Page 98 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

When I’d finished, William hugged me tight, put his cheek on mine, and muttered, “I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse.”

“Worse for me,” I said.

He pulled away far enough to look at me. “Yeah?”

I nodded.

This time William kissed me, and he did it so well that I wasn’t sure he could ever top it. He was deliberate, thorough, and so focused on me that I felt as if we were the only two people in the world.

Apparently the clichés were around for a reason, because I was going through every one of them.

The sensation of flying? Check. Spinning? Check. Sunshine and rainbows? Check.

After a few minutes, we slowed and then stopped, and William put his forehead on mine again.

“When do you leave?” My voice shook as I spoke.

“Five minutes ago.”

“Oh.” My gut twisted, and I tightened my grip on him.

“I’m very sorry about this.” Regret laced his voice, and he closed his eyes.

“It’s okay,” I said even though my emotions were having a pity party and already preparing for either a whole package of cookies or a day of hard labor. Or both.

“It’s not, but I appreciate you saying so.” His smile faltered. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, but I miss you already.”

We kissed again, and this time William let me go and stepped back. “You’re going to the doctor this morning?”

I nodded.

“And you’ll take it easy today?” he asked.

“No promises,” I said, but I knew I would, because he’d asked me to.

And because I knew better than to aggravate an injury.

William smiled, and my insides ached knowing I wouldn’t see him for a while.

Jessica’s offer to let me stay with her rang through my mind, and my eyes went wide.

“What is it?” William asked with concern in his voice.

I smiled mischievously and put a hand on his chest.

“What?” he asked again, this time in a suspicious tone.

My smile widened. “What if I came to New York for a few days?”

William blinked.

“If you think you’re going to be free in the middle of the week, I can come visit.” The idea kept forming as the words tumbled from my lips. “My friend Jessica lives in New Jersey. I can stay with her, and we can meet whenever you have time.”

It took a moment for my words to sink in, but when they did, William’s expression softened, and he brushed my cheek. “You’d do that for me?”

“I would.”

He drew me into another kiss before a honk sounded.

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