Page 82 of Wilder Heart

He was facing the door and the wide window, which was only covered by the sheer curtain because he’d been too preoccupied to close the blackout curtains hanging on either side of it, so he saw when a shadow passed in front of the window.

And then someone knocked on the door.

Wilder blinked at it in confusion. Who could possibly know he was here? Maybe it was one of the motel staff, although he was pretty sure only the sleepy man at the front desk was on the grounds right now.

He stood wearily and opened the door.

Cash. His hat was askew, his eyes wild. Relief shot through his expression when their eyes met, only to be followed swiftly with wariness andhurt.

Wilder had put that there. He’d run, and Cash had chased him down.

“I’m coming back,” he blurted out.

Cash’s honey brown eyes widened. “You are?” he croaked.

“Yeah.” God, he’d made a mess of this. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let them run me off. It was stupid. I came here to figure out what I wanted to do next, and I realized all I wanted to do was go back—go back home. To the ranch. To you.”

Cash looked skeptical. “Billy said you didn’t want to be there anymore. That he dropped you off at the bus stop because you wanted to leave.”

Wilder frowned. “What? No. I didn’t say that; I just said I was leaving. And he dropped me off here. I mean, it’s not far from the bus stop, but the thought of buying a ticket made me kind of sick to my stomach. And besides, they’re closed at this hour anyway.”

Cash’s brow furrowed. “Then why would he say that?”

Wilder laughed bitterly. “Are you kidding? He probably hoped you’d write me off as a lost cause and give me enough time to catch a ride out of here first thing in the morning. I doubt he’s ever even been inside that bus stop. He wouldn’t know they’re closed right now.”

Cash shook himself. “I’ll deal with him later. I just—I’m so glad you’re still here. You’re really coming back?” He inched closer, and it was still too far.

Wilder took his hand and tugged him into the room, letting the heavy door fall shut behind them. Then he placed Cash’s hand on his waist. “Yeah, I’m staying. At least for a little while.”

Cash stiffened, his hand fisting in the fabric of Wilder’s shirt. “A little while?”

“I have things I need to say to Lain. You were right about that. I don’t know how he’ll respond. Maybe he’ll fire me. Maybe I won’t be welcome there anymore.”

“Then I’m coming with you, wherever you go.”

Wilder reared back in shock, but Cash didn’t let him go far, wrapping both arms tightly around him. “What? Are you serious?”

“Yes. If I have to choose between the ranch and you, I’m choosing you. I’m not dancing around my feelings for you anymore. I’m sorry if that scares you, but?—”

“I fucking love you,” Wilder said quickly, before his nerves could get the better of him.

Cash’s face split into a grin, and he laughed breathlessly. “Good, because I fucking love you, too. And you’re not going anywhere without me. I don’t care if I have to find a new job. We’ll go get my old camper and live on the road if that’s what you want.”

“I think my parole officer would protest me not having a permanent address,” he said. He was smiling so hard his face hurt.

“Okay, then we’ll get it and park it somewhere, just the two of us. I’ve got some money saved up. We could buy a little tract of land. Get some animals, plant a garden.” His lips brushed Wilder’s. “And our little camper will be rocking every night while I show you exactly how loved you are.”

Caught between laughing and kissing, Wilder pressed their lips together and clung to Cash in relief.

“We’ll be together,” Cash whispered against his mouth. “No matter what.”

“No matter what,” Wilder breathed, kissing him properly.

Cash pulled away suddenly, raising a finger. “But, for the record, I don’t think he’s going to fire you.”

“You don’t know what I’m going to say to him,” Wilder pointed out. “It might be something really mean.”

“I think he might deserve it,” Cash said. “And I think he might know he deserves it.”

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