Page 18 of Headstrong Cowboy
“A lot?”
“Enough that I had a side career to my rodeo one.”Ryder cut off a piece of his meatloaf and held it out for Chrissy to try, wanting to change the subject.“Here, I believe we were going to be sharing?”
“That is true.”If she noticed his deliberate change of subject, she didn’t say anything.Instead, she accepted the meat loaf, then cut a bit of her chicken fried steak off and scooped up some mashed potato.“Can’t have one without the other,” she quipped.
“Definitely.”
It was meant to be a simple exchange of food, but it became something more.Both of them leaned forward and held on to the hand holding the fork, their gazes locked together as they took the offered food, watching each other chew slowly.Even though the forks were empty, they maintained the physical connection with each other.
What would she do if he leaned further over and kissed her?
The burning need to follow through singed his skin, and he had to force himself to break the contact and sit back in his chair in an attempt to put as much distance between them as possible.
“Delicious,” he murmured.
“Yes,” Chrissy whispered.
They finished the rest of the meal in silence, and Ryder was grateful that he hadn’t had to go into too much detail about the fortune that had come his way due to a quirk of fate.
He’d tell her, eventually.Like he’d tell her he was potentially going to buy her family property and what his connection to it was.
Chapter Nine
The cool airthat greeted them as they walked out of the diner was a welcome relief for Chrissy.Ever since they’d exchanged portions of their meals, her body had been on fire.Who knew something as simple as sampling another person’s dinner could be so sensual?
For a fleeting moment, she thought Ryder was going to grab her and kiss her, something she would’ve been totally on board with.But he hadn’t.He’d sat back and finished his meal.
She’d done the same, although she wasn’t aware of what she was eating.Now here they were outside, and there was at least two feet between them, when, on the walk over, they’d been brushing up against each other.
“Do you still want to take a walk?”she asked, not wanting the evening to be over.It didn’t matter that her legs were starting to get chilled from the breeze.They’d warm up once she started moving them.
“I’d like to very much.”
Relief swept through her like a broom through a pile of leaves.“Great.”She adjusted her jacket and willed Ryder to crook his elbow again.She’d liked the gallant gesture when he’d offered it for their stroll to the diner.Just like when he’d kissed her hand earlier.Everything about Ryder was gentlemanly, and she liked it—a lot.
As if he could read her mind, he did it, and she slipped her arm through, wishing she could rest her head on his shoulder.They weren’t there yet, but maybe soon.
A giddy little laugh of happiness threatened to erupt from her, but she kept it locked down.“It’s such a pretty night.”The sky was clear and once they were on the river trail and away from all the bright lights, the stars shone like tiny little diamonds in the sky.Such a clichéd description, but it described them perfectly.
“It is.Although I can think of something prettier.”
Chrissy’s stomach tumbled a little at his words.Did he mean her?She hoped he did.
Earlier, Tilly had looked at Chrissy’s closet and announced there was nothing suitable for a first date, but since they were about the same size, she had the perfect outfit at her place.She’d thought her sister was being ridiculous when Tilly placed the dress on her bed.After the way Ryder’s eyes had widened and his gaze had tracked her from head to toe, she was eternally grateful that Tilly had been at the farm and was able to help her.She didn’t get a chance to talk to Tilly about the farm because her sister was excited to be able to help her get ready for a date, and Chrissy didn’t want to spoil the mood.She could always talk to her tomorrow.
“What’s that?”she asked breathlessly.
There was no one else strolling along the river path.The night sounds surrounded them and Chrissy couldn’t think of anything more perfect than where they were right now.
Ryder turned her so that she was facing him, his hands landing on her hips and hers automatically going to his shoulders.Her breath caught in her throat, and she wished there was a little more light so she could see his face clearly.See what his eyes were telling her.But there wasn’t, and perhaps that was better.
“You,” he said as he lowered his head toward her.Anticipation built, waiting for that moment when she would finally know what it would be like to be kissed by him.Kissed by a man that wasn’t Beau.
Chrissy firmly pushed thoughts of her deceased former husband from her mind.Now wasn’t the time to think about him.
Ryder’s lips brushed against hers once, then twice.It was sweet, but it wasn’t what she wanted.She wanted to lose herself in his kiss.To have his mouth fully possess hers.
“Oof,” he said and stumbled back.Chrissy would’ve face-planted into the path if Ryder hadn’t grabbed her forearms.
