Chapter 12
I don’t remember making it to my room but yet here I am tucked in and tired. I turn to my clock and see it says eight in the morning. Damn it. I didn’t get anything done yesterday and the kids are all late.
I rush out of bed and go to Katie’s room first but she’s not there. I check everyone else's rooms and no one's home. There’s fresh coffee in the pot and the trucks are still in the driveway. James’ and everyone's shoes from the mudroom are gone and I can’t find anyone. Where did they go?
That’s when I see James leading the horse into the pasture to let them graze. Did he get all the kids up?
James must have seen me through the window because he hurries to get the rest of the horses in the pasture before rushing inside.
“Hey, Y/N. How are you feeling today?” He grabs a mug from the cabinet and pours me a cup of coffee as I sit at the table in the middle of the kitchen.
“I’m alright. Who got all the kids up?” I take the coffee from him, our hands grazing each other.
“Austin and I did. He got them all up while I made breakfast then I drove them to the end of the driveway. They made it on time so don’t worry about them.”
“Oh, thank you so much James.” I sit down at the club table and take a sip of my coffee. I can tell there’s something James wants to say but won’t. Things have been moving fast since he got here. Maybe he’s planning on leaving.
“What’s wrong James?”
“Uhm….Nothings wrong but I did talk with Austin before he left.”
“What did he say? You aren’t leaving are you?”
“Austin and I think that’s the best decision.” James places down his work gloves on the counter but doesn;t look up to look at me.
“No.” I get up from the table and start to walk out on the porch. James is quick to follow after me.
“Y/N. Think about it. It’s the best way to protect you and your family. If they do come after me I can’t bear the thought of what they might do to you and your family. You guys are innocent. I’m not.”
“None of it was your fault James! It wasn’t you!” I turn around frustrated. Why is he so keen on leaving? Can’t he tell me I want to help him? That I want him to stay?
“But I still did it. There's still blood on my hands.”
“James. We are here to help you. We want to help you. Katie’s already attached to you. Please, please don’t leave.” By now I’m standing in front of him, my hand resting gently on his arm.
“Ok.” James looks at me with a defeated look. There’s something in the air and I can’t place what it is. It’s tense. That’s the best way I can describe it.
James leans in close and I do too. I don’t know who closes the space between us but I feel his lips on mine. They’re soft, plush and taste like coffee. They feel amazing.
The kiss is slow and sensual. HIs lips fit like a puzzle piece against mine.
James pulls away first, emitting a small whine from me in protest.
“I don’t know if that was a good idea.” He mumbles against my lips, his eyes shut.
“I don’t know either but I do know I want more.” I lean forward, taking his lips in mine. This time my hands moved to his hair without even thinking. His hands move down to my waist pulling us closer.
The kiss is hotter, pleading almost. The tension in my body melts away the closer I pull myself to him. Our lips move in sync and I feel like I’m floating.
His lips taste amazing and I feel like I can’t get enough. Part of me doesn’t want this to end. That I wish we could stay like this for hours.
The kiss feels like it lasts forever, leaving us breathless. When he pulls away, he gently tugs at my bottom lip, emitting a small moan out of me. Something in my stomach feels hot and I want more. I want more of him.
“I think we should stop because if we don’t now I don’t know when I’ll be able to.” He whispers against my lips. He pulls back an arm length away slowly dropping his arms to his side.
“What if I don’t want it to stop?” I challenge him.
“There’s things that need to be done around the ranch first, Miss Y/L/N.” Bucky winks at me as he walks away shooting me a stupid smirk.
What did I just do?
The situation dawns on me as I stand on the porch watching James work with the horses. I just kissed him. And not just a little pieck on the lips, a whole ass kiss with tongue.
What have I done?
I rush into the house and go straight to my room. As soon as both feet are in the room I slam the door shut and lock it.
“What do I do? Oh my god I just kissed James.” I pace around my room as my nerves get the best of me.
“I can’t believe I just kissed him. What if this messes everything up? What if things between us get all awkward?” Running my hands through my hair I sit down on the end of my bed trying to calm myself.
“We barely even know each other so there can’t be any kind of feeling between us. Maybe I should pretend like none of this ever happened. Maybe I should ignore him for a little while.” I lay down on my bed, my arms covering my eyes.
“There is no way in hell I am falling for a man I barely know let alone a man I met only a couple days ago.”
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Word Count: 1012