Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(104)

club and at the ranch, I automatically dodged the questions.”


“Do you feel I’m prying into your life beyond the Dom/sub parameters we set?”


“That’s the thing, this situation is unlike any other for me too. I can’t fall into

that same pattern with you.” Ben touched her face. “I don’t want to.”


“What do you want, Ben?”


“To really get to know you beyond those Dom/sub parameters. To let you get to know me.

To hang out.” He didn’t add like normal people, because what was normal for other

people probably wouldn’t ever be enough for them. “It’s a beautiful night. Would you

take a drive with me?”


She struggled to respond.


So he gave her an out. “It’s okay if you say no—”


“I’d love to go.” Ainsley pecked him on the mouth. “Let me grab a coat.”


Ben opened the passenger door of his truck and helped her inside. The night air held a

cold bite, which meant the end of the Indian summer was near.


Neither spoke as the pickup rolled away from Sundance. The sky was full-on dark. Hills

and valleys that during the day were lined with fall’s glorious gold and red hues were

austere shadows at night. The truck’s tires clacked against the road’s grooved

surface and they didn’t meet another vehicle for ten minutes.



Welcome to Wyoming.


He turned onto a gravel road. The steep, twisty incline had Ainsley reaching for the

strap above the door. “Good idea to hang on. It’ll straighten out here in a minute.”


As soon as they crested the hill, trees flanked the plateau. A plateau where nothing

blocked the magnificent view of Devil’s Tower.


She leaned closer to the windshield. “Oh wow.”


Ben cut the engine and the lights. “I brought blankets so we can sit outside.”


He dropped the tailgate, covering the cold metal with an old sleeping bag. He wrapped a

blanket around them, bringing her close to his body. “Warm enough?”


“Yes.”


They stayed snuggled together, soaking in the brilliance of the stars, content with

quiet.


After a while, she said, “This is such a gorgeous spot. I didn’t know it was here.”


“It’s weird when you’re used to living among scenery like this—” he gestured to

the sprawling grand vista, “—it becomes easy to take it for granted. So I come here

when I need to be humbled.”


She threaded her fingers through his. “I’m happy you brought me to a place that

matters to you. It is beyond amazing.”


“I’m glad you didn’t think I dragged you out here because I was too cheap to take

you someplace else.”


Ainsley snickered. “But I need to ask… Did you bring girlfriends here when you were

in high school?”


“Nope. It’s always been my private place. Well, as private as a public place can be.

”


“Did you ever come to any life-altering decisions while soaking in the scenery?”


“Given that my workin’ life had been predetermined by bein’ born into a ranching

family, I’ll say no.”