Roped Tight (Ryker Ranch #4) - Kim Loraine Page 0,49

you think you could break your rule just once?”

“Do we get to fool around in the back of your truck in the dark?”

One brow cocked. “I think that could be arranged.”

“Sounds good to me. Should I follow you or…”

“Leave your truck at my place. I’ll drive.” His hand moved like he was going to grab mine, but he hesitated. “I want a reason to be close to you in public.”

“We don’t have to hide. Everyone who matters knows about us, Tuck.”

Dinner with the family had been easy and warm. All they wanted was to see me happy. From the moment Tuck walked in the door with me, that was clear. Mama had baked his favorite apple pie for dessert, and conversation had flowed like he’d always been part of the family. Because the truth was, Tucker had been more part of life here than I had over the last decade.

“Look, when you’re ready to share us with the world, I’ll shout it from the rooftops. But with the show filming, that’s a conversation you need to be ready to have. Are you up for interviews and tabloids?”

Taking a long breath, I shoved my hands in my pockets and let that question wash over me. I never liked any of it, not now, not then. “I don’t want to drag you into any of that.”

“You can’t drag me if I’m willingly walking into it.”

Damn, but he was handsome when he was determined. “So, when are we leaving for the movie?”

“How ‘bout now?”

“It’s not near dark.”

“That gives us time to get something to eat, and maybe…fool around before we leave.”

That sounded good to me. Great, in fact. “I’ll get my keys.”

Tucker

There was a handsome as fuck cowboy sleeping in my bed, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I hadn’t been this happy in years. Hell, maybe ever. Sam and I had fallen into a rhythm together, the two of us keeping our distance while on the ranch, then meeting up after work was done for the day. It was damned domestic, and I loved it.

I couldn’t wait for the show to be done filming. For Sam and I to be able to look at each other and not worry they’d catch us on camera and splash our relationship all over the internet.

“Smells really damn good in here.” Sam’s low, sleep-rough rumble sent a rush through me. Before I could turn away from the fresh strawberries I was cutting, his arms were around me, his warm, naked chest pressed against my back. “You’re cooking in nothing but a pair of boxers? It’s not my birthday, is it?”

I smiled and leaned back into him just a little. “Nope. It’s Sunday, and you haven’t gotten to spend a Sunday with me uninterrupted since we stopped hating each other.”

“I never really hated you, Tuck.”

His lips feathered over my shoulder, then traveled up my neck until he took my earlobe between his teeth. I groaned and set the knife down next to the strawberries. “Hungry?” I asked.

“Are you on the menu?”

“Maybe.”

The timer beeped, reminding me that I had a lot more than strawberries to worry about. I shifted out of his grip and grabbed a potholder, then opened the oven. The scent of cinnamon and sugar wafted into the kitchen, filling the whole house.

“That looks really fucking good.” Sam leaned against the counter and watched as I set the cinnamon rolls on the stove to cool. “I didn’t know you could cook…I mean, like this.”

I shrugged. “It relaxes me.”

“You’re not relaxed after last night?”

Laughing, I shook my head. “I think I’m more relaxed than I’ve ever been. And you know that old saying, a way to a man’s heart…”

“So, you just wanted to make sure I never left.”

What would I lose by telling the truth? I didn’t want him to leave. “You can stay here as long as you want, Sammy. I’ll never tell you to go.”

His expression darkened. “Never again.”

“Right. Never. I won’t make that mistake twice.”

Warm hands pressed to my waist, then worked their way up my torso until he cupped my face. His blazing sky blue eyes stared into mine. “Good.”

The need to kiss him sparked hot and demanding, and I was so damn glad I didn’t have to fight what I wanted anymore. We were on each other like two men starving for connection, desperate to prove just how important this was between us.

“Breakfast,” I protested, but I was only putting up a half-hearted fight.

“Will keep.”

His hard length pressed against my hip, insistent and