Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (69)

Landen: How's it going at the market?

My smile widens when I read his text. He's working for a few hours this morning before we meet up later this afternoon. I know he's taken our first date seriously since the first mention of it, I don't care what we do as long as I'm spending time with him.

Ellie: Good! We're about to start packing up. And how're things going there?

Landen: Waylon and Tripp fell into a massive mudhole. Never laughed so hard in my life.

Ellie: Are they okay?

He sends me a picture of the two of them covered head to toe. I bring a hand over my mouth to cover the laugh that bubbles out of me. They look pissed.

Ellie: Oh my God…

Landen: Wilder nearly choked to death laughing so hard.

Ellie: How'd that even happen?

Landen: With the storms the past couple nights, one of the pastures flooded and the mud surfaced. Waylon slipped first and took Tripp down with him. Wilder and I were walking behind and watched the whole thing. It was like they fell in slow-mo, arms flailing, feet up in the air kinda fall. Wish I'd gotten it on video.

Ellie: That's mean!

Landen: Oh trust me, they'd say the same thing if it had been me!

Ellie: Well as long as they're okay. I'm sure that didn't feel great.

Landen: Waylon said he broke his butt. Pretty sure he just bruised his tailbone but he's a big baby. Tripp's more annoyed at Waylon for taking him down with him.

Ellie: Be careful out there. I'd hate for you to have to cancel our date before we even got a chance to go on one…

Landen: Oh you underestimate me, sweetheart. I'd show up in a full-body cast, every bone in my body broken with amputated limbs before I canceled our date. Nothing could get in the way of being with you tonight.

I re-read his text half a dozen times, my face feeling hotter after each time, and goose bumps covering my skin in eighty-degree weather.

Jesus. This man.

Ellie: I don't know if this was your intention but that just got you a million bonus points.

Landen: Considering I used to be negative a billion, I'll take it.

He sends a winking emoji, and I giggle like the ridiculous lovesick girl I am.





My everything shower takes a good forty-five minutes and the water's nearly gone cold by the time I finish. Every inch of body hair has been shaved off and slathered in lotion. Since he won't tell me what we're doing, I put on jean shorts and a simple gray shirt. It's too humid to wear anything more than that.

I say goodbye to my family and tell them I'm sleeping over at Landen's so they don't wait up for me. Mom kisses my cheek and tells me to have a great time.

“Thanks, I'll see y'all later. Love you!”

Landen wanted to pick me up like a proper gentleman, but I was too excited about being able to drive myself again, I wanted to meet him at his house. I felt like a burden having Landen and my dad take me everywhere and although I can't race, I'll take any amount of freedom I can get.

It also means I get to listen to my own music again.

When I turn on my playlist, a Taylor Swift song blasts through the speakers, and I get that déjà vu feeling again. I can't remember the last time I heard one of her songs but this one from her Reputation album makes me think of when I used to jog every morning.

Trying not to overthink it, I blast it and sing along on my way to the ranch.

It also makes me think of Mallory because she's almost always humming one of her songs.

When I arrive, Landen's leaning against his truck, waiting patiently for my arrival.

Fuck me. He looks so good.

That white baseball cap he wears backward.

Dark gray shorts and a plain white tee.

There's no reason it should look so damn hot.

Before I can open my door, he's there, opening it for me.

“Well, hello beautiful.” He holds out his hand and then helps me out of my truck.

Muscular arms wrap around my waist and pull me in for a deep, slow kiss. When his palms cup my face and his thumbs rub tender circles over my cheek, I melt into him.

And there goes every ounce of willpower to remain in control.

He lifts me, and when my legs wrap around him, he pushes me against my door.

I tighten my hold on him, close the gap between us, and moan into his mouth.

“Ellie…” He parts his lips, pressing his forehead to mine.

“I thought you didn't kiss on the first date…” I remind him, breathlessly.

“Guess that makes you the exception.”

Once he sets me down, he takes my hand and leads me to a four-wheeler.

“We're takin' this?”

“Yep, but you gotta wear a helmet. I'm not riskin' you gettin' a concussion and forgettin' me again. Especially now that you like me.”

“Very funny.” I playfully shove his chest. “So where're we going?”

“I wanna show you my old dirt bike ridin' track,” he explains as he secures the helmet on my head.

“So glad I spent an hour curling my hair,” I deadpan.

He smirks, tilts up my chin, and tightens the latch. “Figured an adventure seeker like yourself would enjoy it.” Then he presses his lips to mine. “You look gorgeous.”

Once he sits on it and gets it started, I climb on behind him. He grabs my wrists and tugs me forward until my chest is pressed to his back.