Page 59 of Raised On It

“Did you really think I was the type of woman who would only want you for your money or I guess in your case, beer?”

“No, not really. I know you well enough to know that’s not important to you, but I also needed to know that a regular old farm boy was enough for a woman like you. I mean, I know I’m a catch. Hell, I know I’m more man than you ever bargained for, but I still needed to be just me for a while, not the CEO of your favorite beer company. In the end, I’m still just a farm boy who worked hard and got lucky.”

“Well, beer company or no beer company, you are more than enough, Miles Montgomery.” Her lips tenderly brush against mine. “I still don’t know how in the world I missed it? How did I never put it together? EBC comes up all the time. I get that you told The Crew not to mention it, but what about the rest of the town?”

“Well, it’s old news around Eastlyn, and you can count oneveryone around town to do their best to keep each other humble. Let’s just say there’s no bragging or putting folks on a pedestal in these parts. I did think you might have figured it out at the farm. Again, I didn’t lie to you that day. We do grow the hops for EBC beer. I just didn’t tell you all the bits and pieces of our organization that day.”

“No, you certainly did not.”

“You pissed?”

“Honestly?”

“As scared shitless as I am to hear your answer, yes please.”

“I was for a second. But really, I was just embarrassed. But no, I’m not mad.”

“Really?”

“Really.” She circles her hips on my lap. “In fact, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“All warm and fuzzy, huh?”

She kisses me again, and I feel the vibration of her confirmation against my lips.

“And why is that?”

She slides off my lap so she’s sitting with her back against the arm of the couch and her tan legs rest across my thighs.

“Well, I’m not going to lie and say knowing I mean enough to you that you would hide this from me doesn’t feel good. Why would I be upset when you’ve done so much to show me Eastlyn and more importantly you. I’ve been lied to so many times and by so many people that my gut reaction was anger. Miles, you didn’t tell me one of the biggest things about you.”

“I’m sorry, Mase.”

“Thought you weren’t going to apologize.”

Fuck, I love this woman.

“I’m so glad you finally found me.”

“Me too.”

“What took you so long?”

CHAPTER 18

Mason

I’ve changed my clothes what has to be close to fifty times.

I’ve had my hair up, then down, and then back up again.

At the moment, it’s down. I have on a casual red floral print dress that stops mid-thigh. I figure if I’m lucky on this beautiful Thursday, the length and flowy material will provide easy access for a certain CEO.

The day Miles revealed his real job, we talked at length about everything his role as president and CEO encompassed. He was clear that lots of travel came with the job, and he had only been around so much lately because it was harvest season.

I got my first taste of exactly what he meant that very same night. We had dinner with his parents later in the evening and then he dropped me off to go home and pack for his meeting with Luna Enterprises in San Francisco to discuss charitable and investment opportunities for EBC.

He’s been gone for three days.

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