Page 23 of What the Cowboy Wants
Becket and Hayden snorted, his sister and sisters-in-law laughed.
“Of course you will,” Willow grinned.
Becket cleared his throat.“Hayden, do you remember what Coop said he’d do when he gets married?”
“Wear a tux?”Hayden grinned.
“Nobody is getting married,” Cooper growled.“Least of all me.Mom, the plate?”His siblings’ laughter followed him all the way to the kitchen.
His mom handed him a plate covered with foil.“Just one piece of advice.If you’re not serious about Rose, walk away.She’s been humiliated in the most public way, I don’t want to see her get hurt again.”
“We’re not in a relationship, Mom, don’t worry.I think she’s beautiful and great, but you know I can’t ever get serious about any woman.”
Surprised, his mom stared at him.“Why ever not?Don’t tell me you also walk around thinking you’re the reason your brother has passed away?”
“I was the one who’d persuaded everyone to have one more beer.If we’d left when Hayden had suggested, Walker would still be alive.”
“Oh, my sweet boy, you can’t think like that.It was an accident, not one that anyone could’ve foreseen.Elks are a danger on our roads, accidents happen.It wasn’t anybody’s fault, I hope you can see that.Is that the only reason you’re scared of a relationship?”
“I’m not scared…” he said but realized his mom was right.Of course he was scared.“I feel too deeply, that’s why I focus on animals, but I feel all of your pain, I—” he shook his head.
“You don’t want to worry about anyone else?”His mom nodded.“I can understand that, but something tells me you worry about Rose whether you want to or not.”
He turned away without answering his mother.She was right, of course.
*
Sunday afternoon aroundthree, Rose was looking at her closet to decide what to take with her to Seattle when she realized she didn’t have a bag or suitcase to put the few things she’d like to take with her in.She’d arrived in Marietta with just the clothes on her back.
Her flight was for early the next day, so there wasn’t any time to order anything online.Hopefully she wouldn’t have to stay in Seattle long, but she’d decided not to book the return flight yet.
She still had the information of the agent from whom she’d bought her apartment and had emailed him to make an appointment.Maybe he would also have suggestions on how to get rid of the stuff she was leaving behind.She still had to talk to the movers to find out how quickly they’d be able to bring what she wanted to her new address.There were a few antique pieces of furniture she’d inherited from her grandma that she would like to keep, but the rest she was going to sell or give away.
Maybe she could ask Arlene if she had small bag or something she could borrow for a few things she wants to take with her.There were more than enough clothes back in Seattle, so she didn’t need a big one.Rose peered through the window.There were still cars parked in front of her neighbor’s house which meant her kids were still there.
Her doorbell rang.Frowning, she walked to the front door.She wasn’t expecting anyone.As she opened the door, her heart sighed.Looking gorgeous but ticked off for some or other reason, was Cooper.In his hands was a plate covered with foil.
“Rose,” he nodded and before she could blink, he’d walked past her and was in the house.Looking around him, he put the plate down on the nearest table before he turned to face her.
“You look angry,” she said, not quite sure of his mood.
He stepped closer still until they were standing toe to toe.“A friendly peck, you apparently called it,” he said, kissing her cheek.“That, Rose, is a peck and this”—his mouth trailed down her face—“is probably also a peck,” he murmured as he pressed his mouth against the soft spot just below her ear.
She couldn’t stop the soft gasp even if she’d tried.
Those blue eyes, burning with strange messages were focused on her.“But let’s test your theory…” As he bent his head one of his hands slipped around her neck.“And you tell me if there is anything…” he whispered against her lips, “remotely friendly or peck-ish about this one.”
Before she could catch her breath, his lips covered hers.Desire poured through her whole being, warming all the cold parts.As he deepened the kiss, pleasure whizzed through her, leaving her so shaken she was worried her legs wouldn’t keep her upright.
With a moan from deep inside her, she wrapped her arms around him, eagerly returning his kiss.He was right.There was nothing remotelyfriendlyabout his kisses, and referring to it as a peck really was offensive.
He lifted his head, his eyes molten blue ink.He didn’t say anything, his eyes were asking the question.
Staring up at him, the only sound their laboring breaths, she had a short, hopeless battle with herself.She should push him away, her life was complicated enough.But what she also knew was that she’d never been kissed like this before, and if she sent him away now, she may never again experience what passion really was.
She didn’t say anything, but he knew.With a cocky smile, he bent his head again.“Well, then, I’m glad we got that out of the way.”For a moment his warm breath caressed her face before he kissed her again.
Stars exploded behind her eyes and before she could catch her breath, his hand slipped underneath her top and stilled.She wasn’t going to stop him.Her breasts were aching for his touch.
