Page 68 of When You Blush

“And Xander ended up shovinghimin a locker and got suspended for it.”

“I need to buy Xander a beer.”

“Everyone knew that Ava and I had three older brothers who would kick their ass if they messed with us, so mostly I was a wallflower. I liked it that way. I don’t like being the center of attention.”

“You’re the center ofmyattention,” I remind her.

“For two days.” She nods, but I lean in and press my lips to her ear.

“Even if I’m not physically with you, you’re the fucking center of my attention. You’re never far from my mind, sugar.”

She bites her lip and shakes her head.

“You’re too good to be true.”

“What doesthatmean?”

She moves to scoot off the bed, but I keep her next to me, my hand on her arm and because it’s physically impossible for me to keep my hands to myself, I tuck her hair behind her ear and drag my fingers down her jawline.

“What does that mean, Harper?”

“The other shoe is going to drop. Something has to be wrong with you. You’ll be sweet like this for a while, and then when we’re alone, you’ll tell me I’m stupid. Or you’ll sleep with someone else. Or you’ll remind me that I’m a shit nurse.”

“Whoa.” Shaking my head, I pull her onto my lap and wrap my arms around her, keeping her against me. “None of that is going to happen. You’re not stupid in the slightest, baby. You’re an amazing nurse. I’ve seen you in action. And I already made it clear that you’re the only woman I see.”

“For now,” she breathes and nuzzles her sweet face into my neck. Her sigh has my heart aching.

“Not for now.” I pull back and hook my finger under her chin, bringing her gaze back to mine. “Who the fuck put this shit in your head? The guy you ran away from?”

She simply nods.

“You need to tell me what he did, baby. I need toknow so I understand what demons I’m navigating through here.”

She sighs again and closes her eyes. “I know. Maybe we can talk while we hike?”

“That’s fine.” I kiss her lips and push my hand over her neck and into her hair. “No shoe is dropping. I’m not that idiot. Not even close.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “Let’s go hike.”

Chapter Sixteen

HARPER

Icannotbelievethat I spewed that shit in bed this morning. We’re having a great time together, and I had to let my insecurities and the baggage from Nathan the moron rear its ugly head.

And now, Blake, who didn’t deserve even one word of the comments I made, needs an explanation.

Hedeservesan explanation.

But this is so humiliating.

“This is the Wild family’s ranch. It’s actually the Lexingtons’ as well since they combined the properties after Millie and Holden married, making it the biggest cattle ranch in Montana,” Blake says. He’s holding my hand as he drives down a gravel road off the highway. When the road forks, he keeps right and soon we’re driving around a lake. There’s a beautiful house and dock on the lake, with what looks like a large shop nearby.

“This is Chase’s house,” Blake continues. “He and Summer built it not long ago.”

“It’s a beautiful spot,” I reply, taking it all in. It’s truly stunning, with gorgeous views of the mountains.

“Yeah, Chase chose well when he decided to build here,” Blake agrees and pulls to a stop at a little trailhead. “This is us.”