Page 38 of Wrangled and Tangled (Raven Peak Ranch #1)

I ’ve never done anything like that before. I typically reserve my needs for the bedroom, and never would I have done this in my place of business, but seeing Heath so fucking needy on his knees… I couldn’t resist.

He did so well for me, and while I usually enjoy aftercare for my partners, I’m more than aware we’re still in my garage.

“Hey,” Heath’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts. His hands on my cheek, and he’s looking at me with worried eyes. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, I avoid his eyes.

“You’re overthinking this,” he says, giving me a small smile when I find the courage to look at him.

“I’ve never done–”

“In a public place?” He laughs and rests his head against mine. His hand snakes around my neck, and he squeezes the muscles there. “There’s no shame in what we did.”

Looking up at him, I shake my head, “No, I’m not ashamed. God, no.”

He chuckles and says, “There’s no God here Daddy, remember?”

Closing my eyes, I laugh, “No I mean, I’ve always kept that in my home. You know?”

He nods and kisses me once more. “Well, you’re safe here, I locked the door behind us.”

With a laugh, I bend down and swipe our shirts off the floor. Offering him his, he looks down at his crotch and then back up. “You know this is gonna be a bitch to get out, right?”

With a smirk of my own, I nod and swat his ass to get moving. I’m ready to get home and shower, and I think I just might invite him to join me, especially since we’ll have the house to ourselves.

I’m getting way too comfortable having him in my bed. I don’t know what I’m going to do once he leaves again.

Briar’s asleep, curled up on the couch this morning, when I finally get my ass out of bed. Thelma’s laying on top of her lifting her sleepy head and blinking before laying it back down.

I don’t know when she got in, but it’s past seven, so I imagine Mawmaw got her up for morning chores and then dropped her off afterward. She’s still wearing her clothes from last night and her boots are by the front door.

Heath walks out of the room not long after me and looks down at the pair snuggled on the couch.

“Why is the fur demon so cute when she’s asleep?” He whispers, leaning over the back of the couch to observe.

Thelma lifts her head and chitters at him. He makes a face at her and backs away.

“Exhibit A,” he says, pointing toward the pair.

I laugh, trying to be quiet so I don’t wake Briar. She’s been quiet the past few days, and I’m not sure it’s only because Pen had to go back home.

“I think you’ll survive if Thelma doesn’t like you,” I chuckle, nuzzling his neck. He smells so good, like rain and dirt. It’s homey and reminds me of how we met.

“Eddie called,” Heath says, situating himself at a bar stool while I cook some sausage and potatoes. ”The police questioned him about Moe being under my trailer.”

My back tightens, shoulders stiffening. I know they’re only doing their job, but they can’t pin these murders on him.

“And what did he say?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.

“Don’t worry, he told them the truth. I was doin’ my ride for the night and then talkin’ to the press during the time of death,” he says, and without looking, I can tell he’s smiling. “I still can’t get over the smell. I thought it was my trash…”

With a nod, I keep cooking. I’m worried about all the meetings the police have had. We haven’t heard from them directly in a while, and I’m getting nervous. Logically, I know it’s probably fine, but that’s the overthinker in me.

“I love how worried you are,” he teases.

Turning around after pulling a few links off the stove, I wave the spatula around, trying to come up with the words to explain how he should be taking this seriously.

They’re still combing through his trailer for God knows what, and if he’s got even a smidge of incriminating evidence, they’ll arrest him.

“There’s nothing in my trailer, Spence. I hardly own anything and only eat takeout on the road,” he says, as if reading my body language for what it is.

“Still, whoever actually did this could have planted something in there,” I reason while he hops off the stool on socked feet and blocks me into the counter.

“And if they did, there won’t be any DNA evidence that connects me to it,” he places a kiss on my lips and smiles. His beard scratches my cheek, and I lift my hand to run it through his hair.

“This is all very cute, but Dad, I think your potatoes are burnin’,” Briar’s voice makes us both jump, and Heath laughs.

“Shit,” turning back to the stove, I pull the skillet off the eye and turn the burner off. “Well, I guess we’re not having breakfast potatoes this morning.”

We all laugh, and the moment solidifies in my brain. It was as if my gut had been waiting on my brain to play catch-up on this new reality.

I’m… happy.

We’re happy .

More than happy, if I’m honest, and I can’t remember a time that Briar and I have been this carefree.

“How about we go get some groceries and have a movie day in?” I ask, looking between the two.

Briar jumps up with renewed energy and hollers, “I get to pick dinner!”

Heath looks at me and shrugs with the cutest lip tilt and I chuckle, “Deal.”