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It wasn’t as effective as carrying a weapon, but it could work.

“Do you know how to use it?”

She nodded. “I used to carry it when I was hiking. I’ve never had to use it, but I know how and I’m okay with using it.”

“I’ll get some and then we’ll talk about you riding alone.”

I’d probably stall around for a while to give myself a little more time before I cut her loose to ride out on her own, but I was eventually going to have to do it.

“Thank you,” she said as she sent me a quick, heart stopping smile.

Seeing Reese happy had become a fucking mission for me, and if she kept smiling at me like that, for the first time in my life, I was going to be willing to give a woman everything she wanted…and more.

Reese

The spring fundraiser had been a huge success so far.

I swore that most of the people in Crystal Fork were here at the fundraiser, and probably some from other areas as well.

It was crowded, but it had been such a fun day.

I loved arts and crafts, and I had a bagful of goodies stashed in the booth that Millie was overseeing.

“The auction is going to start soon,” I told Devon as we strolled around and looked at the items to be auctioned. “Have you had your fill of the food yet?”

I stroked my forefinger lightly over the beautiful turquoise and silver necklace.

I wasn’t going to get my hopes up, but I was hoping Devon was right and that I could put in the winning bid.

There were other incredible things to be auctioned off, including a beautiful painting of Millie’s, but the intricate necklace was the only thing I planned on bidding on.

“Never,” he said with a grin. “I’ll go back for dessert later.”

I wasn’t sure how he could even think about dessert after all of the food he’d eaten, but he’d worked pretty hard earlier in the day.

As things had wound down a little, Millie had waved us away to go enjoy the things the fundraiser had to offer.

Devon had immediately headed for the food booths, but we’d gotten around to most of the stalls after his hunger was satisfied.

We hadn’t really talked much about my offer of friends with benefits that I’d stupidly blurted out the day before.

Today, I still didn’t know what I’d been thinking.

Maybe it was the excitement of seeing him come home and that stunning welcome home kiss.

Maybe it was something Silas had said that had gotten me thinking.

Or…maybe I’d just had a change of heart.

I didn’t want to have regrets, and I’d never felt as close to a man as I did to Devon.

The chemistry between the two of us was almost palpable in the air around us whenever we were together.

I wanted to know what it would feel like to be with someone who cared about me and would probably make me shatter into a million pieces in bed.

I’d get that from Devon, and it would be a first for me.

I didn’t want to pass on the opportunity to feel that way.