Page 81 of Cowboy Dragon's Rose

And looking back through my memories at the shadows of all the wreckage I left behind, I suddenly want what he’s offering me more than anything.

Maybe I don’t have it all figured out.

But I know one thing for certain.

I’m done running.

“Okay,” I say, exhaling slowly, “we go to the ranch, and uh… I guess I call a moving company?”

Zeke glances at me, one brow lifting like I just suggested summoning a demon to help us load boxes.

“A moving company?”

“Well, yeah.” I shrug. “How else am I gonna get my stuff to the cabin?”

For a second, he just stares. Then he grins—wide and a little too pleased with himself.

It does dangerous things to my insides.

Then the grin fades. Replaced by a tight frown.

His fingers curl around the steering wheel like he’s trying not to break it in half.

“Actually, uh, I think we’ll just buy you new stuff. That cool?”

My stomach flips. “Oh. Did they, uh, did they ruin it all?”

He nods once, jaw clenched hard.

“Yeah. I looked in every room when I checked the place. Those pieces of shit trashed everything. I’m so sorry, Casey. I should’ve kept you from this?—”

“Don’t be silly. I didn’t even know you then.”

I lick my lips and try not to think about my ruined books, my half-burned couch, the pillow I cried into when I first left home.

None of it was expensive.

None of it was fancy.

But it was mine.

“Still,” he begins.

“No. Look, it’s definitely not your fault, okay?” I murmur. “Besides, I wasn’t really attached to any of it. I mean, stuff is just stuff, right? We can start again. Together. If you want. I mean—” I glance down at my lap, suddenly unsure. “Only if you want.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Then his big, calloused hand wraps around mine, warm and firm and steady. He squeezes like he’s anchoring me in place.

“Oh, I want, Petals. I want you. With me. For good. Got it?”

My heart thunders in my chest, cheeks heating under the weight of those words.

I nod. “Yeah. I got it. Me, too.”

And for the first time in a long time, I really, really believe I’m right where I belong.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE-ZEKE

---