Page 26 of Javier

“Agreed.” He guided one of her hands to grab his erection while sliding a hand up her inner thigh, lifting her at the same time and depositing her on the opposing counter. Their eyes were locked on each other as his fingers worked her channel and she stroked him.

She pulled the tank off.

He pulled a condom from his pocket, dispensed with the shorts, and kicked them away while covering himself. “Spread your legs for me, baby,” He murmured as he lifted her hips and pushed in.

Tingling and delicate tremors rushed through her system as they met each other. She was on fire and moaned.

“You’re heaven, baby.” Javier spoke, brushing her lobe with his lips and nibbling. “So fucking good.” He captured he mouth and began a gentle assault with his talented tongue.

She shattered. Longing and anxiety surfaced as she came back to normal.What happens after I leave? What happens if he does help? What happens afterward? Why are you worried? Because I want him. I think I want him forever.

* * *

At the table on the back deck, they watched a glorious sunrise while finishing biscuits and egg scramble.

Memphis set down her utensils, wiped her mouth, and pushed away the plate. “Eben is getting married next weekend. Why so suddenly is a mystery. They were looking at a date a year away.”

“Is she pregnant?”

She watched Javier slather the last biscuit in local honey. “I asked. Eben said she wasn’t, but also avoided answering whether there’s a prenup in place. He has to have one or this could turn ugly. Creed Ranch could be taken over by Trey Rooney and his family. I have such a bad feeling about all of this.”

“Walk me through it. I’ll interrupt if I have questions.”

“I’ve shared how Pops came to own Creed Ranch.”

“Right.”

“Next up, the trust. Pops had it drawn up, as well as his will after my grandparents died. They left the entirety of Fuller Ranch to him; my mom was an only child. He renamed it Creed Ranch.”

“When did your grandparents die?”

“I was eighteen, so I knew them well. We lived on the ranch with them, but in our house. They were amazing.”

“What was your dad’s relationship with them?”

“Very close. It was as if they were his parents. He adored Mamaw and had an incredible connection with Papaw.”

“I’m glad you had that time with them. I’m even happier that Ransom had those years with them and had a tight bond with a man who was a father figure to him.”

She detected a wistfulness in his voice. “You didn’t have a man in your life who was a mentor or stood in as a father?”

“Nope. We were Daphne’s kids. She never married.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“No reason to be. She did a hell of a job with us. We’re all successful. Most of us did great in the relationship department.”

Except Javier. He was a bachelor, handsome and charming as hell, when he wanted to be, who avoided attachments except with Daphne and his circle of kin. She wanted to know what made her so different that Javier let her in? Was it because she was Ransom’s daughter? Daphne said no women slept over at his house, but Memphis had, several times.

“I see your gears working. I’m fine. I enjoy my life as it is, without attachments.”

“But—”

“I’m fine.”

“I want to share some things with you,” she said before going back into his house.

Memphis returned with more coffee, the photos, and the note. She kept the note and handed him the photos, staying quiet and sipping coffee while he took his time looking through them. It was interesting. His first pass was quick. His second pass crawled. A myriad of expressions flitted over his strong features as he examined the pictures.

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