Page 68 of Wilder Heart

“No, I wouldn’t have. I understand the concern, though. Family member you’ve never heard of before suddenly shows up now that things are running smoothly, it’s normal to be suspicious. I just… didn’t have anywhere else to go. I even looked into a few halfway houses and construction jobs near the prison, because I wasn’t sure Lain would even let me come here. I needed a fallback plan.”

Cash guided his head to turn and kissed him. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

Wilder smiled, tentatively hoping they could shed the weight of this conversation now. He’d done it. He’d told his whole, sordid story, and Cash had listened without judgment, just like he promised. The last layer of his armor was gone, at least between him and Cash, and he felt lighter than ever.

“Me, too,” he whispered, kissing Cash again. And again. And again. Just because he could.

“Stay,” Cash pleaded as they rolled, Wilder’s legs parting to straddle Cash’s hips. “Stay the night.”

“Okay, if you’re really gonna twist my arm about it,” Wilder teased, rolling his hips and dragging their swelling erections against each other.

Cash laughed.

CHAPTER 22

CASH

The next week passed in a blissful haze the likes of which Cash had never experienced before. Wilder spent more nights in the foreman’s quarters than not—enough that Cash had gotten out a spare toothbrush for him to use. Since it was on the back side of the bunkhouse, it was easier for him to sneak out in the early morning, but, Cash noticed, he didn’t make sneaking out that big of a deal. It was almost like Wilder wasn’t as worried about being caught as he used to be. Something had shifted between them after that night at Roddy’s. They were stronger than ever.

Wilder never left without waking Cash with lazy kisses to say goodbye before he slipped out the door, and each day Cash’s heart seemed to swell, allowing more and more space for Wilder inside. It was still too early to say the words, but he felt them with every secretive smile, every comforting kiss, every familiar touch. They would break free eventually, and he could only hope that when they did, Wilder would accept them and not pull away in fear.

All too soon, it came time for the auction. He was loath to leave when things with Wilder were so good, but it was the last auction Lain would be able to attend for some time. He wouldn’tleave Mary-Beth during her postpartum time. This might be the only auction they went to until spring.

While Lain said goodbye to the girls, Cash met with the ranch hands in the common room. Wilder stood against the wall, a rakish tilt to his hat with his arms and legs crossed. A hickey was just barely visible at the edge of his collar, and Cash heated at the sight, remembering the way Wilder clenched around him as he sucked the mark into his sun-tanned skin.

“Clyde’s in charge while we’re gone,” Cash said, focusing on the others, who sat around the table. “It should only be an overnight trip. If anything goes wrong, Clyde can call me. If any of you have any issues, go to him.”

He wondered if he’d accidentally planted a seed with Wilder about co-owning the ranch, but Wilder gave no indication that he cared that he wasn’t the authority as the remaining resident Blackwood in Lain’s absence.

“We took care of the big stuff already,” he went on. “The cattle are settled, the feed is stored. Finish winterizing the A and B barns, run the fence lines once a day to make sure there are no breaks, and hopefully you don’t run into trouble.”

“We can handle it, boss,” Clyde said. “Don’t you worry. Go find us some good cattle to add to the herd.”

“That’s the plan.”

He turned to go, and a thrill went through him when Wilder slipped out the door ahead of him. Outside in the brisk air, he paused, inhaling deeply. Wilder didn’t acknowledge him, heading down the walkway toward his room. Cash desperately wanted to give him a proper goodbye. Over on the front porch, Lain and Mary-Beth were talking, holding hands and leaning close.

Wilder disappeared into his room and emerged a moment later with his laundry bag, shooting Cash a pointed look.

Oh.

Cash had to get his travel bag from his room, which was right next to the laundry room. How convenient. He followed sedately behind Wilder, who didn’t appear to notice anyone was walking the same direction as him.

They rounded the building, and the moment they were out of sight, Cash lunged, yanking Wilder’s laundry bag off his shoulder and shoving him up against the brick wall, grinning at Wilder’s sputter of surprise.

“We’re not even inside yet!” he hissed.

Cash didn’t care. He crushed their mouths together, his body singing with triumph when Wilder melted into him immediately, his moan muffled between their mouths. He threw both arms around Cash’s neck, and Cash’s arms tightened like a steel band around his lower back, pinning their bodies together completely.

“I’m gonna miss you so fucking much,” Cash said when they parted, drinking in Wilder’s dazed expression.

“Promise?” Wilder murmured, a smile lifting his lips.

“Oh yeah. That hotel bed will be real lonely without you in it.”

“Gotten used to having me in your bed already, huh?”

There was so much he wanted to say to that. The words crowded up his throat.Yes, I’ve gotten used to it. Yes, I want it every night. Move your crap into my room so you never have to leave. Let me tell Lain about us so we don’t have to hide. Let me love you the way I so desperately want to. Let me be your home.

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