Chapter 7

SEVEN

Ranger

I pull back, chest swelling at the dazed expression on her face. "Anything I should know about you? Were you hurt by someone? Got any hard limits you'd like to tell me?" I learned pretty early on after I got out of my last long‐term relationship that the world had passed me by, and these were questions I needed to ask.

She shakes her head. "Haven't run into anything I don't like doin' yet, but maybe you'll be the person to find my limit?"

I chuckle, pushing her hair back from her face. "I'm not into limits, Ava. I'm just into feeling good. I don't want to push you to the edge, I just want you to have a good time."

With a nod, she licks her lips. "I like that. Just know it's been a bit." Her eyes widen, and loneliness is so apparent there I want to reach out and hug her tight, but I'm afraid I'll spook her. It's loneliness I've seen in others close to me, and it scares the shit out of me.

"I'll take care of you," I promise.

"I know you will."

Our lips meet again, and with tangled limbs, we make our way back to her bedroom. Her fingers dig into my hair, holding me close as I lay her down against the covers. She spreads her legs so that there's enough room for me to settle in between them. When I pull away, her hazel eyes are bright in the light she's left on in there. "Last chance. While consent is sexy, I wanna go ahead and get it over with. I've got big plans for you, Ava."

She swallows, before nodding.

Reaching forward, I grab her chin between my thumb and forefinger. "Nope. I need those words, gorgeous. Loud and clear."

Her tongue comes out, licking her lips, hopefully collecting the taste I've left behind. Those eyes of hers burn bright. "Fuck me, Ranger. Clear enough for you?"

The side of my mouth tilts with a smirk, and a chuckle works its way past my throat. "Perfect."

Who knows how long it's been, but we're naked, sweating, and have moved so that her head is on the pillow, and I'm positioned over her, my hips thrusting in and pulling back out.

"I'm close ..." She moans, her head back on the pillow to expose the smooth column of her throat.

Me too, but the time for talking has gone for a while now. Burying my face in between her shoulder and collarbone, I suck, and nip, as I swing my hips. Her nails rake down my back, and as the sweat drips into my eyes, she tightens around me. A soft sigh escapes her mouth as I give up trying to hold back, and let myself fly high.

We're panting when I let my arms drop, and I settle so that she's half on me, and I'm holding her tight.

"Ranger ..."

"Shhh." I push her hair out of her face. "I think we both deserve some rest after that."

She hums softly, but curls up against my chest, and I can't help but think how right she feels there. I try to shut the thoughts off because I shouldn't have them, but here in the muted light of her bedroom, I revel in it.

Closing my eyes, I let the peace of the moment roll over me, and accept all of this for what it is. No sense in inviting trouble or confusion, when there isn't cause to.

The next morning, when I roll over, she's right there, in between my arms. I dip my chin into my chest and kiss her on the cheek, before squeezing her thigh affectionately and getting up. "I gotta head to work. What are your plans?"

She's on her side, light eyes staring up at me as she watches me walk to the bathroom attached to her bedroom. Before I go in, I look back over my shoulder, eyebrow raised, waiting on her to speak. "I'm off, remember? Grand plans to paint patio furniture."

I wince. "Nobody wants to do that, Ava. I'm heading out to the McGill's ..." I mention a prominent family here in Bellehaven. They've produced three Derby, and a Triple Crown winner. "Wanna come out there with me? Their place is amazing. Even if there's no way I'll ever be able to afford to live there, it's still something to see, and ..." I shrug. "You can watch me work. Ever seen a farrier before?"

"On TikTok, and I have to say it was pretty hot watching their forearms pop with muscles as they took care of their clients. Not something I thought I'd ever watch in person, but I might be interested."

The way her eyes widened for me last night when she admitted how alone she's been—I don't want her to be by herself today. If I can help it, I want her to enjoy her days off, to live like a normal person. "You'll love it. Come with me?"

"Okay." She grins. "I'd love to. What should I wear?"

When she gets up, she drops the cover from her body, and she's left in what she was born in. "Wish I could say that , but you might get a little burnt. Sun's supposed to be hot today."

"Oh, Ranger. Pretty sure I've already flown too close to the sun. Burnt is my middle name."

With that, she waltzes right in front of me, and takes the bathroom. Me? I just stand here with my mouth hanging open, and wondering what the fuck I've gotten myself into.