Page 73 of Saddle and Bound

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to choose between the two sides of him… I love them both.

And I still can’t believe that in less than five minutes, Alex made it clear that we’re in this together and that he loves me. I’ve never been this happy or this comfortable with anyone else.

I have no idea what time it is. The light filtering through the curtains suggests it’s mid-morning, maybe even early afternoon. A fleeting thought crosses my mind—Alex is probably supposed to be at work—but I push it aside. I don’t want to ruin this perfect moment with worries.

I know how seriously he takes his work, and lately, he’s been a little off-balance because of me… but selfishly, I want him here just a little longer.

I look up at his sleeping face. His lips are curved into a slight smile, like he’s dreaming something pleasant. His hair is adorably messy, and I have to resist the urge to run my fingers through it so I don’t wake him.

I snuggle closer, savoring the rise and fall of his chest with each breath. There’s something incredibly intimate about this, maybe more than anything we’ve shared so far. Just lying here, naked and vulnerable, just existing together like this… it’s perfect.

A deep peace settles over me, so complete that it almost scares me. But with Alex, all my fears and insecurities seem to melt away. I feel safe, protected, loved.

A smile spreads across my lips as I remember his words:

I’ve always been here, Rosie.

And he was right. Even when we were apart, even when I tried to deny how I felt, some part of me knew I belonged to him.

I feel Alex shift a little, his arm tightening around me. I’m not sure if he’s awake or still dreaming, but I don’t care. I could stay right here forever, if I could.

I look up just as his eyes slowly open, still soft and sleepy.

“Hi, princess,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.

My heart flips. How is he this perfect first thing in the morning?

“Hi, cowboy,” I reply, unable to hold back my smile.

He pulls me in even closer, and I feel his lips brush against my forehead. “How long did we sleep?” he asks, his voice still warm with sleep.

I shrug lightly. “I have no idea. And honestly, I don’t care.”

Alex chuckles softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “I should probably be at work…”

“Probably,” I agree, but neither of us makes a move to get up. Instead, I just hold him tighter.

Chapter 45

Rosie

Alex gently pulls me closer, his lips finding mine in a sweet, slow kiss, and I can't help but lose myself in him once again. Our hands move languidly, caressing skin, exploring with a familiarity and tenderness that warms my heart.

I suddenly realize that I'm in Alex's arms, in a bed... but I have no idea where we are.

"Hey, cowboy," I say, pausing him, "what is this place? I mean... we're not in the main house. I thought you slept there."

Something incredible happens: I see Alex, the confident cowboy, blush and seem embarrassed. He scratches his head and gives a half-smile.

"Ah, right," he says, and then it seems he's searching for the right words. "This is our home," he says suddenly, without beating around the bush.

What? Our home?

"And when did I miss that part, cowboy?"

"Uh... I've always had this cabin. Since Chris asked me to work with him at the ranch. It was supposed to be my home... but I never bothered to fix it up. Then a beautiful princess stole her way into my heart... and I thought we might want to live somewhere together someday," as he continues speaking, I can see his initial bravado fade. He becomes more uncertain, more insecure. "I've been working on it since we got back from the camping trip," a veil of sadness crosses his face, "I needed something to believe in... a distraction."

I don't let him continue. I've abandoned him for a few days, and I can see how much pain I've caused him. And what he's done with the cabin... damn, it's such a sweet gesture.A gesture so typical of Alex.

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