Her Sexy Vegas Cowboy(32)

She moved back slightly so she could see his eyes. “Here? I thought you loved your ranch.”

He lifted and dropped one shoulder. “I do, but I’m going to be here if that’s where you are. There are plenty of people who can run the ranch just fine without me.”

She smiled and snuggled closer to him. “Nah, it’s too cold here. And I could use some open space. Let’s try Texas. But we’ll have to wait a week for all that.”

“I’ll be here. You’ll be staying at your mom’s, right? I’ll find a room near her place, and you just let me know what you want me to do. I won’t impose on your family time.”

“Actually my mom’s in the middle of moving and is very much of the mind-set that I should take care of myself. It’ll make me stronger and whatnot.” She leaned up to kiss him again, brushing her lips against his. “I think she’d like it if I was staying at a hotel nearby. Are you up for having a roommate?”

His lips told her everything she needed to know.





Epilogue

“YOU’LL HAVE FUN. Cindy would never make you do something that made you feel uncomfortable,” Aaron said.

Jessica looked at him, skeptical, as she pulled her carry-on from the overhead bin. “Do you remember the dresses she made me wear at her bachelorette party?”

Aaron grinned. “Oh, I remember. Do you think she brought the black one with her? I wouldn’t mind seeing that again. And underneath it—”

Jeremiah popped up from the row behind them and cut in before Aaron could finish the thought. “Whoa, dude, you’re in public and I’m standing right here. In fact, I don’t even care about the public thing. Just the me thing.”

Jessica laughed. “Jeremiah, after the stories you’ve told us, and whatever I’m sure Aaron’s shared with you, since when are you so squeamish?”

“Since you two became old almost-married people. Your sex life has probably degraded into some perverted deviant stuff just to keep it exciting. Or worse, completely boring. I don’t want to hear it.”

Aaron raised his eyebrows at his friend. “The first one, absolutely. Totally deviant.”

“Really? Like what?” Jeremiah asked, leaning in.

Jessica sighed. “Guys, focus. Cindy’s going to get me on a stripper pole or something, I just know it. Help me.”

Aaron shrugged. “There’s only like a fifty percent chance of that happening. Besides, remember how much fun you have when we go dancing? You love to dance. This time it’ll just be with a stripper pole instead of me. That’s awesome. Tell Cindy to send me pictures.”

“And me!” chimed in Jeremiah, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Aaron. “What? As an amusing anecdote about my good friend Jessica. Not a sexual thing.”

Once they were off the plane, Aaron wrapped his arm around Jessica’s shoulders. Even after two years, it still made her melt to feel him so close. He leaned in to her, and her heart fluttered. How could it be possible that she was lucky enough to marry this man?

“We’ll have a fun weekend. A little bachelorette party, a little rodeo. And you miss Cindy.”

Jessica rested her head against his shoulder slightly. “I do miss her. I just know she has something crazy planned. I would never have guessed two years ago that I would be excited about going to a rodeo and nervous about spending time with Cindy.”

“Of course you’re excited about the rodeo. We’re going to get first place this year.”

Jessica answered, loud enough for Jeremiah to hear, “We’ll definitely get first place. Jeremiah doesn’t stand a chance.”

Jeremiah sped up so he was walking on the other side of her. “Just you wait, Jessica. You’ll both be crying at the wedding, and not because of all the love or whatever. A week isn’t going to be nearly enough time to get over how bad you’re going to lose this weekend.”

Jessica smiled at him. He was such a fun guy to have around. She could see why Aaron had been friends with him for so long.

Then she heard her name being screamed across the airport.

It could only be her best friend. She spotted Cindy running to her, and Jessica broke away from the boys to give her a tight hug. “I missed you!” Cindy said, squeezing her.

Jessica squeezed her back. It had been almost a year since she saw Cindy. Far too long.

* * *

AARON WATCHED THE GIRLS, happy that they were finally back together. Despite her worries, he knew that Jessica had missed her friend and was happy to be in the same city as her again.

Cindy turned to them, her arm still around Jessica. “Okay, boys. You do your thing, but Jessica’s mine for this evening. We’ll catch up with you at some point. Aaron, say goodbye to your bride-to-be. There’s no promise she’ll be coming back to you in one piece.”

Jessica crossed the few feet between them and he enfolded her, bathing in her presence. She pressed her lips to his, and even that slight touch made him wish they were going to their room together, not separating for the evening.

As they broke apart, Jessica’s eyes gazed into his, giving him the answer to his question. Tonight. He let her go with regret.

Then Cindy had Jessica by the arm and was bustling off. Jessica gave him one last look, mouthed a quick I love you and followed her friend. In just a few seconds, they were out of sight.

Jeremiah crossed his arms. “She seriously has no idea Cindy’s pregnant?”

Aaron shrugged. “I didn’t tell her, as per Cindy’s orders. I think she wants Jessica to sweat until they get to dinner.”

“I have no idea how you, her mom and her sister managed to keep that from her. When are they supposed to get here?”

“They arrived this morning, I think. If Cindy has everything as well planned as it seems, Jessica’s going to be in for her perfect bachelorette party.”

“A pleasant dinner with family and friends still doesn’t sound like a bachelorette party to me,” Jeremiah said.

Aaron nodded, but he knew Jessica would love it. And then she would come back to him tonight and they would have their own celebration in their room. It would be another amazing weekend in Vegas.

* * * * *