Between the Pines (Black Springs Ranch, #1)

by Amber Palmer

To those who find themselves trapped in a mind that lies to you - I hope you know you can always find your way out. I hope you know it’s okay to run, to doubt, to be scared before pulling yourself out of the trenches and dusting yourself off. Find your people and let them love you hard. I promise it’s worth it in the end.

If heartbreak insurance was a thing, my premium would be sky-high.

But red was my favorite color, and I had a stubborn streak a mile long.

“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll tell you my name.” “Oh yeah?” he asked, dropping his voice. “And what’s your definition of good, darlin’?”

I was a simple man with simple beliefs. I’d never held much stock in that lovey-dovey bullshit people clung to, talking about soulmates and destinies. It was just a way for folks to feel better about their lives. But this woman? Something told me she could make me a believer.

“Yeah, actually… I’m thinking about what it would be like to fuck this pretty mouth. How I’d want to see it dressed in some pretty color only to fucking destroy it and then proudly wear the remnants around my cock so I could see precisely where you’d been.”

I’d never considered myself a smart man. I’d made a lot of mistakes and fucked up more times than I could count, but the smartest thing I’d ever done was kiss the beautiful dark-haired tornado that swept into my bar.

“Break up with that piece of shit you call a boyfriend, and I’ll tell you every sordid detail. Then, when you’re writhing underneath me, just like you are right now, I’ll make good on every word I said.”

“Just don’t leave me waiting out in the cold too long, yeah? Be fair to my heart in the way I’m trying my damnedest to be to yours.”

All I know is some things are certain—the sun will set, it’ll rise again, and you’re it for me. That’s just the truth.” I took a deep breath and laid down my last card. “And I think you feel it too—otherwise, you wouldn’t have told your sisters it would always be me.”

“That hat on your head means you’re mine, Josie. There are no takebacks, not as far as I’m concerned. So, don’t do that to me and then take it away. Don’t fucking tease me, baby. I can’t take it.”