Page 88 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
“I won’t be dressed to head out afterward or anything,” he warned. “I’m coming straight from work.”
“That’s fine. I’m a cowgirl. I know exactly what working with animals smells like,” she teased. “It doesn’t have to be a late night or anything. I just want to see you.”
Her words warmed his heart way more than they should have. He hung up feeling moderately optimistic.
Of course, when it was nearly two hours before he made it to Sonora’s, some of those warm, bubbly feelings had escaped.Great way to make a good impression, Ryder.He’d had to stop for a shower and fresh clothes or no one would have wanted to spend time with him.
Thankfully, Lisa hadn’t given up. The two women were sitting in the main reception room and their laughter was the first thing he heard as he opened the door and entered the cozy building.
The room had undergone a huge change over the past months. It was painted in bright, clean colours, with playful animal pictures on the walls and plenty of room for pictures of adopted animals to go up on the corkboard.
Two heads pivoted his direction, one with grey-white hair, the other with beautiful brown waves that tumbled over her shoulders. Brown eyes that met his with warmth and affection.
Threeheads—Ollie appeared from under Lisa’s chair and headed straight for him, mouth open in her best doggie smile.
“Hello, ladies.”
Ollie stopped next to him, her tail thumping into his shins.
Sonora rose to her feet and came over, offering him a quick hug before shaking a finger. “You’re not supposed to work that hard,” she chastised him. “You need to take more days off.”
“I promise I’ll take as many days off as I see you take,” he offered.
Lisa whistled in amusement. “Oh, good one.” She slid in beside him and caught his hand in hers, squeezing tightly.
Sonora glanced between the two of them and rolled her eyes. “I’m taking myself off to my comfortable living room for a cup of tea. Casey will be here after midnight to make the rounds and check the animals. Lock up when you’re donesmooching.”
She disappeared, obviously happy to have gotten the last word.
Lisa leaned against Josiah, arms wrapped around his waist. “I think this whole animal rescue has been good for her. She’s enjoying herself.”
“And she’s especially enjoying that the animal shelter annoys Ashton,” Josiah said with a grin.
Ollie barked once, scratching at the side door. It led to the large indoor arena that would be used for the auction events that coming weekend and animal training the rest of the time.
Lisa freed herself enough to head toward the door, tugging Josiah after her. “Come on. Ollie obviously has something on her mind.”
What the dog wanted was to make the rounds along the edge of the building, sniffing and scratching and examining everything, which was fine by Josiah because it meant he got to walk hand-in-hand with Lisa, planning out the final details of the auction.
It was natural; it was easy.
It was so damn perfect, especially when they paused at the end of the arena and Lisa leaned back against the wall, tugging him over her.
It was natural to lean in and put their lips together, teasing as he took in her taste.
It was comfortable in a way that didn’t mean taking that comfort for granted. She fit—against his body, her fingers sliding through his hair. Little moans sounded as she pressed up against him, giving generously. A thoroughly sensual, beautiful woman.
Theyfit.
So damn perfectly that he put his forearms on the wall by her head, just far enough back to look into her eyes. “Sonora said we should lock up when we’re done.”
Lisa grinned. “Was that a mistake?”
He couldn’t stop himself. “I never want to be done,” he whispered.
Her smile faded. “Josiah?”
“I want to kiss you today, tomorrow, and every day from now till forever.” There was no holding back.
