Page 80 of Dirty Cowboy

And fuck, if I don’t want to take her right here in the middle of the field.

She could scream as loud as she wants, no walls, no restraints—just her, writhing beneath me, her body arching into mine as I kiss her, touch her, and wreck her. My fingers itch at the thought, my lips aching to taste every inch of her skin.

But I can’t.

Not yet.

Not like this.

"It didn't feel like we rode far." She pulls me back from my dangerous thoughts.

I glance sideways, taking in the curve of her bare leg, and the damp shirt clinging to her body. Jesus.

"Shadow's speed is impressive," I admit, forcing my voice to stay even, "but it doesn't mean you don’t need to be careful. You scared the hell out of me, Ems."

I reach out, tracing a finger along her cheek. She’s still chilled from the water, but her skin warms under my touch.

“I didn’t mean to,” she says softly.

“I know." I pause, swallowing against the lump in my throat. "Promise me something, Ems. Promise you'll always find your way back home.”

The weight of my words hangs between us.

Emma takes my hand, her fingers curling around mine.

"I promise," she whispers.

We don’t let go. We just keep walking, hand in hand, as the herd moves in from the fields, the sky deepening to dusk.

"Your skin is steaming," she notes, her brows pinching in concern.

I smirk. "Because you're making me hot."

Her mouth parts slightly, her expression flickering between confusion and amusement.

"Me?"

"Emma, you're half-naked. And you’re flirting with me."

"So are you," she fires back.

I grin, watching as she folds her arms, trying to look indignant but failing miserably.

"You’re the one who drops his towel all the time," she accuses, narrowing her eyes. "I’m starting to think you do it on purpose. You want me to fall in love with your ab ladder, Hercules shoulders, and a very generous dick."

A deep, rumbling laugh escapes me before I can stop it.

I like this side of her—unfiltered, teasing, completely at ease. And I like that she notices me. Every inch of me.

"Thanks for the compliments"—I smirk, watching her move beside me—"but if we’re talking about who’s the bigger tease, you’re the one in sheer panties, and I’m the one who saved your bedazzled pussy. What would your brothers say if they knew you were a dirty little vixen?"

Emma stops mid-step, tilting her head at me, feigning innocence. "I’m not dirty."

"You’re right. You’re not. You’re a tease with a talent for stripping."

She narrows her eyes, lips twitching. "And what would my brothers say if they knew you were kissing their sister? I once overheard them talking about buying cemetery plots just so they could put my boyfriends’ names on the headstone."

Jesus Christ.