Claiming the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 7)

“Apparently not.”

After a short drive, we end up at a fancy restaurant. The inside is dimly lit and romantic. Once we sit and order, we chat and admire my ring every chance I get. I’m not used to being in such a nice place, but I’m definitely not complaining. This side of Knox has me ready to climb him like a tree.

“Did you leave room for dessert?” the server asks at the end of our meal.

“Of course,” I tell him, wanting the full Hawaiian experience.

“So I have one more question to ask.” Knox takes a sip of his champagne. The smoldering expression on his face has me desperately waiting for his next words.

“Will you move in with me?” he asks. “I understand if you can’t because of work and all of that, but eventually—”

“Yes! I thought you’d never ask.” I laugh. “I practically have all my shit at your house anyway, and I like starting my day in your bed. I want to spend as much time with you as possible between my shifts. I don’t mind the drive knowing I get to see you.”

He leans forward and smirks. “Good, because I basically starve when you’re gone.”

I chuckle at his exaggeration. “Well now I’ll make sure you eat three times a day.”

“That sounds like the best idea in the world.”

“Thank God for that bachelor auction, huh? We wouldn’t be here without it,” I say. I can hardly believe it was almost a year ago.

He chuckles. “Oh, Grandma’s already taken credit for us getting together. And she’s been hounding me on more great-grandchildren to add to the family tree.”

I snort. “Actually, I’m taking all the credit because I forked out the money to claim you.”

“What if my brother would’ve been first on stage instead of me?” he asks, and I’ve actually wondered the same thing before.

“I would’ve won him probably, and we would’ve gone on our date, but I still think you and I would’ve eventually found our way to each other. It seems like everything worked out the way it was always supposed to in the end,” I say, believing every damn word.

“You’re right about that.” He reaches across the table, taking my left hand and rubbing the pad of his thumb over the diamond. “You’ve made my dreams come true tonight.”

I study his lips, wishing I could kiss them. “I love you so much.”

The server places strawberry cheesecake in front of us, and my mouth waters with how delicious it looks.

He takes a forkful, then puts it in front of my mouth. “Open up.”

“Oh my God, it’s so good,” I moan.

“You better stop that,” he warns, and I catch him adjusting himself.

“I can’t help it.”

He takes a bite for himself, and his eyes roll back.

“See?” I chuckle.

“Let’s take the rest in a to-go box and finish this in the hotel room so I can eat it off you instead.”

“You just read my mind, fiancé.”

“Shit, that’s hot comin’ from you.”

Moments later, he waves the server down for the check, then we take our dessert and go.

We spend the rest of our vacation mostly between the sheets, but neither of us minds.

It was the perfect getaway with the perfect man.

EPILOGUE

KNOX

ONE YEAR LATER

“Hads!” I holler from the kitchen as I make breakfast. The French toast and sausage are already done. “How do ya want your eggs?”

“Scrambled with cheese!” she yells from the bathroom.

When she finally walks into the kitchen, she’s grinning from ear to ear. She wraps her arms around my waist from behind as I stand at the stove.

Since she officially moved in, her waking up early every day with me has become one of our traditions. Sometimes, we cook at home, but we’ll often meet up at the B&B on her days off just as Maize brings out the first batch of biscuits.

I wish I could spend every waking minute with Hadleigh because I can’t seem to get enough of her. Something that hasn’t changed since before we started dating.

Officially making her my wife was the best day of my life. The ceremony was held behind my grandparents’ house under the old oak tree where so many other Bishops exchanged their vows. Hadleigh wanted something small, but considering how big my family is and our network of friends, it was a large event.

“Do we have whipped cream?” She opens the fridge and looks around.

The oversized T-shirt barely covers her ass when she bends over, showing off her black panties. I’m tempted to skip breakfast and have her instead.

“Should be in the back.” I smirk, wanting her to lean over further.

She spins around, shaking the can. “I actually want to put this all over your body and lick it off.”

“Damn, woman. You can’t make me late every day. Kane’s gonna have my head one of these times,” I tell her, but secretly love how much she craves me because I feel the same.