Page 31 of Nashville Lights

His eyes are on my face, as darkly spellbound as I feel. Then his gaze moves over my body, taking in the fit of my tank top, my short jean shorts, my long bare legs, my cowgirl boots, before making their way back up to my face.

Nate’s eyes paint warmth onto my skin, and deeper. I can feel his effectinsideme, where it’s somehow turned me into a ripe fruit that wants nothing more than to…be eaten.

I don’t even know what’s happening.

It’s a slow motion awakening, and whatever beast is coming to life, she ishungry. I’mawareof a transformation taking place and I vaguely try to stop it, but I can’t. I might as well try to stop myself from breathing.

I fall in love with him.

Just like that.

Right then and there.

Sure, I already loved him, from afar. A benign sort of worship that was more of a crush or a wish you don’t really expect to come true.

This is different.

I fallin lovewith him. Like,hard. With a lusty ferocity thatgrips my heart like a hot squeezing fist thatneedswhat it wants.

“Hey, Rox,” he drawls, swiping some burly arm porn over his forehead to wipe away his sweat.

I want to lick his dirt-smeared chest like I’ve never wanted anything in my life.

His eyes are light, the color of whiskey on ice, and that usual frown of concentration and Getting Shit Done are suddenly gone. He’s so handsome I forget to breathe.

Luke and Leo both stop what they’re doing to watch their older brother, as though his relaxed, charmed, lazy grin is wildly out of character. Then they glance at me. Then back at Nate. Leo elbows Luke and they’re both grinning like Cheshire Cats.

“Well, well, well,” is all Luke says, but it’s enough to break whatever trance Nate and I are locked in.

A light nudge pokes into my rib. “Rox?”

“Oh. Yeah?”

“I was just saying, can you take the tools off that hay bale so I can set this tray down?”

“Oh. Sure.”

“‘Bout time, Dakota,” Luke laughs. “I was about to die of dehydration.”

“Then carry a water bottle with you like a normal person would.”

“I’m trying to save the planet.” Luke downs the entire glass of lemonade Dakota just handed him.

“Get yourself a Stanley like a good little metrosexual. The planet will be fine.”

“Who you callin’ a metrosexual?” Luke looks offended.

“What evenisa metrosexual?” Leo stuffs a whole biscuit into his mouth.

“Someone with more manners and dress sense than you, who wouldn’t stuff an entire biscuit into their mouth like a Neanderthal.”

“Mm phumpgry,” Leo protests.

“Nate must qualify, in his Armani and deluxe, high-tech mansion.” Luke elbows Nate.

“Nate is the last person I would describe as a metrosexual,” Dakota laughs. “Nate’s more like a he-man with brains. And one extremely expensive suit.”

“So there.” Nate elbows Luke back, but it’s stronger than Luke’s shove was and Luke pretends to almost fall over, which makes Nate smile. He’s in a good mood today, reminding me of the carefree kid he used to be, running through the fields with my brothers and playing guitars all night long.

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