Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)(43)
Author: Lorelei James

“I want that in writing because I know ranchers don’t take sick days or vacations.”

“Fine. We’ll add it on as part of our wedding vows. Because, sweet darlin’, you are gonna marry me as soon as possible. I’m thinkin’ before the end of the week. And I promise you—our lives won’t be over because we’re havin’ a baby.”

“Okay.”

He wasn’t convinced she’d heard any of what he’d said. She’d been high and low in the last month—sometimes within mere minutes of one emotion overtaking the other, so her extreme reactions was more an indication of her pregnancy than the round middle she’d recently developed. “What else is on your mind?”

“That I’m a hypocrite.”

He waited.

“I always swore I’d never be happy living in Wyoming. And yet, here I am, looking forward to spending the rest of my life right here with you.”

“Sweetheart. That doesn’t make you a hypocrite.”

“What does that make me?”

“Smart enough to change your mind when you know you’re part of a good thing.”

She gave him a cocky smile. “Together we are a great thing.” She glanced down at the ice cream cone melting all over the table. “Holy shit. Why didn’t I notice this is making such a mess?” She slid out of the booth and raced to the counter, pulling napkins out of the dispenser, ran back to pick up the cone, then made a beeline for the garbage can, then back to the table.

He watched her with an amused expression. He’d nicknamed her the blonde tornado, but in her current emotional state he’d keep that to himself.

When she finally sat down, with another ice cream cone, she said, “What? Stop staring at me. I’m eatin’ for two.”

“That’s not why I’m staring.”

“Then why? You want a taste?”

“Of the ice cream? No. Of you? Like you wouldn’t believe.”

“And?” Kimi did a swirling thing with her tongue around the rim of the cone.

“And I’m havin’ the same thought now as I had six years ago when I first saw you.”

“What’s that, cowboy?”

“That my cock is really jealous of that ice cream cone right about now.”

She grinned. “Maybe I’m just practicing.”

Cal pulled her out of the booth and scooped her into his arms. “I’m takin’ you home so you can practice all you want.”

She gave him a sticky-sweet kiss. “Drive fast.”