Page 53 of What the Cowboy Wants
Not that he blamed the guy.Rose looked incredible.The beige dress she was wearing, fit snugly over her luscious breasts, leaving just a hint of a shadow in the front.The skirt was wide and stopped just above her knees, moving with her as she danced.But it was the back that had him just about drooling.From what he could see only thin straps kept the whole dress in place, leaving most of her back bare.He ached with need just looking at her, but another man’s hands were all over her.
“So, Coop,” Willow chuckled.“You look ready to punch the poor guy dancing with Rose.So why ishedancing with Rose and you’re not?”
With a frustrated sigh, Cooper turned his back on the dance floor and walked over to the bar in the corner to get a beer.Before he’d reached it, though Hayden and Becket were at his side.
“You didn’t come home last night,” Becket said.
Hayden was more direct.“Something happened between you and Rose?”
“I need a beer.”
“Beer’s good,” Hayden chuckled.“Doesn’t keep you warm at night, though.”
Hayden ordered beer before he turned to Cooper.“Why haven’t you asked Rose to come with you tonight?”
“I did.She said she already had a date with Willow.And that she’d promised what’s-his-name a dance.”
“Have you texted or phoned her today?”Hayden asked.“We men tend to take things for granted.Women need words, I’ve learned.”
Cooper shrugged.He had no idea what to say.This morning he’d been sure Rose had feelings for him.But now… He turned around and watched the dancing couple again.Rose was clearly enjoying herself; she was all smiles.
“You’re obviously besotted with her,” Becket chuckled.“Why don’t you tell her how you feel about her?It’s so obvious you’ve fallen for her.Or do you still believe you don’t deserve a happy ending because you feel too much?”
“No, damn it, I even have a ring!”he called out.Quite a few heads turned their way, but he didn’t give a damn.
Hayden smiled.“I see.So that’s why Mom wanted to see you?”
Cooper nodded.
Chuckling, Hayden took his beer and gave him a push.“Well, then, why don’t you give it to her?I mean, the rest of the town is going to know about within…” He checked his watch.“Probably fifteen minutes, give or take.”
At that moment, Nash spun Rose away and as he pulled her close, she was laughing.Cooper was walking toward them before he’d made a conscious decision to do so.If she didn’t want to be with him, she’d have to tell him.
*
Although Rose wassmiling at Nash, she knew where Cooper was the whole time.She’d noticed his eyes on them, saw him turning around and walking to the bar with his brothers by his side.
Why was she still dancing with Nash?He wasn’t the man she wanted to be with.At this point, she was out of breath and wanted to go back to the table.To Cooper.She wanted his arms around her, his breath on her face, his scent surrounding her.
Before she could say anything to Nash, though, Cooper was standing next to them, clearly ticked off.“You had your turn,” he said to Nash before he took her hand.
Without waiting for Nash to say anything, he steered her away, his body stiff.
“That was rude,” she said trying to judge his mood.
“I don’t want to talk.”
“Why are you angry with me?I told you I’ve promised Nash a dance.”
He stopped dancing.“We have to talk.Will you come with me?”
“Now you want to talk.I haven’t heard from you all day.I don’t know whether you’re sorry about last night or whether you’ve realized…”
With a frustrated growl, he bent down and kissed her.The moment his lips met hers, all her irritation was gone.Of course he missed her, he was saying wordlessly.All he wanted was to be with her.
With a sigh, her hands crept around his neck and she sank into the kiss.Oh, she could kiss this man all day long.Way before she’d had her fill, he lifted his head, his eyes warm for the first time.
“Well, now everyone knows we’re kissing.”He chuckled.
