Page 29 of A Cowboy's Heart

“Willa,” Devin said from beside her.

“What?” She hadn’t meant to snap at him but she couldn’t look at him.

“Can’t you at least look at me?”

Glancing over at him, she quickly looked away. “What is it?”

“I want to apologize for last night.”

“You already did. Unless you were saying you were sorry for something else in the barn.”

Reaching out, he tugged on the reins to stop her horse. She glared at him.

“I just don’t understand why you won’t let me in.”

“Because nothing can come of it. I’m leaving here in three weeks.”

“I don’t think that’s your reason at all. I think it’s the age difference.”

“It’s partly that but it’s mostly because I’m leaving, Devin and I don’t want to take a broken heart home with me.”

“I want to be with you again—”

“No. Now, let go so I can catch up.”

Devin’s lips flattened, but he let go of her reins. Nudging her horse into a run to catch up with the others, she had to blink quickly because tears were blinding her and she couldn’t see where she was going.

****

Devin watched her ride off and swore under his breath. Why couldn’t she see they had something special going on between them? He knew damn well it had never been like that for him with any other woman. Sex had never been that good.Ever.He wanted her again. To be buried deep inside her and feel her clench around him when she came.

The leather creaked in the saddle as he shifted in it. This was going to be a long few days. Nudging Picasso into a trot to catch up, he rode behind the men with the packhorses. Glancing back, he saw the chuck wagon following.

When they reached the cattle, he split the riders up but kept Rocky and Willa with him since Rocky wasn’t really experienced on his horse yet and Willa because… well, he had to be near her. Everyone followed his directions with the cattle. Only once did he have to ride after a straggler.

“Why is it always you, Oreo?” Devin muttered when he caught the cow and led it back to the herd.

An hour and a half later, they reached the camping area. Devin and the men collected firewood as Ken, the ranch manager and cook,set up the chuck wagon and began cooking lunch.

“The creek and waterfall are right through there.” Devin pointed along a path. “I’m sure you’ll want to wash the dust off you before eating.”

He noticed Willa staying away from him as much as she could but he wanted to go over there, carry her off into the woods and fuck her senseless. Turning on his heel, he told Chip he’d be back then trudged off into the woods. He couldn’t look at her and not want to be with her. Not stopping until he was far into the woods, he leaned back against a tree, and he looked up to see the sun shining down between the branches. The woods were much more refreshing than out in the open, but it would get colder just as he’d told the campers. Putting his hands in his pockets, he stared into the woods. Light from the sun filtered through the branches but it was darker where he was. He straightened up when he heard a twig snap. It was probably Chip looking for him, although most of the ranch hands knew not to bother him when he took off on his own. He couldn’t believe it when he saw Willa coming toward him.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked her.

“Looking for you.”

“What the hell for, Willa? To shoot me down again?” Crouching down, he picked up a stick and moved the end of it around in the pine needles.

“Devin, I don’t like shooting you down. It’s just that I don’t see why we should be together nowwhen I’ll be leaving.”

“Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself? We’re good together, and you know it.”

She crouched down beside him. “I do know it, but I also know I don’t want to leave here with a broken heart.”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time. We’re adults, Willa, and I can admit I can’t keep my hands off you. Why not enjoy it?” He glanced at her then away. Damn, he wanted her.

“Sex only? No hearts involved? How do you propose to do that?”

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