Page 37 of Marrying a Cowboy

“Hello?”

Austin held his breath. Who was Emma talking to? He closed his eyes. It was probably just work.Right?

“What do you want,Vincent?”

Austin’s stomach twisted. She’d been talking to Vincent? Austin had thought that he was a thing of the past. Was she not truthful tohim?

Emma’s nervous laughter filled the room. Austin paused, wishing he could hear what was being said on the other side. What could they possibly be talkingabout?

“Listen, I don’t know why I wrote that.” She paused. “I can’t deal with this right now. I’m here to help Austin.” More silence. “Fine. Maybe we’ll talk when I getback.”

Austin moved to peek at her through the crack in the door. She was standing next to his bed in a tank and jeans. She’d pulled the phone from her ear and was staring down at it. He wished he could read her mind. Her expression was a mixture of frustration and relief. What could thatmean?

She moved across the room and stared out the window. Just as she turned around, she bumped the rocking chair and a thunp sounded. He watched as she reached down and lifted the ring box off the floor. His swallowed as she glanced around and then opened it. Her lips turned downwards a she studied thering.

What could she possibly be thinking? That he had a ring but didn’t give it to her? He clenched his jaw as he turned away from her. She wasn’t his wife. She had to know that. He couldn’t just give her a family heirloom like that. He closed his eyes. Even if he might have wanted to. But, what did it matter? She was talking to her exanyway.

Even if he was confused by everything that had just happened. It wasn’t like he could come out and ask her. What would he say?I’m sorry that I was eavesdropping on you but can you tell me what you meant by what you said?No. He couldn’t do that. Besides, she was leaving. And apparently, starting up a life for herself in New York. She was already making plans for when she gotback.

What a fool he’d been. He leaned back against the wall, sucked in his breath and let it out slowly. This was what he wanted,right?

The sinking feeling that settled in his gut told him, he wasn’t happy. None of this made him happy. He didn’t want Emma to leave and go running afterVincent.

Besides, how could he not be offended that Emma would rather spend time with her lousy ex than spend time with him. That thought caused frustration to race through him. How could he have thought that there was something going on between them? What an idiot he’dbeen.

It really was just about her helping him out. That was it. He was a charity case for her. Well, he was going to push out any of his previous reservations and really put on an act for Gran. After all, Emma wanted to convince her that they were really married. Might as well go all theway.

He waited in the closet until Emma finished dressing and left. Once she was gone, he made his way into the room. As he passed his dresser, he saw her phone from the corner of his eye. He paused, staring at it. Would it be so terrible if he looked at it? For some reason, he really wanted to know just what she’d messagedVincent.

He reached out and grabbed it. Swiping it on, he found the text icon. His finger hovered over it. What was he doing? Was he crazy? When had he turned into that guy? So, what if Emma was texting her ex. She had every right to. It wasn’t his place to judge. Sure, it was foolish, but he wasn’t a genius. He made numerousmistakes.

Just as he moved his finger to press the sleep button, the phone chimed. Austin stared down at the message. How had her phone gotten service where they were? There were only a few hot spots but in front of his dresser was not one of those places. But as he read Vincent’s words, his effort in trying to figure out how she was getting messagesdisappeared.

I know you said it’s a fake marriage. I know you don’t want to see me. But I can’t stop thinking about you. Please, let me explain myself. I can’t wait for you to come back. Let’s dodinner?

Austin’s heart sank. She’d told Vincent about their arrangement? Why? Why did her ex need to know? His stomach twisted. He was done with all of this. He couldn’t sneak around. He didn’t want to know what she’d said to Vincent. They weren’t real. The marriage wasn’t real. His feelings for her—weren’t real. He was a fool.Again.

Setting her phone back on the dresser, Austin cleared his throat and straightened his shirt. He was going to go down those stairs and convince his grandmother that he really was married and Emma would fulfill her end of the contract. Then he’d put Emma on a plane and he’d live the rest of his life here, at his ranch, where no one could hurt him everagain.

After all, he was done with women. And marriage. It seemed that every time he put himself out there, he just got crushed. And he was done being crushed. Thank goodness, his ring was safe up in his room and not around the finger of a woman who didn’t care abouthim.

With the marriage certificate in hand, he pulled open his bedroom door and headed down the stairs. Back in the kitchen, Gran was sitting at the table, sipping on a steaming mug of coffee. Emma was standing over at the sink, shooting uneasy glances in Gran’sdirection.

“Here,” Austin said, letting the certificate float to the table top as he passed by his grandmother. She wanted him to be married, he was going to act like the most married guy there was. He didn’t stop as he made his way over Emma. Her eyebrows shot up the closer hegot.

“Austin?” She barely got out before he grabbed her hand and pulled her into hischest.

He swallowed as he ignored the pounding of his ridiculous heart. He didn’t have feelings for her any more than she had forhim.

“What? Can’t a husband kiss his wife?” He wrapped his arm around her waist and cradled her head in his hand. Turning to the side, he dipped her down—just like earring spacers and Serenity did outside the judge’s room. Before she could speak, he pressed his lips tohers.

Fireworks exploded in his body at the feeling of her lips against his. His mind swarm from the sensation of her body close to his. She was hesitant at first, but when her fingers found their way up to his neck and into his hair, he knew this was amistake.

But she wasn’t going to win. He could be the better liar. So, he allowed his lips to move across hers. He brought her body closer to his own. Even though his mind was screaming at him to pull away, he didn’t stop. Notnow.

Once he felt as if he’d prove his point, he righted her and let her go. Glancing over at Gran whose eyes were wide, he gave her a smile. “Just saying good morning to my wife,” hesaid.

He tried to keep it together as he turned back to the sink and flipped it on. He cupped his hand under the water and let it fill up in his hand. The coolness spread across his warm skin, helping his to get some reprieve from his poundingheart.

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