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But he did.

Does that mean he loves me?

Do I feel the same?

I snort so hard a booger almost comes out of my nose.

Shit, I think I fell for him on my birthday. He was hot as hell up there singing on stage, but when he jumped off to keep that guy from hitting on me, I knew I wanted him.

And I might have been drunk, but I remember his soft kiss that night in his truck.

When I pull into the yard, he already has the trailer hooked up.

The smile on his face tells me everything I need to know.

Yep. He feels it too.

“Ready to bring your girls home, baby?” He holds open the passenger side so I can climb directly in.

But I stop, wrapping my arms around his waist and hug him tightly. He’s doing all of this for me, and not because he’s forced to.

“Well, thank you? I missed you too?” His palms run over my back as I squeeze him.

When I don’t let go, he stills his touch, then cups my neck. “Lib? What happened?” His voice drops to a tone of concern. “What did your dad say?” he asks quietly.

It’s like he already knows.

“Did he ever tell you he didn’t want this life? That he felt trapped because of me?” I take a shuddering breath.

Truth hurts worse than the fantasy I had made myself believe. I always thought that Dad was just tired. That it was the day to day drudgery that got to him. Not that he never wanted to be here from the beginning.

Blue’s chest expands with a long inhale.

“Your dad has always been a ‘one day’ kinda guy. That if he got A or B done, that life would be easier. But he keeps going down the list, or tries to skip stuff, hoping that something will change.” His fingers weave into my hair as he presses my ear to his heart. “It took me a while to realize that there’s a better way to look at that list. It’s not about what’s on it, but who you share it with. And that it’s not checking something off, but always wanting to add more.”

His thumb works a slow circle on my jaw, holding me just as fiercely as I’m holding him.

“You know I have a long one?” I tilt away and raise my palms so they’re facing each other. “Like, Ron Jeremy long.” I smirk, glancing between my hands and wag my eyebrows.

His laughter shakes us both. “I’m not sure if I should be turned on or worried that you know who that is.” Heturns me and helps me into his truck with a firm pat on the ass.

Then he grabs my shirt and pulls me close enough that he can crash his lips into mine.

Heat flutters through me as his touch softens to stroke my breast through the fabric. An errant brush over my nipple sends a zinging shock directly to my belly.

“Do you think you’d ever feel trapped with me? I mean, I did kinda manipulate you into ticking off some boxes.” I squint one eye at him, watching his reaction.

His mustache lifts in a lopsided smile. “Baby, the only way I’d feel trapped is if you have handcuffs on that list. And I’m guessing I’ll have a safeword?” He winks before shutting my door.

Huh. Well, now it’s on there.

Chapter Twenty-five

Blue

Mason’s amber eyes squintas he flips between the pages. “I might have to break down and get some glasses.” He glances up, then rubs his temples. “This getting old shit sucks.” He drops the first page down and slides the printout back towards Libby. “All your numbers look solid. Margins are big enough to leave room for a profit after expenses. I just can’t swing the extra for the property at the moment though.”

I can feel her drop almost imperceptibly.