ... I’d have to move. But it wouldn’t be like when I normally move; it would be moving because of a man, and that’s just sad, y’know? It reminds me of my mom. I’ve spent my whole life trying not to be my mom. The whole thing would be—”
Before she could sprout any more crap, Zach’s mouth was on hers. Crashing down and prying her lips apart like his life depended on it. A desperation had risen from the pit of his stomach and reached his chest. It twisted and squeezed as he tasted heaven. Maybe for the last time.
He pulled back before he was ready, knowing if he didn’t, he never would. They were both panting. Breathless. His chest feeling heavier than it ever had before.
Like a magnet, his forehead met hers. He couldn’t walk away without trying one last time. Letting his eyes close again, he memorised the feel of her breath sinking into his skin.
“I can’t convince you not to be scared. I know it’s scary. That’s what love is. Giving your heart to someone, and hoping like hell they won’t break it. If you give me that chance, I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to keep it safe. To love you. Everyday. The way you deserve to be loved.”
“I don’t want to lose you.” Back was the tremble. He couldn’t take it.
“You don’t have to. We’ll take it slow, baby. One step at a time. All I’m asking for right now is an acknowledgement. Everyone else knows I’m yours and you’re mine, I just need you to know it too. To say it. Out loud. Please, that’s all I need.”
As soon as he felt her head shake against his, he knew it was over. If she couldn’t even do this, what hope did they have?
“I need more time.” Her shaky words broke him.
Planting a soft kiss on her forehead, he stepped away. He had to. It was only after he’d retrieved his keys from the coffee table that he faced her again. One last time.
“Then take it. But until you know what you want, we can’t do this anymore. I can’t do this anymore.”
Zach watched realization spark in Libby’s eyes. But she didn’t speak. Didn’t fight. That was when he knew it was over.
“Goodbye, princess.”
Turning around, he went straight to the front door, and left before he could change his mind.