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.

I didn’t know what I had seen in the guy, what made me think this one would be different from the string of others. His red flags were a mile long, flying high for all to see from the very beginning. 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 shrugged, trying to keep control of my rapidly beating heart. “Keep me company and find out.”

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.

This familiarity was something I’d never experienced before. If Lincoln’s long, lingering touches were anything to go by, he hadn’t either. We were like two magnets, our force too strong to ignore.

“I was gonna ask if you’d waited for me like I’d been waiting for you.”

Ellis smiled. “Sure is. I know how much you love those sugary energy drinks, but honestly, babe… This is so much better for you. It’s a quality roast from Ecuador, you don’t even need sugar. Might as well save the calories, right?” I raised my brows. “Why would I be worried about calories?” “Your jeans always get a little tight after some time at the ranch,” he chuckled. “I’m sure Cleo’s cooking is more Paula Deen than Alton Brown. Don’t worry, when you get home maybe you can join me for a run in the morning?” He looked genuinely hopeful and I couldn’t tell if he even realized what he’d just said. Ellis was Ellis, I bet he thought a morning run would seem romantic.”

Why girl?

“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.”

“You asked what was wrong with you, and I said there was only one thing.” “And what would that be?” I asked. Lincoln didn’t answer immediately, letting my question hang between us. “You’re not mine.”

“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.”

“I know it sounds cliché, and maybe it feels like a cop-out, but dammit, Josie… I don’t think I fully understand it either. 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.”

“The thought of him touching you. Of him thinking he has any claim on you, when you’ve been mine since the moment you walked into Frank’s last summer.”

“You know damned well what,” he bit out. “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.”