Page 77 of Riding the High

“Is there someone here?” I ask.

“Yeah, us,” he says, moving into the shorter grass with Smoke.

The maples are plentiful here along the water’s edge. This is the place that the river ends, and where the waterfall rushes into it, it’s almost like a circular pool. It’s my favorite spot on the property. When we reach the fishing cabin in front of the waterfall, Cole dismounts and ties his horse to a post, before making his way over to me to help me down. He kisses me when I land on my feet, tipping my hat back for access.

“Fuck, been waiting to do that the whole ride,” he says.

“Why the truck, Cole?” I ask with my eyes narrowed. “What are you up to? Trying to butter me up after you sold me out with my mama?”

“Yep. Is it working?” he asks tying Sunflower up beside Smoke.

“Depends on what’s in the truck,” I tell him, folding my arms under my breasts. He grins and pulls me by the hand behind the car. It’s there that the edge of the water comes into view, and I see it: a big blanket stretched out under a large round maple, a Yeti cooler holding it down in the breeze. “It’s not what’s in the truck; it’s what I used the truck for.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask, intrigued.

“Yeah,” he says, wrapping his strong arms around me. “I brought your favorite little sandwiches from Sage and Salt. And some of their cookies and fruit. The San Pellegrino you like …”

I can’t help it. That warm tight feeling takes over my chest and I reach up on my tiptoes to kiss him. I kiss him like it might be the last chance I ever get, because the amount of effort this man has put into today might be the nicest thinganyman has ever done for me. He kisses me back with matched passion, his tongue searching my mouth as heat coils between my thighs. We move so effortlessly together; there’s no trying with Cole, we justare.

“Easy, Vixen,” he says gruffly, pulling his lips from mine. “Don’t get too eager now. It’s the lunch portion of the tour.”

He plants a kiss on my forehead and heads off toward the blanket, leaving me dumbfounded.

“I’m starting to forgive you for agreeing to dinner … ” I call out as I start to follow him.

“Yeah you are, especially when you realize I brought a batch of Spicer’s world-famous fudge too.”

I smile behind him. Cowboy Cole and chocolate? I don’t say it, but I sure think it: if I had to have a first date with anyone, and wait half my life for it, I wouldn’t want it to be with anyone other than Cole Ashby.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Cole

“You think of all this on the fly?” she asks with genuine curiosity as we reach the blanket at the edge of the water.

“Nah, I can’t take that much credit. Been planning it since the day you told me you’ve never been on a date,” I say as I take off my hat and toe off my boots. She does the same, her curly hair sticking slightly to her sweat-slicked back.

Her mouth pops open in surprise and I internally high-five myself. Mission “give Ginger the best date of her life” is going exactly according to plan.

The canopy of trees shades us, and the air buzzes with insects, as we eat our lunch. There’s not a soul in sight, as the maintenance crew isn’t here today and I know my mother and Mabel will be out for hours. I look over at Ginger’s beautiful face, free of makeup and slightly flushed from the sun. The waterfall behind her frames her curls, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her look so pretty.

“I’ll give you this. Your family’s land sure is something,” she says as she looks out to the rushing water, and then back to me with a light in her eyes. It turns to mischief in one secondflat when she meets my gaze. “If you’re into that sort of thing, I guess.”

She shrugs as she pops her last strawberry into her mouth. She sets her empty food box down, whipped cream glistening on her upper lip, and I launch myself at her to pin her to the blanket below. There’s no stopping me from licking it right off.

“Listen here, you sassy little fucking vixen,” I growl into her ear. “I know you love this waterfall, and I know you aren’t really mad at me.”

I lick her upper lip. Fucking delicious. She giggles and mock-tries to push me away.

“Stop torturing me and enjoy it. It’s one dinner. And you can trust me to be on my best behavior for your father.”

I pinch her pert ass as she sighs.

“It’s not you I’m worried about, Cole.” She looks up into my eyes and—from this angle, with her at my mercy below me—I feel desire stir within me.Again.

“I’m worried aboutme.You’ve met my father, what? Ten times over the years? In short little bursts? He’s a human lie detector,” she sighs. “And after what my mother walked in on this morning, with you looking all gorgeous in your towel, she thinks we’re a bona fide couple. You’ll charm them at dinner, and she’ll tell everyone I’m the sheriff’s girlfriend. But she won’t stop there. She’ll be planning for our babies sooner rather than later.”

“Wife,” I correct her. She rolls her eyes at me, but I see it—everything I need to know in her gaze.

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