Page 17 of My Cowboy Valentine

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I hiss, taking a long swig.

“It takes less beer to get you buzzed,” he warns, pressing his lips together in a knowing frown.

“I know how to hold my alcohol, dumbass,” I reply, rolling my eyes. “Unlike you at senior prom.” I point my beer bottle at him, winking. “You’re supposed to fuck your high school sweetheart, not puke in her lap.”

“Did I really invite you over here?” Rowdy growls, looking around as if security’s going to pop out of nowhere and escort me out again. “This is going to be a long-ass night, so take it easy with those beers. The last thing I need is your drunken ass getting stuck here.”

“I’d rather walk!” I exclaim with a humph.

“Not an option. This place is teeming with wolves, bull moose, and grizzlies…” He looks at me, a malicious glint lighting his eyes. “Wait, a second, that’s not a half-bad idea. I fully support you getting drunk off your ass and walking out of here.”

I shake my head.

“You ever seeThe Revenant?”

“I’d like to see a bear come at me. I’ll send that motherfucker packing straight back to hell,” I promise with a wink, drinking some more beer.

Rowdy shakes his head, laughing despite himself. “I don’t doubt that for one minute.”

Chapter Eight

ROWDY

“Tell me more about your divorce,” I order, leaning back against the sofa and rubbing my belly. Diving into pizza and beer allowed us to stay awkwardly silent for a time, but now we have to get down to brass tacks.

“Well, I thought you’d know all about that,” Red says scornfully, taking another swig of beer. Despite my many warnings, the redhead’s getting sauced. But I have to admit I’m drinking more than usual, too. It’s the easiest way to deal with the firecracker across from me… “After all, you sent my ex a ‘Congratulations’ card to celebrate dodging the biggest mistake of his life?—”

“No, dodging the biggest bullet. That’s what I said.”

“Either way, it was mean-spirited,” she declares, licking her lips and nodding firmly.

Red’s words surprise me, and I furrow my brows. Why does she care if I was being mean-spirited to her ex? But I don’t pretend to read her mind or have her figured out. I reply firmly, “I don’t regret that one bit.”

She frowns, side-eyeing me like she’s trying to figure something out. God help us both if it’s the same thing I’m tryingto figure—why the fuck I need to bang her so badly.I mean, what the hell’s wrong with me?

This is all Billy’s fault. I’ve worked hard as an adult to avoid spending time alone with Red, realizing since puberty, my weirder feelings for her didn’t need encouragement. I chalked it up to an innocent—okay, counting masturbation sessions,not so innocent—crush.

I never for one minute entertained the idea it could be consensual, though. Honestly, I just thought I was a bit of a sick fuck. No harm, no foul…as long as no one ever found out. Every excuse I used in the past to stay away from the equivalent of my older sister melts in the hot rays of this newfound mutuality, leaving me dangerously close to mastering the situation in a way that could blow the family apart.

Am I seriously considering repaying the Cashes’ generosity and affection over the years by fucking their only daughter?

Yes.

Because even more than loyalty to family, I need to make Lesley happy…with every fiber of my being, every bone in my body. I don’t know where the impulse comes from, but the power behind it makes it difficult to breathe.

A couple of hours ago, I hated everything the big-city wannabe stands for, and tomorrow, I will again. But in this singular moment, with her reminding me of the country girl I first crushed on, I need to please her more than I need my heart to beat. If she asks, I won’t hesitate, though I know better.

Fuck…

But then again, that kiss in the conference room blew things wide open, and the whole world thinks we’re engaged anyway. Her parents have to know by now, and Armageddon hasn’t begun. Maybe all these years, I’ve overestimated the drama a move like this could bring. All I know is with how her eyes roveover my body, and her voice sounds breathy and seductive, I’d brave the fires of hell for a chance with her.

This is not good…

“Shouldn’t surprise me, I guess...” Her voice trails off. I don’t even know what she’s referring to now, my mind swimming in indecent thoughts, my cock pressing hard against the zipper of my jeans. “Despite everything, I’m a big enough woman to admit we worked well together today once you got over your bullshit and agreed to a second fit testing.”

Still on work? How can her mind be at the office?I swallow loudly, trying hard not to devour her with my eyes and failing miserably…again.

I say, “Oh, we’re being nice to each other now? Well, in that case, I’m glad you showed up at Jameson & Cash because some of the details the team signed off on during the first fit testing go-around didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t sure if I was being overly sensitive or neurotic, though.”

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