would love living on a ranch like that. Or how amazing it would be if I ended up with a man like him.
And most of all, how much I want to be in his arms.
Chapter Five
Jake
The next morning, I lazily open my eyes and realize that I have overslept. Not seeing any point in worrying, I don’t hasten my movements. Instead, I slowly turn under the sheets, greeting the daylight that blasts through my window with a big smile as I rub my eyes.
Did I dream of her?
Was there a dream at all?
Yes, I’m thinking of Belle. And, what a glorious way it is to start the day.
The mind is an amazing thing.
Grateful that I’m no longer suffering from that headache—and glad that my drinking with the boys last night didn’t lead to a hangover—I stare at the ceiling as I rake my fingers through my hair.
Taking a deep breath, I am fully aware of the ear-to-ear grin that refuses to leave my face, as well as the reason behind it. Belle said that she would come by today and check up on me.
I couldn’t be more excited.
Thinking back to our kiss yesterday, my finger makes its way down to my lips again.
Flashbacks of the way she smelled, the way she looked, and the warmth of her mouth invade my mind. Before I let myself delve into them any longer, I hear banging and clanking of pots and pans in the kitchen downstairs.
Ah, that must be Katie making breakfast.
A bachelor like me, living all alone in this massive house, needs help. And Katie is a Godsend.
Not only is she a great cook, but she’s also a reliable person who does everything around the house for me with no fuss. She’s the perfect housekeeper who keeps everything clean and in order, with a woman’s keen eye that stops the place from becoming unlivable.
Because let’s face it, left to my own devices, I would turn this house into an oversized pigsty in no time.
Smirking at myself, I scoff, rolling over once again to gaze out the window.
When I hear leisurely gallops approaching in the distance, I finally decide to get out of bed. Just as my feet touch the floor, my eyes land on the spot where Belle knelt down yesterday and my heart skips a beat.
Impatiently, I launch over and look outside, most of me concealed behind the white chiffon curtain.
It is her!
But today, she looks different.
She’s even more beautiful than I remember—if that’s at all possible—in a blue dress with a hem that bounces up and down as she rides. Her long black hair cascades down her back, raging against the wind, gravity, and her shapely shoulders that are revealed by the thin straps of her dress.
Holy shit!
She’s bringing her A-game this time. And by God, it’s working.
A chuckle escapes my lips and I can’t take my eyes off of her. I’m in disbelief that she has returned.
How would it feel for my fingers to tug on that left strap, pulling it over her sun-kissed shoulder and down her slim, toned arm?
What do her breasts look like under that soft fabric, above which her little diamond dangles?
Is her skin adorned with tan lines, or does she secretly sunbathe in the nude when nobody’s watching?
Nude Belle.
As she progressively nears, my mind drifts away in a daydream of her naked body slowly uniting with mine. Her dark sea eyes glowing from within their depths under her long lashes. Her soft fingers reaching out between us, feeling the center of my stomach and descending, pressing gently against my navel before...
I look down and realize that I’m getting far too excited just thinking about it.
But there’s no time for this now that Belle is only a few yards away from the door.
Quickly spinning around with a skip, I pull my tee over my head and toss it onto the bed, while my other hand pulls a fresh shirt from the closet. I fumble about and slide my legs into a pair of jeans before I glance at the mirror.
My hair is a complete disaster and my eyes are puffy as hell.
Fuck.
Who cares?
She’s already here, all dressed up just for me.
Shaking my head, I storm out and close the door.
As I scurry downstairs, I see Katie taking her last step toward the entrance, extending her arm to grab onto the knob and twist it.
The light pours in from the expanding crack in the entryway, revealing gorgeous Belle, looking like a movie star. Her hair is