Page 48 of Cowboy's Last Stand
She believed him.“We just met, Jason.Let’s go slow.I don’t want to rush into anything I’ll regret.”
He nodded as if he understood.“Can I stroke you to orgasm?”
She smothered a moan at the suggestion.“How is that going slow?”
“I’ll use a slow hand.”
“No,” she said, choking out a laugh.The offer was tantalizing, but she couldn’t accept.He was direct, and she liked that.She liked having his undivided attention.“I want to wait until I’m sure.”
“All right,” he said gruffly.
They sat together in the dark quiet for a few moments.He seemed to accept her rejection with equanimity.True to his word, he could take no for an answer.She inhaled shaky breaths and tried to summon calm.
“There’s an upside to waiting,” he said.“The more time we spend together, the less likely you are to repeat what happened with Wade.I don’t want you thinking about another man when I’m inside you.”
She shivered at the possessive words.“Will you fall asleep with me after?”
“You can’t cure me that way, Natalie.”
“But you expect me to forget my husband after one night with you.”
“Yes.”
She rose from the glider, torn between amusement and frustration.“I guess we both have wild fantasies.”
“I know I do.”
She laughed again, feeling giddy.
He raked a hand through his hair.“This is going to take a lot of tai chi.”
Chapter Ten
Wade Hendricks droppedoff his date at the front curb.
He didn’t lean in for a goodnight kiss or tell her he’d call again.He hadn’t been interested in anyone but Natalie since their night together six months ago.He also had his hands full with other responsibilities.Between family troubles and his challenging job, he never got a moment’s rest.Billy’s latest antics were inexcusable.
Wade had to stop his brother before he hurt someone.He drove to Last Chance Sheriff’s Station, where he traded his truck for a squad car, though he didn’t bother donning his uniform.He wasn’t on the clock.It was more of an extra duty.Billy hadn’t returned any of Wade’s calls for several days, and he’d turned off the location signal on his phone.Wade circumvented this problem by tracking Gabe Luna, Billy’s best friend and frequent wingman.
Wade followed the signal to Temple Heights, a winding road on the outskirts of town.Ten minutes later, he arrived at the infamous hilltop parking lot known as the Lookout.Teenagers had been gathering there to “star-gaze” for decades.Sure enough, Billy’s black pickup was poised at the edge, with its front end facing the view of the town.Wade counted four occupants, two in the front seat and two in the back.
He flashed his lights, parked the squad car, and exited the vehicle.Gabe Luna was snuggled up on Billy’s tailgate next to a girl with hair that looked like white dreadlocks.When he spotted Wade, Gabe tossed an open container into the bushes and tried to cover the remains of a six-pack with his jacket.The girl peered at Wade through thick fake eyelashes.
“Hey there, Wade,” Gabe said.
“Gabe,” Wade replied.
Billy stumbled out of the cab with a young woman in bohemian-style clothes.He was slack-jawed with surprise.His face bore the bruises from his latest brawl, which he’d clearly lost.Wade suspected both girls were in high school or maybe recent graduates.
“Evening, ladies,” Wade said.
Billy crossed his arms over his chest.“What do you want?I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re not drinking alcohol and smoking weed with minors?”
“They aren’t minors.”
“How old are you girls?”
