“I’ve missed you,” Laramie tells me. “I’m so glad you were here for tonight, and you’re going to be here for the wedding.”
“When is the wedding?” I ask, trying to ignore the way Rip’s hand slides up the back of my tank top. The feel of the rough pad of his thumb on my skin is driving me insane. “Well, I’m here for whatever you need,” I tell her before she can respond. Corbin staggers back to the fire, plopping down on the cooler, drawing my attention away for a moment.
“Well, we’re going to have to set a date. Soon.” She turns to smile at her fiancé. “Right, Colbs?”
“Anything you want,” he says, kissing her temple. I know he means exactly that. He will make damn sure that their wedding is everything Laramie ever dreamed of. He waited for me to be home to propose. Colby and Laramie are solid, and he would do anything for her, and she him. I have no doubt that the two of them are going to have a very long, happy marriage. My heart warms. I’m so happy for the two of them.
“So, wedding planning?”
Like I knew she would, Laramie dives into the conversation about her upcoming nuptials. I listen, fighting the urge to drink my bottle of wine, all while sitting on Rip’s lap with one of his arms locked tight around me, while the other drives me crazy as he caresses my skin. I really could use a drink, but I know better. I need to sober up a little.
“I’m done,” Corbin says, staggering to his feet.
“I should get home too,” I say, trying to stand, and yet again, Rip keeps me from doing so. “I’ve got you,” he says, his voice low and husky. “Colbs, you got Lara?” he asks.
“Yeah, we’re headed to your place.”
I feel Rip nod. “Corbin, get in the truck. I’ll drive.”
Corbin waves him off and staggers to Rip’s truck. I watch as he stops and struggles to pull open the back door. He finally, after several tries, is able to pull it open and climb inside.
“You coming with us?” Laramie asks me.
“Nah, I’ll just walk home from here.”
“She’s coming with us,” Rip says.
Part of me wants to argue with him. Part of me wants to tell him I can make my own decisions. The other part, well, it’s not ready to leave him or his warm embrace just yet. Sure, I’ve been drinking, but I’d like to think I’m sober enough to make an informed decision. I know what I’m doing. Well, I know the choice that I’m making. I know that I busted my ass in college on the other side of the country from my family and friends, and I’ve missed them. I know that tonight is my last free night before I hibernate studying for the bar exam, and I want to soak up every moment. I also know that here tonight, I’m living out a childhood dream. I’ve always crushed on Rip, and to have his hands and lips on me, well, if he’s not ready to let that go, then neither am I.
We can deal with the consequences later.
“Ready?” Rip asks. His hand taps my thigh, and this time he lets me stand. My legs are weak, and it has nothing to do with the alcohol and everything to do with the man who has his hand pressed firmly on the small of my back, leading me to his truck. He opens the driver’s door, and before I know what’s happening, his hands are on my hips, and he’s lifting me into his truck. “I’m going to make sure the fire is out. I’ll be right back.” I’m surprised when he leans in and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“He’s whipped.” Corbin laughs from his seat in the back as I slide over to the passenger side of the truck.
I ignore his drunk statement. “You doing okay back there, bud?” I ask instead.
“Fine as frog hair, my friend.” His speech is slow and a little slurred.
Rip is back in no time, sliding behind the wheel. “What are you doing over there?” he asks me.
“Riding home?”
He pats the seat next to him. “This is your spot. It’s our wedding night, after all.” He gives me a lopsided grin, and even though I know I should stay put, I find myself lifting the console yet again and sliding to the middle of the bench seat to sit next to him.
“Better,” he mumbles, placing his arm around me, and putting the truck in Drive. He expertly maneuvers us through the bumpy field with one hand. Not that I would think anything else. Rip has been driving these fields since his legs were long enough to reach the pedals.
“Are you sure?” I ask again. “I can go home. You’re going to have a full house.”
“I have the room,” he says, and leaves it at that.
I know he has the room. Laramie has sent me pictures of the house he remodeled on the family farm. It’s huge and gorgeous. I don’t know why a single man needs that much space, but then again, his house is full of family history. If I remember correctly, his great-great-grandparents built it. It was old and rundown, but you’d never know it now. Rip has restored it to be a beautiful, modern farmhouse. At least from the pictures I’ve seen. Instead of arguing with him and asking him to take me home, I ride quietly, enjoying the feel of his arm around me.
When Rip pulls up to his house, I wish it was daylight so that I could see the building. The view from the cab of his truck, with just the headlights, isn’t enough. I guess I’ll have to wait until in the morning.
“You need help inside?” Rip turns to look at Corbin in the back seat.
“You going to hold me close like that girl of yours?” Corbin sniggers. I stiffen at the mention of a girl. Laramie didn’t mention he had a girlfriend.
“Nope,” Rip replies. “My wife is the only one I’ll be holding tonight,” he teases, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“Told ya, McKenna, pussy-whipped,” Corbin says before opening the back door and falling out of the truck.
Rip smiles at me. “You would think he would learn.”
“Does this happen a lot?” I inquire.
“More than it should. Corbin’s all about the good time.”
“And you’re not?”
“Sure. I like to have a good time, but drinking to where I can’t stand or even climb out of a truck without falling on my ass doesn’t sound like a good time.”
“I’ve seen you wasted,” I tell him.
“Yeah. When I was younger. Adulting takes brain cells, and I can’t run this farm without them. Come on. Let me get his drunk ass inside.” He pushes open the door and climbs out. I scoot across the seat, ready to jump from his tall-ass truck, when his hands find my hips once again. “I’ve got you,” he says huskily.
When my feet hit the ground, I take a step back. Being this close to Rip is making my head spin. He referred to me as his wife, and although I know he was joking, I didn’t hate it. Not in the least little bit.
“Come on, James, let’s get your ass inside.”
“Wait, tonight is your wedding night. You’re finally going to go all the way with your dream girl,” he slurs.
Rip chuckles softly. I wait for him to reject the idea or call Corbin out on his claims, but neither happens. Instead, he slides his arm around Corbin’s waist and slowly walks him up the wraparound porch.
“Babe, can you grab my keys and phone?” Rip calls out.