“He’s okay. He had a blockage in one of his main arteries that we were able to clear.” We stood and listened as the doctor explained how Peter was going to have to rest and most importantly slow down. When Lark mentioned his father ran a very successful hunting ranch, the doctor said Peter was going to have to bring someone in to help manage it, most likely fulltime.
Glancing over to Tristan, I saw the conflict on his face. I knew he wanted to run this ranch, I just wasn’t sure if he wanted to run it now.
Before the doctor left, he told us Peter could have one visitor at a time. Knowing his first question was going to be about the ranch, Lark brought it up. “What are we going to tell him about the ranch?”
Joyce held up her hands and said, “The ranch is the least of my worries.”
“But it will be one of Dad’s. You know he is going to worry about it, Mom,” Lark said.
Tristan was sitting in one of the chairs. I knew his heart was being torn in two right now, and I didn’t want to be one of the causes. Walking over to him, I sat down next to him.
“I don’t know what to do, Ryn. I felt like for once in my life everything was falling into place and now . . .”
Reaching for his hand, I knew that we still had a lot to talk about. A lot to work through, but I knew I wanted a future with Tristan and I believed in my heart he meant what he said when he said he would never hurt me again.
“You told me once your dream was to run the ranch. Has that changed?”
Lifting his head, he whispered, “No.”
My heart was breaking for Tristan. I knew he was conflicted and I needed to reassure him that he was making the right decision, not only for himself but for his family as well. I also needed to make it clear I would be there for him no matter where he was. “Tristan, I know you don’t have to work. I know that if you stopped working tomorrow, you would still be set financially because of your grandparents. Quitting your job and moving here to take over the ranch should be the easiest thing you’ve ever done.”
Taking my hand, Tristan stood and began walking down the hall. Opening a closet door, he pushed me inside and shut it. His face was filled with such angst. “Don’t you see, Ryn? If I follow that dream, I lose you. The one thing I’ve been so worried about, pushing you away, isn’t even the thing I had to worry about.” Pushing his hands through his hair he yelled out, “Fuck! I can’t believe this.”
Reaching for his arms, I pulled them down. “Tristan, I’m going to be wherever you are. I don’t care if it’s in Austin, here in South Texas or in some god forsaken desert.” Placing my hands on his face, I whispered, “Tristan, I promise you, I’m not going anywhere.” Closing my eyes briefly before opening them again, I continued talking. “We still have a lot of talking to do and things to work out, but I just got you back, Tristan Williams. I’m not letting you go ever again.”
Tristan leaned his head against mine. “Do you have any idea how much I want to fuck you right now, Ryn?”
“Hmm . . . I forgot how romantic you were.”
Tristan laughed and pushed my skirt up and slipped his fingers under the sides of my panties. The moment I lifted my leg and his fingers slipped in, I let out a moan. I missed his touch so much.
Dropping my head to his chest, I began grinding against his hand. Gripping his shirt, I felt my body building up my orgasm. Oh God, this was going to be big. Tristan’s expert fingers worked me up to the max. “Tristan!”
His lips pressed against mine as I came on his fingers. I could feel my insides pulsing as he slowly moved his fingers in and out of me.
“Fucking hell, Ryn. Your pussy was clamping down on my fingers like you really needed to come, baby.”
Breathing into Tristan’s massive chest, I nodded my head. “I needed you, Tristan. You’re all I’ll ever need.”
Brushing his lips against mine, Tristan spoke. “I’m going to make you mine tonight, Ryn.”
“I’ve always been yours, Tristan. Always.”
PULLING UP TO THE HOUSE, Lark jumped out of the backseat of my truck and opened the passenger side door. My father pushed Lark’s hand away. “Damn it. I’m perfectly fine. I don’t need to be babied.”
Looking over Dad’s shoulder, Lark winked at me and smiled. Shaking my head, I got out of the truck and got Dad’s stuff from the back seat.
“I can’t believe those assholes let me out on Christmas Eve. Have the two hunters checked in, Tristan?”
Laughing, I walked up to my father. “Dad, just relax, what did the doctor say?”