Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #3) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,76
for a one-night stand. I’m a man searching for my forever woman, and I’ve found that in her. I’m ready to settle down, and she is too. While she doesn’t want to rush into things, I’d marry her tomorrow, but I keep it to myself. I selfishly want to wake up next to her every day and see her pretty smile before I leave for work.
After I get out of the shower, I put on my Sunday best, comb my hair, and rehearse articulating the way Maize makes me feel. While John and Mila are amazing, being introduced as her boyfriend could be a disaster. I’m not sure what their reaction will be, and that makes me nervous.
I’m falling hard and fast for Maize in ways I never imagined was possible. I’ve not loved anyone or anything as much as I loved bull riding and training, but I’d hang my saddle for her.
What we have is the real deal.
As I slip on my boots, there’s a knock on my door. I open it and see Maize standing in a sundress with velvety red lips. A cute smirk forms as she looks me up and down.
“Damn,” I say, pulling her into my arms and devouring her mouth. “Do I have lipstick on me?” I ask when we finally break apart.
“No, silly. It’ll last fifteen hours.” She steps inside.
“Really? I’d like to put that to the test then.” I waggle my brows at her.
“I’d be up for the challenge,” she admits. “Are you ready for this?”
I check the time and grow more anxious. I let out a cool breath, and Maize notices. Tilting her head, she moves closer and wraps her arms around my waist. “It’s gonna be fine. I promise. My parents already love you.”
I create just enough space so I can look into her baby blues. “They love me as an employee on the ranch, not as their twenty-five-year-old daughter's boyfriend. There’s a big difference.”
Her face softens. “I know that, but I also know how unconventional my dad’s relationship was along with all my uncles. It’s kinda a Bishop thing, if I’m being honest.”
I grin. “How so?”
“Mila was my nanny before she was my mother.” Maize shrugs. “So Dad has no room to talk.”
“Wow.” I remember Maize telling me about this before, but it slipped my mind.
“And Uncle Alex knocked up his now wife on vacation in Florida, then she showed up here, pregnant. Uncle Evan met his wife at a wedding, had a one-night stand, then found out she was the new doctor at the hospital.”
My eyebrows go sky high. “What about Jackson?”
This question makes her laugh. “He’s the only normal one. I know it’s very hard to believe. He and Kiera were best friends growing up. There was drama, but it wasn’t a random hookup. He chased after her for fifteen years.” She chuckles.
“How do you know all this?”
“One time, Grandma Bishop was wine drunk after a quilt meeting and told me all their dirty secrets.” Maize throws me a wink.
I grin at her. “Still doesn’t mean your dad and uncles won’t kick my ass or fire me.”
She pulls me closer. “As long as you don’t break my heart, I think you’ll be safe.”
“I’d never do anything to hurt you,” I promise her and seal it with a kiss.
“I believe you,” she whispers. “But we should really get going. Don’t want to be late. It’s one of Dad’s major pet peeves.”
I nod. “Okay, okay. I guess I am stalling.”
She interlocks her hand with mine and leads us outside. I jump in the truck with her, and my mind spins on the drive over. Any other time, it would seem far away because the ranch is so large, but we arrive in a blink. We get out, and she stops and turns to me before we walk in.
“A kiss for good luck.” She paints her mouth across mine, and her tongue darts inside. For a moment, I forget where I am, but when she pushes away, I remember.
“Let’s do this,” I say, finding my confidence as she grabs the knob, and we enter. Whatever her mother’s cooking smells amazing, and I realize just how hungry I am. When her parents turn around and make eye contact with me, I immediately lose my appetite.
“Wait, Gavin’s your boyfriend?” John asks, staring me down, and I’m not sure if it’s with approval or rejection.
Maize nods with a smile. Then she takes my hand and leads me to the table, and we sit.