Page 36 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

It had been so long, too long, since she felt like this. Felt desired, wanted, needed. Too long sinceshehad desired, wanted, needed someone.

Like an addict getting a drug after abstaining, the rush overwhelmed her senses.

His mouth opened. She thrust her tongue in. He tasted minty and fresh and so good.

She pushed harder against his mouth. He pulled her against him so she could feel the flex of his muscles, the solidness of his body. She was going under and she never wanted to surface.

Chapter 11

Kristy’s cheeks felt like they were on fire as they headed back to the ranch house on their respective horses. Why had she allowed him to kiss her? Why had she kissed him back?

Because she wanted to be with him. That was the simple but oh-so-complicated fact. No denying it now. One look at the wide grin gracing his handsome face as he rode alongside her told her there was no going back.

“I know this might be pushing it”—he said, turning his head toward her —but how about going out tonight?Ifyou have the time? Just for a bite to eat. Just for an hour or two.”

He looked so eager as the sun glinted off his eyes.

Ariel had texted her that she had a date tonight, so Kristy would be eating alone. And she certainly didn’t feel like eating alone, or cooking.

All good reasons, but the real reason, if she was being honest, was that she wanted to see him. And after kissing him, after making out like teenagers, there was no reason to pretend anymore.

“Sure. But just for an hour or so.” She did have to work on the spreadsheets she used to keep everything organized.

“What time?”

She needed to talk with Lexi about the straw bales, and she’d need to shower. “Is seven too late?”

A big grin filled his face, an expression she’d come to love on him. “Perfect.”

Though she wasn’t sure how she’d gotten to this spot so fast, she couldn’t say she was sorry. Not yet, anyway. Only now she’d have to guard her heart even more. She would not start building dreams of a future together, as she had with Dean. She’d live in the here and now, and when it ended, as it invariably would, she’d move on with no regrets. That was her mantra now. No regrets.

“Just to be clear. I’m not looking for a serious relationship.” At least not for the foreseeable future.

“Works for me.”

“So this is the person who’s going to give us a rootin’ tootin’ Boots and Bells gala.” An older version of Rusty’s sister June, with blond hair in a pageboy cut and a twinkle in her blue eyes, held out her hand. “Jewel Russell.”

Kristy shook it as she took in the cozy kitchen dominated by a large trestle wood table. “Kristy Winslow. And I hope to.” Jewel’s grip was firm before she released.

Jewel wore a gray T-shirt emblazoned with the Wyoming signature bucking bronc and rider, jeans cinched with a wide buckle, and black sneakers. Thin and wiry and average height, next to her son she could pass for petite.

There had been no getting out of meeting Rusty’s mother, since Kristy had to talk with Lexi about the bales. She hadn’t wanted to insult the woman, so she’d accepted the invitation to sample some of the baking that Rusty and Lexi had raved about. Not a baker herself, it had been a while since Kristy had tasted home-baked goodies.

The sweet smell of fresh-baked peaches scented the air. The culprit sat in a glass dish on the counter, covered by a checkered towel. Her mouth watered at the thought. Or maybe it was thoughts of those kisses she’d just shared with Jewel’s son.

She glanced over at Rusty, who was pulling out a chair for her.

He seemed totally unaffected with what had transpired less than half an hour before. Except for that grin on his face.

She sat in the chair. Rusty slipped into the one beside her.

“You ready for some peach cobbler?” Jewel asked. “First of the season.”

“Ready and waiting.” Rusty laid his hat on the table.

With that there was aclicky-clackysound, and Lexi appeared from the hallway. “No starting without me.”

“You get the coffees poured.” Jewel directed the comment at Lexi.

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