Page 74 of Saddle and Bound

"Alex..." Damn it, I'm at a loss for words. I see the panic in his eyes increase even more.

"Rosie, I know I should have talked to you about it. Consider it a refuge... we can make a home wherever you want, however you want it... I mean... do you want to make a home with me?"

"Hold on, hold on, cowboy. I'm just surprised, amazed, speechless. This place is magnificent, I mean, your gesture is magnificent. I adore all of this and can't wait to see the cabin properly."

Alex visibly relaxes and buries his face in the crook of my neck. "I love you, princess," he whispers.

"I love you too, cowboy."

And we spend an eternity cuddling. Yes, we are definitely the cuddling type.

Somewhere between Alex’s fingers idly combing through my hair and the way he peppers my face with endless kisses, it hits me. The realization settles deep in my chest, as sure and steady as his heartbeat against mine: I’m not going back to Los Angeles.

There’s no doubt anymore—maybe there never truly was. I’ve only been too afraid to admit it until now.

“Cowboy,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper, stopping him as he nuzzles his forehead into the crook of my neck.

He lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. They’re impossibly soft, full of a tenderness that makes my breath catch.

“This is where I want to be,” I say, the words simple but heavy with meaning.

I don’t need to explain. He already knows. I can see it in the way his expression changes, his smile deepening into something breathtaking, something that feels like home. He leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s as sweet and certain as only he knows how to give.

?

"Do we really need to get up?" asks Alex, his voice a mix of laziness and desire.

"Yes, unfortunately we do," I chuckle, starting to search for the scattered clothes in the room. "I have no idea what time it is."

Between one kiss and the next, we start to gather our clothes. Every so often, Alex pulls me to him for another series of kisses, and each time I let myself go, savoring every moment of this intimacy.

Suddenly, I feel my phone vibrating incessantly amidst the pile of clothes. Sighing, I grab it and see a series of messages from Val and Lexy.

"What's happening?" murmurs Alex.

"I have no idea," I reply, unlocking the screen. "But judging from the number of notifications, it must be important."

As soon as I open the messaging app, I'm inundated by a flood of texts.

Val(8:30): "Rosie, wake up! Important day today!"

Val(8:45): "Don't tell me you've forgotten about Mum’s wedding dress!"

Val(11:00): "ROSIE THORME, where are you?"

Lexy(12:00): "Hey, sleeping beauty, don't forget we have an appointment at the boutique at 5 p.m.!"

“Oh crap,” my heart leaps into my throat, “I completely forgot! We’re supposed to go wedding dress shopping for Maria today!”

I keep dressing frantically, trying to type out a reply at the same time.

Me(4:16): "Girls, I'm alive! Sorry, I just woke up. I'll be ready in 20 minutes, I promise!"

Almost instantly, my phone explodes again with responses.

Val(4:16): "FINALLY! Move that beautiful butt of yours, we have a dress to find!"

Lexy(4:16): Did a certain cowboy keep you up too late?

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