Page 72 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He nodded.

“We’ll have to get to know each other super well so that when we go to North Carolina, we’ll be a convincing couple.”

“Okay,” he said warily.

Her brain began compiling a to-do list. “What’s your birthdate? I’ll need to get us plane tickets.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t fly.”

An incredulous laugh scratched through her throat. “W—what? You’re afraid to fly?” It was astounding to think that the rough and tumble cowboy was afraid to get on an airplane.

He clenched his jaw, exuding a bullheaded stubbornness. “Not afraid. I just don’t like it. I’ll drive us to North Carolina.”

She made a face, her voice going shrill. “But what about snow and ice?”

“They’ll clear the roads. We’ll take my truck. It handles well in the snow.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yep.” He steeled his jaw. “The only way I’m going to North Carolina is if I drive us there.”

“Okay, fine. You can drive.” Magnolia loved to travel. She flew all over the world on a regular basis. “Have you ever been outside the US?”

“Nope.”

“Don’t you want to go to Europe? See Paris in the spring? It’s breathtaking. There are so many places I’d like to show you.”

His eyes registered surprise. “Really?”

She felt hot despite the cold. She’d lost herself for a minute, let her true feelings show. “Well, yeah,” she said with a disinterested shrug. “As my husband, I would just assume that you’d go with me. You know, for appearances sake.”

“Gotcha. Well, we’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Her eyes met his. “I guess there are a lot of bridges we’ll have to cross. When can we go shopping? I want to take you to Atlanta.”

“Why? They sell plenty of clothes in Nashville,” he said dryly.

She chuckled. “Not the kind that we’re looking for.” She straightened her shoulders. “Okay, I’m freezing out here. I’ve gotta go.” Her entire body was stiff as a board from the cold.

“Are you going back to Lexi’s apartment?”

“Yep, that’s where I’m staying. It’ll be easier for us to get together on a regular basis.”

“I’ll walk you to your car. The steps and sidewalk are icy.”

“No thanks. I can manage.” She moved away from him and started down the steps. She let out a yelp when her foot nearly slipped out from beneath her.

Lucas rushed to her side. “Careful,” he warned, taking hold of her arm. He helped her down the stairs and to the car, supporting her in a strong, protective grip. Her heart swooned a little. His nearness was disconcerting, intoxicating. It irked herthat she was so dang attracted to him, especially when he didn’t seem to be at all enamored by her.

“See you Saturday,” she said glibly as she got into the car.

“Be careful driving home,” he warned. “The roads are slick.”

Her voice went gooey sweet as she did her best Scarlett O’Hara impression. “Why Lucas Romeo, if I didn’t know better, I’d actually think you cared.” She batted her eyelashes, a coy smile curving her lips. This tactic often worked with other guys, but she didn’t dare hope it would on Lucas. Her body flinched slightly when she saw it—that ghost of a smile that peeked beneath his tough-guy mask. She felt like she’d scored a huge victory.

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