Page 39 of Marrying a Cowboy

Austin studied her. For a moment, she thought she saw a hint of acknowledgement. But then itpassed.

“I made a commitment for no shenanigans.” He leaned closer. “I’m a man of my word. You said you wanted to prove to my Gran that we’re married, I’m just playing thepart.”

Emma swallowed as his confession rolled over her. How could she have been so foolish? Maybe it was better that she finished up this trip soon and got out of here. But for now, she needed to get her head on straight and finish her deal. And if Austin was faking it. She could fake itbetter.

Emma reached out and touched Austin’s arm. Then she ran her fingers down his skin until she got to his hand. “Let me see that,” she said as she pulled it up to study his nail. “Did my hubby get hurt?” She brought his finger closer to her lips and kissedit.

When she glanced up at him, she saw his eyes had widened. “Um”—then he leaned closer—“What are youdoing?”

She gave him an innocent expression. “Just playing the part.” She traced the tip of her finger around on his hand. “Like you, thismorning.”

Austin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he studied her. It seemed like he was fighting the urge to pull his arm away. “Good call,” he said as henodded.

He watched as she traced her fingers farther up his arm. This was slowly becoming a game of who could make the other person nervous. “I just really want to take care of you,” Emma said as she stepped closer tohim.

“Which is what a good wife would do.” He moved closer toher.

Emma cursed the heat that permeated her cheeks as she glanced up to see his intense gaze staring back at her. But she didn’t flinch. If he could handle this, so could she. Once her fingers got to the hem of his sleeve, she paused, playing with it. “Is this helping?” she asked. The breathiness of her voice surprised evenher.

“Yes,” he said. His voice was deeper. As if he too were experiencing a physicalreaction.

She slipped her fingers over his shirt and made her way up to his shoulder to the back of his neck where she let her fingertips play with his hair. “What else can I do to help you feel better?” She pressed closer to him. Her heart pounding in response. It must be the game she was playing that had her adrenaline rushing. The anticipation of seeing just how far Austin was going to let her takeit.

She ran her hand up his other arm and intertwined her fingers behind his neck. He shifted, bringing his body closer to hers. She felt him dip down, almost as if he was going to kiss her. Her stomach lightened as she thought back to the moment they’d had earlier. She’d be lying if she told herself that kissing him had been awful. In fact, it had been. . .indescribable.

He leaned closer to her ear. “Emma,” he said, his breath tickled herskin.

She pulled back and swallowed, praying she sounded normal. “Yes, Austin?” The look in his eyes made her heart pound. What did it mean? There was a hint of desire mixed with uncertainty. Like he was holding back, but in any moment, he’d lose control and everything that he was hiding would breakfree.

He didn’t respond right away and that was okay. Emma was lost in his gaze and everything around her faded away. Then, as quickly as it came, his expression relaxed. His lips tipped up in a flirtatioussmile.

“You play the fake wife, beautifully,” he said, pulling back fromher.

His words caused her to come crashing back to reality. In those few words, the moment that they had just shared together, disappeared. And all that was left was the lie that they were livingin.

Forcing a smile, Emma stepped back as well. “Good. I’m happy that I play the lie well.” She cleared her throat. “I have to applaud you,too.”

A sour expression passed over Austin’s face as he nodded. “Well, they didn’t cast me as Peter Pan in Middle School just because I was one of the only sixthgraders.”

Emma just nodded. She wasn’t sure what to say to that. An awkward silence fell around them. She cleared her throat and waved toward thehouse.

“I’m going to go in and make some lunch,” she said. Anything to get away from Austin and their confusingrelationship.

Austin just nodded and turned back to the fencepost.

The sudden need to get as far away from him as possible rushed over her and she walked as fast as she could over to the porch and into the kitchen. Once inside, she was grateful for the privacy being inside brought her. Here, she was safe. Here, Austin wasn’t around to confuseher.

Fifteen minutes later, three sandwiches were made and sitting on the faded ceramic plates that Emma had taken down from the cupboard. After rummaging around in the pantry, she located a half open bag of chips in the corner and dumped a portion out next to eachsandwich.

She stepped back and surveyed her work. It was modest. Nothing amazing. But she’d been helpful and working had helped her keep her mind off of Austin and that was good. She rubbed her neck with her hand and sighed. Except now, she’d have to go outside and call him in. She wasn’t sure if she was ready forthat.

Just as she moved to the back door, her phone rang. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled it out and glanced down at thescreen.

Mom.

Taking a deep breath, she hit talk and brought the phone to hercheek.

“Hello?”

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