Page 58 of Live, Ranch, Love

With a sigh, she turns and leans back against the fence. “I mean, who am I kidding? I’ve never run a retreat before. I have zero idea what I’m doing here, and I’m scared it’s going to show. I’m supposed to do a session on building confidence, yet I’m here doubting myself, ugh.”

I hate it when she does this. Talks herself down.

The loose edge the alcohol has already given me means I can’t stop the words leaving my lips after thinking them. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”

I register the quick flash of pain in her eyes before it disappears and her lips curve into a smirk. “Of course. Getting under your skin is my sole objective in life. The wellness blogging is merely for passing time.”

It’s the perfect opportunity to steer the conversation back to our usual vying, away from the vulnerability, that even I would usually be too uncomfortable with.

But not when it’s her. For some reason, Aurora has this unfathomable power over me that makes me want to bear the depths of my soul to her. Especially after she fought for me tonight.

“No, Aurora, I’m serious.” That wipes her smile straight off her face. I take her glass away and settle it on the table behind us before returning, standing closer than I was before. She doesn’t move back, but there’s a hesitancy in the way she watches me. “It seriously annoys me that you don’t realise how fucking perfect you are.”

Aurora’s breath hitches. The remains of the setting sun peek out from behind the mountains, showering her in golden light, the deeper red tones of her hair glowing like fire. She looks like a goddamn angel.

Her lower lip quivers. “You… you think I’m perfect?”

I hadn’t really thought about what I was going to say next. I’ve never been good with words. But I know that yes isn’t the response she needs.

I swallow down my pride, eyes dipping to her lips once, then to how her chest is suddenly heaving with her ragged breath, pressing against her dress. “Actually, I think you might be the most perfect girl I’ve ever met.”

Aurora sputters, “But—but you don’t like me.”

“When did I ever say that?” I get that we didn’t exactly get off on the greatest start, but the last couple of weeks have been… different. I mean, I’ve been doing goddamn yoga with her every morning and buying her smoothies.

Though, now I’m slightly concerned she hasn’t felt the same.

Aurora’s mouth is working like she’s talking, but no words come out. Her big hazel eyes are so wide. I just know what her head is doing right now—trying to come up with all the reasons why I wouldn’t like her, why I must be mistaken when I think she’s perfect.

“Fuck it. If you don’t believe me, then I’ll show you.”

“Wh—”

I slide my hands into her hair before she can finish the word and pull her towards me, our lips crashing together. Electricity sparks through me, my blood singing in response to the taste of Aurora again. I hadn’t realised how starved I’d been.

Aurora stays frozen for a second, and I start to pull away, but then she grabs my T-shirt, fisting the material and dragging me closer as she steals another kiss.

It's like a thousand shooting stars again.

My skin is covered in gooseflesh and sparks dance underneath. We stumble back against the fence, fighting to taste more of each other. A whimper escapes her lips when I pin my hips against hers, and the sound makes me even harder.

Hands now under my shirt, fingers burning as they feel out my muscles, Aurora opens her mouth for me so our tongues collide, and I can’t stop the groan that rumbles out of me. I grasp her hair tighter, angling her head back so I can kiss her deeper. The way she drags her nails down my back lights a fire deep in my core.

I drop my hands to her waist, and she lets out an irritated groan when I break our kiss.

“Fuck, I’ve been dying to kiss you again,” I admit, making her eyes light up. “Is this what you want, Aurora?”

“God yes,” she breathes out with a heart-shattering smile.

“Good, now turn around.”

Aurora furrows her brow, but my hands are already guiding her around. I keep my body close to hers, lapping up the heat radiating off her, the way her ass brushes against my cock.

“Let’s start with taking this tease of a dress off, so I can worship this perfect little body.”

I hear her mouth pop open, and I grab the zip at the top of her purple dress. I’d noticed the easy access that would give me when she opened the door in it earlier. I plant kisses down her spine, following the zip, each connection making her breathe harder. I help slide the straps down her arms, letting the dress fall to the floor. No bra, and a bright red lace thong baring her perfect ass for me. My favourite colour. Fuck.

Silence echoes around us.

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