Page 30 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“Why can’t you stay here?” she asked as she placed her hands on her hips.

“Because I don’t want to be seen leaving here in the morning. It doesn’t look good for you or the ranch.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. That took the wind out of your sails, didn’t it?”

Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed his chin. “I’d love to stay with you. New guests don’t arrive until after two, correct?”

“Yes, so that means you can stay with me until at least noon.” He pressed his lips to hers and groaned when she pulled his bottom lip between her teeth.

“You have such sexy lips,” she said against them.

“And they taste like you.” He laughed when she blushed again. “Get some clothes to wear for tomorrow, and I’ll head out. Meet you at my place.”

“You don’t want to walk together to your place?”

“Let’s go separately in case some people are still in the barn.” They both jerked when someone knocked on her door. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Walking to the living room, she stared at the door. “Who is it?”

“Bett. I wanted to get your email address and say goodbye,” she called through the door.

Taking a deep breath, Presley glanced toward the bedroom to see Jaxon leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his broad chest and his hip cocked. Walking to the door, she opened it but didn’t let Bett in.

“I was getting ready for bed. I forgot all about exchanging emails.” She smiled.

Bett tried to glance behind her, but Presley blocked her view. “Um, okay.” She handed Presley a small piece of paper. “Here’s my email. I’m glad we met. Please email me.” She pulled Presley into her arms and hugged her, then whispered in her ear. “Have fun with Jaxon.” She winked then walked off the porch to head for her own cabin.

Presley closed the door and leaned back against it groaning.

“What’s wrong?” Jaxon asked as he leaned against the doorway to the hall.

“Don’t ask me how, but Bett knew you were here.”

He grinned at her. “Probably because she mentioned to me that you had left the dance, and then I disappeared too.” He tilted his head. “I didn’t think you two got along.”

“Well, at first, when I thought she was after you, I didn’t care for her.” She watched one side of his sexy mouth rise. “But then she told me she wasn’t as bold as she seemed. She’d had an abusive husband.”

“Son of a bitch,” Jaxon muttered as he pushed away from the wall and strode toward her. He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck and leaned down to kiss her. “Hurry up.”

“Are you going to wait for me anywhere?”

“I want to stop at the barn first to see if Dev and Willa need any help or if they’re done cleaning up. Go on up to my house. The back door is unlocked.”

“You leave that beautiful place unlocked?”

“Jinks will bark and scare anyone away that doesn’t belong, but he won’t hurt you.” He walked to the door and put his hand on the knob, then turned back to face her. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Presley smiled. “Make sure you are, cowboy.” She laughed when he smiled and disappeared out the door.

****

Jaxon entered the barn to see Willa and Devin swaying on the dance floor. He cleared his throat, and they glanced over to him.

“You do realize there’s no music?” he asked as he walked toward them.

Devin grinned. “There’s music in my heart.”

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