Page 48 of The Cowboy Complication

She lifted her brows. “Princess…” The dark slashes wiggled up and down. “I like the sound of that.”

He’d like the sound of whatever came out of her mouth when she got that climax she was in need o?—

No.

NO.

That wasnotwhat he liked the sound of. He liked the sound of football games. The sound of drunk ranch hands running down the street naked on a cold day. Taking a deep breath, he stuck to thoughts of the least sexually appealing things he could come up with.

He closed Isla into the truck and tried to walk off the raging erection he was hiding behind the hem of his heavy coat. Thank God for the bulky canvas because it was saving his life right now.

Getting behind the wheel, he drove them to one of his favorite places to eat in Billings, managing to calm the fuck down while they enjoyed sandwiches piled high with freshly sliced deli meat stacked on house-made bread. By the time they were pulling into Grady and Evelyn’s so Isla could work a half-day, he was feeling better. About everything. About his friendship with Isla, and that it would continue even when she didn’t need him to drive her around. About his self-control. He was a grown man and the boss of his dick. It didn’t tell him what to do, and he wouldn’t let it mess this up.

As he parked the truck, an older man came out the back door, smiling wide.

“My grandpa’s here.” Isla sounded a little shocked. “I didn’t think he was coming to town until next week.” She was out of his truck and headed into her grandpa’s embrace before he could wrap his head around the development.

He’d seen Bernard in passing, but hadn’t interacted with the man. Now he was pulling up with Isla and it was going to look like something it wasn’t. It was likely going to bring questions he didn’t want to answer.

Because he’d feel bad lying. And if he didn’t lie, everything would implode.

Getting out of the truck, he plastered on a smile, bracing for what might be coming his way. But Bernard and Isla were deep in conversation and neither of them seemed to notice he was even there. Isla’s head tipped back, eyes widening as her grandpa passed over an envelope. Then the older man turned, offering Cooper a nod as he went, and disappeared back inside.

Leaving Isla staring at the envelope in her hands.

“Everything okay?” He didn’t like the pinch of her brows or the flat line of her mouth. Didn’t like the way whatever was in her hands seemed to be putting a damper on her excitement over the earlier events of the day.

“Yeah.” She gave him a weak smile. “My grandpa just brought me a letter from my ex.”

She wasn’t normally so forthcoming with information involving the guy she used to date, and the easy admission had jealousy creeping up his spine.

“Why would he send you a letter?”

It came out sharper than he intended, but there was no way to temper his voice right now. Not with her holding a piece of the asshole who let her go. The bastard didn’t deserve to insert himself into her life here. She’d worked hard to get away from everything he’d tainted. To put it all behind her.

“Because he’s an ass.” She sighed, turning to him. “I guess he’s feeling guilty about the way he left things.” She snorted. “Can’t imagine why.”

Feeling regretful was probably more like it. The dude was probably starting to figure out women like Isla didn’t come along every day, and now he was kicking himself for walking away from her.

“You think he wants you back?”

Isla thought for a minute, then shrugged. “I think I don’t care.”

She pinched the envelope between her fingers and twisted, tearing the whole thing in half. Then she did it again, blowing out a breath as she stared down at the shreds. “That felt really good.” Her eyes lifted to his, a smirk twisting her lips. “Not climax good, but I’ll take what I can get.”

And just like that, his mind was right back in the fucking gutter.

She laughed, pointing a finger at him. “Your face.” She leaned into his body, her forehead resting against his chest. “That was priceless.” She rocked her head back, chin resting on his sternum as she looked up at him. “I’ll stop complaining. I’m sure it’s the last thing you want to hear about.”

It was actually the first thing he wanted to hear about. “I don’t mind. You can complain to me any time.”

Terrible idea. Terrible, terrible idea. She shouldn’t tell him anything else about her needs or wants or desires. He’d combust. All they’d find was ashes in the shape of a raging hard-on.

“Good, because I don’t have anyone else to complain to.” She wrapped her arms around his middle, squeezing tight as she rested her cheek against his coat. “Thank you for going with me today. I don’t know that I could have done it without you there to keep me from freaking out.”

“Of course.” He slowly wrapped her in his arms, hugging her back. “I’d do anything for you, Princess.”

Even suffer in silence. Even shove down all the feelings trying to fuck this up until they were safely and securely packed away and hidden.

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