Page 46 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)
Ivy
? To Hell and Back - Maren Morris
W e've been at the ranch for five days, and it’s been almost blissful.
Earlier in the week, Luca retrieved some of my paint supplies from the untouched studio and I’ve been able to pour all of my emotions into my art.
I’ve spent a lot of time falling in love again, with painting and the peace it brings me.
It’s a beautiful fall day and there’s no place I’d rather be than right here in my safe haven.
The crisp autumn air wraps around me as the leaves tumble from the trees, comforting in their predictability.
Griff and Jax rode out to the waterfall with me before they had to get back to work, so I’ve been spending a peaceful morning in my favorite spot on the ranch.
We used to spend so much time out here as teens, and now it feels like the perfect place to soak in the stillness and allow my brush to guide itself over the canvas.
As I’m packing up the last of my supplies, Luca approaches on Maybelle, a brown and white paint horse.
“Hey beautiful,” he says, hopping down from the saddle as though he’s spent his whole life on horseback.
I’m more of a dark romance girl, but I’m starting to see why Paige loves the cowboys.
His dark wranglers hug his ass in the most delicious way, and his flannel shirt sleeves are rolled up, giving me a peek at his muscled forearms and his compass tattoo.
“Hungry?” he asks. “I brought a picnic.”
“How did you know? I was just packing up to grab some lunch.”
“Perfect timing, then.” Luca secures Maybelle to the nearby hitching post beside Copper, the chestnut quarter horse that’s been around for as long as I can remember.
He carefully lays a picnic blanket over a patch of grass, setting a large wicker basket in the middle along with two bottles of cider.
“I have a really important question to ask,” he says, sinking down onto the blanket, leaning back on his hands as he looks up at me with an ominous expression on his face.
“Now I’m scared.”
With a chuckle, he pats the spot beside him. “Come here.”
Once I’m settled criss-cross on the patchwork quilt, he smirks. “PB whether because of the emotions of the moment, or the sheer force of my release, I can’t be certain.
Luca pulls out, spilling himself on my stomach before rolling us to the side to lay tantalizing kisses along my spine.
“God, you’re so fucking perfect.”
After cleaning up with some bottled water and baby wipes I had in my pack, we settled back onto the picnic blanket, a little closer than we had been before I threw myself at him. “You never told me which sandwich you wanted,” he says, with a hint of amusement on his face.
“I’ll take whatever you don’t want.”
Luca hands me half of a ham and cheese while he devours the other half in two bites. “Mmm, not bad. But I think I preferred the appetizer,” he teases.
I laugh for the first time in days, leaning my head on his shoulder as I soak in the crisp October air.
It’s a relatively mild day, but I still shiver, and Luca doesn’t miss it.
He pulls me into his lap, wrapping both of his arms around me as he leans his head down between my shoulder and neck.
His warmth surrounds me as I intertwine our fingers.
“So, tell me about Jax and Griff. You seem close.”
I inhale a steadying breath. I knew we’d have to talk about it eventually, and I guess now is as good a time as any.
“Once upon a time, we were. But, in true Ivy fashion, I fucked up,” I admit.
When he doesn’t say anything, I continue.
“After mom died, I spent a lot of time out here. Griff and Jax were like brothers to me back then. They had Ruby, of course, but she was busy trying to break into the music industry, so they took me in. Treated me like one of their own.”
“That’s really nice. They seem like good people. So what happened?”
“Austin,” I sigh. “The moment I met him, I set myself on a path of destruction. I was so busy letting him possess me, I couldn't see the red flags until I was way past the point of no return. I pulled away from everyone here and, well, you know the rest.”
Luca kisses me then, not a heated kiss, but still soul crushing all the same in its innate tenderness. “You survived, Ivy. You’re going to be okay.”