Page 11 of My Cowboy Kiss
“Nothing’s going on.”And the only time I heat up is when I look at your curves.She’s looking at me expectantly making me feel like I need to say something. “I guess I’ve been extra busy lately. We’re all trying to bring in more money to get the ranch back on its feet, that’s all.”
She winces. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Why are you sorry?” I look at her as I back up the truck.
“I just am.” Her voice cracks a little on the last word.
“You didn’t know anything about the former manager or what he did. It’s not your fault he was a thief.”
“Um…it’s hot.” She reaches to adjust the air, tilting the vent to blow on her face. Her hair stirs, creating a few wayward strands and wafting the scent of her shampoo my way.
I grip the steering wheel tighter. I can’t deny that I’ve wondered more often than I should how her hair would feel with my hands in it. How soft would it be while I held her head still and played a lover’s song on her body with mine?
“Almost there,” I say as she adjusts the vent again.
“Be prepared to help me with this,” she says, gesturing to the archery sign as I pull onto the dirt road leading to the range.
“Don’t worry, I will.”
She grins at me, her eyes suddenly full of teasing. “I’ve been too humiliated to show my face around town after that forum post but that’s nothing compared to you facing the humiliation of coming back here.”
“One, it was years ago. Two, even if she still works here, she’s probably forgotten all about it now.”
“You referred to Tilly Hopkins as Titsy Hopkins to her face when she leaned over the counter to give you your change.”Courtney laughs like she’s remembering me telling her about that hot summer day. That was right after I’d realized Courtney had tits and that was what was burned into my brain.
“I wasn’t thinking about Tilly’s tits.” I know I sound defensive, but I wasn’t. And in hindsight, I wish I hadn’t shared that moment with Courtney, but I tend to tell her everything.Almosteverything. I haven’t said a word to her about how I feel.
“Really?” She asks, interrupting my thoughts as she unbuckles her seatbelt. “Then whose titswereyou thinking about?”
I can’t tell her I was thinking abouthertits but hers are the only ones I’ve ever thought about. The only ones I ever wanted to touch.
She laughs and it’s a weird sound. “You don’t have to tell me who the girl was.” Then she opens the door and gets out, striding toward the building like it doesn’t matter to her if I had another woman’s tits in mind but I get the feeling itdoesmatter to her.
Chapter 4
Courtney
I don’t care if Matilda “Tilly’s” tits or whoever’s tits they belong to are on River’s mind.
I walk inside the building designed like a log cabin and River walks in behind me, coming up close once I stand still, but I won’t glance at him. I’m feeling irritated as hell.
The college age woman at the counter gives us a big smile. Her name tag has Sue Ellen across it. She’s perky and friendly but hasn’t taken her gaze off River.
It’s not River’s fault women eye-fuck him. He’s handsome, well-built and gives off a I’ll-be-good-to-you-in-and-out-of-bed vibe.Dammit, he’s mine so that vibe is mine. Oops. Check that thought.Notmine, I remind myself.
If things were different and I didn’t have that no-good drunk thieving bloodline running roots deep in my family tree, then maybe…
But the darkness in my family would quickly extinguish the light in his eyes. He’s been through hell but has never lost the core of who he is. A good man with a beautiful heart. How could I take the chance on ruining that? I won’t.
After Sue Ellen gets the equipment, a man comes from the back.
“You can go on break. I’ll finish with these customers.”
The man, tall and lean with a salt and pepper beard glances at the bow set and then at us. “First timers?”
River shakes his head. “I’ve been here before but it was a while back.”
The man snaps his fingers. “I saw you come in and thought you looked familiar but it’s not because you’ve been here before. You were in Clover County last winter rescuing pups.”
