SCOTT
We followed Grace without a word as she led us away from the ranch and into the open fields. It wasn’t until we arrived I realized we were at Ty’s favorite place. When she pulled Storm up and slowed down, I looked at Ty and shrugged. I didn’t understand why she had to take us all the way out here.
She stopped and dismounted, dropping the reins so the gelding could graze. We followed her lead and ended up standing under a cottonwood tree nearby. She turned and held her chin up high. My chest tightened in anticipation of what she had to say. I couldn’t get a read on her like I usually could.
“I’ve made my choice,” she announced.
My heart dropped. She was going to tell us she was leaving and didn’t want anything more to do with us. I knew she wouldn’t go far, but I had hoped she would at least let us go with her.
“I understand.” I lowered my gaze to the roots reaching out of the ground. I wanted to grab her and wrap my arms around her until she agreed to stay. But that’s not what you do when you love someone. You let them go so they can follow their dreams. Even if it broke your heart.
“I’ve accepted a position on a team. One that I chose. One that I want to be on. My mother had nothing to do with my decision. In fact, she was very upset when I told her I would not be joining her in Ohio.”
My head snapped up. She wasn’t going to Ohio?
“I approached the team this morning, and they accepted my application. But I won’t sign the contract unless I know you’re okay with it.”
My brow furrowed. Why would she care what we said? This should be about her and chasing her dreams. Not us.
“Grace?” Ty’s voice was scratchy. He was fighting his emotions, just like I was.
“You asked me once what I wanted to do with my life. And now I know. I want to go for the gold, but I’m also ready to settle down. I want to find a place where I can have a family, but I won’t give up my dream of competing. Which is why I met with Thomas and Declan this morning and applied for Team Kingston.”
Was she saying what I thought she was saying? That she was staying here with us? Neither Ty nor I spoke. Our shock was too great.
Grace gave a shy smile. “I want to stay here. I want to stay here with the two of you.” She bit her lip. She couldn’t get nervous and pull back now. I wanted to hear more.
“Go on,” I urged. I needed to hear more. I needed to hear her say that she loved us.
She straightened and lifted her chin. “I’m in love with you both, and I want to stay here with you, if you’ll still have me.”
I couldn’t hold back any longer. I rushed forward, wrapped Grace up in my arms, and crushed her lips to mine. I couldn’t believe it. Grace was finally taking control of her life, and she chose to be with us. I didn’t know how I deserved this, but I’d never take this moment or her for granted.
“Beautiful, of course we’ll have you. I should be asking if you’ll still have us after we were such asses.” Ty stepped up when I pulled back.
“You were an ass, but I love you for it. I know where you were coming from, and I’m honored that you would feel so protective over me, as long as you know that in the end, I can handle myself. I know we can make this work.”
“Oh love, I know you can. And you don’t know how hard that makes me. My sexy, strong, independent, badass woman. Fuck, I could ravish you right here. I love you, Grace,” he said, peppering her with kisses along her neck and jaw.
She giggled as he made his way from ear to ear.
“Why do you think I brought you all the way out here?” she said, indicating to the tree. “This was where we really started.” She gestured to Ty. “And where I hope we start again.”
Ty picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him. Pivoting, Ty pressed her up against the trunk of the cottonwood. I looked around to see if I could find a soft spot to lay her down. She brought us out here where we had plenty of privacy and I planned to ravish her and show her just how much I loved her.
“Saddlebags,” Grace moaned against Ty lips as he ground his cock against her.
I made my way over to Storm and opened each of the saddle bags. A blanket and some wine. I smiled remembering our first picnic. I opened the ones at the front and fished out some condoms and a small bottle of lube. The little minx.
I laid the blanket out under the tree, careful to avoid any protruding roots.
“Come here, peaches,” I said as Ty let her down and turned her toward the blanket. I scooped her up and kneeled in the center, laying her out beneath me. “I love you, Grace. I’ve been denying it for so long, but I can’t hold back any longer. I love you, and I will never let you go again. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you and showing you in every way possible how much you mean to me.”
Her delicate hand grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me to her. She flicked her tongue along my bottom lip, and I lost it. I devoured her mouth in a searing kiss. By the time I let her up for a breath, we were both panting, and her eyes were foggy with desire.