Page 46 of Country Charm

“Howdy, Partner,” I finally say into the phone, my voice small. I don’t recognize myself.

“Howdy Howdy,” he jokes lightly. “How are you feeling after a round with that friend of yours over there? Or was I mistaken by that buzzing sound?”

I bark out a laugh. Leave it to Hunter to make me laugh and feel good about using my vibrator on the phone with him.

“I’m good and Wanda is feeling included. So, no jealousy on her part.”

“None on mine either, although I wish I could watch you two in action.”

“We’re a private show, no tickets sold, buddy. Sorry.”

“I think I can convince you otherwise.”

“From a bajillion miles away? I’d like to see you try.”

“Don’t tempt me, Cass, I’m up for any challenge when it comes to you.”

My stomach drops. He is, I can feel it in my gut. The man isn’t easily deterred. He’s not bullshitting me. He’s the real deal. I’m so far out of my element.

“Throttle down, big shifter, I’m not challenging you.”

“Okay. Tell me about your workout, the one with Georgie, not Wanda.”

And just like that he changes the tone of our conversation to comforting. So easy and carefree. I tell him every tortuous detail of how Georgie attempted to murder me in her gym. He laughs at me, and I giggle, actually fucking giggle, when he cracks jokes here and there.

Our conversation is simmering at a very calm, casual pace, and I sink deeper into my sheets. I still haven’t showered and I’m still not wearing any pants from my round of self-love. Yet, I’m in no hurry to get off the phone.

He’s telling me about his day, about taking Jake for a drive and white-knuckling the oh shit handle in his truck. He’s got a soft spot for that boy, and it makes me proud that someone is looking out for him.

“I think not havin’ the trailer today made things so much worse, he kept thinkin’ he had the extra weight in the back. I hope my kids are more natural behind the wheel.”

A cold sweat dots across my brow.

“You want kids?”

Hunter is silent on the line. I hear him take a deep breath and rustle around in his bed.

“Well, yeah. I would like to have kids. But if I had a missus who didn’t want any, I’d listen to what she had to say…”

“Right, well I’m sure you’ll meet someone who wants kids.” I’m clipped. I don’t want to imagine Hunter married with littles running around. The idea of some woman with a kid on her hip and Hunter’s arm around her shoulders makes me physically ill.

“Cassidy, we don’t have to talk about this.” He’s so calm, it works like a cool balm.

“Hey!” I cut through, sugaring my voice. “There is thisflea market I know about. I’ve gotten some bookshelves and stuff there. Want to check it out this weekend? Maybe we could find you that patio set you need.”

I definitely just invited Hunter up here; I’ve thought about it since Sunday night when he said he needed one. I adore this flea market. It’s open every weekend and is filled with regular shops plus some travelers. I stand up to start pacing, realizing what can of worms I’ve just opened.

“Come up to the city?”

I’m sweating and switch the phone to my other hand and ear. Clearing the small lump in my throat, I push on.

“Well, yes. You could maybe come up whenever you’re done with work and maybe stay here?” I’ve never asked a man to come over and stay with me. I’ve never planned on more than one time.

“Overnight?”

“Yes?” I might actually throw up.

Why do women put themselves through this? I have never experienced this in my thirty years of life until now.

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