Free In the Cowboy's Bed (Pleasure Ridge Ranch) by Ava Flynn Page B

flight home wasn’t until that evening, so she had time to go do what she had planned for this morning and still have the entire afternoon to spend with Justin. After all, he’d worked hard for the past week and deserved some extra rest.
    But by the time she returned to the ranch, it felt as if she’d been gone days instead of hours. Her heartbeat kicked into overdrive when she pulled up in front of the cabin and found Justin’s truck gone. Had he left for good? Had she missed her final few hours with him? She tried not to panic, remembering that she was a new woman now. She didn’t have to have a serious relationship right now to make her complete. Would it be nice? Sure. But she wasn’t going to try so hard. If it came naturally, that’s when it would be right.
    And she couldn’t allow herself to think about how easy this week with Justin had been. Even though she now knew the reason behind his working here, this was still his job. She blinked against stupid tears that next week he’d be in one of these cabins with someone else.
    With a shake of her head, she went inside. She nibbled on a few grapes as she packed her bags. The sound of a vehicle outside had her rushing to the living room until she caught herself. She slowed and opened the door just as Justin was climbing the front steps.
    "I thought maybe you’d gone home," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
    "No, just had something to take care of."
    "Seems to be the morning for that," she said as she led the way back inside.
    "Oh?"
    She turned and leaned against the back of the couch. "Yes, and I have you to thank for that. I knew I didn’t like what I was doing before I came here, but I didn’t see a way out. Didn’t know what I wanted. But coming here, spending time with you has made me realize that it’s okay to throw caution to the wind and take chances. So this morning I drove over to Azure Bay and made arrangements to buy the antique store."
    His eyes widened, making her laugh.
    "I know. Crazy, right?"
    He stepped toward her and took her hands. "I think it’s great. I saw how much you loved that place."
    "And it’s not just the shop. The quaint little town, the fresh air, the slower pace. And I’ll still be by the water, which I like."
    He smiled. "I have no doubt you’ll be a huge success."
    "Thank you."
    He reached up and smoothed a lock of hair away from her face. "I’m glad you’re staying in the area."
    A jolt of surprise and anticipation shot through her. "You are?"
    "Yeah. It’d be hard for me to ask you out on a proper date with you on the opposite side of the country."
    "A date? I don’t understand."
    "While you were gone, I went to see Heidi. I quit."
    Erin’s mouth dropped open.
    "Why?"
    "Because I’m done hiding from the past, from who I am. I’m going to see if I can make another run at being a doctor, though I was thinking more about general practice this time."
    "Justin, that’s great." She tried not to think about how a lot of her excitement was because he wouldn’t be sleeping with a different woman every week.
    "But there’s a more important reason why I’m quitting."
    Erin’s heartbeat increased its speed. "Oh?"
    Justin stepped closer, forcing her to lift her head to meet his gaze. "I’m falling for you." He lowered his mouth to hers, and it was the best kiss ever because it was coming from a man who was kissing her because he wanted to, not because it was his job.
    "We can take it slow," he said. "We already know we’re sexually compatible. Maybe it’s time for a little romance."
    A giddy grin spread across her face. "You mean it?"
    "Every word."
    "If I’m going to consent to a date, I think I need to know your last name, cowboy."
    "Summers. How about you?"
    "James."
    "Nice to meet you, Erin James."
    She took his hand and stood. "You too, Dr. Summers. But before we slow things down, I think I still have a few hours left that are paid for," she said as she started walking backward toward the bedroom, leading