Page 25 of Unforgettable Cowboy
She gave a casual shrug.“It’s okay to deny yourself something you want that may be bad for you.”
“You’re saying I’m bad for you?”
“More like I’m bad for you.I’m not trustworthy in relationships.I tend to bolt.”
He lifted a hand to touch the hair that had settled over her shoulder.Her shoulders rose as she inhaled, but she didn’t speak.He dropped the strands, his fingers tracing over the edge of her shoulder before his hand fell away.
“What if I’m willing to take the chance?”he asked.
Why was he pushing this?And why was she allowing it?
Thoughts of Bruce pushing at her mother shot into her head butpushingwas not the word for what Hayes was doing.He was questioning.
But that doesn’t mean the pushing wouldn’t come later.
“Look,” she said in a serious voice.“I don’t want to mislead you in any way.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Yeah?”she asked softly.She wanted to touch him, take him by the hand and lead him into her trailer.Wanted tonotbe alone for once.
“Yeah.”
“I’m leaving after Jenna picks up her horse.I can’t stay here.”
Why not?She shushed her traitorous small voice just before Hayes touched her face, his fingertips trailing over her cheek before his thumb brushed over her lip.A shiver went through her and she decided screw it.She wasn’t an eighteen-year-old kid with no relationship skills.She was a twenty-eight-year-old woman with no relationship skills.But that twenty-eight-year-old woman had survival skills and she could draw a line.
“I’m not asking you to stay.”
“What are you asking?”
“I don’t know.”He looked down at her with sexy hooded eyes.“An open mind?”
“I’d like to kiss you,” she muttered.“Which is not a good idea.”
“No?”
“Definitely not.”But when she settled her palms on his chest and remembered exactly what his hard body felt like beneath her hands, all parts of it, the idea began to have merit.She raised her head and found that he was waiting.Waiting for her to make the move.
When she did, his hands came to her waist, holding tight as her mouth met his in a kiss that started slowly, as if reintroducing themselves to one another.But as familiar tastes and sensations took hold, Bailey stepped closer, allowing her hands, which had been placed to keep herself from getting too close, to slide up around his neck.
The kiss deepened and Bailey found her back pressed up against the warm hood of the truck without being consciously aware of moving.It was all she could do not to hook a leg behind his thighs and pull him more tightly against her.
This man.
When Hayes finally raised his head, Bailey let out a shaky breath.
“Haven’t lost the magic,” she muttered.Hayes pulled her close again, only this time in a loose embrace, his chin lightly resting on top of her head.His chest shook with what she could only assume was silent laughter, which in turn made her feel, well…safe.
He didn’t need to know that, and she didn’t need anyone to make her feel safe.Except maybe a dog.
She opened her mouth, but Hayes touched her lips with his finger before she spoke.
“I’m not asking for anything, Bailey.”
She believed him.And because she believed him, she was able to ease out of his embrace and face him without feeling like she had to explain further.
“Thank you.”The only words that seemed appropriate.
