831 Marriage Lane (Cherry Falls)

“And that’s the only reason I’m going to let you go right now,” he says before his arms finally release their hold on me.

I rush across the room, spotting my dress folded on the dresser next to where my phone is also sitting. Camila’s name lights up the screen.

“Hey,” I say when I answer.

“Did you hire new staff?” she asks. “Wait. Hold on a second.” She pulls the phone away a little from her mouth. “I’m talking to my sister Gabby now. I have no idea who Kenton is,” I hear her say to someone else.

“Wait. What?” I shift to face Kenton, keeping the phone pressed to my ear. I can’t hear what the person is saying to her in response.

“What is going on?” I whisper to Kenton, trying to put my hand over my phone so my sister can't hear me.

“You need more hands on deck. You work too much. Plus, Carl can assess your place. I don’t know much about farming, but he can tell us what we need to do to make your place more profitable.”

“Carl?” What is he talking about and why did he send people out to my family's farm?

“Carl Remington.” I think I heard him wrong.

“Like Carl Remington? The rancher?”

“The one and only. He owes me a favor.” Kenton winks at me.

How the hell did he get Carl Remington out to my family's land on a freaking Sunday?! He owns one of the most successful ranches in the region and dozens of farms. When it comes to this life, he’s like a rockstar.

“They said they’re here to help and look around. Something about an assessment?” Camila says coming back on the line.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Let them do their thing. I’ll be home soon.”

“Where are you at? You didn’t come home last night. Please tell me you got laid or something.”

“Camila!” I hiss.

“I’m sixteen, Gabby. Chill. So? Did you?” I don’t even need to see her to know that she's smirking on the other end of this line.

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Avoiding the question, I see.”

“You’re a brat. I love you,” I say quickly, hanging up on her before she can grill me more. The truth is I didn’t get laid. I got married.

“Eat,” Kenton says the second I get off the phone.

“You’re bossy.” I grab my dress and head into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I may not have gotten laid, but I sure look as if I did. My hair is a wild mess. My lips are swollen. I need to get it together.

I pull Kenton’s shirt off to put my own clothes back on. “Holy crap,” I whisper when I see my thighs are covered in Kenton’s cum. We may not have gone all the way, but he still managed to come inside of me. I don’t even know what to do with that, so I push it to the back of my thoughts.

I clean myself up the best I can. When I come out of the bathroom, Kenton has moved the food to the small table by the window. I’ve never stayed at the Sweet Times Resort, but the place is really cute.

“We need to talk.” All we seem to be doing is going in circles.

“I texted Carl. He’s going to send someone over to help the Barkers’ later so you don’t feel guilty.”

“I’m going to the Barkers’. It’s not about helping. I want to see Charlie.”

“Charlie?” Kenton rises from his chair. His mood has suddenly shifted. There are no more smiles or smirks gracing his face now.

“Yes, Charlie.” I poke because I’m a crazy person. The look on Kenton’s face is almost murderous. I should be scared. I barely know this man, and it’s clear he’s about to lose his shit. But I’m not. In fact, I keep on poking at him. “I love Charlie. I ride him every week.”

“You’re lucky I know your little ass is a virgin so Charlie must be a horse or I’d be burning that farm down today.” Dang it. How does he know so much about me already? It’s as if the man has inserted himself into every aspect of my life. How is that even possible when we only met yesterday? “Now eat or I’ll spank your ass.”

“You will do no such thing, you weirdo.” He lifts his brows in a challenge. “I’m not scared of your silly threats, I'm just hungry,” I huff as I walk over and sit down at the table.

“If you say so, wife.” He comes back over toward the table.

“Stop calling me that.” He doesn’t go for his chair. Instead, he comes for me. I gasp when his fingers tangle into my hair to tug my head back. His mouth comes down on mine. His tongue swipes past my lips, and he takes my mouth in a claiming kiss.