Page 56 of Nanny for the Cowboy

Electricity rings through the air. Brooks is still holding my hand, and I squeeze it. God, I don’t want to let him go. Being next to him like this feels…it feels too good. I’m not supposed to want this.

But I do.

“Brooks, I?—”

“I’m done!” Darby calls out and then comes into the room with a big smile, showing off his clean teeth.

“Awesome. Good job, bud. Let’s get in bed.”

And then they head upstairs to get Darby in bed, leaving me at the table alone, dwelling on how Brooks’s hand felt against my skin.

Something is playingon the TV, but I’m not paying attention. I’m not even sure who put it on. Brooks is sitting next to me on the couch. He’s a respectable distance away, but all I can think about is how he could be closer.

He’s right there. He’s always right there, and dammit, avoiding all these thoughts I’ve had about Brooks is getting harder and harder.

Especially when he goes and promises me that I’m safe here—with him.

“You alright there, Lucky? You’re quiet.”

Flustered, I yank myself out of my head and give Brooks a smile. “Yeah, fine. Just thinking.”

“I know you’re nervous, Clover, but I promise the ranch is safe. I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

He’s turned toward me, his arm on the back of the couch while the other rests on his knee. Brooks is wearing his typical work jeans, faded from the sun and frayed at the bottoms.

But he’s ditched the loose button-down he usually wears to block the sun while he’s working, opting for just his navy blue t-shirt, a pocket right over his heart.

I can feel how much he wants to take my hand, how muchIwant him to take my hand.

That’s a terrible idea, though. Right? He’s…he’s Brooks. We’re supposed to keep this platonic. He doesn’t even like me…right?

My thoughts churn, my stomach roiling. I’ve never been in a situation quite like this one, and I don’t know how to handle it.

Attraction is one thing. You can want to kiss or fuck someone but not really like them. I have to believe that’s what this is.

All the times that Brooks and I have almost…done something, they’ve been flukes of attraction grown from the sheer fact that we’ve been around each other a lot—and neither of us is terrible looking.

But he’s been so genuine about wanting to protect me, and I don’t know what to do with my feelings about that.

I don’t know what to do about any of them.

“Hey,” Brooks reaches out, finally taking my hand, “you’re going to be fine. He’s some spoiled rich guy who can’t take failure. Don’t let him make you small.”

“Why do you care?” It comes out harsh, and I have to immediately correct myself. “I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, why do you care about a stranger? I’m just some chick who watches your kid. You don’t have to be this nice to me.”

Brooks smirks, rolling his eyes. “I’m not an asshole, Clover. I know we’ve…argued a bit, but I’m not looking for anyone to get hurt, and you’ve done more than ‘watch’ Darby. You’ve made him feel safe. Appreciated. I’ll always be tremendously grateful for that. For whatyou’vedone.”

My heart swells in a way that I can’t deny. Hearing Brooks talk about the difference I’ve made in his kid’s life is amazing, and I love Darby like he were my own, so knowing that it’s paying off is incredible.

“So,” I drag out the word, smirking back at Brooks because I just can’t help myself when it comes to teasing him, “notthatbad for a city girl?”

He makes a face, playfully glaring at me. “I’ve already said as much.”

Scooting up onto my knees on the couch, I lean forward toward him as the ridiculous excitement grows, pointing a finger at him, even if I keep it right by my chin.

‘Uh-un. You havenotsaid as much. And I want to hear it. I want to hear the great and mighty Ace Man Brooks say that I hold my own on the ranch just fine.”

The muscles in Brooks’s jaw work, and I smile as big as ever, a little surprised that I can, considering the low-level fear that does churn through me at the thought of Kyle finding me here.

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