Page 52 of Montana Groom of Convenience
“Are you going to admit it?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
She gave him a playful shove. “I want honesty.”
He stumbled away and faced her, doing his best to look stern while his insides bounced with an unfamiliar sense of adventure and play. He took a step toward her and another until she tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “Exactly how honest do you want me to be?”
She swallowed hard. “Completely.”
He took in her wide, dark eyes, the way her tongue skimmed her lips, the beat of her pulse in the V of her neck. Complete honesty would mean confessing he found her attractive and appealing at that moment. Not just physically, though she was a beautiful woman, but he saw her caring heart, her commitment to doing what she thought was right.
His gaze lingered on her mouth.
She leaned closer.
He shook his head. “I don’t think you want complete honesty.” For certain, he wasn’t ready for it.
She jammed her fists to her hips. “Of course I do.”
“Well, you’ve had it. I’ve been totally honest with you from our first meeting.” Except things had changed. He clamped down on his back teeth. He only wanted a home for Jill. Nothing more.
“Hey, you two,” Hugh called. “Are you coming?”
Carly made a disapproving sound and hurried toward the others.
Sawyer lengthened his stride to keep pace with her. “Carly?” He didn’t want her angry at him.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Never mind, Sawyer. We made an agreement, and I mean to hold up my end of it.”
“As do I.” Which meant pushing back those fledgling, demanding feelings. It should be easy. He’d done it for years. Except it wasn’t easy. And a part of him didn’t want to dismiss them. He’d made a deal, though, and his honor depended on keeping his word.
Yet a little thought refused to be silenced. What would Carly say if he admitted his changing feelings? Would she be displeased or otherwise?
Chapter 11
Carly kept her feelings stuffed back as she helped set out the picnic. They put the food on a tablecloth and spread blankets to sit on. She noticed the many cushions the men carried.
“Here’s one for you,” Kate said. “You and Sawyer.” Her eyes twinkled.
Carly dropped the cushion to the ground.
Hugh took off his hat. The other men followed his example. “I’ll ask the blessing.”
Carly bowed her head, grateful no one could see the tangle of her thoughts. She’d believed Sawyer meant to kiss her as they lingered behind the others. She’d leaned close, inviting it. But then he’d stepped back as he should have. Their agreement clearly left no room for kissing. She understood that. However, it was getting hard to remember.
She realized Hugh had said amen, and the others had seated themselves on the blankets. The food was passed from hand to hand. The children sat in a group,eating with gusto. Conversation hummed around her. She was more than content to let it be so.
“Carly, how have you enjoyed your first week of married bliss?” If the question had come from anyone but Isabelle, Carly might have suspected she was being teased,
“We’ve been busy. Sawyer has started seeding. I’ve been planting the garden.”
“I don’t think she was asking about the work,” Annie said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Carly’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Sawyer chuckled. “Seems she’s speechless.”
The others laughed.
