Page 46 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“We’re not even dating,” she said, flustered.
“We can change that.”
“Marcus already adores you.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Of course, it’s a problem,” she said.“He lost his father.Why would I let him get attached to a man who’s going to California?”
“Ah.”
“He’ll be heartbroken.”
“California isn’t my only option.”’
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t accepted the position in San Diego.”
Natalie wondered why he would pass on the opportunity.San Diego was an ideal place for him.He could sleep outside there year-round.
“I’m a military-trained mechanic,” he said.“I can work on any base in the country.”
“So you might stay in Texas?”
“Why not?Fort Cavazos is only twenty minutes away.”
Although Natalie had more questions than answers, it was hard to focus when he was staring at her with full intensity.He’d removed his glasses and put them away.He was so handsome that her chest ached.The light from the kitchen window cast a faint glow behind them.The rain had dissipated, leaving the air moist and the street glistening.She felt something for Jason that she’d never felt with Wade.Her emotions were all over the place.“You don’t seem fazed by any of this.”
“Any of what?”
“Marcus, the sheriff… our argument.”
“I don’t scare easy.”
“Wouldn’t you rather date someone unencumbered?I’m a single mom with a lot on my plate.”
“But you’ve got a great vocabulary.”
“Will you stop complimenting me and be serious?”
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, considering.“The sheriff can’t run me out of town.I studied lawandcriminal justice, so I know my rights.As far as Marcus goes, I don’t blame him for what happened.He’s five years old and full of spirit.He lost his dad, like you said.It’s only natural for him to worry about losing you too.”
“You don’t think he did anything wrong tonight?”
“His heart is in the right place,” he said.“And that other kid had it coming.”
“We’re not going to agree on this.”
“We don’t have to agree on everything.It’s better not to.”
She tilted her head toward him.“Why is that?”
“Because it’s impossible, not to mention boring.Passionate people disagree.”
Her mind got stuck on the mental image of the two of them being passionate—in bed.She wondered what it would be like to get really heated with him, to raise her voice in a fit of temper.Maybe he would grasp her arms and crush his mouth over hers.She studied his lips, which were quirked with amusement.
“Also, you’re cute when you’re mad,” he said.
