“What’s wrong?”
She looked into his pale blue eyes. “I’m frustrated.”
“I’m getting that.” He nodded. “About?”
She stared at her feet. “I’m tired of hearing about...your past.” She shook her head. “Everyone has a past, but some are more colorful than others.” She smiled at him. “But I don’t see anyone else getting so much grief. Doesn’t it bother you?”
“Sure.” His gaze traveled over her face. “Only thing I can do is prove I’ve changed.”
Had he changed? She hoped so. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more. Her heart hurt.
“Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Boone.” He caressed the side of her face. “Seems like the only thing I can do is love you until no one in Stonewall Crossing can doubt it.” He smiled at her, shaking his head. “No one. Not even you, Princess.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ryder stood under the shower, letting the steaming water pour over him. He was tired. The past week he’d had a complete transmission overhaul on a two-day turnaround. And in the evenings, he and Hunter had been riding the fence line to replace any posts the storms had damaged. Times like this reminded him just how big the ranch was.
DB had called him about a rodeo, but he’d turned him down without a second thought.
Annabeth came into the bathroom. “There’s a phone call for you.” She tapped on the shower door. “The whales said the water level is getting a little low and asked that you wrap up your marathon shower.”
Ryder laughed, turning off the water. “Damn whales.”
He heard Annabeth giggle.
He pushed open the glass door and wrapped a towel around his waist. Annabeth was brushing her teeth, in an oversize tank top. He stood, enjoying the view. He needed to spend more time feeding her. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, but she could use more meat on her bones.
“Want a kiss?” she asked, turning toward him with a toothpaste-sudsy mouth.
He didn’t hesitate, closing the gap between them in three steps and pulling her against him.
“Ryder, no!” she squealed, laughing. “Joke.”
He bent his head, dropping a kiss on her nose, then let her go. He stared down at her baby bump. His baby bump. She was starting to show. And he loved it. His hands covered her stomach, smoothing along the sides of her rounded belly to support the underside. Something about the sight lodged a knot in his throat.
“Give me a sec?” Annabeth asked, slipping from his hold long enough to rinse the toothpaste from her mouth. She took his hands and placed them back on her stomach.
“Doctor appointment is next week?” he asked, stroking her stomach. According to the baby book, she had a lot going on inside of her right now.
She nodded. “Tuesday at four thirty.”
“I’ll be there.” He smiled. “I’m going to kiss you now.” He pressed a soft kiss to her mouth, her breath hitching. He wanted to believe she wanted him, that their incredible night together was the first of many incredible nights together. But he still had to work at getting kisses. Or holding hands. Or sleeping with her head on his shoulder every night. He kissed the tip of her nose. “If we’re going to get to the meeting on time, that’s all you’re getting, Princess.”
She sighed.
“Nervous?” he asked. She might be cool as a cucumber, but he was tied in knots about the school board meeting. She wanted this job. And that meant he wanted her to have it.
She shrugged, pulling a compact from the lemon-print bag with all her toiletries. “No point being nervous.” She met his gaze in the mirror. “They’ve already made their decision.” But she was staring at his chest, distracted and dazed and...aroused?
He stepped behind and slid his arms around her, holding her. “Guess so.” He dropped a kiss on her shoulder. She smelled good, but she tasted better. He threw caution to the wind and slid her bra strap aside, kissing the skin beneath. He groaned and stepped back, amazed at how quickly his body responded to her. He risked looking at her in the mirror and groaned again.
Her eyes were round, her breathing harsh and unsteady. The flush of desire on her cheeks made him ache.
“What was that?” Her voice was rough and sexy as hell.
“Princess.” He ran his fingers down her back, loving the way she shivered. So she wanted him. But did she love him? Could she love him? He cleared his throat. “Sometimes I forget about Option A. Or I think we should burn it or let Cody feed it into the shredder in your office and never talk about it again...”
Her brow creased, her hazel gaze boring into his. She nodded. “I need clothes.” She laughed, an unsteady breathy sound, and hurried out of the bathroom. “Think a lot of people will turn out?”