Page 9 of Long Hard Ride
“Water? Beer? Soda?” Shane calls out from the fridge.
“Soda would be good. Thanks.” I let out a heavy sigh and reach for one of the photo albums I found in Gramps’s dresser. I’ve been going through them for days.
Shane comes back with two cans of Coke and, surprisingly, takes a seat next me. His massive body is like a rock. The kind of solid mass I would love to lean on if he’d let me.
Crisp pine and soft leather scents surround me in his protective cloud. He’s wearing a well cut suit that looks Italian. I haven’t seen him dressed up since the wedding, and he looks like some sort of billionaire supermodel.
If resisting Shane was hard before, having him so close to me like this, dressed like that, makes it damn near impossible.
Carefully flipping through the plastic pages of the album, I come across an old photo of Shane and me. I bite my lip, trying to think back to that day, but draw a blank. The only thing I know for sure is it was sunny and I was squinting.
Shane leans close and traces over my face in the photo. “I remember when that was taken,” he says softly.
“Really?” I take a closer look, but nothing about the image sets off any bells. We’re sitting on a bale of hay out in a pasture.
“You were worried about fifth grade.” He smiles, and I feel my eyes start to fill. I was hoping I was done crying at least for five minutes.
“Fifth grade,” I whisper. “Gramps took the photo?”
“He did.” Shane nods. “Your grandfather could tell you were turning into a beautiful woman, and he wanted to save that image of you at ten. I think if he’d had it his way, he would’ve kept you that age forever.”
My heart cracks. Against my will, warm tears roll from my eyes and tumble down my cheeks, flooding my vision and blurring the photo. Turning into a blubbering idiot,again, is not what I wanted to happen. I’m so embarrassed. I turn my head and wipe my tears with the back of my hand.
“Hey,” he says gently, a look of concern on his face. He wraps his arm around my shoulders, breaking his stupid no-touching rule. “It’s going to be okay.”
And that’s all it takes for my chin to tremble and the floodgates to open. “Oh God, Shane. What am I going to do without him?” I turn my head into his enormous shoulder, burying my cries in his soft wool jacket. I smell rain mixed with him.
“I’ve got you, darlin’. You’re going to be okay.” Shane’s voice is so soothing and tender it makes me cry harder.
He wraps another burly arm around me and pulls me against his rock-solid chest where I feel safe.
I sniffle, licking my salty tears. “Gramps was right, Shane. I’m so glad you’re here,” I mumble into the fabric.
“I’m glad I’m here too,” he says in a low, gentle rumble.
“You are?” I lift my head off his shoulder. “Really?” I melt into his eyes and realize for the millionth time that he’s more beautiful than he was all those summers ago. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?” I ask, quietly tracing along his chiseled cheekbone, feeling his cool skin under my fingertips.
“No. I’m not just saying it, Brooke,” he says seriously. “I belong here with you today.” And the moment flips. Just like that. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m running my thumb over his bottom lip, wanting so much to—
Shane’s massive hand comes up and grips mine. I flinch. I must’ve gone too far. Is he angry I touched him?
Before I can ask, he takes my face in his hands. I stare into his eyes and time seems to stop. My heart is teetering over a cliff as he leans down and presses his lips against mine. And I’m in a whirlwind, soaking up his touch, memorizing his groans, the way his breath feels against my lips. I moan, arching my body into his, falling deeper into the kiss.
Shane kisses me tenderly, slow and unhurried, tasting like cola and secrets and everything I never knew I wanted.
My need for him takes me away from the world of sadness. Warmth pools between my legs. I feel his big hands slide down my back and grip my ass over my dress. I needily pour my soul into kissing him back.
The rain outside is gone. The fireplace isn’t here. We’re not on the couch. We’re in the stars, traveling fast, locked in an embrace. “Oh, Shane,” I moan, lifting my leg over his so I’m straddling him. I hungrily kiss him and explore his mouth with my tongue. I can’t get close enough.
