Tate raced after Liz on horseback across the pasture toward the stables. It had been a while since they took a ride around the ranch. Being with her here, with the way things were between them now, made him look at the ranch in a whole new way.
What would it be like to live here with her?
It seemed even more important than ever to close up the gaps in some of the areas he and Declan simply put off. They had to prioritize projects and let other things slide until they could get to them later. But perhaps “later” was “now.”
They raced past the cabin where Drake and Adria were living now until the renovations were done on their new house.
Soon, it would be Tate’s place.
He didn’t mind taking Liz back to the big house where he lived with Declan, but it would be nice to have his own place. He and Liz could enjoy their own quiet evenings in, making dinner together, watching a show, and spending some time alone. Preferably in bed.
God, how he wanted her.
It amazed him how quickly his mind took You can have her to imagining all the ways he wanted to be with her.
Liz reined in by the stables, turned the horse toward him, and pointed right at him. “I won!”
He couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up inside him and burst out. “You wish. I just liked the view from behind you.”
She giggled and it made him smile even more. “I knew you let me win.” She shook her head. “That’s a first.”
“Purely selfish on my part. I’m hoping you’ll console the loser with a kiss.”
She walked her horse right next to his, leaned over, and met him in the middle. He desperately wanted to taste her again. She kissed him with a passion that made him feel like he’d won everything ever in life.
The deeper they got into this relationship, the more he asked himself why the hell had he waited so long to have something like this?
He was just beginning to see and feel how having someone in his life who loved him made all the difference. Yes, she’d always been in his life. But opening himself up to her and all she offered—it opened his eyes to what he’d been missing in all his other relationships.
He could talk to her about anything. She didn’t let him get away with being an ass. She laughed at his jokes. And when she kissed him . . . damn. He felt it.
They were taking things slow. He didn’t mind. In fact, he liked this part a lot. The touching and kissing. The revving things up and letting them simmer. He could have her anytime he wanted. She wanted him just as bad. But they needed this time to transition from best friends to lovers.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t turn up the heat. So he dismounted, hooked his hands under her arms, plucked her off her horse, and held her close. She let out a surprised gasp, and Tate dove in for a deep kiss. He slid his tongue along hers, getting that sweet moan he loved, and brushed his hand up her side and swept his thumb along the outside of her breast. He wanted to palm the whole thing, but they were in the middle of the yard where anyone could see them.
Liz leaned back and stared at him, a touch of shyness in her eyes. “Are you going to let me win now because I’m your girlfriend?”
“Maybe.” In the past, labels like that came with expectations that seemed daunting and overwhelming. They made him twitchy. Not with Liz. She was so much more than just another girlfriend.
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I love it when you smile at me full of excitement.”
She touched her fingertips to his jaw. “I’m not used to you being so sweet.”
She was used to him teasing and trying to outdo her. Remnants of them growing up together and being a boy who wanted to show up and show off for the girls. But he didn’t want to best Liz just because he could. He liked that they could be playful with each other, knowing it wasn’t done out of spite or just to rile the other person.
Sure, sometimes he annoyed her, but she got over it quick. If he ever felt like he’d gone too far, he’d always apologize.
He’d been careful never to flirt or be too nice and give her false hope. He’d ridden