“You love me?”
“More than I’ve ever loved another human being.” I press my lips to her forehead, lingering there while I catch my breath.
Mo grabs my hands and brings them to her heart. “The first time you gave me your heart, I broke it, but I swear it won’t happen again. And I know that means my life is going to change, but I want that, I’m ready for it. Dad and I talked a lot this week, and there are some things I want to run by you when we get home.”
Home. “Does that mean you’re sticking with me? Because I don’t think I could handle life without you. When I climbed on Lucifer and didn’t see you, all I could think was what would happen if I got hurt and never got the chance to see you again, or tell you I love you, and that scared the shit out of me. I’d rather get trampled by a thousand bulls than feel the pain of not having you with me.”
She smiles. “You’re stuck with me, cowboy.”
The weight on my shoulders lifts, finally making it easier to breathe. “But you said you couldn’t watch me put our future on the line.”
“I can’t,” she says. “Every time you climbed on one of those bulls, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I left the stands because I couldn’t physically watch anymore. I support you, and I will be here for as many shows as I can, but I can’t be in the stands. I’ll wait in the wings. The less I see, the better. Your dad said your mom was the same way. It’s one of the reasons she doesn’t come to your events.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“That’s okay with you, right? If I’m here but not in the stands?”
“That’s more than okay.” I kiss her once, and then again. “But that doesn’t change what I said. Your support means everything, but I want our future, too. I want us to move forward together, make choices about my career together. I promise not to shut down when you offer your opinion, and when we get home, we’re going to talk about my retirement.”
“Rhett.” Her eyes widen. “I don’t want you to give up your dream. I would never ask you to do that.”
“I know you’re not, and I’m not giving up my dream. I’m adding to it. I finally have reason to heed the doctors’ warnings. Everything I do moving forward I’ll do for you—for us.”
“Oh, Rhett.” She tangles her fingers in my hair. “It’s not going to be easy, and we have a lot of things to work out, but I’m going to start living my life again, make the choices that are right for me—for us.”
Warmth flows through my veins as a smile stretches my face. “You’re worth so much more than the buckle or the bull or the adrenaline rush. I can live without those things, but not without you. You’re it for me, Mo.”
“Rhett.” She chokes back a sob. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby. I promise I’m listening. We’re in this together, all the way.”
“Together.” She presses her lips to my heart.
I take a step back because I’m covered in dirt and sweat, and I probably smell like a damn bull. “Careful, baby. I’m dirty.”
“You’re sexy.” With her arms around my neck, she hops up to wrap her legs around my waist. I catch her, cradling her ass in the palms of my hands. “And now you’re going to take me home, and we’re going to make dirty, sexy love.”
“I like the way you think.”
Rhett
Mo’s face is smashed against the passenger side window. Her hair is a wild mess, and I’m pretty sure she’s drooling, but I’ve never been more in love with her than I am right now. In fact, I think I fall more in love with her with each passing moment, although I don’t know how that’s possible.
“Babe, wake up.” I brush the hair out of her eyes. She stirs in the seat, blinking as she sits up.
“Are we home?” she asks, yawning.
We had a late night last night. After the event, Linc, Dad, and I took Mo for a much-needed drink, and then I took her back to my hotel room, where I kept her up until the early-morning sun filtered through the windows. We made love more times than I can count, and about the time we drifted off to sleep, the alarm went off, and we had to get up to make our flight back to Houston.
Thanks to an upgrade to cozy first class, Mo and I were able to catch a few hours of sleep. She says she doesn’t have to be back in Heaven until early tomorrow morning, which means I’ve got her all to myself for another night, and I’m going to take full advantage of it.
Mo sighs as we come to a stop in front of the house. “I love this place.”
She slides from the truck, and I come around to meet her. Hand in hand, we walk up the stairs to the front porch. I open the door and turn to scoop Mo into my arms.
She squeals, wrapping her arms around my neck. “What are you doing?”
“I’m carrying you over the threshold.”