Page 64 of A Rancher's Vow

“Why do you sound guilty?”

Because big sisters had built in bullshit monitors? “I could have sworn I told you, but I’m the girlfriend. I mean, I’m thepretendgirlfriend.”

“Tee.” The scolding and the worry in Chelsea’s tone was loud and clear.

“I know. It made sense at the time, I swear.”

“You’re a menace. And I hope to hell you know what you’re doing.” Chelsea sighed heavily. “Next topic, we’ve set our holidays. Suz and I have Tuesday night to Friday off, second week of July. Suz’s first shift back starts at six on Friday night, so we’ll come and hang out for a couple days then drive home Friday, no problem.”

“Perfect. I’ll arrange with Silver Stone to switch my weekend for those days. Oh, and Dustin says we can borrow horses and he’ll take us riding while you’re here.”

“Oh, really?”

“He’s a good guy, Cee. Should I tell him you’re interested?”

“Of course, we’re interested.” Chelsea paused. “You’re a grown up, Tee, so I won’t ask things that are none of my business, but I will say this; if you need me, I’m there. You needanything, I’m there.”

“Back atcha, sis. I love you, but everything is okay, really. And I’m looking forward to time with you two in a few weeks.”

They said their goodbyes, then Charity got back into the routine of her life. A tidy of her apartment, a trip to the grocery store to restock a few items. Ordinary, everyday things.

She missed having Dustin to talk with.

No—not a place she would allow her mind to go. Instead, she sped up her pace on the walk home from the store, hauling her groceries with her in the rolling basket she used.

A long, low whistle sounded to her left. Charity whipped her head around to discover Dustin beside her, his truck moving at a snail’s pace as he grinned out his window. “Hey, Tee. Need a ride?”

“Home is only a couple blocks away,” she protested, but he’d already pulled over and was out his door and headed to her side.

“You can be comfy for a couple of blocks, then.” He picked up her entire shopping basket and eased it over the side of his truck into the back. He pulled open the passenger door and offered her a hand up. “There you go.”

It felt far too good to be in the cab of the truck. “Are you proud of me? I didn’t try to open my own door or anything.”

“So proud.” He leaned over her, smiling face right there in front of her. He lowered his voice to raspy, sex volume. “Can I help with your seatbelt?”

“You just want to grope me.”

The words popped out before she thought better of it, but he laughed. “You know me too well.”

His hands moved in a quick, gentle caress over her torso. Then he did up the seatbelt, closed her door, and returned to the driver’s side.

“You just got me all hot and bothered,” Charity complained softly when he put the truck in gear.

“Maybe we should do something about that.” Dustin drove slowly, his fingers linked with hers on the bench seat. “If you’re free this afternoon.”

It was a recipe for disaster, but hell if she had the willpower to say no.

Which was why an hour later she lay panting on her bed, Dustin at her side. They’d both enjoyed a couple of outstanding orgasms.

“My ice cream is melting.”

Dustin pushed up on his elbow and grinned. “Is that new slang for what we just did?”

“It’s a literal complaint. My groceries were abandoned in the kitchen. God, did we even close the front door?”

He nuzzled her neck, curling against her. “I closed the door,andI shoved the ice cream in the freezer. That’s all I had time to do before the ravishing began.”

“It was impulsive but excellent ravishing.” She cupped his face and stared into his dark brown eyes. “Hey.”