Page 110 of Dirty Cowboy

He shifts closer, wraps an arm around my shoulder,and pulls me against him.

“Perfect, huh? You’re the one who makes everything perfect, Emma.” His whisky eyes catch the fire’s light. “I was thinking, maybe we should go to the sunflower field after breakfast?”

I snuggle into his warm hold, resting my head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat pulses underneath my cheek.

“I’d love that.”

The wind howls outside, where the temperatures have dropped from the unusual November heat to a nipping chill.

I lift my head. “Tell me something.”

He meets my gaze. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” I smile. “Tell me about your dreams, about what you want... Anything and everything.”

He falls silent, his gaze dropping to the fire as though searching for the right words.

“I want this,” he says, his thumb grazing my cheek. “I want mornings like today, nights like last night, and days with you at my side. I want a future where we’re together, and where nothing else matters except you and me.”

A swell of emotion catches in my throat, a mix of hope and disbelief at the words I never thought I’d hear. “Eric...” I whisper, and his eyes soften.

“There’s more, Emma.” Concern creeps into his voice. “There are things I need to tell you about the farm. Important things.”

I shift to face him. “What is it?”

He takes a deep breath. “Huntz won’t let this go easily. The farm and the land are tied to things I can’t control.”

The weight of his words presses against me, heavy and unyielding. I see the tension carved into his face, feel it in the steady grip of his hand around mine. He’s carried so much alone, but now—now, he’s letting me in. I squeeze his fingers, anchoring us both in this moment.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to keep our home safe, but?—”

I don’t let him finish. I reach out, pressing a fingertip to his lips, silencing the burden he’s trying to shoulder alone.

“I already know.” My voice is barely a whisper, but the truth in it vibrates through the space between us. “I know what you’ve done, how much you’ve risked. And I love you for it.”

Eric stills. His eyes widen, shock flashing across his face. “You know?” His voice is low, almost incredulous.

I nod. “I know about the blackmail. The payments. I know he blamed you for the fire at his parents’ house, but it wasn’t your fault. And as long as you let me help, I’m with you. I’ll be with you until the end.”

He exhales sharply, a deep, shuddering breath, then kisses my temple, but I pull back.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

His brow furrows, concern flickering in his gaze. “What is it?” His hand falls to my lower back, tracing slow, soothing circles, grounding me in his touch.

I hesitate. My cheeks flush, but I force myself to take a breath, to push past the nerves tangling in my throat.

“Eric... I’m ovulating.”

His body stills. His grip on me tightens just slightly. Then, slowly, understanding dawns in his eyes. A slow, breathtaking smile spreads across his face. He presses his forehead to mine, our noses brushing.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” His voice is rough, filled with something raw and unguarded.

I swallow hard. “I’m saying... I wouldn’t mind if something came of this. Of us. A future where we have...more. Maybe even a little one. But I don’t want to scare you.”

My heart pounds. Saying it out loud makes it real. It makes it terrifying. My father always told me that family is everything, and that love is worth any risk. But is Eric ready for that? Is he ready for me? For us?

He exhales, his palm splaying over my stomach like he’s already imagining it.

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