DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 19

Lila

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The next morning came too fast. Twoke up with the sun already high, spilling golden light across my room. My body felt different–sore in places I’d never noticed before, tender between my thighs, a quiet ache that reminded me of everything Ryder and I had done. After yesterday morning we still had a quick one last night.

I lay there for a long minute staring at the ceiling, checks hot, heart racing all over again just thinking about it. I’d lost my virginity to him. To my step–uncle. In my own bed. The guilt twisted in my stomach, but so did something else—something warm and needy that refused to go away.

I showered quickly. Dressed in a simple white crop top and high–waisted jeans. Slipped on my favorite black heels–the ones with the thin straps that wrapped around my ankles. I told myself it was just because I wanted to feel confident today. Not because I wanted him to look at me. Not because I wanted him to remember last night every time he glanced my way.

Downstairs, the kitchen smelled like coffee and bacon. Ryder was at the stove, back to me, wearing a faded gray T–shirt that stretched across his shoulders and dark jeans that hugged his hips. He turned when he heard my heels click on the tile.

“Morning.” he said. His voice was low and calm, but his eyes flicked over me slowly and deliberately before settling on my face. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

2

I nodded and sat at the small table. My hands felt fidgety. I tucked them under my thighs.

He brought over two plates: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and toast with a little mayo on the side. Simple. Perfect. He sat across from me. We ate in silence at first. The clink of forks against plates was the only sound.

I kept my eyes on my food. Every time I looked up, he was watching me. Not staring. Just… watching. Like he could see everything I was trying to hide.

“You’re quite quiet today,” he said after a while.

I shrugged. “Uh… I’m…. I’m just eating.

He set his fork down, then leaned back in his chair. “Are you probably shy?”

My cheeks burned instantly. “No, No, I’m not.”

He smiled small, knowing. “You’re even making it more obvious.”

He reached across the table slowly. His thumb brushed the corner of my mouth, wiping away a tiny fear of mayo. The touch was light and casual, but it sent a jolt straight through me. My heart leapt. I froze. He didn’t pull his hand back right away. His thumb lingered for one extra second, the rough pad grazing my bottom lip before he let go

I looked down at my plate. My pulse was loud in my ears.

He didn’t say anything else about it. Just finished his food. So did I.

When the plates were empty, he stood. “Ready to see the ranch properly?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He grabbed the keys from the counter. We walked out together. I locked the front door behind us. The big, black truck waited in the drive. He opened the passenger door for me. I climbed in. The leather was warm from the sun. He got in on his side and started the engine.

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1:18 pm

M

A

Chapter 19-

we pulled out, he glanced at my feet.

“Are you sure you can wear those to the ranch?” he asked. “Will you be comfortable?”

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I laughed softly. “I forgot to tell you. Everyone in the city knows me as Miss Heels My obsession with heeled shoes is on another level. Not only do I like them–1 feel more comfortable and confident wearing them than anything else. Anyway. I just want to look good today. That’s why

He smirked. His eyes dropped to my legs, then back to the road. “You’re wearing jeans too?”

I smirked back. “Why? Do you want me to wear a skirt?”

He shook his head and chuckled roughly. The sound was low and warm. “You’re so naughty.”

I felt my cheeks heat again but didn’t look away. “Maybe.”

He glanced at me once more, longer this time, then turned his attention back to the road.

“Let’s go,” he said.

The truck rumbled forward. Dust kicked up behind us. The ranch waited ahead.

2

And so did whatever came next.

We were both quiet on the drive. But the air between us felt different now, like we both knew yesterday had changed everything, and who knows if today was only going to change it more.

The truck rumbled over the gravel road for about thirty–something minutes before the main ranch gate came into view. Ryder slowed, leaned out the window, and opened it with practiced ease before driving through. He closed it behind us without getting out—just reached back and latched it shut.

We rolled past open pastures dotted with black cattle grazing lazily. In the distance, I could see a large red barn with white trim, several smaller outbuildings, and a few horses standing near a wooden fence. The air smelled clean and earthy–grass, hay, and something warm like sun–baked soil. It felt peaceful. Wild. Nothing like the city.

Ryder parked near the barn. He killed the engine and looked at me. “Welcome to the ranch,” he said quietly. “This is where most of the real work happens.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling very small in my heels and jeans. “It’s bigger than I imagined.”

He smiled small, almost proud. “Come on. Let me show

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