A Winter's Date (50 page)

Heather looks up quickly and gasps before Dillen collides with her in a hug. “Little shit, let me see it right now.” I grin and walk over to shake Brannon’s hand when he stands up and then let go of him to hug Dani, welcoming them.

“Holy crap!” Heather squeals before jumping up and down collectively with Dillen. Within seconds, all the girls are hugging and giggling while Coen, Brannon, and I watch in amusement.

“All right, let’s see it,” Lana says softly, and Heather holds up her hand for all three of them to see, which gets a collective sigh.

“Fuck, Ryan, you just upped the game to a standard that neither Coen nor I would be able to meet,” Brannon says before making his way over to hug Heather. “Congratulations, sassy toes.”

Coen smacks me on the back. “Way to go, fuckhead. When do the babies come out?”

“Hell, man, whenever she wants them—which is now. Keep that shit to yourself, though.”

“Now? You’re fucking with me, right?”

“No, dude, we’re running full steam ahead. We’ve both lived through our own personal hells and it’s time that we get to be happy. I’m happy, man.” I stop looking at Heather for a second to see what he’s thinking.

“I know you are, and I’m here with you all the way. The only time you get to forget about me is when you have spit and baby shit all over yourself.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Not a chance in hell, bro.”

“Fuck that, man, fuck that.”

Heather looks over at us, prompting Coen to step forward and hug her. “Congratulations, little lady. Welcome to our family.”

“Awww, Coen, I love you too.” She hugs his neck and turns to Dani and hugs her again with tears in her eyes.

“When did you guys get here?”

“We all got in last night.”

“You jerk. You were here last night already and didn’t tell me?” She wipes at her eyes and lets go of her sister.

“Of course I didn’t tell you! Your fiancé would have skinned me alive.”

I watch as Heather spins on her toes to face me and steps into my arms, burying her face in my chest. “I love you so much, Noah. Thank you for this.”

I kiss the top of her head as everyone takes their seats, giving us a minute to ourselves before we join them for breakfast.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” I kiss her lips gently before looking at those eyes that swallow me whole. “I hope you enjoy your surprise. You could call it an engagement gift.” I wink and pat her ass.

She nods enthusiastically and kisses me once more before we let go of each other, and I pull out a seat at the table for her.

“Has everyone ordered?” I ask the table and reach for a menu, handing it to Heather before grabbing one for myself while my available hand rests on Heather’s thigh.

“We have, but we asked them to wait to bring anything out until you two arrived,” Lana says sweetly. She’s sitting on the other side of Heather, sipping her water. I can’t begin to imagine how awkward this trip started out for her. I make a mental note to remember to thank her individually for coming out and supporting us.

Heather puts down her menu and starts talking to her sister about the lodge. I know she couldn’t care less about what to order right now, but I also know what she’ll eat. I find it funny that not too long ago, I had no idea what this girl wanted regarding us or even her life, and now I’m able to order breakfast for her because I know her that well.

Damn, life has changed. I fucking love it.

“She’ll have the blueberry pancakes with bacon and orange juice, and I’ll have the Santa Fe omelet with bacon and coffee, just black, please,” I tell the waitress before she leaves.

Heather starts to tell our story again while my coffee is placed in front of me; I know she won’t get fed up with telling it. She loved last night as much as I did. Lana has Heather’s left hand in her two hands turning her engagement ring from side to side in order to get a better look at it.

This right here is family.

My parents and Joel might not be here, but we’re blessed to have each and every one of them in our lives.

HEATHER

“I can’t believe you pulled something like that off, Noah Ryan,” I try and scold him as I straddle his lap fully clothed in my tight jeans and white camisole.

Naturally, his hands move around to my rear and squeeze. “I’ve told you before not to underestimate me, sweetheart. You shouldn’t take me lightly.”

My fingers run up into his hair and I tug hard, pulling his head back as I rise up onto my knees. I try and tower over him but I still seem to fail. “You’re really going to get it later for keeping such a secret from me.”

“Get it? If you keep swaying your hips against my cock like this, I will fuck you.”

“Uh-uh . . .” I tease and sway my hips again. “You don’t have time for that. We’re meeting everyone downstairs in ten minutes.” I tease his lips with my tongue and smile; I’m just feeling too playful.

“I only need three minutes.”

He grabs hold of my hips and flips me onto the bed as he moves his body over mine, biting down my neck and pushing his hands between my breast and my bra. He pushes my bra down and my under-wire pushes my breasts up for him perfectly. “Don’t tease me with something I can’t have, especially if it belongs to me.”

I’m incredibly turned on by his dominance, and I’m happy to know that I can provoke him in just the right way. “I can do whatever I’d like . . . know why?”

“Because you’ll have my name by winter’s end,” he says as his lips sweep down my throat to my breasts, taking one nipple into his mouth and biting it sensually.

I nod because I’ve lost all speech. The only sounds coming from my lips are whimpers of delight.

He moves to my other nipple and bites softly and then stops everything to look up at me. “You should get dressed, ballerina; we wouldn’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

A loud, frustrated growl works its way out of my throat, and I huff. “No! I was supposed to be teasing you. You always turn it around on me.”

His warm, smoky laugh fills the room, and he helps me up, kissing me slowly. “I love you.”

I manage the cutest pout I can and furrow my brow. “Tease,” I simply reply and put my girls back in place. I decide not to return the sentiment as I walk over to grab my riding boots and slip them on.

“Stubborn,” he retorts as he puts on the thin jacket that he wore when he proposed to me.

“Ah! Noah!” My mouth drops open in surprise as he gives me a wink.

That cocky, suggestive wink.

One smack on the rear and an elevator ride later, we’re standing in front of our friends, deciding who should ride with whom.

“Okay, so, let all us girls ride in one car and the guys in another,” Dillen announces.

I look up at Noah and pout, which gets me a kiss on my lips and another smack on my butt. “I’ll see you there, baby.”

I smile because he’s so stinking affectionate. “Bye, handsome.”

The men go ahead while Dani runs upstairs to grab her camera. “Have either of you been horseback riding before?” Lana asks Dill and I.

“I have! Ahhh, I love horses. They’re so beautiful. Have you, Dill?” I bump my hip against Dill so she’ll reply to Lana politely. When that doesn’t work, I look over at her, and she’s studying her nails, picking at them and trying not to pay attention to Lana.

So help me God.

After an awkward pause, Dillen finally looks up at me, and smiles politely. “I haven’t, and I’m not going to lie . . . I’m scared shitless. What happens if I fall off?” she asks Lana anxiously.

Lana smiles and seems excited that Dillen is talking to her. “Just hang on with those long legs of yours, and you’ll be just fine.”

“If I fall off, one of you three needs to save my broken ass,” she says with a giggle and leans over to hug me. “I’m so happy for you. I’m sorry I’ve been a stuck-up bitch.”

I frown and hug her back. “Dill, stop, you haven’t. I know things are awkward,” I whisper in her ear. “But Lana is super sweet; give her a chance.” I swat her butt and she jumps back laughing.

“Look at you, little shit, getting all handsy.”

Dani is making her way downstairs as Lana smiles at the two of us. “How long have you two known each other?”

I look at Dill and scrunch my nose. “Too long. She’s a pain in my tutu.”

We all burst out laughing as we walk out of the lobby and get into the rental vehicle. Dani gets into the driver’s seat, and Dillen gets in front while Lana and I pile into the back.

I grab Dani’s camera and start snapping selfies of Lana and I. “Hurry, Dani, I want to see Brannon get on a horse for the first time,” I whine from the back.

“Oh hell yes, I need to see that too.”

We drive for the next thirty minutes while taking pictures the entire way. Once we arrive at the stables, I see my fiancé and the two men hanging around the horses waiting for us.

We all get out of the car, and they start whistling at us. I can’t help but smile: this is by far the best time I’ve had with my new little family. The guys start laughing when they see us put on our newly purchased cowboy hats that we bought at the local gas station.

“Howdy, boys,” I say in my finest Southern accent as we walk up.

“Howdy?” Noah asks as he takes in my little outfit, and I just know he’s wondering what I’d look like in just the boots and hat.

I squint up at him through the sunlight, and he pulls me to him by a knot at the front of my tied-up flannel shirt. I thought it was a cute ensemble for today’s little outing.

“Yes, howdy.” I lean up and give him a chaste kiss before turning around to face our group. “Okay, I want that black horse. Nobody touch him—he’s mine. Brannon, you should take that short, stumpy pony since it’s your first time.” I laugh at my smart-mouth comment.

Dani giggles with me and takes my hand. “I knew there was a reason you were my sister, sassy toes.”

Brannon growls under his breath, “Watch yourself.”

A fit of giggles takes over me, and I’m holding my stomach, bent over with laughter. I can hardly talk I’m laughing so hard.

Dani hugs me tightly. “I love you. Now let’s ride. I’m excited to see these men’s reactions.”

We all walk over to the guide and go over the safety measures. I keep looking over at Brannon, and he’s paying attention like his life depends on it. I keep my hand over my mouth because I’m afraid the laughter will just spew out of me.

Dillen must notice too because she nudges me in my side when the guide asks if anyone has any questions. Coen pipes in, “Will Noah still be able to get Heather pregnant after this little adventure?”

Dani’s eyes shoot toward me and light up excitedly. “What? Are you serious? A baby? Oh my God, I’m going to be an auntie soon? I better bust out your baby blanket, sister.”

“Ah shit, man, I don’t want to think about the saddle before I’m in it,” Noah says jokingly and the guys all chuckle.

I look over at Noah questioningly and purse my lips.

He told Coen? Oh my God, he really wants to be a daddy. Holy hell, I want to jump his bones right now.

He winks at me again, and I swear if he does it once more today, I’m going to attack him in public and beg for him to make love to me.

Dani is bouncing up and down excitedly on her toes. “You should name her Danielle . . . just a thought.”

I grab Dani’s wrists and make her stop. “Stop it; I’m not having a baby.” I laugh and squeeze her cheeks. “Besides . . . I’m a virgin,” I say as I flip my hair over my shoulder and walk away, swaying my hips. I smile when everyone busts out laughing at me.

“With that ass? I doubt it,” Coen calls out as we all get up onto our horses.

Noah walks past Coen and smacks the back of his head, before coming up behind me to help push me high enough to swing my leg over. Once I’m astraddle, he gets on the horse beside me. I watch as Lana leans over and kisses Coen, while he helps her get her feet into the stirrups; Dillen notices, but her mood doesn’t shift.

One of the instructors helps Dillen up, but she doesn’t even try to flirt with him. I’m in shock, actually. She just gets her feet into the stirrups and looks back down at her phone, red-faced, timid, and texting. I look beside me and Noah is just watching me. “See something you like, cowboy?” I tease and shimmy my breasts at him.