Page 77 of Pretty Little Scars

“Nah, closer to sober now. Whew.” She drags her nails lightly up and down my back, making me groan and begin to harden again, still inside her.

“Let’s go to the house,” I murmur against her neck. “And settle in for the night.”

“We can move my stuff tomorrow.”

“Excellent plan.” I stand and then pull her off the bed and into my arms.

“Wait, are you carrying me over therenaked?”

“That’s part of the excellent plan, yes. No one but the wildlife will see us.”

“Scandalous.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

DARBY

“Sylvester, you’re adorable.” I smile down at the orange cat, who’s currently chasing a butterfly through the greenhouse while I work on planting herbs in little plastic holders.

This cat has been following me around all morning while I plant things and work in the gardens. The fence is up, so I feel confident in planting now, and I might have gone a little crazy today.

I prop my gloved hands on my hips and blow a strand of hair out of my eye as I survey the space.

All the shelves are covered in planted seeds. In addition to herbs, such as basil, thyme, parsley, and oregano, I have flowers starting and even some veggies. Okay, lots of vegetables. Who doesn’t love garden-fresh green beans?

Yesterday, Tucker helped me move my stuff into the house, and then we checked on the livestock before spending a good portion of the day back in bed.

I got what I asked for. I’m walking funny.

But I’m not sorry. Not even a little bit.

Sylvester follows me out of the greenhouse, where I’m about to plant some rosebushes. I have no idea how all of this got delivered out here, I just know that I told Tucker what I wanted, and everything was magically here this morning.

Like he’s a damn witch or something and conjured it up himself.

He’s spoiling me.He says it’s the bare minimum, but he’s wrong. This is above and beyond. I’m living in his house, although we haven’t put a label on whatthisis. We haven’t discussed it. And maybe we don’t have to. Maybe it’s as simple as the two of us enjoying each other for the next year while I’m living out here, and then we’ll move on to something else.

He’ll move on to someone new.

Yuck.

The thought of that makes me want to lose my breakfast.Absolutely not.That’s not what I want. But it’s still new, and I don’t want to be too needy either.

This whole relationship thing is exhausting.

I’ve just turned the corner when I see Tucker jogging my way, his handsome face set in a scowl.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need you to come in the barn, please.”

“Of course. Come on, Sylvester.” I shoo the cat out, close the gate behind me, and jog with Tucker back to the barn. “What’s up?”

“Ellie has a lame foot,” he says, and I can hear the concern in his voice. “She’s favoring the front right foot and is agitated.”

“Let’s have a look.” I immediately walk right into the stall and run my hands over her flank. She gives a little shiver. “Something’s hurting you, huh, pretty girl? Let’s figure it out.”

Tucker stands with me and helps me get her foot up, and I know exactly what’s wrong.