Page 37 of Raised On It

Oh, shit. Thatiskind of what I just said.

He’s good.

I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. I’m giddy and a little turned on at our proximity.

“I guess you did,” I whisper back. Leaning into him, I eliminate the space between us. “Thank you.”

To show my appreciation, I gently press my lips to his, and hekisses me back ever so lightly yet pulls away before things get heated.

“You’re welcome, City Mouse.”

His breath flutters across my face. He’s teasing me because he knows I want more of his lips.

Miles Montgomery has me all tangled up.

Tangled up with feelings I shouldn’t be feeling. But there isn’t a thing I can do to stop it. And I cannot deny the fact that the man stealing my heart without even trying is also the man whose blood, sweat, and tears go into one of my favorite things isn’t a pretty crazy coincidence.

“Come on, let's go have lunch.” He takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, and guides me back through the house and out to the truck.

He doesn’t say much as we drive to a quiet part of the farm. Once he’s parked, we hop out, and he drops the tailgate and spreads out a thick blanket.

“Hop on up,” he says, patting the blanket. “Need a boost?”

I jump up and take my place in answer to his question of me needing a boost.

He puts a soft shell cooler next to me and then hoists himself up on the other side of it.

“Lunch is served, milady.”

My heart is swelling with every kind gesture he makes. He’s thought of everything, yet he hasn’t made any chaste moves. He’s been nothing but a gentleman whereas I was the one to kiss him on the porch the other night and then again in the house a few minutes ago. Either I’m reading things wrong and he doesn’t feel the same way I do, or he’s really trying to do this right.

“Hungry?”

“Did you make this yourself?”

“Yes, ma’am. Today’s menu includes cheese, crackers, sandwiches, sliced apples, and your choice of soda or bottled water.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Just like everything else about you.

He lays out a board he pulled out of the cooler and spreads out our tailgate picnic. When I compare the tranquil beauty of being out here on the farm and the quiet contentment that comes with it to the noise and nonstop rush of living in the city I’m surprised to find I don’t think I could pick one over the other when it comes to which way of life is more idyllic.

Both are filled with hopes and dreams; they’re just achieved differently. Miles’s dreams may not be achieved wearing a suit and making deals day in and day out, but he’s just as fulfilled making his come true by working the land. Actually, he doesn’t seem to work the land much these days, but still.

“Dive in.”

Miles starts with his sandwich, and I follow suit since he hasn’t led me astray so far. My legs naturally swing back and forth off the edge of the tailgate as I take the first bite of my classic turkey and cheese sandwich topped with lettuce, tomato, and honey Dijon mustard that gives it a little bit of a kick.

“So good,” I mumble as the old-school white bread sticks to the roof of my mouth.

“Glad you like it.”

“Miles, today has been great,” I say after swallowing my bite down. “Thank you so much for sharing your world with me.”

“My pleasure.”

“I mean it. From the sunrise to this kick-ass lunch, it’s one of the best days I’ve had since…well, I can’t even remember a day when I’ve felt so content. So happy. Thank you.”

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