Page 8 of My Cowboy Kiss
One who filled out a pair of jeans and grew tits.
“Careful,” Jude says as he rides up beside me. “Otherwise, you’ll end up like our brothers. Married before you know it.”
That doesn’t sound like something I want to be careful about. It sounds like what I want with Courtney. If things go my way, that’s exactly where we’re heading.
Chapter 3
Courtney
River ripped my clothes off and made love to me all night. Until I woke up alone on the floor by my bed, heart pounding, body throbbing. That kiss was more potent than I’d thought it would be.
Other than my case of lonely hornies this morning, my day hasn’t been too bad so far.
The post is gone from the town business forum, and in its place is news about the upcoming renovation to the sidewalks. Nothing is said about me but I’m uneasy, still feeling yesterday’s humiliation.
I’m still getting looks. Being judged. When I got out of my car this morning, I’d ducked my head to let my hair cover my face and raced to get inside the office.
Allison pauses the meeting, her arm raised mid-air toward the wall-mounted screen. She presses her lips together, then clears her throat. “Courtney? Are you with us?”
I send an apologetic smile to her and a glare at Stacy after she mutters, “She’switheveryone.”
If anyone needed bad karma to smack her upside the head, it’s her.
The lunch meeting continues as Allison shares her vision for the company in the upcoming month and it’s difficult to pay attention. I sneak a glance at the clock on the wall willing time to move faster. The rhythmic ticking remains steady providing a soundtrack for monotony.
I shift in the seat and smooth the mauve retro pencil skirt I found at the thrift store. High marks for beauty, low marks for comfort. I told myself I chose to wear the outfit as an armor of glamor because of what happened yesterday, but the truth is I’m excited about spending time with River.
“You never told me you had a boyfriend,” Mark says, leaning back in his chair to rest his arm along the back of mine. His shirt is three buttons undone, showing more chest hair than a woolly mammoth. He angles his body toward me. “You have to tell me what he’s got that I don’t.” He rests his hand on his thigh with his index finger pointing at his crotch.
“Me.” I fake smile and get to my feet the second Allison winds down. I’m out the conference room door and at my desk before Mark lumbers from his seat.
I thank the stars that this is my half day because one more minute and I think I’d implode. Yanking open the desk drawer, I snatch my purse and then zipping for the front door.
Outside, I take a deep breath of the warm air and the weight of everything I left behind in the office rolls from my shoulders. Dreamer me would love to quit this place before I find a new job. Realistic me has bills to pay and amends to make.
The seat of my car is hot enough to cook my ass and I jump out as soon as I make the mistake of sitting down. That’s one way to cook crack.
I take a jacket from the back seat that’s probably been there since November then lean in to spread it across the seat.
“Hey baby!” a deep voice growls. “Looking good. Come give me some.”
Who the fuck?I straighten and laugh when I see River in his truck idling at the curb. “Are you being wicked today?”
“No more than yesterday. You ready?”
“Yeah. Follow me to my place. I have to change first.” I indicate my skirt. “This is kind of tight.”
“I noticed.”
My foolish heart flutters even though I know he’s only playing. I lower my car window to let some of the stifling heat out. “Where are we going on our date?”
“The archery range.”
I make a face. “That’s romantic.”
“You want me to be romantic?” His expression says he’s teasing but his tone doesn’t.
Blow that off, Courtney. You know what’ll happen if you dream impossible things.
