Page 84 of Nashville Cowboy
“I can believe it. You mean takers like Winona?”
“And much worse.” He unwrapped her the rest of the way like a present and moaned when he saw that she was completely naked. “But right now, I feel like I’m the one who hit the jackpot.”
She smiled. “Ever have any regrets?”
He studied her with a deep, soulful gaze that made her womb squeeze. “My only regret is that music took me away from you.”
“Funny. I have the same regret.”
“I’m not surprised. It’s why so many marriages and relationships fail. The road is tough on couples.”
While this wasn’t what she wanted to hear, the truth was better than a fancy lie. “That makes me sad for you.”
For us.
“And you.” He kissed her, a long deep kiss that reached all the way to her soul.
When he pulled back, she was breathless again. “Do you think you’ll ever marry again?”
“I’d have to find the right woman, that’s for sure. Someone who knows me. Someone who has my back. Maybe even someone who doesn’t need me to do anything fortheircareer. Someone who already has their own career.” He winked. “Why, you know of anyone?”
“I might. Anything else?” She grinned, because he made it sound as though he’d put a lot of thought behind this.
“Obviously, I seem to prefer women who challenge me.” He nuzzled her neck. “I think that’s because Lincoln dropped me on my head as a baby.”
She framed his face. “A strong woman is a good thing.”
“Uh-huh.” He grinned. “A very good thing.”
“What else is on your list for the perfect wife?”
“I’m done talkin’,” he said, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off. “I need a shower, and you’re coming with me.”
“I already—”
But when Jackson yanked her off the bed in one swoop, Eve decided that two showers in the space of thirty minutes wasn’t crazy at all.
As he’d promised,later that evening, Jackson left for Kerrville and met Winona for a late supper in the hotel restaurant, a large and modern place with wide open spaces. Lots of sterile couches in bright primary colors outside the eating area. He would have preferred to sit there, but of course Winona led them to a private table in the rear.
He pulled out her chair and sat across from her, removing his Stetson. “What’s this partnership you wanted to talk about?”
“Right to the point, huh? I thought we might chat for a while and catch up.” She took the wine menu from the waiter and perused it.
“Should you be drinking?”
“How sweet of you to worry. I’ve cut back substantially. Only wine now. And if this partnership of ours works out, I swear I’ll give it up completely.” She held up her palm in the universal swearing-in style.
“Whatpartnership? Winona, you should know that I’m thinking about stayin’ here. Not going back to Nashville. I called my manager about putting up the house for sale.”
He’d done that this morning, and he still hadn’t told Eve or Mima. He wanted to surprise Eve first.
“You’re serious?”
“It’s been a long time comin’. Our original band broke up a long time ago. Cory is a producer, Rick and Clay studio musicians. They’re all married and raising families. I’m still the only one touring and writing songs with a studio backup band.”
“Do you want to stop?”
“I want to stop touring and I’ll make sure to get the guys other work. I’ll keep writing songs, but I don’t need to live in Nashville to do that.”
