Page 75 of Live, Ranch, Love

When I’m with Aurora, the self-doubt that creeps up on me when she mentions long-term goals for the ranch, wondering if she’ll really want this life forever, is a little bit easier to bat away. It makes the road ahead look slightly straighter, as opposed to the rocky path behind me. And it makes trying to be the version of me who lets himself dream about our future without fear easier.

I’m shaking my head at Aurora dancing as I sip my beer, but I know right now she’s so consumed with joy that she doesn’t care what other people think. Which is exactly how she deserves to live her life, because her soul is goddamn golden, even if sometimes her brain doesn’t always remind her of that.

Even if I didn’t realise it at first either.

Still, I can’t help but notice since the first trial run of the retreat went well, I haven’t had to help talk her out of as many small attacks of anxiety like she’s had before. She’s been eager to tell me every time she’s managed to get some new ideas down about her book, not so afraid of it anymore.

Breathless from dancing and the endless silvery laughs ringing from her strawberry lips, Aurora flops into the booth beside me, Cherry jumping in next to Duke on the other side, immediately dropping into conversation with him and Wolfman.

Aurora doesn’t hesitate to press up against me, her heat spreading over me, scorching my skin. I don’t like that it makes me freeze for a second, aware that there’s so many other people around us. People I went to high school with that like to talk and haven’t even tried to hide the way they’ve been eyeing up Aurora all night. Probably wondering what she’s doing with me, how long she’ll stay around before—

Wait, no. That was the old version of me.

I’m supposed to be next level me who believes in myself.

For her.

Aurora’s hand slaps down on my thigh, pulsing against my muscles. So blatantly and unashamedly marking me as hers as she bats her lashes at me. Then she brushes her fingers along my jeans, making me flinch when they trail just a little bit too high.

I shoot her a wild glare, feeling the heat creeping into my cheeks, and other places. I don’t need her teasing me when we’re surrounded by people. When I’m already wound up because I’ve been seething every time a guy has checked her out tonight. Which has been a lot, since the ripped denim shorts and lacey white crop top hugging her body are leaving very little to the imagination right now.

And that’s torturous for me, given that I know exactly what lies beneath. The paradise that just a few layers of clothing could reveal…

Aurora bites down on her grin, reddening her lip as mischief dances brightly behind those hazel eyes. Fuck, I want to be the one biting her lip. Her neck too. And breasts. Which I’ve realised I’m now staring directly at—

“At least have the decency to not eye-fuck each other in front of his little sister.” Sawyer’s head pops between ours, knocking me out of whatever lust-filled trance Aurora so easily had me in.

I throw my scowl over to meet his shit-eating grin as he arrives at the booth with a dark-haired woman he must’ve picked up on his trip to the bar. He lets her slip in first next to Cherry, who seems to recognise her, and they start chatting.

Aurora’s fingers dig into my thigh once more before she announces, “Be back in a second, I need the loo,” and bounces up from the booth.

I watch her walk away for all but five seconds before I’m also climbing out, stating that I’m off to the bathroom too. No one seems to take much notice, all in that perfect state of inebriation when their awareness doesn’t spread far beyond whatever conversation has them enraptured.

Except for Sawyer, who perks an accusatory brow, beer bottle at his mouth as he jests, “Wow, so subtle.”

“Can you really blame me?” I admit as I pass, knowing he’s only goading me because this is the kind of thing I’d be ripping into him about. God knows he’s done it in his fair share of bathrooms.

Luckily, it doesn’t take many strides to catch up with Aurora.

“Hold up, Princess.” I grab her wrist as we round the corner towards the bathrooms, spinning her into my clutch. Her hands land on my chest and quickly wind round my neck, rosy cheeks framing a dreamy smile. One that says she knows exactly why I’m here. One that makes me second guess who the mastermind behind this plan actually is.

Damn, I think I might have met my match.

“You took your time,” she teases.

I don’t even care who is looking when I steal a kiss from her before edging us further down the corridor. We slip inside the end toilet, and I thank God that Duke decided to put individual unisex toilets into the bar when he refurbished it.

The lights flick on, raining fluorescence over Aurora’s golden skin, making it gleam where a light perspiration still clings to her from dancing. I plan on making her shine even more. I want her glowing with sweat and orgasms.

Hands clasped behind her back, pushing her chest forward, Aurora backs up into the door, watching me with anticipation of when I’ll strike. But I’m still taking my fill, drinking in the sight of her, despite my aching cock straining against my jeans.

Licking my lips, I perch myself on the edge of the sink. “Take off your shorts.”

Aurora lets out a one of those breathy giggles that I adore. It’s a little slip of the innocent side of her, but the sparkle in her eyes that accompanies it tells me that she’s excited. Eager to dip into that dark, sensuous part of her. The one that shows its face in each of her hidden tattoos. Tattoos I plan on running my tongue over tonight.

She starts to unbutton her shorts, but turns around, bending over as she drops them, giving me the perfect view of her ass. I barely hold back a hiss when my body tenses with agonising arousal. When she snaps back up, she flashes me a smug grin over her shoulder. Eyes stay locked with mine even when she shimmies her black thong over her hips, letting it drop to the floor.

“Such a little tease.” I stalk towards her, gooseflesh covering my skin when her giggle escapes again. But there’s trouble behind it this time, the tone slightly deeper.

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