My brows rise. “You did? But…when I brought it up at dinner last Friday, you acted like it was something you were pursuing.”

“After you admitted to overhearing my conversation, I never said I was or wasn’t, and you didn’t ask.”

I blow out a breath of annoyance. “And you couldn’t put me out of my misery and just tell me you weren’t leaving?” I scold.

Gavin laughs with a shrug. “It was nice to see you sweat for once.”

“Soooo funny,” I mock. “Why’d you say no?”

“Realized the ranch was my second home, and while I enjoyed being on the road, I want to settle down, and I want to do that here. With you. I love seeing you every morning, and it’s something I looked forward to, even if you ignore me. Your family feels like my own. It just feels right to be here.”

My heart swells as my eyes fill with tears. “I’m really happy you’re staying.”

He tips my chin. “Me too. Now I get to slap that fine ass anytime I want.”

With a loud smack to my bare cheek, I yelp and laugh. “I kinda like sneaking around with you. Well, my cousins and Grayson know, but I want to wait until we get to know each other better to tell my parents. Are you okay with that?” After my last relationship backfired, I don’t want to introduce my parents to any man until we’ve been dating a while.

“I’m good with waiting until you’re ready.” He flashes a wink. “Just promise me it won’t be another year?”

I can’t stop the ridiculous smile from forming as I look at him. “I can definitely promise that.”

After we eat dinner and devour the dessert, Gavin cages me against the counter while I rinse the dishes. He feathers soft kisses on my neck. “I could get used to seeing you in my kitchen half-naked. It’s giving me ideas.”

“Yeah? What kind?” I muse.

“Really dirty ones. Bending you over the table for one, putting whipped cream on your delicious tits, then licking it off, you riding me. Those are just a few.”

His hard cock presses against my back. “Mmm…I think that could be arranged.”

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. Gavin’s tall and big, which I love, and it makes me feel so small and cared for when he does that.

“Promise you’ll always hold me like this?” I whisper, leaning my head against his chest.

“Always, Maize. I’m not going anywhere.”

And when he presses his lips to my temple, I fall even deeper in love with him.

Chapter Twenty

GAVIN