Page 91 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“Do you think you’re stable enough for a long-term relationship?”
“Stable enough?”
“Your future plans are uncertain.You don’t have a permanent address.It doesn’t sound like you’re ready to settle down.”
“Are you asking me to stay?”
“You’re answering questions with questions.”
“I like my questions better.”
“If you don’t answer mine, I won’t answer yours.”
“Let me see those notes.”
She inched away from him, afraid he’d try to snatch the paper away.
“It looks like a bar tab.”
“It’s a list of pros and cons.”
“Read the pros.”
She hesitated.“It’s not exhaustive.”
“Just read it.You want this out in the open, right?”
She nibbled on her lower lip.“Great with Marcus, does housework, good kisser, nice hands.”
“Nice hands?”
She flushed again.“Yes.”
“I guess I can’t complain about the pros.Read the cons.”
Resigned to continue, she referred to the list.It wasn’t as easy to read this one.“Sleeps outside, can’t relax, overprotective, survivor’s guilt.”
His expression became shuttered.Hearing the words out loud must have felt like a sucker punch, but she didn’t take them back.They were legitimate concerns, and if he wanted to be her man, he had to know what was on her mind.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Wade warned me that there are men who prey on war widows.”
He gaped at her, incredulous.“Is that on your list?”
“No.”
“Good, because that’s a low goddamned blow.”
She swallowed hard.“I just think my past is part of the reason you’ve become… fixated on me.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
He rose to his feet, raking a hand through his hair.“I’m fixated on you because you’re smart and beautiful and sexy as hell.I like everything about you, and every time I touch you, I lose my mind.I don’t care that you’re a war widow.”
