Page 47 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
Finn:How are you feeling this morning? Hated to leave you last night.
Karen:I’m amazingly well-rested. Someone worked me over hard, and I slept like a log.
Finn:It was my pleasure.
Karen:Oh, I totally meant theotherguy who crawled in my window after you left.
Finn:Careful…next time I’ll refuse to leave your bed.
Karen:You getting caught in my room would make it tough to keep this fling a secret. I don’t need sleepovers. I’m just glad you didn’t give up because of my stupid broken leg.
Finn:You have no idea. Having tasted you, touched you—fucked you—you think a damn cast can stop me from enjoying every minute we can find?
Karen:That’s dirty. And hot. And you dealt just fine. I wish you didn’thaveto deal, that’s all.
Finn:Ma chérie, for the privilege of unwrapping you, I will do more than deal with a simple cast.
~late summer, Whiskey Creek ranch~
She had an appointment the next morning. It was probably a good thing, though, because being babied was the last thing Finn would want.
Although, she did stand in the doorway of the master bedroom for too long, staring at his scruff-covered jaw. His body was relaxed, one arm thrown over his head. The sheets were tangled over the mass of his cast, his naked chest partially exposed.
He didn’t look completely comfortable, but that was to be expected.
She snuck in and straightened the blankets as best she could without disturbing him then headed out.
The three interviews she’d arranged for that morning were barely done when her phone went off with an alert.
Julia:you have time for lunch?
Karen:I’m already in town.
Julia:buns and roses?
Karen:can be there in ten minutes
She didn’t bother moving her truck, walking from the library where she’d been using their video conferencing equipment to the cozy coffee shop.
Karen gave a quick wave to Tansy, who was behind the counter working, then settled next to Julia at one of the small tables.
“You finish an early shift or getting ready to start a late one?” Karen asked.
Julia looked intrigued. “It’s rather fascinating you know to ask that question. I’m headed into a night shift. I woke up earlier than I wanted.”
“Then we’d better get you some coffee. Breakfast for you, lunch for me.”
“Since pizza is the perfect food for any time of day, we won’t quibble about what we call it.” Julia tilted her head toward the board listing the daily special. “My treat. Whatever you want. I’m having a pizza bagel.”
“Let me order. I need to talk to Tansy for a minute.”
They were early enough the lunch crowd hadn’t arrived yet, which gave Karen time to put in their order then make a special request. “Girls’ night out next month. How do you think everybody would react to the idea of doing a moonlight trail ride?”
Tansy’s eyes widened before she pressed a finger over her lips. “Keep it quiet, or we’ll have Rose squealing for the next month.”
That sounded positive. “I take it you don’t think it’s a terrible idea.”
“Hell no. It’s a fantastic idea. Even though some of you spend a lot of time in the saddle, I don’t think you’ll hear anyone complain.”
