Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
As soon as I set it down, someone whispers, “You still owe me a rematch,” in my ear. Hands come around me, and I’d know the voice and feel of him anywhere. The goose bumps popping up all over my arms are the only confirmation I need. My heart knows who it belongs to. My body could recognize him in the dark.
I cover Tagger’s hand, rubbing the tips of my fingers over the veins and firm hold he has over my stomach. Tilting my head to the side, I grin. “Sorry. It’s one and done.”
“I can live with that.” His voice is smooth, his entrance back into my life even more so.
I spin in his arms, wrapping mine around his neck, and stare into those green eyes like he’ll disappear if I blink. “Giving up that easy, cowboy?”
“Don’t you worry, pretty girl, one and done is all I need.”
Cocking an eyebrow, I finally blink. “Is that a sexual reference? Because I’m going to need more than once with you.”
“No,” he says with a light chuckle. “It’s a reference to finding my forever.”
I tighten my hold on him because he’s here, finally, back in my arms again, and I can. “I’m not following.”
“Let me be a little clearer.” He slips a box from his back pocket, causing my heart to stop, and places it on the edge of the pool table. “One game. Winner takes all.”
“I’m not afraid to kick your ass in a game of pool. But what’s on the line?”
His laugh is heartier, a smirk well in place. “My heart and a ring.”
Speaking of hearts, mine is already beating out of my chest, but I try to shake the nerves of what this really means and play it cool. “And if you win?”
“I get you.” He leans down and kisses me. His lips caress mine, and then he whispers against my lips, “It’s a win-win. Are you in?”
I lick my lips and chalk the tip of my stick. “All in, baby.”
I break since I’ve been owning the table before he showed up. My heart is still racing because he’s here, but I do my best to take him out quickly. “The girl’s got skills,” Baylor says, keeping track of all the balls I sank. “Dude, you’re going to lose.”
“There is no losing when it comes to her.” He leans over the table and sets up. Tagger can’t stand to lose, so he’s not afraid to fight for the win, even when it comes to me. I respect that.
Of course, judging by that turn, I’ve got this and him in the bag.
Lauralee has parked next to Baylor at a tall table with two chairs. She’s guarding the ring, and probably like me, dying to see what he picked out. “Come on, Chris. You got this.”
It only takes three more turns for me to sink the final eight ball. I receive a round of applause from the gathered crowd, but it’s not their reaction I’m looking for. It’s Tagger’s.
He hands his stick to Baylor and grins with pride in his eyes as he takes the box from Lauralee. “You want your prize?”
This is really happening. The Prince Charming I dreamed about my entire life is mine. So I won’t force him to concede into giving me a ring over a lost game of pool. Hooking my fingers into his belt loops, I tug him forward. Cupping his face, I lift on my toes and kiss him again. “You are all I want, babe. You’re here, so I have everything I need.”
His eyes search mine before he kisses me again. And then he drops to one knee. “I never thought I’d be doing this in Whiskey’s, but here we are, and I always keep a promise.”
Baylor clears his throat.
I roll my eyes, but Tagger shoots him a look that I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of. “It was one time, dude.” Turning back to me, he steadies himself again, and says, “Will you marry me, Pris?”
I’m a simple country girl. I don’t need the big to-do. I need him. And when he lifts the lid on the box, I also need that gorgeous ring on my finger. “Yes. Every day with you for the rest of my life, yes.” I throw myself into his arms and almost knock him over. “I can’t wait to wife you up, cowboy.”
“We don’t have to wait.”
Sometimes the brightest stars burn out the fastest. Not us. We’re just getting started.
CHAPTER 39
Pris
“This came for you.” My dad drops the letter on the desk in front of me. “Are you going again this year?”
“Going where?” I pick it up to see The Farmers of Central Texas Membership Committee on the return address. I burst out laughing, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. My sweet ole dad. “I don’t think it’s necessary.”