SURGE (Kenshaw Ranch #2) by Piper Frost, M. Piper, H.Q. Frost (6)

 

 

"So what's goin' on with you two, anyway?" Chase's focus is on the amazing drawing he's currently doing on a napkin, but he flicks his gaze to me and his eyebrows rise. "Will seems to be spending more time with him than you. If he's spending time with your kid brother, that's kind of some serious shit."   

"How so?"  

"You don't really let too many people interfere with your family, Kinlee."

I roll my eyes at his comment. I would've let him get close to the kids, but he gave up too soon. He never pays much attention to them at all and doesn't even try to have a common interest with them. I can't imagine Will's pyro tendencies interest Bo, but at least he's trying.  

"Him and Will have been rebuilding a car, or somethin'," I mutter then huff. "I don't know, Chase. It's good for them both." Stretching, I groan, annoyed at how tired I am lately.   

Between both jobs and keeping up with the twins, I'm absolutely exhausted. It's been two weeks since Bo kissed me and made my world spin on its axis. It's been two weeks since I even got a minute alone with him, and after that kiss the last thing I wanted was to put distance between us, but we're both busy. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful he's trying to help Will find hobbies, but my brother taking up most of Bo's time wasn't my plan. Bo's not what I expected in this life I'm living, but he's what I want. I've never been the selfish type, but I can feel myself pulling in that direction ever since Bo's been back in my life.

Chase checks his phone before shoving it in his back pocket and standing up. "Shift's up. We're gonna be late."

"You sure you feel like goin' out tonight? You're just getting off a twelve hour shift."  

"Please, Kinlee." He rests his elbow on my shoulder. "Workin' the bar for twelve hours straight ain't nothing. Plus, I've been dying to see this movie."  

"I bet. This chick flick has your name written all over it." I giggle as we step outside.

I invited Bo to come with us tonight but he's with Will, working on that car again. I'm okay with it though. Chase and I haven't hung out like this in a while.  

"Remember when we sat in bed for eighteen hours straight and did nothing but watch chick flicks?" He nudges me as we walk.  

"God, I was so sore after that day." I laugh.  

"You needed it though." He links my arm in his as we make our way to his truck.   

"Yeah." I remember that day like it was yesterday.

It was a month after my parents' funeral. The twins were spending the weekend at their friend's house to try and help keep their mind off everything. Chase brought over a bag full of old DVDs he bought at the dollar store and we sat in my bed the entire day, eating chips, drinking whatever alcohol the house had, and watching those movies. It was terrible, but in some way the one moment that really solidified our friendship.

I shoot Bo a text as we head into the movie, reminding him of where I'll be if he tries getting ahold of me.

Chase snickers next to me.  "Already treatin' ya like the ole ball and chain?" His eyebrows are high on his forehead as we take our seats.  

"No." I shove my phone away. "It's common courtesy to let someone know where you're going to be if no one can reach you, especially when they're with your brother. That's all."  

"You don't let me know where you're going to be at all times."  

"You're never with the twins, either. What if something happens to them when they're working on this car and he can't reach me?" I'm not sure why I'm getting so defensive right now, but I'm not a fan of the way Chase treats my relationship with Bo, whatever type of relationship it is, like it's a bad thing.

"Chill out. I'm just giving you a hard time." He relaxes back in his seat as the lights dim.

I have a hard time focusing on the movie, so by the time it's over and he's dropping me back at my car, I'm exhausted.  

"Thanks for the ride." I hop out of his truck.  

"Hey, Kinlee," he says as I'm closing the door. I stop myself and before I roll my eyes in annoyance I look up at him in the cab. "Be careful headin' home. It's foggy out there tonight."

"God, you're a worry wart." I laugh when he rolls his eyes dramatically at me.  

"Night!" he yells as he pulls away.

I wait until he's out of sight to pull my phone out, grinning at the text from Bo.  

 

Bo: We're all good over here. And have fun sweetheart. Let me know when you're home safe.  

 

I shoot him a text when I get home, right before hopping out of my car and heading inside. I thought I was coming home to a silent house and was actually looking forward to it, but the TVs on and Wendy's on the couch under three different blankets.

"Hey." She yawns.

"What're you doing home?" Not that I'm complaining, but she's rarely here anymore.

"Everyone's busy." She shrugs and turns to me, popping a piece of popcorn in her mouth. "Bo dropped by earlier. Brought over some dessert from Donna Kenshaw." She wiggles her eyebrows and grins at me.

"Well that's nice." I try not to let the stupid smile creep up on my lips but it's almost impossible. The man is too good to be true.

I head to the kitchen, the smile still plastered on my face as I come back into the living room with the plate of gooey chocolate goodness. God, that woman knows how to cook.

"So you do really like him then?" Wendy's full attention is on me now and I sigh, falling to the couch with my plate.

"This is delicious," I murmur between bites. I'm trying to figure out what she's watching, but this TV show is annoying and loud.

"You're ignoring my question." She turns off the TV and glares at me with a stupid smile on her face. "Kinlee, you really, really like him, don't you?"

"I don't think that's anything you should be worried about, Wendy." I take another bite and curl my legs underneath me.

"He really likes you."

"Yeah?" I blurt way too fast, making her giggle.

"I knew it! Awe, that's so cute!"

"Wendy stop." I sigh. "Yes, okay. I really, really like him. I also know I'm way too busy to have a boyfriend right now. It's not fair to burden him with all these responsibilities." I wave my fork around the house that's slowly been falling apart for years and she rolls her eyes.

"You see it as a burden, but I think Bo sees it as something completely different."

I bite back a smile at her words and shove more food in my mouth. I know what Bo sees this as, and that's what scares me. It scares me that my sixteen-year-old sister is right. It scares me that I feel more for this man than I have time for.

It's scary, sure. But it's also the most excited I've ever felt before.

 

 

Tonight's my only night off this week and, as usual, Bo spent most of the day in the garage with Will working on something for that car. He headed home a little while ago to clean up but he should be back any time now. I'm glad he's helping my brother get on the right path, but a little time for just us would be nice. How are we ever going to progress if we don't spend time together?

Chase invited himself over and I thought it'd be awesome if Chase and Bo could be closer like they were when we were younger so I didn’t protest. Chase has his small group of friends, but I'm not certain how good of an influence Grant, Tommy, and Felder are on him. When I pulled away after my parents' death, Chase was the one that held on the tightest when my world was crumbling.

"Kinlee?" I hear him call as the screen door slams behind him. He's definitely made himself at home in this house the past few years.  

"Kitchen!" I push my hair behind my ear and check on the chicken. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous about tonight. These two aren't strangers, even if they've been acting like it lately.  

"I figured I'd come early. See if you needed any help." He slides past me, clicking his tongue. "Sticking that ass out like that isn't an 'I just want to be friends' move, Kinlee."  

I turn around to see him chuckling and I roll my eyes, tossing the potholder at him. "Shut it, Chase," I scoff. "Did you bring the salad?"

"Of course." He nods to the bowl on the counter. "Where's the man friend?"

"Kinlee?" Bo's voice calls from the front door a second after Chase's question.

"Right there." I grin then take a breath, trying to calm these nerves.

I head in to greet him and hear Chase grumble behind me, "You didn't greet me like that." His comment is quiet so hopefully Bo doesn't hear, but I throw him a glare before I round the corner to meet Bo.  

"Hey, Bo." I smile.  

"Hi." The smile on his face is hard to resist, especially when he leans back to look me over before bending to hug me. "I brought dessert."

"Awesome, thank you!" I feel like I just chirped way too loud and when I hear Chase laugh from the kitchen, I know I did. Bo's eyebrows push together and I realize I never told him Chase was going to be here. "Oh, um, Chase is here. He wanted to hang out tonight so I told him he could come over for dinner. I hope that's okay."  

"Yeah," he blurts unconvincingly. "Yeah, that's awesome. This needs to be refrigerated." He walks around me and to the kitchen. "Chase," I hear him say before I make it into the stuffy room. I already feel this is taking a turn for the worse, but I have to push on and pretend everything's not awkward as hell right now.

Fake it till you make it, right?

"Bo," Chase says and I watch their obvious discomfort.  

"No throwing any punches tonight, boys," I joke, walking across the room and opening up the fridge. "Beer anyone?"

"Nah," Chase says. "Last time I drank around the great Bo Hart I left with a black eye." His chuckle isn't sincere and I'm really starting to regret my idea of getting all of us together.  

"Bo?" I ask, ignoring the jab from Chase.  

"No. Thank you," he clips and slides the container in his hands into the fridge. "Need help?" His sight goes to the stove.

"I got it covered." I smile and as much as I want to stay near him, this feels more awkward than I'd like so I walk back to the stove and check on the food.  

"Hey." Bo's hand wraps around my hip and he's standing close enough I can name the brand of his top dollar cologne that almost has my thighs shaking. Carven Vetiver. "Where are the kids? I'll have them get washed up."

"Wendy's in her room, I think. And your guess is as good as mine with Will." I sigh, spinning and smiling up at him. "You've got that kid addicted to workin' with his hands. He's probably out back building something."  

"He's supposed to be figuring out the carburetor." Bo grins proudly. "I'll find them." He shifts and leans toward me until Chase clears his throat, which makes Bo go stiff as he pulls away. "I'll be right back," he mutters leaving the kitchen.

Dammit!

"Guy loves me," Chase says, chuckling and walking over to the stove.  

"Shut it, Chase." I sigh.  

"Seriously. You see how happy he is that I’m here? Practically shitting glitter over there." He leans against the counter and grabs a roll from the basket I was about to bring to the table. "This shit's delicious," he says around a mouthful.  

I raise my eyebrows and watch him shove the rest of it into his mouth. "Can you at least try to be okay with whatever Bo and I have going on? Y’all used to be inseparable. Start acting like adults and stop acting like..." I wave my hand, annoyed that he stopped the kiss I so badly wanted.  

"Like?" He pauses then shrugs. "Not sure what you're so worried about, Kinlee. Bo and I are just fine." I watch him roll his eyes as he walks out of the room.

Time. Maybe it'll take more time than I thought to get these two on the same page.  

I grab the bowl of biscuits and the tub of butter, walking them over to the table just as Bo and Will come in the back door. Wendy's already at the table, clicking away on her cellphone and Chase takes his seat, watching me until he notices Will and Bo.  

"Will!" he blurts, walking over to him before ruffling his hair. I pause and watch in confusion. This is ridiculous.

Will ducks away from him, shoving his hand away. "What the hell?" he grumbles and before I can reprimand the miniscule curse, Bo does.

"Will, have some respect in your sister's kitchen. Wash your hands and sit down." Bo looks at Chase who's grinning before he turns to me to quietly ask, "What can I do to help?"

"Just gotta grab the chicken and salad. Then I think we're all set." I head back to the counter and Bo follows closely. I can't help but grin to myself. As small as this kitchen is, I love that he's sticking close and wants to help. "Can you grab my beer?" I ask, grabbing the pan of chicken from the oven.  

His hand skims across my lower back as he walks around me and chills run through my body. It's these touches that will be the end of me. He's too attentive. And his skin on mine feels way too good.

"Wendy, what'll you have to drink?" he asks her.

"Beer?"

I about choke on my own spit. "No," I blurt but Chase is already laughing at her childish suggestion.  

"You drank when you were younger!" she whines, setting her phone down.  

"Yeah. When our parents weren't lookin'." Chase winks at her then grins stupidly at me. I push my brows together and shake my head as I set the chicken on the table.  

"You're not drinking at sixteen, Wendy. Drop it and answer Bo, please."

"Water," she says, rolling her eyes.  

"Water it is," Bo mutters. He brings her a glass then turns to Chase. "Chase? Drink?"

"Am I allowed a beer?"

I glare at him then take a swig of my own. "No."

With a chuckle he shakes his head and pulls out a chair for me, right next to him. "Water's good. Come on, Kinlee, have a seat." He throws a smile my way, the one I've seen him use on girls in the past, and roll my eyes as I sit. Chase's water glass is set in front of him and Bo turns to Will but Chase says, "This better not have spit in it."

Bo looks at him like he's crazy, because he is. He's acting like a complete ass. Putting his attention on Will as he walks back over to the sink, Bo asks, "Water, Will?"

"Uh, yeah. Whatever we got." Will sits down, setting his phone next to his plate.

When Bo gets to the table, he holds out his hand. "Phones." He looks at Wendy then Will. Wendy sighs, but hands it over. "Will," he says, not reaching for it, and to my surprise, Will hands it over. "They'll be right here." He walks them to the counter and sets them down.

I'm smiling like an absolute idiot right now because I've never been able to separate them from their phones for dinnertime. "Nice." I blink a few times, unable to wipe the smile off my face and let out a small laugh. "You two are still alive and your phones are more than two feet from you. Thank you, Bo."

"Family dinners ain't with our friends over texts." He sits and smiles at me.

I glance at Chase, who hasn't said much since I sat down, and realize he's texting on his phone, setting a great example. "Everyone, Chase. You included." I reach over and grab for his phone but his hand takes mine.  

"I mean, if you wanted to hold my hand all ya had to do was ask, Kin." He smirks and I yank my hand back, my eyes darting to Bo.  

"Just put your phone away, please," I mutter, embarrassed and kind of pissed he's acting like this. "And don't call me that. I hate that name."  

"You didn't mind the other night." He winks and my eyes go wide.  

"What?" I snap. "Chase, you've never called me that before." I force out a nervous laugh and glance over at Bo. "Um... Guys, let's eat!"  

Bo clears his throat then grabs the bowl of potatoes and hands it to me first. "Let your sisters serve themselves first," he tells Will and Will doesn't argue. He actually hands Wendy the salad bowl.

"So how's school going, guys?" I ask once everyone has their plate full. "Wendy, didn't you have a presentation due this week?"

"Sure." She giggles, watching Chase inspecting the piece of chicken on his fork.  

"This shit's cooked right, right?" he asks, trying to get a rise out of the kids.  

"It's fine, Chase." I'm starting to regret allowing him over tonight, and that makes me sad because he's never acted like this before.  

"Everything's very good," Bo says and nods at me with a smile. "Thank you for having me."

"Thank you for coming," I respond with a smile and Chase chokes on the food he's chewing. I nudge him hard and he stops as quick as he started, but he can't stop grinning. "Eat up, guys. Dessert tonight looks amazing." I smile over at Bo and his eyes are locked on mine.  

"I'll admit Donna made it, so it'll be good." He chuckles.

Will snorts a laugh. "No offense, but I'm glad you didn't make it. Donna makes the best dessert."

I nod, grinning to myself, and go back to eating. I was really hoping this evening wouldn't be so awkward, but Chase has somehow turned into an annoying teenager at the age of twenty-five. I can tell Bo isn't happy with the fact he's here and that makes all this worse. I wanted time with Bo and my family. Chase is part of my family, but at this rate, he's gonna end up more like a distant cousin. I need to talk to him and see what the hell his problem is, but doing it in front of the kids and Bo isn't the place for that conversation.  

Finally serving up dessert, I'm ready for this night to be over. "Whipped cream anyone?"

"I'll take some please," Wendy says.  

"Sure. Thank you." Will grabs his fork and dives right in as soon as I spray some on his plate.  

"Maybe later," Chase says then winks at me. "Save a little of that, will ya?"

"Chase," I huff, shaking my head.  

"What?" He chuckles. "All I'm saying is whipped cream in the bedroom really amps up the foreplay!"  

"Oh god," Wendy groans and pushes her plate forward in disgust.

"Oh my god," I mutter, but Will cuts me off and pushes me away from Chase.  

"What the fuck's your problem, man!" Will grabs Chase's shirt and before he can swing, Bo wraps his arm around him and yanks him back.

"Cool off." Bo's deep voice carries as he pulls Will away and shoves Chase into his chair. "You should take off, Haring." Bo's threatening voice matches the scowl on his face but he doesn't stick around, instead he pulls Will out the back door.

When the old screen door slams behind them, I jump.

"Gross, Chase," Wendy grumbles, snatching her phone and walking away.

"Jesus, y'all can't take a joke." Chase shakes his head, still grinning like an idiot.

My fists are tight at my sides and I shake my head when he looks at me like I'm being an asshole. "I think you should go, Chase."

"Fine, yeah." He huffs, walking out of the kitchen, stopping before he makes it through the doorway. "Great dinner, Kinlee. We should definitely do this again." His tone's dripping in sarcasm and I roll my eyes at him.  

"Just go, Chase."

Jesus, he's done enough damage tonight. What the hell's gotten into him lately?

He nods and salutes me before heading out of the house, his footfalls loud and clear up until the door slams behind him.

"God," I huff, falling into a chair.  

"So that wasn't awkward at all," Wendy mutters, walking back into the kitchen.  

"Don't you have homework or something to be doing?" I raise an eyebrow at her and she shakes her head.  

"Nope," she says, shrugging as Bo walks back into the house.  

He clears his throat and starts collecting plates from the table. "Let me help clean up."

Wendy conveniently takes the opportunity to slip away again.

"You don't have to do that," I say, standing and stretching across the table to get to work. His hand rests on my arm and I meet his gaze. There's so much he's holding back right now. "I'm sorry," I whisper, shaking my head. "He's not like that. I promise."

"I've known Chase a long time, Kinlee. I know he can be an asshole. But the kids don't need to be around that. Whatever you and Chase have going on shouldn't be brought to their attention that way." He walks to the sink.

"We don't have anything going on!" I follow him, bringing my tone down a bit. "Nothing, Bo. He was just trying to be a punk tonight and get under your skin for some reason. And I guess it worked."

"Seemed more like he wanted to piss your brother off." He clears his throat like he does every time he's annoyed. "Haring and I won't see eye to eye on anything. He's got beef with me over some teenage drama from years ago. I respect he's your friend, but don't try and force the guy into accepting me being in your life." His hands grab my hips and he pulls me toward him. "I want to be in your life. All three of your lives." Tucking hair behind my ear he smiles and leans down for the kiss I've been waiting over two weeks for. God, he smells good and if I had any less self-control I'd take him upstairs right now. My skin prickles where his fingers trace right above my jeans and my breath hitches. My eyes flutter closed and just when our lips are about to connect I hear the back screen door fly open.

"Bo, do you know where I put—" Will stops when he sees what he walked in on, but that also means I don't get my kiss.

I feel Bo's body go tense next to mine and I sigh. My eyes roll behind closed lids before I open them and take a step back, glancing back at Will.  

"What're you lookin' for?" Bo asks, heading toward him, following him outside and rubbing the back of his neck on his way.

I watch him head out with my brother and can't stop the smile from spreading on my lips. He's too good with these kids. Way better than I am. Way better than I ever thought a guy like him would be.

I wanted that kiss more than I've wanted much lately, but seeing how good he is with my kid brother, strangely, means even more to me…

I can wait for that second kiss.

 

 

"Y’all gonna be out here all night?" I ask, leaning against the garage as I watch Bo and Will work on...something greasy.

This is the third night this week they've been out here but I'm not complaining. I like watching him work. I feel like Bo and I have fallen into this rhythm that's strangely comfortable. Without really knowing what to call us, he acts more like family than I feel like I do sometimes. I'm burning both ends while he's teaching my kid siblings about…life. Important shit, like how not to get yourself arrested. It's endearing to watch. It's hot as hell to see him this greasy and sweaty working with his hands. His muscles bulging…sweat dripping off his brow…

My god, I need to get laid. Not just laid. I want Bo.

A lot.

"Another hour maybe. I have an early morning." Bo smiles at me while trying to loosen something on whatever engine thing they're working on and all I see is how much he's radiating sex right now. And he's not even damn trying!

He grunts and it comes loose, making Will cheer excitedly. "Finally!"

I laugh, because seeing Will this excited about something that's not vandalism is a win in my book. Bo's actually starting to turn my kid brother around.

"So then you want dinner on paper plates out here?" I ask, my eyes trailing the muscles in Bo's arm.

"I ate at the Kenshaw's, darlin', thank you though." Bo's voice is muffled while his head's buried in car parts.

"Cool. Will, yours will be inside when you're hungry," I say, turning to head back inside so my kid brother doesn't see me eyein' Bo like he's my next meal. I freeze when I see Chase's truck coming down the drive. "God," I mumble, shaking my head. The last time Chase and Bo were in the same spot was my brilliant dinner idea a few nights ago. I don't need anymore of that shit going on. I walk over when he parks and throw on a smile, though I'm not certain it's a real one. "Hey, Chase, what's up?"

"Forgot my mom's bowl," he says, hopping out of the truck. "And I missed you." He gives me a brief hug but I pull away and cock my head at him.  

"You've been acting so strange," I mumble but he's not even paying attention because his eyes are on the garage. "I washed your bowl. I'll grab it." I run inside the house to grab the bowl. The less time he's here, the less of a chance we have for him to see Bo and piss him off again.

I really need to figure this shit out with Chase. He's too good of a friend to push away but he's being a dick lately and I'm not going to risk whatever Bo and I have because Chase feels left out.  

When I walk outside, my stomach drops because he's already over at the garage, arms crossed in front of him and that shit eatin' grin on his face. I slow my roll when I hear Bo's voice. Not that I want to eavesdrop, but I'm curious if these two are even capable of a civil conversation when I'm not around.  

"No, we can cut the rusted line and solder in a new one. There's no gas in the lines right now," Bo says.

"Why don't you just buy a new one? You've got enough money to buy a few new ones, right, Hart?" Chase snickers and Bo falls silent.

I push closer to the garage, staying out of sight but I want to be able to break this up if Chase starts any bullshit.  

"Will, hand me the snips." Bo doesn't bother entertaining Chase's snide comment then chuckles. "You wanna stick around and help out, Haring?"

"Maybe I'll take over. Wouldn't want the great Bo hart to injure those hands. Your career would be over if you couldn't grip the reins, right?" He pauses. "Oh... That was pretty insensitive, wasn't it? Your career's already over because of your back."

I make a move to stop this, but Bo can stick up for himself so I pause.

"Guess that's why you're not out there buying brand new cars to fuck up. Saving all that winning money since it looks like your fame's come to an end." Chase chuckles.

"He's still famous, Chase. More than you ever done with your sorry life," Will defends Bo.

"Will, it's okay. What do you want, Chase?" Bo huffs, wiping his hands on a rag and starts walking toward him, leaving Will in the garage. "There a reason you're out here harassing me? There a reason you're here tonight?"  

"I didn't realize I needed a reason," Chase says, shoving his hands in his pockets and wearing that smartass look on his face. "Do I need a reason, Bo?"  

"Not my business why you're here, just leave me the hell alone when you do come around. You haven't squashed that beef from when we were kids, and you obviously ain't going to. Stay away from me," Bo's voice is quiet but his point is delivered clearly.

"That your signature line, Hart? Ain't that what you told my sister after you knocked her up?"  

"I never touched your sister," Bo quietly snarls and steps closer to Chase, looking like one of the bulls he used to ride.

"According to Fi, you did more than just touch her. And had she not had that miscarriage, you'd be the father to her kid." Chase's fists are tight at his sides. "Friends don't screw other friends sisters then not own up to it, Hart."

"I didn't have sex with your sister. I didn't get her knocked up. You know she made all that shit up to make Brandt jealous. Stop acting like you don't know the games your sister played." Bo's shoulders are heaving but he's keeping his voice down, probably for Will's sake.

"You always joked about sleeping with my sister—"

"We all did! We joked about sleeping with Donna too. It was a joke, Haring. She's the one that started the lie."

"Whatever, Hart." He chuckles then shoves Bo's shoulder back a bit. "How about you stop coming 'round me, huh? Kinlee owns this place, not you. Who're you to tell me to stop comin' 'round?"

"Chase, leave," Will's voice cracks as he steps out of the garage. "We don't want you 'round here." When he tries to walk toward Chase, Bo grabs his arm and turns him toward the garage.  

"Come on, let's get this finished up for the night." Bo's calm demeanor is back as he walks into the garage and closes the door in Chase's face.

I take that as my cue to walk around the corner and stare at Chase. Hurt. Confused.  

Bo didn't fuck Fiona...

"Maybe you should come inside," I whisper, the words they just exchanged rolling through my head.   

He bitches under his breath and kicks the dirt but I've already turned around and stormed back inside my house. He better fucking follow me.  

"I gotta be headin' out Kinlee, can this wai—"

"Bo fucked your sister?" I blurt, pacing the kitchen. I have a very hard time believing that. A very fucking hard time, since the day before he left he was still a virgin and I remember Fiona's miscarriage claims. That was before Bo and me... "Y'all were so close in high school. And now... Now you hate him because apparently you heard through the grapevine that he fucked your sister?"  

"Sorry you had to hear that, but Hart needs his boots knocked down a few levels."

"For what?" I snap, letting out an annoyed growl. He honestly can't believe that about Bo. "Chase, there's nothing wrong with Bo. And... I mean, I'm sorry, but your sister screwed half this town. And her and Bo did not fuck." Chase isn't a stranger to Fiona whoring around. He's been in one too many fights because of her. Not to mention, Chase has probably got more notches on his belt than his sister in this small ass town. He watches me pace, not saying anything. "I just don't get it, Chase," I say, starting to ramble. "You used to be so fun to be around. Now though? Now all you seem to want to do is stir shit. What the hell happened?"

He shrugs and rolls his eyes. "Nothin'," he mumbles.  

"Bullshit. Ever since Bo came around you've been acting like a scorned, left out child."

"Let it be, Kin." He adjusts his ball cap and I take in his 'bad boy' look he's worked so hard on perfecting. His full sleeve tattoos aren't finished yet, but even with the ink he's got he looks like he should be menacing. But he's not. He's Chase. He's the guy that made sure I got up every day after my parents died. He's the guy that packed Will and Wendy's lunch those first few weeks afterwards, because I was too busy throwing up from anxiety and depression.  

Chase was there for me. But right now, Chase is acting like he doesn't want me to be happy. He doesn't want me to move on.  

"Well I like him, Chase. I really like him."

"That's fantastic," he says sarcastically.  

"See!" I bark. "He's a good guy, Chase! He's good for me!"

"I thought I was good for you!"  

"Me and you?" I laugh harshly. "Is this what this is all about? Are you jealous?"

"God no." He laughs. "Sorry, Kinlee. I mean, we tried that. And it was awkward as fuck. No offense. I just...I'm used to being the person you go to. Your best friend. Your other half."

I push my hands through my hair. "Chase, I'm not going to stop being around Bo."

He nods slowly, letting the room fall silent. I wrap my arms around my front and watch him.  

"You really think the great Bo Hart's gonna be 'round long enough for anything to come out of this, Kinlee? Other than your heart being broken. And me? Being here to pick up your crushed heart. Again?"

My jaw drops open and I shake my head. "Bo's not leaving," I whisper.  

"For your sake I hope that's true." He walks over to me, his hands move to my shoulders and his eyes hit mine. "But maybe that means I need to stay away. Give y’all the space you need."  

I clench my jaw and nod, letting him pull me into the hug I need right now. He's right. This won't ever be one big happy friendship like I had hoped.  

"You're still my best friend, Chase," I whisper into his chest.  

"Yeah, Kin. I know." He lets go of me and takes a step back. "I'll talk to ya soon."

I step outside and watch him head out. My eyes glance over at the garage where Bo's leaned against the door with a part in his hands, watching Chase drive away. His gaze falls back to me and I smile softly at him, then turn around and head back inside to wrap my head around this.

I have very strong feelings for Bo. I also have a very busy life that doesn't give me a lot of time to spend with him and two young siblings that I am the sole caregiver for. I have to figure shit out, and soon. I've told Bo for weeks we're taking it slow and he's been more than respectful of that.

But it's going pretty damn slow. Much slower than I figured it would.

Bo and I talk every single day. He's always texting me and I love the nights I fall asleep to his voice over the phone, but I need to figure out what the hell's going on between us. I feel an insane pull to him, and it's not just because he's an old friend. There's a flame there that was lit the first time he kissed me and I can't figure out what to do with it. I want him, that's not a lie. But do I have time for him?

 

 

It's been a week since that night at my place. A week since I've talked to my best friend and a week since I've laid eyes on Bo. We're busy. I get it. I also get that between Bo's barn and the Kenshaw Ranch, my place is last on the totem pole for the boys to work on the car. Especially since the drama with Chase happened at my garage.

But I miss him.

I also need to clear the air with him about what Chase and I talked about...but not in front of the twins. Or anyone for that matter.  

"Kinlee, you have a visitor," Mel's voice comes through my phone and I glance at the clock. It's technically my lunch break for the next half hour, but I can't exactly turn parents away.  

"Send them down," I say, clearing my desk of the mess of paperwork.

The knock on the door comes and I walk over to open it, pasting on that professional smile I use with parents. When I'm met with Bo's handsome, smiling face and a bag of something that smells delicious, my professional smile melts into a bright, real smile.

"Bo!"  

"Hello, beautiful." He holds up a paper bag. "I brought lunch." Glancing around he chuckles. "This building's so much smaller than I remember."

"You're a whole lot bigger than you were," I say, letting my eyes fall to his muscles. Not leaving much to the imagination in that t-shirt.  

He smirks and sets the bag down before looking up to the corners. "They got cameras on you?" he asks.

"Cameras? No."

His hands grab my waist and he lifts me like I don't weigh more than a chair, making me giggle. His lips hit mine and he groans when my arms wrap around his neck and my legs lock around him. There's no tongue, and he doesn't linger long, but it was just as intense as a make-out session. It took almost three weeks to get a second kiss from Bo and though this was less of a kiss than the first, it still has me feeling weak in the knees and has my cheeks completely flushed.  

"I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks, Kinlee," he says, setting me back on my feet.

"Yeah," I whisper, my fingers touching my lips before I bring myself out of the haze. My god that man can kiss. "Uh..." I clear my throat. "Please tell me there’s food in that bag."

"Donna's famous chili." He grins and starts to unload the bag. "I'd probably starve if it weren't for that woman."

"She's an amazing cook, that's for sure." My stomach growls the minute I smell the chili and I groan. "Sorry," I laugh. "I haven't eaten yet today. It's been busy."  

"Well I'm glad I stopped in. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He points toward the door he closed. "Is that Melanie Johnson workin' the office?"

"Yeah. She's amazing." I grab a spoon and blow on a bite of chili before putting it in my mouth. "My god, it's heavenly," I moan. "Who the hell taught that woman to cook like this?"

"She's got a lot of free time." He smirks at me. "Didn't Melanie date Chase through most of sophomore year?" He cocks his eyebrow but his eyes stay on his food.

"Probably. But you'll have a hard time finding someone in this small ass town Chase hasn't had his hands on." I don't realize what I just insinuated until Bo's choking on chili.

"Hot," he claims and rubs his throat. "So, uh." He clears it. "I know you dated, but does that means you're one of the girls he's had his hands on?" His throat clears again.  

"A lot can happen in five years, Bo," I whisper. "Hey so...Fiona?"  

His shoulders slump and his eyes meet mine but he doesn't say anything.

"I heard you two the other night. And Chase told me the rest...filled it all in. I'd heard about the miscarriage, Bo. But I never heard you were the father." I pause, my spoon halfway to my lips as I watch him stare at me. "You didn't, though..." He couldn't have. Because he was a virgin when we... And he left the very next day...

"No. I didn't. Fiona wanted attention from Brandt. They hooked up, right around that time Jo started coming around. Remember that?" He stares at me until I nod. "She got bitter he wouldn't keep hookin' up or somethin', I don't know. She told everyone she was pregnant. Wanted to get sympathy, but timing didn't line up for it to be Brandt's so she said we... She lied, Kinlee, I never slept with Chase's sister. Holy hell broke loose when Chase heard the rumors. Started by her. We got into it pretty bad right before I left town. Then suddenly she was miscarrying a few days later." With a shake of his head, he rolls his eyes. "I don't know why she picked me. Maybe 'cause I was an easy target 'cause I was a...virgin." He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe she thought I'd go along with it to seem cool. I don't know but Chase ain't never forgiving me for that lie."

I chuckle and shake my head. "I mean, I knew you were a virgin, Bo." I smirk, making him groan.  

"Yeah." He chuckles and reaches across my desk, pushing my chili toward me a little. "Eat your lunch, darlin', I can't stick around long."

I smile, happy that's cleared up. I knew the truth in my heart all along, but hearing it from him makes me feel a hundred times better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've got an early morning, but if this is the only time Kinlee has for me, then I'll take it. I kill the truck lights as I pull up to her house, and normally I'd go to the door to get her, but it's almost one in the morning so I shoot her a text telling her I'm here.

I grin when she quietly slips out the front door, holding the screen so it doesn't slam. With a giggle she jumps into the truck.

"Kids asleep?" I ask, glancing around each dark window of the house.

"Passed out." She grins over at me then clicks her seatbelt. "I feel like a teenager again sneaking out like this."

"Remember me and Brandt would help you out of your bedroom window?" I grin over at her and very slowly head out of her driveway because my truck engine isn't discreet.

"I do. I never got caught though. Either that, or they trusted me enough and just didn't care because the twins were always such a handful late at night."  

I chuckle and reach over, taking her hand to kiss her knuckles. "I'm happy to see you."

We've been taking things slow, but only because of her schedule. I rarely see her and I'm not sure what I gotta do to become a priority in her life, but I'll do it, even if that means going slow.

"I feel kinda bad it's so late," she says, twisting her fingers in mine, making our hands clasp together. "But I'm happy to see you too, Bo." The bright smile I love is making her pretty face glow. "Really happy."

"Did Wendy give you that bracelet we made for you today?"  

Most of my free time is spent with Will, but I want to be a part of Wendy's life too so when she shows up to the ranch and I'm around, I either make her help me create something for Kinlee, or we try to show off on the horses. But lately, my back's been preventing me from riding.

"Yeah. It's cute. Thank you." She falls silent and her fingers start tracing where our hands are connected. "I appreciate you trying to help out the kids, Bo. I know you're busy as is, but it means the world that you've taken them under your wing. And I think it's really helping them too."

"I'm not doing it as a favor, Kinlee." I smile over at her. "I'm back. Remember? That means I'm gonna be around and in your lives." Letting her hand go, I whip the truck around, making her laugh as she almost hits the side window from momentum.

I grin and back up to the creek. Leaving the radio on, I jump out and jog around to her side of the truck to open the door then grab her hips and pull her out. Stealing a kiss before landing her on her feet, I jog to the bed of the truck and lower the tailgate. I hop into the back, reaching down and pull her up and against me.

Luke Bryan comes on the radio and she sighs into me. "God, I love this song," she says like she's in heaven right now.

I slide my hand to her lower back and pull her flush against my chest, slowly rocking my hips to the music until she starts to move with me.

"I think I'd marry Luke Bryan if he ever asked me." She swoons over this damn song.

"If I didn't want to lose my chances, I could make that meeting happen." I swipe her hair over her shoulder and her jaw drops.  

"You could?" The shriek in that blurt makes me scrunch my brows. "I mean...you could? You've met him? You...you know Luke Bryan?"

"We ain't friends or nothin'." I start to laugh. "But I've met him and he even remembered me the second time I came face to face with him. I'm not saying I'm a big deal..." When she starts to laugh, I lean in for a quick kiss.  

"You are a big deal, Bo Hart," she whispers on my lips. "I bet you're a better kisser than him. Those beautiful...pearly whites all gettin' in the way and whatnot." She audibly sighs and when my fingers dig into her sides, she starts to wail in laughter. "Stop!"  

"I got a nice set of teeth too, darlin'. Paid a lot of money for these teeth after I knocked out a handful." I grin down at her before licking my tongue over my front teeth, making her laugh again.

"I bet you did." She pulls out of my arms before plopping down in the bed of the truck. "It's been forever since I've come out here. We used to be out here every damn weekend. I think the last time I was here was my twenty-first birthday." She starts to laugh. "I don't remember much of that night."

"You act like you just started drinkin' at twenty-one. You were putting fifths away with me and the boys at eighteen. I can only imagine how wild it got on your twenty-first." I lay back and stare up at the stars, part of me regretting I missed out on that party.

"It was wild. We pitched tents and everything. I just remember waking up face first in the grass over there." She gestures across the field. "Haven't let loose like that since."

"Doesn't sound like waking up and eating grass is any fun. I used to look out for ya back when I was around. You were plenty drunk too many times to count, but I made sure you were always taken care of. Not waking in the field." I chuckle and turn my head to look at her as she lay back next to me.

"Yep, you always did, didn't you? I gotta admit, you leaving screwed with the group's dynamic for sure."

I close my mouth for a few minutes. "We grew up, Kinlee. Most of the group was goin' on twenty. It was time to start actually livin' our lives. You went off to college soon after." I nudge her.

"Right. Almost made it too." She shifts to her side and watches me. "Like I said. Lots of shit can happen in five years."

"Yeah." I slide my arm under her neck and roll toward her. "It can. And a lot can happen in the next five years. And the next." I trail my finger down her jaw before leaning in for a kiss.

That night was almost perfect, but it ended in a hurry, chasing the rising sun to get her home before the kids woke for school. I haven't seen her in almost a week since we spent all night at the creek making out in the bed of my truck like kids. I headed straight to the ranch that morning, dead tired, but the night was worth it. Even if all we did was heavy petting and kissing.

When she comes sauntering toward the barn with a basket in her hand, I throw down my gloves and grin, turning my hat forward to block the sun now that I'm in it.

"Best lookin' thing on this ranch. Besides Donna, but she ain't been around all day." I grin as I walk toward her.

"Hey, I take offense to that," Brandt grumbles. "But I'll let it slide. You bring lunch for both of us?" He grins and her eyes go wide.  

"Uh...no," she says, scrunching her nose. "Doesn't Jo have something for ya? You know...inside? Somewhere else?"

I start to laugh. "In other words, get lost so we can be alone, Kenshaw." When I grab Kinlee's hips, he groans.  

"Never gonna get used to the sight of you two together. But I'm happy for ya." He nods at us. "I'm heading inside. Y'all have a half hour. So get out what you need to get out." He winks at me before heading toward the house.  

"I think it's unanimous. The entire Kenshaw family thinks we should be official." I grin, taking the basket from her hands and laugh when her eyes go wide. "But for now, we can stick to lunch partners." I wink at her and head into the tractor barn.

"It's hot out here today. You guys drinking enough water?"  

"Yes ma'am." I unload her basket. "Better cookin' than Donna's," I lie, but she smiles.

"It's sandwiches. And chips. And fruit." She giggles. "I'm thankful for the attempt, but not much is better than Donna's cooking. I'll admit to that."  

"I love your sandwiches just the same. So does Will. He said he started taking his lunches to school." I pause, trying not to laugh at the kid. "He's trying to bulk up and the school lunches aren't cutting it. But whatever you're prepping him, he's sure it'll get him jacked by summer."  

"He didn't tell me he's trying to bulk up," she says, laughing. "Why would a sixteen year old be worried about that?"

Grabbing the bill of my hat, I use it to scratch my head. "It gets hot out here and there are days me or Brandt ain't wearin' a shirt—"

"Oh...I know." She says with brows high and I chuckle, tossing a grape at her.

"So Will started askin' questions about building muscle. Told him hard work and a healthy diet. He actually baled the hay a few days ago and didn't take out his lighter once." I chuckle with a shake of my head.

"Didn't set anything on fire, huh? He's really working when he's here then? Not just screwin' around? You'd tell me if he were getting in the way, right?"

"He ain't getting in the way, Kinlee. He's a huge help. And he's been working hard on that car. It's a slow go, but he's got a year." I shove the rest of my sandwich in my mouth and watch her pick at her bread, no doubt worrying about her brother. "Hey, what're you doing this weekend?" I jump to my feet when a pain jolts through my back. She gasps and I don't know what to do to cover that up so I grab my thermos that's on the bench. "Thirsty," I claim, drinking down cold coffee, trying to fight through the resonating pain.

"You sure workin' on a ranch is really the best for your back, Bo?" She's watching me carefully, like she's afraid to even bring the topic up.  

"My back?" I question like she's acting strange. "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?" I squat next to her and grab some grapes. It was the position I was sitting in that brought the pain.

"Nothing. Never mind," she says, taking another bite of her sandwich. "But uh...I'm not that busy this weekend. I think I have a shift at the diner but only one and I don't think it’s a long one."

"Can I steal you Saturday morning, say around six until maybe three or four?"

"So early!" She laughs. "I gotta get up at five to get ready for that, Bo!"

"There's no getting ready. We're heading to Franklin Lake, it's about two hours south, and meeting up with a few friends. Spending a few hours on the lake. You need a bathing suit and some sunscreen. I'd take the kids but Wendy said her and Will are staying at Ryan's Friday night?"

"An entire day on the lake with you?" She bites her lip and grins. "I think I can swap shifts with someone."  

"I said I'd get you back around four. But if you can swap shifts, I'll keep you all day." I slide my fingers through her hair before standing, trying to limber up my back discreetly.

"I'll swap with Candace. She's always willing to take a shift."

"I like Candace already."

She stands and wraps her arms around me as I stretch. "I think a day on the lake is exactly what I need."  

"A day in the water with a pretty girl is exactly what I need." I lean down and connect our lips until Donna's voice comes from behind us and makes me jump.

"Oh! I knew it!" she shrieks and I chuckle, pulling away.

Kinlee didn't stick around long after that because Donna had a million questions we couldn't answer. They all revolved around marriage and kids, but we haven't even gotten to the boyfriend girlfriend stage yet.

I don't see Kinlee until the weekend and I hate she's that busy, but like I said, I'll take this as slow as it's needed.

As I head for the porch, Kinlee is walking out the front door with a big hat on her head and a bag packed at her side, ready for our date at the lake.

"Ready? Need me to grab something?" I ask, opening her side of the truck.

"Nope!" She's chipper this early morning. "Got everything I need right here. And already got my suit on!" She wiggles her eyebrows and giggles. "Sorry. I'm a little too excited for a full day off from...everything."  

"You deserve it." I jump into the truck, glad I doubled up on my pills. My back feels amazing today. "So Brandt's picking up the twins at three. Did you remind them they're babysittin' tonight?" I grin over at her.

"I did. They're looking forward to it." She makes the move and takes my hand first. "I feel bad for leaving them all day though."

"Don't." I stop her before she starts to worry herself. "They're fine. They're with Ryan's family right now then heading right to the ranch. They aren't alone and won't be getting into any trouble. Garrison and Donna are gonna be around to help, but if they want to make money, they're gonna be chasing babies." I start to chuckle. "No worrying about the twins today. Don't make me take your phone."

"Oh god, it's not water proof. What if it falls in the water and something happens and they can't get ahold of us?" Her eyes go wide and she tries to pull her hand away but I give it a squeeze and hold tight, raising an eyebrow at her.

"What if it doesn't?" I kiss her hand and step on the gas.

"Right. No worries. Got it."

I haven't seen these people in over a year and I'm looking forward to it. It's even better seeing them with Kinlee by my side. I can't say she's my girl, but luckily no one asks when we show up. I think they all kind of assume she is.

"It's choppy as shit out there today," Marty complains about the waves as he docks the boat.

"I'm still goin' out." I grab the kneeboard.

"Bo, not the kneeboard. Those waves will break your... Just not the kneeboard."

"Kinlee," I call to her. "Get on the boat, darlin', I'm takin' out the kneeboard. Just once around, Marty," I promise and he rolls his eyes at me.

She hesitantly hops up into the boat and refuses to take her eyes off me. "What if it throws you off and you hurt yourself?"

"Strapped in." I wink at her and steal a quick kiss before getting on the dock.

I kneel on the board and Velcro down the strap over my thighs. It's easier to take off from the dock than shore but last time we did something like this I somehow ended up hitting the lake floor and twisted in rope, unable to come up for air for a minute.

I wink at Kinlee as she holds her hat on her head. As Marty slowly pulls away from the dock, I let my eyes focus on her chest. Hopefully they're far enough away she can't see. I don't know when we're going to sleep together, but I need to make her mine soon.

"Hit it!" I call out and the boat shoots forward, almost ripping my arms out of the sockets but I don't let go.

I see my opportunity to get serious air, and I'm going to attempt a flip, but the second the board hits the wave, it tugs the front down and then shoots me right back up. I get serious air alright, but way more than planned and the board goes flying while my body somersaults a few times. I come down hard on my side, and hitting water at this speed feels almost as bad as hitting pavement.

By the time the boat whips around to scoop me up, my bearings are coming back, but that hit was hard and hurt...everything. Kinlee's got her hands covering her mouth before she rushes to the side and reaches for me, but she can't pull me up so Marty carefully steps around her.

"Come on, you adrenaline junkie." He laughs. "That hit was hard as fuck, Bo. You alright, man?"

My head's spinning and pounding but I start to laugh. "Fine." I lay down because I feel like if I stand, my back will snap.

"Had enough yet, big man?" She's kneeling next to me, her hands trembling on my arm.  

"You wanna try?" I grin up at her and steal the sunglasses from her face because the blinding sun is making my head pound more. "These look good on me?"

She rolls her eyes and stands up, hands on her hips. "What could it hurt, right?" She grins down at me then glances over at Marty. "Got any skis?"  

We head back to the dock and I fight through the pain my body's in to get Kinlee ready to ski. "I want to be on the boat but I'm gonna help you." I swim her deep enough while she's got the skis on. "When you feel the boat pull forward, stand like you're getting out of a chair. If you don't, you'll go face first into the water." She listens to everything I say then giggles over at me. "You scared?"

"I've done this before, Bo. Not quite as sheltered as you think I am. But I appreciate the advice." She leans over and pushes her lips to mine.  

"I coulda got on the boat," I whine and she laughs.  

"Ready?" Marty calls her way and she nods.  

"See ya when you get back." I pinch her ass and she shrieks right as the boat pulls forward but she gets up. Wobbly, but she manages to right herself then starts adjusting her bottoms that almost fell off.

She goes a few more rounds and even gets on the tube with the other girls, but I'm spent. My back's hurtin' too bad to feel the rush of adrenaline so I just enjoy her getting out there and having a blast. We head back for her place around eight and as I kill the engine, I look over at her. It's been weeks, I know she likes me, I more than like her, this is going as slow as I can take it anymore.

Before I can start the conversation about becoming official, she slides into my lap and we spend an hour making out and grinding against each other in the front seat of my truck. It's not until Brandt's truck pulls up next to us that we stop and the twins hop out. I thank God for tinted windows.  

"Night, Bo," she whispers, licking her lips before opening her door and hopping out.  

I roll down my window and nod to Brandt. He's grinning and gives me a wave, but I don't stick around because he probably knows what we were doing. Wasn't near as much as I want to be doin' with her, but it'll happen. When she's ready. Until then, I'll see her every chance she gives me.

For the next week and half I only see her in passing, long enough to steal a hug or quick kiss, and it's better than nothing. But we're having another date tonight. I called it hanging out, but she called it a date, so I'll consider it a date.

I pull up to the field by the creek in Brandt's old, ratty Chevy afraid the engine will drop any minute, but I got Kinlee in the passenger seat and she hasn't stopped smiling since we got into this thing.

We're racing the Chevy against the tractor I souped up at the ranch. Honestly, I think we're gonna lose.

"Goggles on, darlin'!" I tell her because there are no windows in this thing.

"Check!" She grins over at me and does a tiny nose scrunch making the goggles lift a bit, then her eyes fly down to my crotch.  

My brows raise and I chuckle. "This ain't the time to be thinkin' 'bout that, Kinlee," I say as Brandt pulls up next to us on the tractor.

I'd love to put an end to any curiosity she has about that part of my body. She's had it once, but that was years ago. The closest she's gotten to the improved member of my body is by grinding herself against it or stealing a quick rub during our few and far between make-out sessions.

"No...Bo, you're not wearing a seatbelt." Her eyebrows pull together. "Buckle up, buttercup!"

"There's no belt on this side." I make sure she's still strapped in. "But now I ain't too worried about it." I adjust my dick that started getting hard when she looked at my crotch.

"Bo, if we wreck you're going out the window. What idiot didn't put a seatbelt in this beast?" She's still looking like she's gonna find something that ain't there. Only thing there is a hard-on. "We can't do this."  

I grab her wrist when she goes to open the door and I rev the engine. Jo's standing in front of us with an American flag in the air and I laugh.

"There was a belt, but not anymore. Hold on," I warn her as Jo waves the flag down.

Surprisingly we take off, leaving Brandt in the mud.  

"Holy shit," I mutter, shocked the car had that much pick-up. Kinlee's laughing and I look over at her, loving the sight of her happy. Her laughter stops and she gasps, shouting my name and I look forward to see a marsh that wasn't there before. The second the tires hit it, we plant, the rear end of the car comes up, but luckily not over. That don't matter though because I'm sailing out the front windowless windshield, right over the steering wheel.  

"Shit!" I holler but I'm laughing my ass off until I'm eating a mouthful of mud.

"Bo!" She's screaming and I'm planted, trying to clear my mouth so I can breathe.  

When I gasp in a breath, the pain in my back makes a scream rip from my throat. I quickly roll to my face again because that actually brought on tears I don't want her seein'. She's screaming my name and tugging on me, trying to pull me from the mud and when I roll to my back, I grin up at her, my heart jackhammering away in my chest and if my back weren't in pain, I'd be in heaven right now. Before she can say anything, I slam my muddy lips to hers.

She pauses when my lips hit hers then pulls back and her wild, beautiful eyes go wide. "Are you okay?" She tries pulling me up again but I grip her arm and yank her down next to me. "Jerk! That's what seatbelts are for, Bo!"  

Brandt runs up, screaming obscenities but laughing his ass off.

"When the hell did this marsh get here?" I ask, groaning as I sit up.

"Holy shit, Bo." Brandt's laughing still, gripping onto my forearm and helping pull me out. "You flew out the damn windshield!"  

"I know." I laugh and look at the car. "Fuckin' hell," I mumble, seeing the front end of the car buried. "I bet the tractor could pull it out. Let's hook it up to the tow straps and I'll surf the top while you pull it out." I grin at Brandt and hear Kinlee groan.

"Guys," she says, holding her arms out to her side. "There's mud in places I never wanted there to be mud." Her nose scrunches and I chuckle.  

"Bo, ya dumbass, you okay?" Jo asks, just now making it over to us. "Oh, ew." She scowls at Kinlee, covered in mud.

"Hey, Jo, we're gonna pull the car out with the tractor." Brandt wiggles his eyebrows and Jo rolls her eyes at him.  

"Since Bo Hart's been back in town, I've had to worry about my husband ending up in the ER more times than I'd like to admit," she playfully bitches and I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

"You love me. Remember that time we dated?" I grin at her and she shoves me away.

"Fake dated. Why couldn't you have been this good lookin' back then? I really looked like I settled." Walking over to Kinlee, she takes her hand.

"God, I was so torn up by that," Kinlee admits in laughter.  

"Well, he's all yours now. I got the good one out of the bunch." Jo grabs Brandt and kisses him. "Now you stupid asses get this taken care of and don't die. Me and Kinlee are heading back to get cleaned up." She scowls at the muddy prints I left on her then flips me off.

 

 

"One horse, maybe two." I grin over at Kinlee while the twins holler from the back.  

We're headed to pick up some cattle and the kids want a horse. My back ain't letting me on a horse anytime soon, but if they want one and it'll get them and Kinlee to my place more often, I'll buy a few horses.

"You're going to go broke today," Kinlee groans. "Guys, Bo's not buying two horses. He's getting cattle. A horse isn't something you just buy on a whim like this."  

"Yeah, guys." I furrow my brows and look back at them then wink 'cause they know we're meeting a breeder at the farm we're headed to and I've already set it up to take two horses home. "Kinlee, what do you want to see around my place?" Hopefully one day that answer will be my bed. It ain't yet, but I'm hoping one day soon. I'm worried she's keeping me at this distance because she's scared to get too serious with me, but I ain't lookin' for a good time anymore. I'm lookin' for a long time.

"Goats?" She grins over at me. "Baby goats. Just one...maybe four. Or five. They're like built in grass cutters, right?"  

"Baby goats!" Wendy chimes in from the back seat. "I second that!"

"Baby goats," I chuckle.

"Girls are weird," Will mutters. "Bo, let's get a bull!"

"No," Kinlee blurts immediately. "Never happening. No. And don't think about going near them if there's any there, Will. I swear to God."  

I laugh and grab her hand, kissing her knuckles. She just recently started letting me show a little bit of affection when around the twins, and I'm taking it as a good sign.

"Let's get us some goats, a few cows, and a couple of horses."  

"You're not seriously buying all that today are you?" She looks over at me, eyes wide. "Bo, that's so much money! Besides, you only got one trailer." A small smirk pulls at her lips like she won this round.

When a horn honks next to us, she leans forward to see Brandt. "Y'all ready?" I call to him and he nods, pulling forward and that's when she notices the empty trailer he's pulling. "I ain't worried about the money, darlin'. I'm more worried the twins won't hold up to their end of the bargain about helping out with them." I look at them in the rearview and slowly pull off.  

"Hey, buy me a cute pair of boots and I'll wade in the mud to clean cow shit." Wendy shrugs.  

"Wendy! Language!" Kinlee blurts, spinning to glare at her.  

"Poo. Sorry." She rolls her eyes and grins at me in the mirror when Kinlee turns around.  

"What about you, Will? If I buy you boots, you gonna wade in the poo too?" I start to laugh. The second we get to the farm, the kids jump out and I grab Kinlee's hand, giving her a tug until she looks at me. "You really want some goats?" I ask, kissing her fingers.

With a chuckle she reaches her arms around my neck. "I do not want goats, Bo." Her lips brush mine while her fingers play at the back of my hair. "But I do appreciate the gesture. I think you're spending enough on things my family wants today, cowboy."

"I ain't too proud to admit it's in hopes y'all will start coming to my place more. The Kenshaw ranch being our meeting ground is starting to get old. I'm lookin' to get more time with you. And the kids," I add in when I notice that look on her face. The same look she gets anytime I mention us getting closer.

"I mean, you practically bribed them there." She smiles. "Once school lets out for the summer we'll have more time. I promise."  

"I got all the time in the world for you, Kinlee."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's weird having Bo in my life since I didn't think I'd ever have a man. Not in this way and especially not a man like Bo. Someone who one minute makes me think I'm falling in love with him, and the next makes my blood boil because his need for thrills and danger is too much for me to handle.  

"Hey, I heard Bo and Brandt talking the other day. About you," Jo says, painting her nails while we watch Wendy ride the horse. "He was sayin' you guys are takin' it slow. Slower than he'd like." Her brows raise and she's looking at me like she wants to know what that means.

"I'm just scared shitless. You know Bo. He's the type of guy that doesn't know he's going too far until he's gone too far. Like, with danger. Almost killing himself." I roll my eyes. "How can I give myself to someone that may end up dead one day because he's a dumbass?"

"He's not a dumbass, Kinlee. He's just got a need for that adrenaline rush. And he's young."

"He's started gambling too. And the rattlesnake capturing games he plays, and the wild boar chases... The man's lost his mind. I'm worried he's going to end up getting hurt from all this nonsense."

"They all have their weaknesses. His is in the form of adrenaline. Chase's is in the form of ink and women. Brandt's is hard work from sunup to sundown." She rolls her eyes.

I should be happy that women isn't on Bo's list of things he needs a variety of, but I'm still scared for his safety. And I'm scared for what would happen to my family and me if he ever did go one step too far. We've all grown attached to him. It's hard to feel this strongly about someone like him.

But I do know how I feel.

"Bo's the type of guy that's always known what he wants."

"Money and fame." I smirk and Jo stares at me for a minute. "What?"

"Do you really think that's all he's about?" Her eyes narrow.

"No. God no." I chuckle and rub my face. This is where 'getting' Bo comes to play. "There's a lot more to Bo. He's a great man." I trail off, thinking about exactly how great he is. And I think I finally 'get' him.

"Yeah, and he knows who he wants. And it's you. It's always been you. He's not stupid enough to throw all that away. And I think you know what you want too."

"I think I do too." I smile and give a small shrug. "I want to see where this goes. As stupid as that may be."

"It's not stupid, Kinlee. It's okay to lean on someone else in your life and he seems to want that a lot." Looks like Jo's starting to 'get' Bo too.

We're the close family he didn't have growing up.

"I know. But it's scary." I wince. "I'm not one to take risks. Especially when it comes to my heart."

"Some risks are worth taking." She blows on her fingernails. "Especially when they look mighty fine without a shirt on."

"Jo!" I laugh, shoving her. "I gotta get to the diner."

My shift's long and boring, especially when the only thing on my mind is Bo. By the time I get home, there's a note on the fridge.

Went to Bo's to ride. Pick us up later.

Signed with a heart, smiley face, and Will and Wendy's name.

I smile to myself and shake my head. They're addicted to the man, and he's good for them. He's added to his farm by taking some of the Kenshaw's chickens and Wendy's really shown how responsible she can be. I told Bo not to spend money on us, but he said it wasn't for us. Of course, his lie didn't fool me, but I can't help but smile when I see the kids enjoying themselves so much. And the fact that Will's too busy rebuilding this car with Bo, as well as spending time on his land to really get himself in trouble has really helped. We were on a fast track to prison with the way he was behaving this school year, but it looks like he's rounding out with good grades, good attendance, and less conduct referral points against him. Bo's good for these kids, and as much as it scares me, he's good for me too.

The other day there was a knock on my door and the UPS driver was standing there smiling wide with a package in his hands. After signing for it, I ran inside and opened it, revealing a brand new iPhone and the paperwork already assigning it to my phone number. It didn't have a note with it, and I called the phone store to confirm it was purchased for my number. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. I didn't call Bo right away. I didn't tell him I knew it was him. But the look on his face when he saw me using it was worth every penny of the pride I swallowed. I could've fought him about it, but there's something about seeing him happy that made me keep my mouth shut. Plus, my finger would no longer get cut up from my old, broken screen.

He bought four-wheelers for the kids too. Four, to be exact, but I haven't had time to ride with the three of them. Sometimes he takes the kids out on the back roads, through the woods, and finds the craziest paths. Sometimes Wendy goes with, but most times it's Will. Bo goes maybe once a week, but with his back he always seems to find an excuse not to go without saying he simply can't do it anymore. I've made Will wear a helmet but Bo refuses to put one on. Sometimes I worry about Will getting hurt... Okay most times, but I have to learn to trust both of them.

After finishing up some housework and getting cleaned up, I head out to Bo's to grab the twins. With the windows down in my car, that I haven't had any problems with since Bo fixed it, I pull into the drive that takes me back to Bo's land. The first time he brought me here I was speechless. I never knew this even existed, it's tucked away so nicely in the countryside, but it's huge and my house could probably fit nicely inside his barn. The warm breeze whips through the windows and I can't help but smile as I approach where Will and Wendy are riding the horses around the yard.

"You two almost done here?" I laugh, walking over to the fence.

"Bo's making dinner!" Wendy hollers over from the horse she's adopted as her own. I shake my head.

"Y’all have school tomorrow. We can't be out too late," I say walking up to the house. When I slide open the back door and step in, the aroma of dinner is to die for. I hear Bo laughing and then I hear a female's laugh and slow my steps.

"You were never as cool as you thought." Bo laughs and it makes me wonder who's here. Has to be an old friend.

"All your friends wanted me," the woman says.

"Because you bought us beer." Bo laughs harder and I step into the kitchen with a smile, looking directly at Bo's sister. We don't really know each other, but she was around to buy us beer.

"And there she is, Bo's life long love," she says and my brows shoot up, my smile turning to surprise.

"Affton," he warns. "She's messin' with you." He puts on a smile and walks over to me. "Hi." Not touching me with his dirty hand, he places his wrist on my side and kisses the top of my head. "Y'all have to stay for dinner. We made too much."

I can't shake what his sister just said, especially with her looking at me like she is, but I smile and step over to the island where they're preparing dinner.

"The twins already expect it." I laugh. "Smells amazing."

"So, I'm Affton," his sister says stepping toward me with her hand out. "Since he's too much of a doofus to introduce us."

"She knows you, clown." Bo rolls his eyes.

"Last I remember little Kinlee Jones you guys were knee deep in mud and I think not even eighteen yet. This is what you do as an adult, Bobby." She shakes my hand.

"Great to see you again. It's been a long time. You did always buy us booze though." I smile when Bo laughs and Affton grins, nodding.

"Yeah...but you were all responsible kids. I think," she mumbles and walks to the stove, pushing Bo out of the way. "Go entertain your guest. I'll have this ready in ten minutes. Did you ever invite mom and dad?" There's no trace of a southern accent in her voice...she's so different from what I remember.

"Nope. No need. They woulda declined anyway." Bo rinses his hands and smiles at me before looking at her again. "You sure you got this?"

"I’ve been cooking for you since you were a baby, Bo." She rolls her eyes at him.

"Consuela's been cooking for me since I was a baby." He laughs and gently takes my hand. "I want to show you what I just bought." The grin on his face makes me smile.

"Should I be nervous?" I feel like I should. Bo and his use of money lately has been a little wild.

"No, just buildin' up my farm." He opens the door for me and when we step out, his hand wraps to my hip.

"And what might you be building this farm up with?" I slide my arm around him and push my hand into his back pocket, smirking when I give his ass a squeeze.

He doesn't answer but when we get close to the newest barn he had delivered a week ago, I hear it.

"Bo what did you do?" I'm starting to panic that he thinks he's going to get back into riding, especially so soon after his accident.

"What kind of rodeo star would I be if I didn't own my own bull? I bought him." He grins and throws open the door. "This is the bastard that broke my back."

"You bought the one that almost killed you!? What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snap, slapping his arm. "This is insane. What the hell are you gonna do with him?"

This animal is huge, angry, and ready to break more than Bo's back from the looks of it.

"Calm down." He grins and walks over to the huge pen. The bull charges and I jump back with a yelp, but he stops before he hits the fence. "He ain't so mean all the time." Reaching over the tall gate, he pats the thing on the head.

"This is insane," I manage, though there's a fuck ton more I want to say to him. Like 'you're gonna get yourself killed' and 'my siblings aren't coming anywhere near this thing' and 'wait until I tell Brandt on your ass', but I can't say any of it because I'm too terrified that this thing's going to break through that fence and trample us all. "Why'd you buy him, Bo? And please don't tell me it's because you're gonna start riding again. You've been told you can't by how many doctors?"

With his mouth in a tight line, he turns to face me. His back is a touchy subject. We don't talk much about it. He pretends there are no issues, but sometimes I see the way he walks. Or how he tenses up out of nowhere. There's still an issue.

"How's someone going to tell me what I can do with my own body, Kinlee?" he counters. "I'll get on him again one day and it ain't nothin' to worry about. I was the best at what I did because I know how to do it." He walks out of the barn, probably pissed I'm not excited he wants to kill himself.

I want to yell after him that I don't want to lose him. I want to yell that he's stupid for putting his life in danger all because he likes the rush. That he needs to stick around for me. For us. I don't, but not because it's not true. It's because he's stubborn, and the minute I tell him to do something, I know how it's going to end.

I follow him back to the house and when I make it to the kitchen, it's just Affton finishing up dinner.

"Bo bought a bull," I say, grabbing a beer from his stocked fridge and sit on the barstool at the island.

"He's a dumb man." She chuckles with a shake of her head. "Bo and my grandpa are two very similar men." She looks at me. "They love dangerous things that will likely kill them. You know how our grandpa died? Not 'cause he was ninety-four. He died bear hunting." With a shake of her head, she turns back to the stove.

"Wow." I stare at the beer bottle in my hands. "He's gonna get himself killed on that thing. He already almost did once."

"He won't ride it." She snorts her chuckle. "Just this morning he couldn't get out of bed until his pain pills kicked in. He's ruined. I give it three years before he can't walk much anymore." She's so impassive about it and it hurts my heart that he won't talk to me about any of this. I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was that bad.

"Were you around after the accident?" Maybe she'll talk to me about it if he won't.

"Only a few days in the hospital. He made me leave. Didn't want anyone around. I haven't seen my brother and spent time with him outside of a hospital room since he left here. He won't talk about it anyway."

"He needs to," I mutter. "And he needs to accept that his back isn't how it used to be. I've seen him on the farm, doin' shit he shouldn't be doin'. The people closest to him know he shouldn't be pushing it, but he won't listen to anyone." I stand, walking over to the window and glance out to the twins. Bo's helping them get off the horses and head in for dinner.

She laughs. "You don't know my brother that well. He'll always do what he's not supposed to. He's got an addiction, Kinlee, and it won't change. He gets bored too quickly, loses interest in everything. Bull riding's the first thing he actually stuck with longer than a year. Then it was taken from him in what? A minute?" Her eyes hit mine. "Bo isn't the kind of guy you try to settle down. It'll never happen. You either accept it and live in stress your whole life, or..." She shrugs. The look on her face isn't bitchy, just matter of fact.

I nod silently, considering her words very carefully. These past few weeks, albeit frustrating at times, have been pretty amazing. Bo's been great for the twins, teaching them more than I feel like I've done in years, buying them things I can't, and being there for me if I need him. Granted, most times I've needed him is to help with the twins, and between both my jobs and his work on the ranch we've only hung out together a handful of times. But do I really want my life to be a constant battle of worrying over a man that doesn't worry about himself?

"I'm gonna go wash up for dinner." I head for one of the five bathrooms in this place.

I understand he wanted his granddaddy's house, but a single man doesn't need a place this big. Hell, most families don't need a place this big. He says he doesn't necessarily care about the money, but he sure has a funny way of showing it with all the purchases lately. This house being one of them. As long as he loves it, it's fine. I just...this isn't something I could see myself living in. But that thought is a hard pill to swallow today, so I wash my hands and stare at my reflection in the mirror. A girl from a small as hell farm town with nothing going for her. A man with way too much money and energy than he knows what to do with. We don't belong together, and I don't know if I could keep up with him in the long run. But I want to try.

A soft knock comes over the door. "Kinlee?" Bo quietly says my name.

I crack the door open. "Yes?"

"I heard the water runnin', figured it was safe to bother you." He steps inside and closes the door at his back before pinning me against the counter, his hands grasping the ledge on either side of me as he pushes against me. "We haven't spent much time together lately." He's mouth moves to my jaw and he kisses up to my ear.

His lips on my skin ignites my need for more, and I sling my arms around his shoulders, pushing my body against his. "Being an adult sucks," I whisper then a giggle leaves my mouth that ends in a gasp when he nibbles on my neck. "Bo." I laugh, smacking his arm. "No marks."

He groans and lifts me, setting me on the ledge before pushing between my thighs. "I don't think I can take this any slower." His mouth keeps biting at my flesh and I keep turning my head to give him access. "I want to take this nice and slow." His fingers popping the button to my jeans make another claim. "But I don't want you runnin' off on me for another guy." His hand slides into the front of my underwear and I gasp and jump when his thick fingers slide over my clit. He chuckles against my mouth, moving his hand up and down and spreading my wetness over me. This is the first time his flesh has touched mine there since he was a bumbling nineteen year old virgin. He’s definitely not that guy anymore.

"Oh god," I whisper, my hand moving to the counter when I start to slip.

His lips press to mine and his fingers push into me. When his palm rubs against my clit, he curls his fingers as he strokes inside me. I gasp, unable to stop my hips from pushing against his hand and the pressure's too much. I haven't been touched like this in too long, and for it to be Bo in front of me just amplifies these feelings.

"Shit." I tremble, my hand on the counter gripping tight and my hips grinding against his hand.

His mouth slides to my ear and his fingers push deeper inside of me. "You're so nice and soaked. Come for me, darlin'. All over my hand," he says in a low tone that rumbles through my body.

I hum, gasping for a full breath and trying not to scream as my orgasm starts. Bringing a hand to his forearm, his tight muscles flexing under my fingertips as his fingers push into me, over and over. When I come, he slams his lips to mine to muffle my moans, but anyone outside that door could probably hear me.

"My god," I pant, still gripping his arm.

He slips his fingers out and looks down at the scene across his hand and grins, kissing me again. "Stay over tonight. You and the twins. I got plenty of room." The words are begging while he kisses over my jaw.

"They have school in the morning, Bo," I whisper in pants, not really wanting to turn him down but needing to keep their schedules as regular as I can. "Maybe this weekend?" It'd have to be after my shift at the diner, but the kids would enjoy hanging out here while I'm at work.

He pulls away and wipes his hand on a hand towel. "I'm gonna hold you to it," he mumbles before adjusting himself in his jeans and the outline of his dick makes me want to reach out and trace it. Sure Bo and I were together once, a long ass time ago, but I don't remember it seeming that...big. Maybe powerful is a better word. Everything about Bo now is powerful, unlike the kid that left five years ago.

When I look up from his jeans to his face, he's grinning at me. "We could do this right here, right now." He's cupping his dick through his pants, his hand slowly stroking down the outline.

"God, I want to," I whisper, biting my lip and entertaining the thought. When I hear Will start screaming at Wendy though, I remember why we can't. "God," I huff, running my hands over my hair and checking my clothes as fast as I can before giving Bo an apology glance. "Sorry," I say, then slip out of the bathroom to see what the hell's going on.

"Give it back!" Wendy screams at Will, who's currently holding her phone above his head. I can't help but roll my eyes before interfering.

"You guys are almost seventeen. You think you could knock off the annoying sibling act soon?" I snatch the phone from Will and hold it up. "What the hell's this all about?"

"She's texting Ryan." Will plops on the couch and I glance between the two of them.

"Okay? What am I missing?" Ryan's Will's best friend. His family has been there for the twins since we lost our parents. It's not strange Wendy's talking to Ryan. "You think your sister's stealing your friends?"

"She likes him," he grumbles and I laugh loud.

"Well she's not dating till she's eighteen. So that takes care of that." I slide the phone into my pocket and storm into the kitchen, grabbing my beer.

"Everythin' okay?" Bo asks, coming down the hall and I can't help but glance at the crotch of his pants until he starts to laugh.

"Fine. Sibling drama. I guess Will's best friend and Wendy are texting and Will can't handle it."

Bo chuckles and stops in the doorway of the living room. With one point toward the twins, he snaps then points to the dining room table and they both move faster than they do for me.

"Affton knows all about that. Her and Brandt..." He trails off. "Right, Affton? Remember when Brandt had it for you and you led him on for a few weeks. We didn't talk for three months."

"I never knew that!" I laugh, trying to relax even though the twins fighting just ruined that, coupled with the fact I didn't get the chance to clean up the mess Bo made happen between my thighs.

They're sitting at the table right now glaring at each other, but at least they aren't bickering. Sometimes I watch them with Bo and wonder how they're so different around me than around him.

"It's really not that big of a deal." Affton's eyes land on Will while she sits. "Don't shut your sister out. You'll need her one day, like when your ankle gets caught in a coyote trap." Her glare turns to Bo. "But you're not talking to her, so you decide to drag yourself home."

Bo's laughing and now Will and Wendy are interested.

"You walked home after that?" My eyebrows shoot up, still remembering him hobbling on that thing half of junior year, trying to act like it never happened.

"It wasn't that bad," he lies. I remember it was that bad. "But she's right." Bo's fork points to Will then Wendy. "You two will always need each other. And your sister." He glances at me. "Don't sweat the small stuff. Now." He hands a bowl to Will. "Eat."

I can tell the food's good, and nothing like I can cook, because the minute the twins dig in, their moods change drastically. Dinner's spent laughing, telling stories of our time at school and hearing stories from Affton that Bo never bothered to tell his friends.

By the end of the night, both kids are almost asleep on the couch and I'm beating myself up because it's almost eleven and I wanted to have them home by now. But sitting out here on Bo's back deck, his arms wrapped around me as we enjoy the silence is way nicer than being without him.

"It's beautiful out here," I say, watching the horses graze. "You've got your own slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere."

"I'm happy I was able to buy it before they sold it. My granddaddy never let me bring friends over 'cause he said it would ruin his peacefulness. Brandt’s been here a few times, but I spent a lot of time out in them woods. It's not a humble cabin like I intended on buying when I knew I was coming back, but I'm happy. When the twins are over, it's some of my best days." He kisses my temple. "Now if only I could get you over more often."

I laugh and lean against him, sighing. "They love coming over. I wish I could be here more, but work's kicking my ass lately with the end of the year. We lost a server at the diner last week too, so I'm burning on both ends at least until summer vacation." I hate it. I want to spend more time with him, but paying the bills and keeping food on the table trumps fun time, as much as I hate it.

"Yeah." He grabs my hips and shifts me so I'm straddling his lap, then his eyes dart toward the back door. He knows I'm hesitant to show this much physical interaction around the kids, but I'm not about to stop him right now. Not when I'm finally this close to him. "You're an important woman." He kisses me softly. "More responsibility than anyone I know, but you handle it all." His hands slowly slide down my sides and to my ass, tugging me closer to him.

"Just the way of life," I whisper, bringing my hands to trace his jawline. "You haven't shaved in a few days. I like it."

"You enjoying my mountain man look?" He grins and kisses me again, whispering, "Stay the night, Kinlee. Not to brag, but the twins love me. Me and Will have talked 'bout me and you dating and he's fine with it. No reason you and I shouldn't move on to something more official."

I stare into those beautiful eyes and want nothing more than to say yes. "I don't know, Bo." I shake my head, dropping my hands to rest on his abs. His very defined abs that I'd love to trace without this damn shirt on.

"You don't know?" He quietly chuckles and lifts my head so I look at him. There's confusion on his face like he didn't expect that. "You don't know? I know. I fingered you in my bathroom. I touch myself to thoughts of you. I know, Kinlee. What don't you know?"

I squeeze my eyes closed. I want to tell him how I feel about him, but I have too many responsibilities in life to fall in love with someone. Especially a man that could end up dying from his inability to stay away from danger. Wrapping my heart and life around a man that doesn't care for his own safety isn't something I'm sure I'm ready for.

But I think I'm too late for that.

"Bo," I whisper, shaking my head. "We're completely different. And I love it, but I hate it. Because I don't know from one day to another if you're gonna end up dead from your need to do crazy, high adrenaline stunts. You bought the bull that broke your back and ended your career. You hunt rattlesnakes, just for shits and giggles. You need speed and crazy...and I need to know the man I..." I huff and curse, not wanting to say the words out loud. "I need to know you're not going to die on me. You scare the shit out of me. I don't want to stop what we have. I don't want anyone else. I just...I need slow. And patience. And trust. And maybe for you to not try killin' yourself every other day," I mumble, shaking my head.

He chuckles. "Darlin', I'm a patient man. I can go as slow as you want, but there ain't a reason we can't call this like it is. I ain't a whore, Kinlee. I ain't seein' other girls. I expect you not to be seein' other guys. That means we're seein' each other. That means I'm your boyfriend." He shrugs. "Simple as that."

"I'm a busy woman, Bo. I don't want the label if you're going to start getting angry that I'm too busy. I have to keep working to keep food on the table. To keep the bills paid. Why do you think I haven't dated in years? Once that label is there, guys think I need to drop everything and give them all my attention, but I can't."

I want to be able to scream that I want him, and only him. I want to tell him that yes, I will absolutely be his girlfriend. I want all of that and more…but my life handed me a card I can't just drop. I'm not twenty-one with barely any responsibilities anymore. I don't want him regretting taking me and all my baggage in.

"Yeah, well, I'm not those guys. I've spent alone time with you just a handful of days this month, and most of those days we didn't even have long enough together to kiss. I'm patient. I'm independent. I don't need a woman at my side all day every day to know she's in my heart."

I grin, biting my lip. His heart? "I weaseled my way in there already?"

He exhales with a chuckle. "Almost ten years ago." He looks away and I can feel my own heart hammering in my chest.

I bring my hand to his cheek and move his gaze to mine so I can search his eyes for any trace of humor, but he's not joking. "So what your sister said?"

"Hell." He chuckles. "I didn't think I'd ever be admitting this to you, but goddamn, Kinlee, you never saw me like that. I tried, damn hard too, but." He shakes his head and looks away again with a disappointed smirk on his face.

"Those ten seconds against Miller's truck were you trying damn hard?" I can't help but make fun of him and I start to giggle when the look on his face changes.

His lips push against mine and soon I'm swept up into forgetting all my worries about us. All my worries about him and his safety, for the moment, are gone. His lips on mine feel like heaven. His tongue twisting with mine washes away all the worries of my day. His hands snake up the back of my shirt and his warm palms press against me, pulling me closer and making me grind against him. He lets out a low growl and his lips fall to my neck. I push against him, feeling his arousal growing and not worrying one bit about the people inside that house right now.

Right now I need it to be just us.

He must read my mind, because he grips my hips and stands abruptly, making me giggle too loud. My legs wrap around his waist as I laugh and he carries me down the steps.

"I've got longer than ten seconds in me now," he promises and I lock my legs around his waist, laughing as he walks us away from the house. "I was losing my virginity to the girl I'd loved since sixth grade." He stops walking when we get to the field and he sits, rolling me to my back and hovers over me. "I can go for twenty seconds now." His fingers pop the button on my jeans and I wiggle my hips under him, needing his hands on me. "I would have just taken you right to my bedroom but you won't commit to stayin' and your siblings will wonder why you're leavin' my room in the middle of the night." He pushes my pants and thong down, sliding his hand over me and groaning. "You're my girl, ain't ya?" He looks me in the eyes and doesn't move until I answer.

"I'm your girl, Bo," I whisper, terrified by these feelings I'm having for him.

He grins and kisses me, unbuttoning his jeans. I slide a leg out of my jeans, but don't bother with the other, and he only pushes his jeans down past his ass, but right now, I couldn't care about the romance. I want him inside of me and I need it now. I lift my leg to wrap around his hip and arch my back, pushing up to him. A whimper escapes my lips as I grind against him.  He kisses me hard when he sinks inside of me, slow at first. God, this feels too right. I exhale and grip his shoulders tight, kissing him back.

"This weekend you're in my bed, all night and well into the morning. But right now." He plunges inside of me again and I gasp with a yelp. "I couldn't wait to feel you anymore." His hips start moving faster and it lights parts of my body on fire that have been numb for years.

Bo's body against mine is better than anything I've ever had. Ever. It's strong, loving, and giving while taking exactly what he wants. It's hot as hell, and every time he pushes into me he hits me deeper, in spots I never even knew could feel so good. He's damn perfect. His lips press to mine as his hips dip deep, biting onto my lip as he retreats then pushes in again. His hand comes to my hip and he holds on tight as he speeds up. I've never orgasmed without someone or something playing with my clit, so when my orgasm starts to build just from his dick hitting me perfectly, I gasp and grip his forearms, begging him not to stop.

"Shit, Bo," I moan, meeting his thrusts with my hips. "My god, don't stop," I gasp.

I feel myself tighten around him and he huffs, setting the perfect rhythm to send me into the best orgasm I've ever had. When I start to come, his grasp on my hip tightens and he pushes harder and deeper. Releasing a frustrated groan, he's trying to hold back his orgasm while I ride out mine.

"I'm gonna come," he warns and I nod, holding him against me so he doesn't pull out. "Shit, I love you, Kinlee," he moans and thrusts his hips once more, deep inside me and drops his forehead to my shoulder.

"I love you too, Bo," I whisper through the emotions rolling around inside of me.

I do. I fucking love this man. I don't know when it happened or how it happened. Maybe it was always there and I just didn't know what to call it. Having boyfriends was never on my list of something I needed in life, but Bo has been there for me through almost everything in my youth, and he's here now.

And I love him.

I do. I fucking love this man.

 

 

Ever since that night, Bo and I have been closer than ever. I'm still busy, he's still workin' the ranch and spending time with the twins, but we're spending more and more of our free time together. He's been having us over for dinner a few times a week and every weekend, after I get off my shift at the diner, he's been there waiting for me. I still worry about him daily, but it's something I have to learn to deal with. I know when he's working on the ranch he's not going to get in too much trouble. There's no way Brandt or Brandt’s dad would allow it. It's when he's off and I'm not there with him that I worry, and I worry a lot.  

The other day he was out with a few old high school buddies, apparently four-wheelin' on his land after the rain, and all I could do was worry he was going to end up hurting his back even more. He claims the four-wheeler doesn't hurt, but I've noticed the day after he goes he's always a little slower. Never one to complain, but it shows.  

My phone rings from its charger and I groan. There goes my attempt at a nap today.  

"Hey," I say, seeing it's Jo. My stress is amped right now because I know Bo and the kids are over there and lord knows what they're doing.  

"So don't panic, but... Bo was being an ass and fell off one of the four-wheelers trying to pull stunts. Hit his head pretty good and Brandt forced him to go to the hospital. He left here with a face full of blood. Good news? The kids are cleaning up horse shit for me."

My stomach drops and panic rises. "He what? You can't tell me not to panic, Jo. He's at the hospital? What the hell is he pullin' stunts for? What hospital?" I run around the house, trying to find my sandals and keys.  

"Don't stress, Kinlee." She huffs. "He left here laughing his ass off. You know how he is. He's Bo Hart, he's always trying to pull some stupid stunt. And I only know of one hospital right outside of town, so I imagine that one? Call Brandt. Maybe they just went up to the clinic. Not like brains were falling out of his head, but he's gonna need a few stitches."

"Oh my god," I groan, trying to take a deep breath before I completely lose it. I knew he'd end up hurting himself. I knew those four-wheelers were a bad idea. And the fact that he left there laughing makes me even more worried that the man sees nothing as real danger. "Thanks. I'll figure it out." I head out of the house and speed off toward the hospital. They don't do stitches like that at the clinic so even if those two went there, they're going to end up at the ER.  

My hands are shaking with nerves and anxiety as I pull into the parking lot and swing into a spot. I'm trying not to look like a mad-woman, but that's exactly how I feel rushing inside.  

"Bo Hart," I blurt at the lady working the front desk.  

"Let me see where they put him. They just got here." She tells me to go take a seat so I do, just to glare at the doors to the back.  

When Brandt walks through the doors, I storm over to him. "What the hell are you doing letting him do this shit?" I blurt, shoving at his chest but he doesn't budge.

With a shake of his head, he adjusts his ball cap and lets out a sigh. "He's gonna do whatever he wants, Kinlee. No one's gonna tell Bo what he can't be doin'. He's fine. Just waiting on the doc right now. Curtain seventeen, down the hall on the right."

I don't even bother saying anything else to him. When I approach the curtain, he's sitting on the bed, holding a rag to his head.  

"Hey, dumbass," I whisper, hating this scene.  

"Well hello to you too, darlin'." He smirks and rolls his eyes. "Why you here, Kinlee?"

"You hurt yourself. Doin' something not too smart, by the way. Of course I'm going to be here to make sure you're not dead." I huff and plop into the chair next to him. "Mostly because you scare me, and I had to see with my own eyes that you're okay," I admit, frowning at him. "That towel’s almost soaked with blood."

"My money's on Jo? She called? She probably should have told you I'm not hurt. I split the bridge of my nose. Not sure if you know, but they bleed like a sieve and take a while to stop. It ain't as bad as it looks. And what was I doing that wasn't too smart? I." He's waving his hand back and forth, just trying to come up with something. "Slipped."

I raise an eyebrow at him and shake my head. "That's not what Jo told me, Bo." I stand and grab a clean towel from the tray next to him to switch them out. "What made you think pullin' tricks like that was okay? And with your back? You shouldn't even be on those damn four-wheelers."

"Well shit, Kinlee. Why don't we just put me in a wheelchair and call it a damn day?" As he scrunches his brows it makes the bleeding heavier.

"There's plenty you can do without putting yourself in danger, Bo. Shit," I huff, grabbing another towel. "When are they coming in to help you out with this?" I push the towel to his face because he's obviously not focused enough on it, and I catch his eye watching me. "What?"

"Don't worry about this, Kinlee. I ain't your brother or sister. You ain't in my life to baby me. Shit." He takes the towel and shifts to move away from me. "God only knows how you woulda reacted if you were around when I broke my back. Probably woulda up and left me." There's no trace of a smile on his face, and Bo's usually always joking, but he's dead serious right now and it makes my heart hammer faster.

"You're not my brother or sister. You're right. You're more to me than anyone else ever has been, Bo. Like it or not. So naturally I worry like hell about you. Daily." I grab my purse and throw it on my shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay. I have to go to work."  

He snatches my wrist and his eyes land on mine. "You came in here hot as a poker. Calling me names. Pissed I'm breathing oxygen right now. I ain't interested in that kind of concern. I'm perfectly fine and I always will be." Releasing my wrist, he sits back.

"I hate being anxious, Bo. I told you this from the get go that you scare me. Lately you've been doing more and more reckless stunts and I've been more and more on edge that one day the call I get is gonna be from the morgue. I'm not apologizing for worrying about the man I love." I shake my head and leave the room before he can come back. I push past Brandt in the waiting room. "You can go back now," I blurt, trying to make it to my car before the tears start.  

Tears of goddamned anger because I've let myself get wrapped up in this man that acts like he's invincible and there's nothing I can do. I need to figure out how to live like this, because I know I can't live without him.