Page 96 of A Rancher's Love
In that moment, Ginny well and truly hated his parents. “The only thing you don’t deserve are the jerks who were your biological donors,” she said bluntly. “Did my mom and dad ever make you feel as if you were lacking?”
Tucker didn’t even pause. Just shook his head instantly in denial.
“Of course not. In fact, you’re far less annoying than any of my brothers, which means you were probably my parents’ favourite.”
A soft snort escaped him.
“Promise me that you’ll duck faster if this situation ever comes up again.” She said the words softly, but with everything in her. “You have to do what you think is right, even if I don’t like it. I understand. I still get to worry, okay?”
The instant her final word escaped, his mouth was on hers and she was being kissed senseless. He groaned, though, and not in a good way, when he finally let her breathe and rested his forehead against hers. “My lip hurts.”
So stinking amusing. “Sorry, but kind of my point.”
He snorted. “Okay. I promise not to permanently damage your brother in the future.Youhave to promise not to shoot or poison my parents at any time in the future, because it would simply be a waste of energy. And finally, I promise to be careful and only use my powers for good.”
Ginny snickered. “Youarea superhero. I knew it.”
He hummed as he stroked his hands down her back, settling on her hips and dragging her forward into full contact with some very interesting body parts. “You’re a goddess. Make magic with me?”
Sex in the barn when she was pretty damn sure at least half the hands knew where they were, and what they were doing?
There was more than one way for her man to prove he knew how to take care of her, she supposed. Although she did her best to keep her moans and shouts to a minimum.
The next three or four days flew past as Tucker got busy again and Ginny dove full on into research and planning for her new venture. But even checking out recipes and designing product delivery systems for her herbal concoctions only occupied so many hours.
All her extra time was put toward solving the damn puzzle. Only she tried everything in the book, and it still wasn’t enough. Time to pull out the big guns.
Ginny took a picture of the well-worn birthday puzzle paper and finally sent the image to her sister.
Then she printed out a half dozen additional copies, folding them up and sticking them in pockets so she could haul them out and shove them under the nose of everyone she met to ask for ideas.
2 of 3
The clear message of the sticky note poked her again and again. If the puzzle page wasone, and the journalstwo, that meant there was athreeout there somewhere. She couldn’t stand the idea of not having the final gift from her parents fully understood.
At the coffee shop, down in the market, everywhere Ginny went she showed people the page. Everyone tried their best, but none of the suggestions helped, and her frustration continued to rise in spite of the other good things progressing in her world.
Good things like Tucker Stewart smoldering at her across the dinner table as he appreciatively inhaled the roast chicken dinner she’d made for them. Tucker, washing dishes at her side and telling her all about what he’d done that day. Listening with real interest as she shared about her tasks.
Tucker, scooping her into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom, laughing together until they couldn’t do anything more than make incoherent noises, pleasure overwhelming them.
Except for the unsolved puzzle, Ginny had to admit her life was pretty damn perfect.
When outdoor temperatures finally rose enough to enjoy the evening outdoors, Tucker curled his arm around her a little tighter as they sat together on the porch to watch the sunset. “Want to go over it again?”
“Please.” She leaned her head on his chest. “I must be driving you wild with this unending puzzle.”
“I don’t mind,” he said, stroking a strand of hair behind her ear. “And I can’t wait for the moment you solve it. You’ll be on fire.”
“You like me on fire?” Ginny pressed a palm to his cheek. “Silly question.”
He snickered. “Dirty girl.” But he tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her face so he could kiss her, and once again all puzzles and long-lost mysteries vanished. Nothing but his taste, his touch…
She had a Tucker addiction that would not stop.
He hummed lightly when he finally pulled back so she could breathe. “Where were we?”
“Who cares?” Ginny mumbled, twisting to straddle his lap.
