“That’s amazing. Let’s get your bags and then we’ll—”
“Keatyn!” the girls scream as soon as they see her. My youngest, Harlow, is seven and obsessed with the princess movie that Keatyn did the voice for. “We watched The Princess on the way here! I told the lady on the plane that we knew you! A real life princess!”
“And everyone at school,” my oldest, Ava, says, rolling her eyes. At ten, she’s at the age where everything her little sister says and does is uncool.
“I’m not really a princess,” Keatyn says, giving them both hugs. “I just got to be her voice.”
“Same thing!” Harlow says.
“I’m a movie star too,” Knox tells them. “Knox Daniels.”
Harlow looks up at him. “I’ve never heard of you.”
“Pint sized critic. I’m crushed,” Knox says, holding his heart.
“I’ve seen you on magazines at my friend’s house,” Ava says, knowingly. “Her mom says you’re on her list.”
“What list is that?” I ask.
“Her freebie list,” she says. Keatyn glances at me with wide eyes. “You know, like she would go see all his movies even if they were free.”
We both sigh with relief, but Knox grins. “We should take a picture so you can show your friend’s mommy.”
“Really!?” She quickly pulls out her phone and holds it up. Knox gives her his best grin, the one that shows off his dimples. “If my daddy would let me watch your movies, you’d be on my freebie list too,” she says, causing me to cringe.
Keatyn covers her face to hide her laughter, while Ava posts the photo. Then she looks up at Keatyn with her puppy dog eyes.
“Do you want to take one with me too?” Keatyn asks her.
She nods happily then holds up her camera and takes a picture. She snaps it and then studies it. “My hair was blowing in my eyes. Can we try another?”
“Sure.”
They pose again. Snap.
“Now, I just look stupid,” she huffs.
Snap.
“What do you think?”
Keatyn says, “Hmmm, let’s change the coloring a little, like this. What do you think?”
“You look beautiful,” she says.
“No, you look beautiful. Look how green your eyes are.”
“Alright,” I say. “Let’s get going!”
Keatyn picks up Harlow and puts her on her hip. “My grandma and grandpa are at the farm and Grandpa wants you to go horseback riding with him tomorrow!”
“Yay!!” Harlow screams.
Keatyn & Aiden’s home - Asher Vineyards, Sonoma County
KEATYN
The driver winds up the long road leading to our home. The second I’m on our land, I completely relax. There’s something so comforting about the rows of grapes, the rolling hills, and the big stone house.
I give Dawson and the girls a quick tour then send them and Knox down the hill to find Dallas and his kids.
I find Aiden in our party barn. The sleeves of his plaid flannel shirt are rolled up, showing off muscular forearms. His ass is highlighted by a pair of Wranglers. His dark blonde hair is windblown and his cowboy boots are dusty.
“There’s my gorgeous girl,” he says, jumping off a ladder and swinging me into his arms, kissing me. “I have something to show you. Close your eyes and don’t peek.”
I do as he asks. I can hear him closing the barn door then he comes up from behind me, kisses my neck, and whispers, “Open.”
“Oh, Aiden! It’s beautiful,” I say, my smile probably beaming as bright as the strands of lights he’s strung across the barn’s ceiling joists. “It will be perfect for our reception!” I stare up at the lights for a few moments and am overcome with emotion. I turn around to face him. “You’ve always made my life more beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I missed you.” I notice dirt on his face and try to wipe it off. “You’re all dirty.”
“You like it when I’m dirty,” he replies, his voice deep and sexy.
“Maybe I should help you get cleaned up for dinner.”
He kisses my neck again. “Where is everyone?”
“I sent them to find Dallas and the kids. Where are they?”
“Helping your grandpa feed the horses. That means we have just enough time.”
“Just enough time for what?”
“This!” he says, sweeping me off my feet, carrying me in the house, and tossing me on our bed.
He unbuttons his shirt, his green eyes holding mine, then strips off his boots and jeans. When he’s naked, he strips off my clothes. Sometimes, he likes to slowly undress me and kiss every part. This is not one of those times.
He stays standing and pulls me down to the end of the bed. I wrap my legs around him as he pushes inside of me.
“Oh, Boots, I think you missed me.”
“Oh, god. Yes, I did,” I say raggedly, pleasure rushing through me. “Do it harder, but don’t come yet.”
“That’s easier said than done, Boots. It’s been three days, and you keep grabbing my ass.”
I immediately put my hands up in the air.
He pins them down above my head and pumps harder.
“Oh, that’s it. That’s oh. Oh . . .” I moan, my insides contracting and pulsing.