Page 146 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

She shook her head. “Not really. I mean, not for the important things.”

“Alrighty then. Want some cake and coffee?”

“Shouldn’t.”

“What if I promise to work off those calories with you?”

“Mmm, I could get into that. Okay, but after the cake, I need to go home. I’m running the store tomorrow. I don’t open but pretty close to it.”

Sage shivered when they stepped out into dropping temperatures. He pulled her into him closer. “Tomorrow, you wear a warmer coat.”

Sage said nothing because there was nothing to say. It was getting too cold to be out without a warmer coat, even if she left it in the car when she got to work. She’d do anything he asked, within reason, because it meant they were an item again. Only this time, she intended it to last.

Chapter Five

Jacob Red Eagle was standing on her last nerve! Last week he’d driven out to a client and didn’t make it home for three days. No problem, it was work. Sage just asked how long he would be, and that was it. She’d texted him throughout the three days and met him at the ranch when he returned. But she never once questioned him about what he was doing.

She needed to run to Rapid City for a few things they couldn’t wait on for delivery, and Chris asked to tag along. The company would be great.

“I’m bored. Winter is fun, but before the snow and after the crops are in, I just want to remember what footloose and fancy-free feels like. You’re probably taking Jake, right?”

“Nope. Jacob is working. We can go shopping, have a nice dinner, spend the night, and come back the next afternoon.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Chris rubbing her hands together in glee.

Sage called Jacob to tell him the plans she’d made. His answer confused her.

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why do you need to go when you can get things delivered?”

“Um, because I need it faster? Because it’ll get me out, be fun with Chris, and because I can.”

“I’m coming to town. I’ll take you to dinner, and we can talk about it.”

“Talk about what? It’s a quick trip. I’ll be back before you even know I’m gone.”

“Not possible, beautiful. See you soon.”

Jacob was as good as his word. He took Sage to eat, then went with her to grab a few beverages for the trip. Before sitting on the bed to watch while she threw things into her backpack, he pulled out her heavy coat and laid it across the bedspread.

“I’m not taking that,” she said as she continued contemplating her few needed items.

“Yes, you are. It’s cold.”

She let out an exasperated sound. “I’ll be inside, Jacob.”

“What if you have a flat tire?”

“I’d have to take that big bulky thing off because I have to move to change a tire.”

The hooded woolen pea coat was plenty warm but also plenty cumbersome.

“Where are your gloves?”

“In my coat pocket. Not that coat, the one I wear. Jacob, please. I’ve been dressing myself for a long time now.”

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