“I don’t think so. I’m always at your place and never home really, so why move?”
“I was thinking and please don’t feel like you have to say yes . . . but why don’t you move in with me? I know it’s still a good drive to the ranch, but we’d be together every night.”
My chest tightened and I couldn’t decide if the idea thrilled me or scared the piss out of me. The idea of holding Taylor in my arms every night was amazing. To wake up to those beautiful green eyes had my stomach flipping. And it meant we were moving in together.
Stealing a look in her direction, I asked, “Are you sure? I mean there might be some nights I’d have to stay with my parents or the cabin when I had an early start, but the thought of waking up to your beautiful face each day makes my heart race.”
Her teeth sunk into her lip. “I’m positive. Life is short and I don’t want to take a day for granted.”
“You have to let me split the bills with you.”
Trying to contain her smile she agreed. “Deal!”
I reached my hand out for hers. Pulling it to my lips, I gently kissed it. “Then it looks like you’ve got a roommate.”
Taylor
Late March
“Taylor, are you sure you want to go?”
“Of course I am! Jase, these are your friends. You hang with my friends all the time. I want to meet some of your friends.”
“You’ve met Rick.”
Rolling my eyes, I mumbled under my breath, “He doesn’t count.”
Jase laughed and pulled me into his arms. “Why do you not like him?”
With a shrug, I replied. “He makes comments to me all the time that make me feel uncomfortable.”
With a glower, he asked, “What kind of comments?”
Waving it off, I replied, “Nothing really. I’m just being silly.”
“Taylor, if Rick is saying something to you I want to know about it.”
Swallowing hard, I chewed on the corner of my lip. The last thing I wanted to do was cause problems between Jase and his best friend. It was true though that I didn’t care for Rick at all.
“He’s made comments about how nice my ass is and how he sees why you were hung up on me.”
Anger built in Jase’s eyes. “Please let it go . . . I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“The fuck you shouldn’t have. You should have told me before. What else has he said to you?”
I shook my head. “Nothing really. He just puts his hands on me all the time and I don’t like it.”
“Explain please.”
Ugh. This is exactly why I didn’t say anything before to Jase. “Jase, honestly it’s just me being me.”
His face grew red the angrier he got. When he balled up his fists, I was silently wishing I hadn’t said a word.
“Taylor,” he bit.
Sighing, I answered him. “He puts his arm around my shoulders and will pull me close to him. Or he puts his hand on my lower back and he always does it when you’re not looking or not in the room because I know he knows it makes me uncomfortable and you wouldn’t like it.”
“I’m gonna pummel his fucking face in when I see him.”
Grabbing his arm, I pleaded with him, “Jase no! This is exactly why I didn’t say anything to you. I’ve already decided when he does it again I’m going to say something. Please let me handle this. Maybe he doesn’t realize he is doing it . . . doubtful, but possible.”
Shaking his head, Jase turned away from me and paced. Both hands pushed through his hair and I couldn’t help the ache between my legs. I loved when he did that. It left his hair with that just-fucked look as Meagan called it.
“I swear if I see him touch you or hear him make any comments I’m going to take care of it myself.”
This was the first time I’d seen the jealous side of Jase. Pressing my lips together, I nodded.
“Should I bring my swimsuit?”
“I don’t think anyone will be swimming. The water is still pretty cold and it’s only getting up to the mid-seventies.”
I was glad my change of subject worked. I packed a bag and put my swimsuit in anyway just in case.
An hour later and we were walking up to a large group of people. One of Jase’s friends rented out a few cabins at a park that was right on the Llano River. It was beautiful. There was a huge fire going and someone had brought a giant grill they were grilling hamburgers on.
Rick turned and smiled as he waved. Jase lifted his hand and waved. “Fucker,” he whispered as I bumped my shoulder against him.
The same girl I had talked to that night at the bar came walking over. I didn’t think she would recognize me and she didn’t. Of course, she acted as if I wasn’t even standing there when she threw her arms around Jase. To his credit he didn’t hug her and she quickly stepped back.
“Jase! I’m so glad you decided to come. I’ve hardly seen you in the last few months.”
Jase put his arm around my waist and looked at me with a loving smile. “I’ve been pretty busy.”
“Oh, I bet the ranch keeps you busy.”