“Finn,” I warn, narrowing my eyes at him.
“I’m just teasing ya, little sis.” He drapes an arm around my shoulder and walks me around the small barn, telling me all his ideas for the bonus home. Finn has his own house, I’ll have mine as soon as it’s complete, and my parents are set, too, so I’m not sure why Finn would want this, but it’d probably make a good rental property for someone looking to live outside of town.
“Everything else is okay?” Finn asks as we finish rounding the barn.
“Yeah. I’m hoping to move into the guest house in a few weeks, so expect a call to help me move. Don’t plan any out-of-town dates like when I needed your help to demolish one of the bathrooms.” I lift my eyebrows and jab a finger on his chest. Only my brother would drive to another city for a date.
“I promise.” He places his hand over his heart and gives me his signature goofy grin.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s ride a little longer and be late for lunch so we can mess with mom and her routine,” Finn chuckles.
“You always were the troublemaker,” I tease and climb on Ginger, trotting away.
We head back to the house after another hour riding around the property. This has been exactly what I needed. For the past two years, I’ve been working toward owning my own bed and breakfast, that I’ve stopped doing the things I love. I’ve stopped making time for them, and I need to restore that balance, or I’ll break down soon. It’s been a struggle.
“Where have you two been?” My mom demands as soon as we walk in through the back door.
Finn looks over at me, his eyebrows dancing on his forehead. “We went out for a ride. We told you.”
He walks into the kitchen, dropping a kiss on my mom’s cheek as if he did nothing wrong. I bite down my smile and nod.
“Yeah, I’m sure I mentioned it to you, Mom.”
“We were supposed to eat lunch ten minutes ago.” She crosses her arms as her lips purse. If you’re wondering who I got my need for routine and planning from, it’s the small woman with a big attitude trying to intimidate us with her glare as if we were kids.
“We told you we weren’t eating here,” Finn adds, and my eyes bug out. She’s going to kill him. If I know her, she cooked enough roast for a family of ten.
“You did no such thing, young man,” her voice is terse.
My eyes open wider, my mouth turning into an O, as I wait for whatever is about to happen. Finn chuckles and hugs my mom.
“Oh, come on, Momma. Did you really think we’d choose to eat lunch somewhere instead of spending time with you?” he sweet-talks her.
“Smart-aleck,” she smiles. “Go clean yourself, both of you,” she points at me.
“I can’t believe you believed him,” I tell her.
“Me either. I should be immune to your brother’s shenanigans by now.”
We eat together, Finn teasing my mom, and my dad and I catching up on the ranch. Moments like this really help me appreciate my family and their support. When I bring up that I’ll be moving into the guest house earlier than planned, they offer to help me in any way they can.
“My ranch hand was telling me about a horse up in Montana that’s a beauty. She’s a great price, too. I thought you might want to check her out for the bed and breakfast,” my dad tells me.
“Yeah, sure. I’m not sure when the barn will be ready, though.” My lips pinch together.
“You can keep ‘er here if you want to buy her. We’ve got room, and she’ll be safe.”
“Really? That’d be great. Thanks. Tell me a day, and we’ll drive up.” I smile at my dad, glad he has knowledge when it comes to picking a horse. As much as I can survive on my own around a barn, I’m not as qualified in choosing the right horse as he is, especially one that will be safe to be ridden by strangers.
After a longer than usual lunch, I head back home, stuffed and with enough leftovers to last me a week. I fight my urge to nap and focus on my work again, looking at my current notes. Pushing through, I get some work done, but it feels as if I am fighting against an angry bull and losing the entire time.
Closing my laptop for a while, I turn on the television and sit back as I search Netflix for anything that will help me clear my mind and relax. Choosing some older romance movie I’ve never seen, I scoot down, propping my feet on the coffee table in front of me.
Oh darn, I should’ve gotten myself a glass of wine before I got comfortable. Motivating myself to stand, I pause the movie and stare at the unmoving screen for a couple of minutes. My brain feels tired. Is that even possible?
My chest rises and falls with a deep and steady breath as I stand and drag my body to the kitchen next to my living room, pulling out the bottle of sauvignon blanc from the fridge. Grabbing a glass, I take the bottle with me back to the sofa since I’m overly lazy this evening.
I laugh at something in the movie, almost snorting wine out of my nose. Not seeing a napkin on the table. I use the sleeve of my long-sleeve tee in the most unladylike way, but no one is here to witness it, so I get a pass.
My breath catches in my throat, and my heart stops when I hear a loud knock resonating from my door. I freeze, staring at the marks on my sleeve, and wait to see if they knock again. I’m not expecting anyone. I grab my phone and unlock it, but I don’t have any messages or calls.
As I tiptoe to the door to look through the peephole, another knock sounds.
“Goodness gracious,” I murmur as my hand presses into my chest, willing my heart to slow down.
When I peek into the peephole, I sigh and unlock the door.
“You gave me a heart attack,” I accuse once the door is open.
“You should’ve been at the wedding with me,” Eli growls, closing the door behind him and slamming his lips to mine.
Well, okay then.
When his tongue seeks entrance into my mouth, I part my lips and pull him closer by the lapels of his coat.
Gasping for air, I break away and stare at him. Eli’s eyes are wide as they flicker between mine and my lips.
“Not that I’m upset about this, but what the hell?”
He sighs, his shoulders slouching as he runs a hand through his combed hair. Eli bows his head as he says, “I missed you. I kept seeing everyone dancing with their dates, and you weren’t there.” He gazes up at me through his lashes, his warm honey eyes looking at me with tenderness.
I relax and smile. “You’re adorable.” I link our fingers and drag him to the living room.
Eli sits on the sofa, putting his hands on my hips and lowering me onto his lap. I stretch my legs out on the sofa and look at him.
“You look very handsome.” I sweep my gaze down his chest. “I didn’t receive my photo, though.” My brows lift as I look into his eyes.
“I figured you’d see the real thing.” He winks and drops his head back a bit, resting it on the top of the couch.
“How was the wedding?” I ask, tilting my head as I look at him.
“Great. It was beautiful, and they looked happy.”
“That’s what counts,” I whisper, leaning in to drop a kiss on his lip. He looks at me with a crooked smile. “So, you missed me, huh?”
“I did,” he nods. “Honestly, and don’t take this the wrong way…”
“Uh, oh,” I interrupt him.
“Shh, let me speak.” His hand traces the length of my arm before lacing his fingers with mine. “I didn’t think I’d miss you as much as I did. This is new still, and I had friends going and people to talk to, but I kept wondering how it’d be if you were there with me. What dress you’d wear, and what songs you’d make me dance to.” He shrugs. “God, I sound like an idiot.” He closes his eyes for a moment, and when he reopens them, those hazel orbs stare deep into my being.
“But it also felt wrong being without you.”
I inhale his confession and store it in my heart.
“I missed you, too, if that helps.”
He gives me his megawatt smile. “Gl
ad to hear it. What else did you do besides learn how to clone a willy?”
I giggle and shake my head. “I did no such thing.” I swat his shoulder. I tell him about my ride with Finn and lunch with my family.
“My family approves of us dating, but I think they’re just really happy I’m actually dating and would probably approve of my relationship with a wild rockstar with public indecency versus me staying alone for the rest of my life, also known as, not giving my parents grandchildren because we all know Finn is in no rush for that.” My eyes widen, and I slap a hand over my mouth. “Oh, shit, neither am I. I didn’t mean… Um… I’m not in a rush for that either. I don’t…” I fumble over my words, trying to figure out how to fix this. “Well, it was nice knowing ya.” I offer a tightlipped smile. My cheeks burn with embarrassment, but Eli’s body shakes with laughter.
“Man, you’re cute when you’re nervous. Relax, Averly, I understand what you mean. And yeah, there’s time to discuss all that later, when it’s right.”
I nod and sigh, dropping my forehead on his shoulder. Eli’s chuckles continue to move through his body as a hand travels up and down my back. When I’ve collected myself, I sit up again.
“Let’s talk about something else before I’m even more mortified by my big mouth.”
“About this vibrator use.” Eli doesn’t even hesitate.
“I have one in my drawer.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“And you never mentioned it before?” His eyes pop open, and he shifts in his seat.
I shrug. “You never asked, and the relationship between a lady and her battery-operated friend is private.” I bat my eyelashes with an innocent look.
“Let’s go, right now.” He stands, bringing me with him, and I hold on this his shoulders for dear life.
Eli stalks to my bedroom, effectively finds the vibrator without having to ask, which is quite impressive and a little creepy, and turns around with a devilish grin.
“Playtime.”
I shiver in excitement and sit back on the bed, giving him full control of what’s about to happen.
Eli
I realized how much I like Averly when I went to Knox’s wedding without her. It wasn’t one thing that made me miss her, but different ones. I wondered how she’d smile as she saw Ainsley in a wedding dress, or if she and Poppy would take a million pictures. I wanted to hold her hand and dance with her. I just wanted her there with me, sharing it together. As soon as I could, I snuck away and drove to her place, needing to see her.
And it was well worth it.
I smile as I watch her sleep for a few minutes before sneaking out of her bed. I find my dress pants and put them on, leaving the button undone and make my way into the kitchen. I smirk to myself as I find the coffee in it’s labeled, glass jar, like everything else in her kitchen, and set the coffee maker to brew. Averly is the definition of organized. Everything in her apartment, in her life, is perfectly mapped out.
I open the fridge and shake my head, even this is organized by foods. I narrow my eyes to get a better look. And by color?
This woman is something else, and I hope to add a splash of mess into her life. Show her how fun it could be to live spontaneously. If the groceries don’t get put away in the correct order right away because she wants to go dance in the snow, it’ll be okay.
I start making breakfast as quietly as I can, sautéing green onions, tomatoes, and ham while I beat the eggs. Pouring the eggs, I scramble them as they mix with the ingredients.
“Well, this is a view I can get used to.”
I tense, dropping the wooden spoon and turning around. My eyebrows lift when I see her, and my lips tilt in a smile, pleased with the view in front of me, distracting me from my plan.
“I was making you breakfast in bed.” I walk toward her after lowering the heat on the stove.
Her eyes light up. “Really? Do you want me to go back?” She hooks her thumb over her shoulder.
“No, I’d know you’d be playing along.” I push her hair behind her shoulder.
I lean in and kiss her softly. My eyes roam down her body, and I smile. “I approve of your outfit.”
“It was just lying there on the floor, begging me to wear it.” Averly spins around to give me a full view of her in my white dress shirt, the hem barely covering her ass.
I bite down a groan and wrap my arm around her waist. “I wanted to surprise you,” I murmur against her lips. She shivers, causing me to grin.
“This is still a surprise. Thank you.” She pecks my lips and moves around me, grabbing two mugs.
“Hey, part of my surprise is that I do the work. Go sit, and I’ll serve you.”
“Someone’s bossy this morning,” her eyebrows waggle.
I chuckle and nod. “You better believe it.”
“Well, I’ll gladly sit. I’m still sore from last night.” Her eyes widen with meaning as she gives me a knowing glare.
“I ain’t sorry, darling.” I walk closer and lean into her ear even though we’re alone. “Seeing you fall apart as you used the vibrator on yourself while I fucked you drove me insane.”
Her lips part and chest rises, her eyes no longer glare as her pupils dilate. “That’s what I thought,” I keep my voice low, husky, as I get flashes of her underneath me. I run a hand through my hair and take a step back before I burn breakfast.
Averly stands in the kitchen, breathing heavily as she collects herself.
“It was a wild night.” Her cheeks flush pink as she bites down on her smile.
“One we can repeat whenever you want.” I look at her over my shoulder and wink. This feeling for her is growing. When she offers a wide grin, I’m certain that I’m in deep with her.
Once she’s seated, I serve two coffees, preparing hers with cream, and place it in front of her.
“Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Thank you.” She tilts her head and looks up at me through her long lashes, her lips pinch into a small smile.
“You’re welcome.” I drop a kiss on her temple and get back to work in the kitchen.
As we finish eating, Averly says, “I’m really glad you came over last night.”
“I know, you repeated that over and over last night as we—”
“Eli,” she interrupts me with raised brows.
“Only teasing you,” I wink.
Averly throws a wadded-up napkin at my face, laughing when she hits me right on my nose.
“What are you doing today? And work is not the correct answer.” I stand to refill our mugs.
“You?”
My head snaps around to look at her, a wicked smile on her face. “Naughty, naughty girl. As much as I’d like that, let’s go out. It’s a beautiful day.”
Averly’s eyebrows scrunch, and she looks out the window as if we each have a different view of the weather.
“Okay, it’s not beautiful, but the wind slowed down, and the snow is fresh. Let’s go snowshoeing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I return to the table and place her mug in front of her. “After church,” I add.
Averly’s eyebrows fly up to her forehead. “Who would’ve known that Eli Hastings was the poster boy for morals,” she teases.
“Careful,” I warn. “I have morals, but I also know when to break them,” I lean forward, staring into her dark eyes.
I should be afraid of the smile she gives me, a combination of mischief, wicked, and plain sexy. She’s going to ruin me, I can feel it, and I’m willingly giving her the power to do so.
“Sounds good.” She nods, and I’m surprised she agreed so quickly.
“I’m going to get home and get ready, I’ll pick you up.” I stand and collect the plates.
“Actually, I’ll walk to church and meet you there. It’ll be nice.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” Averly meets me by the sink. “Besides, we’re cutting it close, so you won’t have to drive here to go back to church.”
&nbs
p; “It’s two minutes away,” I tell her. “But that works.” I quickly clean up the kitchen as Averly rinses and puts the plates and utensils in the dishwasher.
I’m out of her house and heading home in record time, grabbing the snowshoes and poles and dropping them in my truck before jogging up the steps to my house. I hear Dash neigh and stop.
Crap.
I head in the opposite direction to the barn and call out to him. I’ll let him out this evening, but at least he’ll get fed now in the morning.
I’ve got my lady to show off to the town and a day planned with her.
…
I hold Averly’s hand as we walk out of the church. She’s listening to Poppy tell her all about the wedding last night. I’ve never noticed how fast Poppy talks sometimes.
“Hey, what are you guys up to?” Axel catches up to me.
“Hey, Averly and I are going snowshoeing. What’s up?”
“Cool.” Axel walks next to me with his hands in his pockets. “Everyone’s still here ’cause of the wedding, so we were thinking of doing something. Matthew and Tinley don’t leave ’til tomorrow, and Sutton is here all week to work with Harris while Knox is on his honeymoon.”
“You guys wanna come with us? I was planning to go to Bear Paw Cottage for lunch afterward.” I turn to Averly. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah,” she nods with a smile. “It’ll be fun.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze.
“I’m sure we can round up enough snowshoes for everyone,” I tell Axel. “I’ve got a few more at home, I’ll run over to get them, and we’ll meet at Cup-O-Joe in thirty minutes?”
“Perfect.” He looks over me toward Harris, who is walking next to Poppy. “You guys are down?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Hey, what’s going on?” Lia approaches us.
Axel tells her the plan, and her eyes light up. “Heck yeah. I’ll call Ainsley.”
“It’s settled then. See you soon.”
“This is going to be fun. Harris has never gone snowshoeing before.” Poppy laughs when Harris eyes her with determination.
“I’m sure I can handle it.”
Make You Mine Page 13
