Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(193)

years on my age, so I’m actually two years older than you.”


“You are crazy.”


“Yep. Totally crazy for everything about you. So no more excuses, angel, give me a

valid reason why we have to have this discussion again at a later date.”


Ainsley blurted, “Because I don’t want kids. Ever. And it isn’t something I’ll

change my mind on. I know your family is big on big families—”


“Whoa. One of the first things you need to know about me when it comes to my family is

that while I love them, I’m not them. I don’t follow their lead. I do things my own

way. And with the way my cousins are reproducing? There’s no chance the McKay family

name will die out.” He twined a section of her hair around his finger, loving the

silken texture against his coarser skin. “Here’s something I’ve never told anyone. I

don’t want kids either. Never have. Never will. That’s another reason the club worked

so well for me. It’s also why I didn’t date much. Most women want a family. I don’t.

Wasn’t fair to enter into a relationship that was goin’ nowhere. And like you, it’s

unlikely I’ll ever change my mind.”


“For real? You don’t want…”


“Nope. The only ass I wanna paddle now and in the future is yours.”


She sighed. “You are the perfect man for me, aren’t you?”


“Yep.”


“So what now?”


He watched how the curve of her breast begged for the touch of his rough-tipped finger.


“Look at me, please.”


Bossy little sub. His eyes hooked hers.


“Answer the question.”


Ben lifted a brow. “Getting a bit big for your britches. Just because we’re talking

don’t mean you’re calling the shots.”


“Ben—”


“Bennett,” he corrected. “And I’ve decided you have entirely too many clothes on.

Strip.”


“Now?”


“It is gonna be so fun reacquainting your ass with my hand,” he growled.


“But there is one other thing I wanted to bring up.” She rolled to her feet and stood

by the side of the bed. “I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds, but I’d like… I

mean, I asked Layla…”


Why was Ainsley so nervous? “Spit it out.”


Her eyes roamed his face and she found what she’d been looking for. “I’m not the

type of sub to wear a collar. But I want you to know I’m serious about our

relationship, knowing my place in your life, and yours in mine. So I thought…” She

pulled out two black bracelets from the Rawhide Club. “When I wear mine, I’ll know

who I am to you. And when you look at yours, you’ll know that I accept everything

about you. It’s a small symbol that we belong to each other. Maybe it’s not much, but

it’s a start.”


He was totally gonna paddle her ass for making him tear up like a f*cking girl.


“Too corny?” she asked softly.


“No. It’s perfect,” he said. He cleared his throat and slipped the bracelet on her