Page 17 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“What?” It was all Caleb could stammer. The last couple of days had been torture.

There was something about his confession that made him ache for Sammie even more—though he couldn’t act on any of his feelings because she didn’t know.

He blinked at her, waiting for her to laugh or shove him aside.

He waited for her teasing tone. But none of that came.

She was breathing heavily, just as he was. The trek across the property in the freezing temperatures had been more than enough to leave them winded.

Caleb took a step toward her when she didn’t explain herself. “What are you saying?” he whispered.

She swallowed. Her cheeks were already tinged pink from the chill outside, but beneath that color, a new sort of rosy glow flooded her skin. She pressed her lips together in a thin line then forced a laugh. “What does it sound like I’m saying?”

He wouldn’t dare hope—couldn’t dare hope—that she’d been harboring feelings for him.

Caleb needed to hear her say it again, confirm what she had said in another way before he allowed himself to succumb to the relief and exhilaration that currently tried to overthrow his shock.

“Sammie,” he murmured quietly, “this isn’t a game. ”

“No, it’s not.” She lifted her chin, even as he continued to step closer, even as he scrutinized her. “I… love you.”

Still, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“I don’t know when it happened. And I don’t know why except for the fact that you’ve been so good to me.

You take care of me, and you’ve always been there for me.

I think it was only a matter of time, and before you ask, it’s not the kind of love a friend has for another friend, but it’s the kind of love that?—”

That was all he needed to hear. Caleb pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. She sucked in a sharp breath, questions in her eyes. “You love me?” Caleb murmured.

She blinked several times before she finally nodded. “I love you, Caleb.”

His chest tightened, and he pulled her into a hug, crushing her into his body. Words would never do his feelings justice. “You don’t know how happy you’ve just made me.”

Her arms came around him, hesitant at first. Her body went from being stiff as a board to melting into him. Then she shuddered. Was she crying?

He pulled back and stared at her, not completely setting her free. “Sammie,” he whispered, not able to find the words to ask. Caleb searched her eyes, looking for any sign that she was unhappy.

But her eyes shone brighter than before. “Really?” she whispered.

He let out a strangled laugh. “Nothing could make me happier than knowing that you love me… because I’ve known I’ve loved you since our wedding day.”

Her eyes widened. “What?” Her question was a breath of a whisper. He wasn’t even sure he heard it—perhaps he hadn’t, and he’d only seen it from the shape of her lips.

Caleb reached up with his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

He let his fingertips trace along the side of her face then down her jaw until he grasped her chin with his finger and thumb.

“I think a part of me has always loved you, Sammie. And I’m only now realizing how much time I’ve wasted in not telling you sooner.

” He searched her eyes, drank her in. There was no one else for him.

No one who would come close to stealing his heart like she had.

Without another word, he dipped his face closer to hers. It was a slow, hesitant movement. Part of him wondered if he was dreaming. But when she slipped her hand around the back of his neck to drag him to her, he gave in.

All his inhibitions were gone, hauled away from where he’d been clutching them so tightly. His lips crushed over hers with a passion he hadn’t thought himself capable of. Sammie opened up to him, clung to him like he was the bearer of breath itself.

Her body was soft and warm and yet hot with a fire that mirrored his own.

Desire exploded within him. She was sweet to the taste, and he had every intention of savoring the experience as long as he could.

Sammie pushed her fingers into his hair, knocking his hat to the floor with a soft thud.

Their kiss deepened until he wasn’t sure he could hold himself back any longer.

They were married. There was nothing wrong with these carnal desires. But he couldn’t rush her. He couldn’t push her into something she might regret participating in. They had time.

Caleb withdrew carefully, turning his attention to her jaw as he nipped soft kisses along its edge then down her neck. Sammie gasped, her hands still pressing against him. He moaned, wishing he could just take all of her in this very moment.

Time.

There’d be plenty of time for that. Right now, she deserved his love and respect.

She deserved to feel like a princess. Caleb pulled back, finding pleasure in the brief flicker of her disappointment at the movement.

She wanted him. Her eyes were clouded with a desire he knew all too well.

Her pink nose, cheeks, and chin all showed evidence of the kiss they’d shared.

When he didn’t look away, she let out a nervous laugh. “What?”

He shook his head. “You’re… so beautiful.”

Sammie dropped her gaze, and a smile played at her lips. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Caleb chuckled. Then he hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted so her eyes met his.

“I get that we’ve done this a little backwards…

so maybe we just…” He couldn’t find the words he thought would express how he felt.

Finally, he settled on, “Let’s take this slow, okay?

I don’t want either one of us to rush into anything. ”

She snickered, and the irony wasn’t lost on him. He flashed her a smile. “I know. But let’s be logical. What if you wake up one day and realize you were just… lonely?” He hated to even bring it up. His stomach twisted with the possibility.

Sammie frowned. “Do you think your feelings will change?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he said firmly.

But that didn’t mean that Sammie wasn’t attributing her affections for him to the fact he’d been here to help her when she needed it.

When she was independent and could walk away but chose to stay, that would be when he wouldn’t be able to deny it.

She continued to frown. The lines between her brows creased. At least she didn’t pull away. Instead, she glanced up at him. “For the record, I know my heart. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you.”

He couldn’t help but smile at that.

“I’m okay with taking this slow if it will make you feel better.” Even as she said it, he could hear how unsure she was in her decision. She’d thank him when their relationship was stronger for it.

Caleb pulled her close and brushed a kiss to her brow. “I’m just glad I get to date you a little—for real this time.”

That smile she’d been hiding emerged, and she rose on her toes slightly to brush a kiss near his ear before she whispered, “I can’t wait.”

Chills raced down his spine, and he stifled a groan.

She was intentionally making it difficult for him to focus on the plan he’d made.

One day, he’d be able to scoop her in his arms and show her just how much he wanted her.

For now, he’d have to settle with exploring these shared feelings they had between themselves.

Patches of grass were peeking through where the larger snow drifts had once been.

If Caleb had still been in college, they would be preparing for finals week.

So much had changed over the last year. Caleb could hardly believe it.

In a few short weeks, Sammie was planning on filing the paperwork with her lawyer to have her inheritance released to her.

He’d already helped her prepare the documents that would be necessary.

She didn’t know it yet, but she wouldn’t have to lift a finger. He’d already sent them in.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that someone would come snooping any day now. Her father likely wouldn’t believe that she’d spent the last year with Caleb as his wife.

But the best part of all of it was the fact that they were no longer married out of convenience. They were together. They were in love. There was nothing more that either of them could ask for.

Everything was turning out better than he could have dreamed.

Tonight, he planned on taking her out for an early anniversary celebration.

He’d thought about waiting for their true wedding anniversary, but he’d wanted to surprise her more.

Besides, tonight was the three-month anniversary of their relationship becoming official.

There was a certain level of importance for this date over the other.

Sammie would be coming in from her chores any minute now.

He’d hurry her off to clean up, and they’d be headed out for dinner at The Steer House, and he’d give her his news.

It wasn’t much of a gift, which was why he’d chosen to get her another ring to add to the simple band she already wore.

The first one was for show. It wasn’t flashy—definitely something meant for a couple right out of college.

Caleb wanted her to wear something that showed they’d worked hard to find each other—a promise to one another.

The door to their bedroom opened, and Sammie took one look at him and groaned. She kicked off her boots and wiped a hand over her forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me the spring was harder?”

He chuckled. “It’s not. Not really.”

“I beg to differ. Do you know how many times I nearly fell into and got stuck in the mud? My muscles aren’t ready for this sort of thing yet.”

Caleb moved closer to her, a grin on his face.

Her eyes swept over his form, a frown touching her lips as she no-doubt noticed he was dressed nicely. “Where are you going?”

“Don’t you mean, where are we going?”