Page 47 of The Cowboy Who Stayed

He nods and heads for the door. Only once he’s reached the threshold does he pause.

“Take care of yourself, Vivica. I hope that cowboy makes you happy.”

I shut the door behind him and promptly twist the lock as if afraid the past will creep back in if I don’t. My breathing’s labored and nerves flutter in my stomach.

Seeing Craig like this has only reaffirmed one thing. It’s made me realize why I’ve been so reluctant and closed off.

It wasn’t because I was still hurting over Craig. It was because I never expected to fall again.

Rhett’s in nothing but his sweatpants when I turn up at his door, and he opens up with a stunned expression on his face. I can’t fight off the smirk fast enough, peering up at his unruly bedhead hair and the way his hazel eyes flicker with surprise.

“Doc, what are you⁠—?”

It’s a question that goes unfinished as I step forward and pull him down on me. Our lips press together for what’s an instantly hot and passionate kiss.

A bold one considering it’s Sunday morning and we’re on his front steps and half the neighborhood’s out and about.

The man next door is mowing his lawn, and the family across the street are off to church.

But as I kiss Rhett deeply, fingers sliding into his hair, I don’t give a damn.

I’ve spent way too long caring what people think, and I’m all out of fucks to give.

Rhett steps back, and I move with him. We blindly kick at the door to shut it and have a little privacy.

I tease him the longer we kiss, flicking my tongue to his then making him chase me. He responds by matching my fervor, one of his big hands gripping my hip. The other lifting to cup my face and hold me in place.

My head tilts up as Rhett takes over. His lips trap mine, and he’s kissing me so passionately it sends a shockwave through me.

“Not that I’m complaining,” he murmurs against my lips, “but what happened to ‘good morning, can I come in?’”

I draw back slightly, fingers gliding through his strands. “I thought this was more effective.”

“Can’t say you’re wrong about that. Just don’t spoil a guy. Showing up on his doorstep kissing him might get him used to it.”

My smirk returns. “I had to see you. This was the best way how.”

“Any particular reason?”

“I owe you an apology. I canceled on you the other night because… because I’ve been in my head a lot. More than I let you believe. I was really trying to figure out what I was feeling.”

Rhett raises a brow. “You mean since the ex showed up?”

I nod. “His showing up here has messed with my head in ways I wasn’t prepared for—and it’s not because I want him back. It’s because it’s made me realize other things about myself.”

“Alright, I’ll bite. Like what?” he asks.

“I wondered if maybe I wasn’t as over our divorce as I thought. If maybe my reluctance to be in a relationship again was because I was still hurt. But that wasn’t it. Talking to Craig made me realize that. It’s because… I didn’t want to accept that I do want another relationship again. That I need to get out of my own way and stop sabotaging myself.”

Rhett’s expression hovers between slightly amused and somewhat confused. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Miss Vivica?”

“I’m saying I don’t give a damn about our age difference or that we both work at the ranch. I don’t even care that I’ve been divorced before and swore I’d never date again. All that went out the window with you. None of it matters because our connection overrides everything.”

The grin that comes to Rhett’s face is slow. It’s lopsided and just a little bit cocky.

It makes me laugh as his hands slide over my arms and he cups my elbows, pulling me closer. Back up against him.

My neck cranes back, and I find myself lost in his golden-hued gaze as he bows his head and then proceeds to kiss me.