Page 59 of Blood Sweeter than Honey

The clothing I’m met with inside is… interesting. Gideon chuckles at my expression. “I take it people back home don’t wear bedazzled, hot pink cowboy boots?”

A snort of laughter leaves me.Akash no.My eyes scan over the myriad of hats, boots, denim, and leather garments before settling on a black, smocked, off-the-shoulder dress with a cinched waist and a thigh-high slit. I find myself drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Gideon is a warm presence behind me. “Try it on, darlin’.”

My gaze lifts to his. “This isn’t exactly practical attire for me to help you with work on your ranch.”

His lips tilt in a crooked grin. “And what a shame it would be to dress you only inpractical attire. I want you to get whatever you’ll be happiest wearing.”

This man.

Rising to the tips of my toes, I pull his face down to mine by fisting his shirt and press a kiss to his cheek. “Why don’t you pick a few things out for me lest I cause injury to your coin purse.”

Gideon chuckles. “Angel, mycoin purseis doin’ just fine, and there isn’t anything in this store you could buy toinjureit, but if it makes you feel any better for me to give you some guidelines, why don’t you pick comfy clothes, goin’ out clothes, and durable clothes that can withstand a day of horseback ridin’ for each day of the week.

My brows pinch. “Gideon… that would be an entire wardrobe.”

There’s a look of insecurity that passes over his gorgeous face.

“Not really. They don’t have pajamas or underwear here, but we can take care of that another day... If you decide to stick around.”

If you decide to stick around.

Relief floods me at those small words. Perhaps I do have hope. Perhaps he is falling in love with me and will accept me as I truly am. Plucking a hat off the table in front of us, I place it on my head, boasting my glee.

“Let’s see. You might just be stuck with me, cowboy.”

Feeling particularly brave, I rise once more on my toes and press a kiss to his lips. Before he has the chance to react, I turn and quickly saunter to the other side of the store before he makes me feel any more of these warm, bubbly feelings I can’t yet act on.

GIDEON

Winnow looks so fucking beautiful with this smile on her face, eyes filled with an earnest sort of adoration and openness. The fact that I was the one to put it there does all manner of things to my healing heart.

I swear it’s like fucking clockwork: moments after I experience joy, anxiety creeps in like poison in water to tell me it’s all about to be ripped away.

Easy come, easy go,some fearful voice in the back of my mind warns.

All the guilt I feel about hiding the truth from her comes roaring to the forefront of my mind, hissing and spitting that she’ll never be able to love me once I tell her the truth.

But as Winnow slips her delicate hand into mine, curling herself around my right arm and pressing a kiss to my bicep as we exit the store, that fear begins to abate.

Winnow moanswith pleasure as her eyes roll in the back of her head around a mouthful of fried green tomatoes and homemade remoulade sauce. The sound and sight make my cock thicken yet again, and I’m forced to readjust myself.

“Holy hell.Can we make this at home?”

At home.

I try my best to tame my thoughts so they don’t run away with all the dreams those two little words coming out of her mouth paint.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Eyes twinkling, and face stuffed full like an adorable little chipmunk, the apples of her cheeks hitch as Winnow smiles around her mouthful. My heart trips all over itself every time I get to witness her joy.

While the food at this place is always delicious, my focus remains fixated on the woman in front of me throughout the meal and what I can do to keep those smiles on her beautiful face.

On the way back to my truck, with her hand in mine, we walk past a jeweller’s closed store. Diamond rings sparkle in the display cases within, and hope and realization begin to sing in my soul.

I wanna marry this woman.

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