Page 6 of Hard To Love

“Be ready by eight tonight,” he whispered, his forehead against mine as we shared the same air. His breath smelled like coffee and mint and August. “We’re going to start this thing right.”

“Right?” I sounded like a parrot, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m gonna take you on a date. When I drop you off, I’m gonna kiss the hell out of you.” The raspy quality of his voice made me shiver.

“You are?” My lips tingled with anticipation. His hands stroked up and down my spine, and my hips rolled against the rigid length of his dick. “Why do we have to wait?” I asked and loved the way his body vibrated with silent laughter.

“You’re going to kill me, babe.” I could feel his need for me. It was a palpable thing between us that matched my desire for him.

“Please? Just. One. Kiss.” I enunciated every word quietly as I leaned in closer. Our lips almost touched. We were a breath away from one another. Every daydream and fantasy and dirty thought I’d ever had of August kissing me paled in comparison to the moment, and he hadn’t even kissed me yet.

A deep sound rumbled from him, and his hands tightened their hold in my hair as he tugged lightly. Making my head bend back a little.

“You want my kiss, beautiful?”

“Auggie, please.” My eyes fluttered shut as I waited. I felt him move. Then his phone went off.

Ring! Ring! Ring!We both froze, and I blinked my eyes open slowly.Ring! Ring! Ring!

“Shit,” he cursed, resting his forehead against mine as the hold he had on my hair gentled. “It’s the foreman. I gotta get it.”

“Right,” I whispered, shimming off his lap. I stood up and looked out toward the pasture. The sun was shining beautifully. The sky was blue and the clouds puffy, almost like someone had gone up there and drew them. Everything was perfect in that moment.

“Right. Thanks, man. I’ll be there in a moment. Just make sure to call the vet. Thanks. I’ll see you in fifteen.” August’s rich timbered voice answered before saying goodbye.

I heard him stand, then the sound of his heavy boots against my patio told me was walking toward me before he caged in my body, his hands beside mine as the front of his body covered my back.

“They need me back at the ranch.” His chin rested on my shoulder, and I turned to look at his profile. Handsome and masculine. My lips twitched. He’d just told me he loved me. I’d shared the same back.

And now he had to go back to work.

“Okay.”

“You going to overthink and freak out about what just happened?”

“Most likely.” I giggled but had to answer him honestly. He turned me and picked me up, making me sit on the railing of my patio. “Auggie!” I squealed, and he laughed.

“I won’t ever let you fall. Not ever. I promise,” he vowed. Warmth filled me from head to toe. God help me, I believed him.

“I know,” I whispered. Somehow, someway, I knew he meant more than just me falling from the banister.

“Don’t overthink this. You and me? That’s the one thing in my life that has always, no matter what, made sense. You get me?”

“I get you.”

“We’re doing this. It’s you and me now. Cal comes sniffing, I’m gonna kick him to the curb because you’re mine. He had his chance, and he fucked up by leaving. This baby"—his hand touched my still flat belly— “is mine. Do you get that?” There was no questioning the intensity in his tone.

“Auggie… I think you’re committing way too much, way too soon. Honey, you could change your mind in a couple of—"

“No.” He shook his head, and I was all too familiar with the determined look in his eyes. “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. I just waited too long.”

“Auggie—"

“I wanted you to get your degree,” he blurted, and I blinked. “You were so determined, and you’re so damn smart. I didn’t want to hold you back. If I’d kept you here, we’d have half a dozen babies running around because I wouldn’t have been able to keep my hands off you.”

“Half a—” My voice cracked, and I shook my head. “August, I’m just a graphic designer.”

“There is no just a graphic designer, beautiful. Don’t do that. Don’t make your accomplishments small.” His thumb stroked my chin before he growled. “I wanna continue this, but I gotta get back. “