Page 26 of What the Cowboy Wants
“Is there anything we can do while you’re away?”Ellie asked.
“I’ll let you know, thanks,” Rose waved before she followed Cooper outside.
*
“I’ll walk youhome,” Cooper said when they got outside.
“I’m fine, you have a horse that needs you,” she said, trying to take the bag from him.
“I can kiss you here where everyone can see us or I can kiss you inside your house.”
“You like getting your own way, don’t you?”she sassed him.
His lips twitched.“In this case, yes.”
Rolling her eyes, she dropped his hand and ran home.
For a few seconds, he was too stunned to react, but then he ran after her.When she reached her porch, he was right behind her and opening the front door, he pushed her inside.
As he dropped the bag, he pulled her close and kissed her.Finally.Greedily, he drank from her lips like one who had been thirsty for a long time.Stroking her back, he memorized each curve, each supple line.Only when she shuddered did he lift his head.
“The need to be with you, is driving me crazy but I… I have to go.I’ll see you tomorrow morning.Text me the flight details?”While he was talking, he slipped his hands underneath her top and touched her breasts again.
With a groan, she dropped her head against his chest.“Go, Scarlett needs you.”
With a final kiss, he left her there, looking disheveled, her hair all over the place, her lips swollen from his kisses, those green eyes wild.
*
By five o’clockMonday morning, Rose was still awake.She was worried about Scarlett and okay yes, she wanted to be with Cooper She got up before she had time to second guess herself.
Half an hour later, with her heart in her throat, she drove away from the house.She had no idea how Cooper would react when she showed up unannounced and not invited.If she was honest, she’d thought she’d hear from him last night.A text or even a phone call.What happened between them the day before wasn’t something she’d experienced before—the deep intense desire, the deep need to be with him.
Maybe he’d be irritated, but he was probably still busy with Scarlett and she wanted to see him before she left for Seattle in a few hours’ time.This whole thing had no future, she knew that, but the need to see him was so overwhelming she couldn’t focus on anything else.He didn’t want anything permanent, and she couldn’t just have a fling with him, but she could be with him while he tried to help Scarlett.
It was a good thing she was leaving.Being away from Cooper for a few days would give her time to think.Maybe the distance would cure this craziness.
Cooper wanted her, he hadn’t made a secret of it, but he’d been very clear about not wanting a long-term relationship.
She’d never felt like this about any man before.Her heart kicked up a notch.What did it mean?Surely, she couldn’t be falling for him?She hardly knew him.What a ridiculous idea.
Her phone rang.It was Cooper’s mom.Rose quickly answered.“Arlene?”
“Hi Rose.I heard your car and just wanted to check whether everything is okay?”
Blushing, Rose swallowed her laugh.A good thing Arlene couldn’t see her now.“Everything is fine.I’m on my way to the ranch.Maybe I can help Cooper.Scarlett and I had a connection when I’ve been there before.”
“What a great idea.Have a safe trip, Rose.I do hope you’ll be able to come back quickly.I’ve gotten used to have you living next door to me.Drive safely!”
“Thank you!Oh, before I forgot.I left a copy of the front door key under the pot by the door in case Laura wants to fetch her stuff.I was going to phone you.”
“I’ll get it and tell Laura, thanks Rose.”
They ended the call and as Rose put her phone away, she left Marietta behind her.She wasn’t overly fond of driving in the dark but fortunately she knew the road.
Within ten minutes, she was going to see Cooper.She had no idea if she was doing the right thing, she only knew she had to see him before she left for Seattle.
*
