I didn’t know how much time had passed when I pulled away and asked, “Why didn’t you tell her to leave you alone?”

He shrugged, but I could tell he knew. “I’m not very good at confronting people.”

“What?” He was joking, right? “You punched my ex just last week. I’m pretty sure you’re too good at confrontation.”

He let out a small chuckle. “I can’t just punch everyone I don’t like, Sage.”

This time, I shrugged. “You could.”

He frowned, though he was clearly fighting a smile.

“You’re damn good at standing up for other people, but you need to put that same amount of effort and care into yourself, too,” I told him.

“I know. So do you.”

I rolled my eyes. This wasn’t about me. “So do it.”

His hands found my waist. “Fine.”

“Fine,” I bit back.

Then we both grinned.

“But what if I want you to stand up for me again?”

I chuckled.

“It was pretty hot. I’ll admit it,” he said.

“Well, don’t get used to it. Next time, maybe I’ll be the one throwing punches.”

He let out a fake cat growl and I laughed as he pulled me closer to him, sealing our lips together with another kiss.

I got the feeling that life with Callan Bronson was going to be pretty damn sweet.

It was a good thing I had a sweet tooth.

32

Callan

After my lessons for the day were complete, I’d waited for Sage to say goodbye to the girls so I could drive her home. She was pretty buzzed by the time seven o’clock came around, so after I drove her and Avery to their house, I’d tucked Sage in first. She’d fallen asleep before Avery could finish brushing her teeth, which didn’t surprise me. She and the girls had been laughing and talking the entire day.

After Avery was done getting ready for bed, I’d tucked her in, too. She’d demanded I tell her a bedtime story, so I told her all about how I got my first horse. She was asleep before the midway mark in my story, exhausted from her big day helping my dad on the ranch. She was so eager to learn all of it, her eyes lighting up with just the mere mention of ranch chores.

Before I met Sage, my head was a dark place. Heading into town always made my heart race with the unknown of who I might get stuck in a conversation with or how long I’d be out. I tried to avoid the trip as often as I could, keeping to the ranch and my house. If I went out, it was with my brothers to the bar for some pool, and then I’d go home. That’s how I liked it.

But then I met Sage, and suddenly, going to town wasn’t so scary.

My heart would race for an entirely different reason—the anticipation of seeing her.

Watching her face light up when she saw me.

Hearing her laugh at my ridiculous jokes.

And knowing that she felt like my person.

The moment I looked forward to her coming for Avery’s lessons or seeing her, even if just for a few minutes, I knew I was down bad for Sage McKinley. 

Being into someone like that scared me for the longest time after my ex gave me an ultimatum and left, and while I ultimately chose this ranch, I didn’t regret it for a second.

Hard things happened for a reason. I’d always believe that.

All those hard things I endured, they led me straight to Sage.

I’d do it all a thousand times over again if it brought me to where I was today.

***

The next morning, the cowbell above the door dinged as I walked in, and Sage’s head popped up from behind the counter.

“Hey,” I said.

“I’m about to close if you want to wait for me,” she replied, ducking back down behind the counter to continue with what she was doing.

I checked the time on my phone, seeing it was two minutes until closing. 

Close enough.

Turning the deadbolt on the door, I flipped the sign to closed.

Her head popped up again with the snick of the lock.

“I could’ve done that,” she said, blowing a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.

I slipped my hands into the pockets of my jeans, cruising through the cafe like I had all the time in the world. With her, I did. Now that I had her, I couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. 

“It’s no problem,” I said, glancing at the clean tables. “Already did closing duties?” 

She stood, brushing her hands on her apron. “Yeah, I figured I’d try to get out of here as soon as I could to come see you.”

One corner of my mouth ticked up as she got to work wiping the crumbs away in the bakery case. “So thoughtful.”

I came around the counter, sliding my hands out of my pockets as I walked up behind her. Her ass grazed my jeans as I brushed her hair over her shoulder. 

“I’ll be done soon,” she said, continuing with her task.

“Take your time.” My lips brushed her neck as I brought my mouth to her skin. She smelled so sweet after a day here, and I wanted to taste every inch of her.