My stomach clenched when Mitchell called me dove. It made our moments seem even more amazing, if that was possible. I’d never experienced such passion in my life. I would never forget the feeling of him inside me. It was clear that I’d given this man a piece of me that I’d been guarding. It would forever be his.
“Why dove?” I asked.
With a sexy smile, he moved his hand up my arm and around the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him. When his lips brushed mine, I felt the fire ignite between us again.
“Doves are my favorite bird. They’re pure, fragile, beautiful creatures. They have a soft and beautiful call, which reminds me of how you sound when you come with me inside you.”
With a wide smile, I pressed my lips against his. “That’s beautiful.”
Mitchell brought us to the bed and held his body over mine. “You’re beautiful.”
He kissed me and I was lost again to him. To his touch, his kiss, his slow, sweet way of making love to me.
Mitchell Parker would forever hold a piece of my heart, whether I wanted him to or not.
Finally finding my voice, I asked, “What did you just say?”
Mitchell winked. “I said easy with the language.”
I shook my head. “No, that’s not all you said.”
He started the truck, and I realized how flipping hot it was inside the cab.
“That’s all I said.”
He pulled out onto Main Street and I tore my eyes off of him. Staring straight out the window, I swallowed hard and dug down deep to speak.
“You called me dove.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw him look at me before turning straight ahead again. He didn’t remember, did he? Or maybe he called all of his women dove.
His silence made my emotions go all over the place. Scared, angry, hurt, sad. I don’t know what I was thinking. Mitchell Parker isn’t going to change.
I looked back at him. It was obvious he couldn’t do commitment, and I needed that. I needed to know that the man I gave my full heart to was going to give me his in return. “Mitchell, I don’t think this is going to—”
“Wait. Before you say a word, please give me ten minutes.”
My brows pinched. “What?”
He reached for my hand and looked at me. His eyes were pleading. “That’s all I’m asking for. Please.”
I nodded as I whispered, “Okay.”
Mitchell headed out of town and toward his family’s ranch, but he took a left turn on Ranch Road thirty-seven. He drove for about ten minutes before pulling down a long driveway.
“What is this place?” I asked as I glanced at the beautiful scenery. I loved the Texas hill country so much. I loved living in Oak Springs, but being farther out, away from everything, was so peaceful.
An old house came into view. It was stunning. “Wow, what a beautiful house. Who lives here?”
“No one anymore. This used to be the old Robinson place.”
He parked the truck and we both got out.
“It’s in beautiful shape,” I said.
“Yeah, it is. Was built in nineteen twenty-three.”
“Wow! Have you shown it to Amelia?”
Mitchell laughed. “No, I haven’t shown it to anyone other than my father and Tripp. I bought it a few weeks ago.”
My mouth fell open. “You bought this place? How much land comes with it?”
“A hundred acres. Not very much, but enough for me right now.”
My head was spinning. “How can you say that’s not a lot of land?”
He laughed. “Well, considering what I grew up on…”
I felt the heat in my cheeks. “I guess that’s true. What are your plans?”
“I’m not sure just yet.”
Spinning around, I shrieked with sudden excitement. “You could get a dog!”
Mitchell looked at me like I was insane. “A dog?”
“Yes! A dog. Look at all this land! She would love it.”
“She?” he asked.
“Yeah. Come on, you have to let a woman into your heart one of these days, Mitchell. You can’t be a player for the rest of your life.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
His eyes turned dark, and I wasn’t sure if he was angry or if that look was something else. He took a step toward me. I stepped back.
“What makes you think I haven’t already let someone into my heart?”
An awkward laugh bubbled out. “I would bet the farm you haven’t. I see it so clearly. You’re afraid to open up, and I get it, I do. Maybe it’s your job, or other insecurities. I just don’t think I can wait around to see who the lucky girl is going to be.” Turning back to the house, I forced my tears away. “I’m sure someday you’ll be ready to fill this house with love and the person who wins your heart will be lucky to be a part of that.”