Page 39 of Cowboy Stole My Heart
She shook her head, making her long ponytail swish from side to side. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s a fair question.”
“So?” he asked.
“So you’re wrong. I am the right person, and I’m not bringing any of my baggage to the table. I want to form a bond with him. No one wants that more than I do.” She leaned into him, surprising him, her touch catching him off guard.
They stood, side by side, staring at Tex.
“He’s my horse, and I’m going to be his forever home. I need you to be clear on that,” she said.
Sam nodded.
“You sure that’s not the only fairytale we’re talking about?” Mia’s voice was lower, softer this time. “Or should I saynon-fairy tale?”
He stiffened, not liking where their conversation was heading. There were no fairy tales where he was concerned, not ones with him being the nice guy or the prince riding in to save the damsel on a white horse, anyway.
“I don’t know where you’re going with that,” he managed.
She gave him a look that said she didn’t buy his lack of understanding. “Look, let’s be honest here.” He saw that she looked uncomfortable, but he had to give her credit for tackling something uncomfortable head on. His way of dealing with whatever was happening between them had been to turn up on her doorstep like a maniac and kiss her without saying a word in greeting first.
“We kissed and it was good,” she said simply, as if explaining something mathematical. “You turned up this morning, clearly wanting to see if I was, I don’t know,otherwise involved, and then we kissed again.”
“Yeah, you’re about right with all of that,” he said, feeling his face change, unable to stop the hint of a smile as it twisted his mouth sideways. He turned to face her, admiring her, reaching out to touch the end of her ponytail now it was falling over her shoulder. It was like spun gold in the sunlight, silky and soft.
“And now you’re trying to figure out a way to tell me why things are too complicated,” she finished. “Or something like that. Maybe I’m not your type, or maybe you just don’t want…”
“Stop,” he said, tugging on the end of her ponytail then.
“Ow!” she glared at him, eyes wide.
“You’reexactlymy type,” he said, not releasing her from his gaze, wanting her to see how much it pained him to push her away when she should have been his ideal woman. “My problem is that I’m not looking to get involved withanywoman. It’s complicated, but relationships aren’t my thing.”
“Relationships are always complicated,” she said softly, not taking her eyes away from his. She surprised him by reaching for his hand. “But I don’t need a relationship, Sam. I’m leaving around the same time you’re scheduled to finish here. The show jumping season kicks off properly then and I’ll be on the road, and I don’t need anything in my life to complicate things.”
He felt her thumb rub across his hand, remembered what it was like having her in his arms, having those fingers kneading the back of his neck when he dipped down to kiss her. There was no denying that he wanted her, because he did and his body would only betray him if he tried to pretend otherwise. But she’d never struck him as the love ’em and leave ’em kind of girl. Maybe he’d read her all wrong. Again.
“So let me get this clear,” he said, moving closer, forgetting all about the horse he’d intended on giving his attention to. “You definitely don’t want a relationship?”
“Does every girl need to be desperate for Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet and keep her for the rest of her life?” Mia asked. “There are times when fun will do.”
He hid his surprise. Either he’d read Mia all wrong or she was playing with him.
“No, she doesn’t. But I thought you were more of a, how shall I put this,traditionalgirl.”
“Oh really?” she asked, doing the cute-as-hell thing where she sucked in her bottom lip beneath her front teeth
Sam moved closer, their bodies only inches apart now. “Yeah, really. I guess I got you all wrong, huh?”
“Yeah, cowboy, you did. Because I’ve had daddy around trying to take care of me and do everything for me all my life. The last thing I want is to fall into the lap of man wanting to own me like a possession and tell me what to do.”
Sam was tired of talking. She was smart and quick with her words, but he was interested in the other things her mouth could do well, like kissing.
“Just over three weeks. That’s what we have left, right?”
Mia closed the little gap left between them. “Three weeks,” she whispered.
“Three weeks of a no-strings-attached affair before we go our separate ways for work?” he asked, wanting to make it absolutely clear what he was getting himself in for. He’d been called a jerk before, but it hadn’t been because he’d misled a woman. That wasn’t his style and it never would be.
“Three weeks,” she murmured back. “And then maybe a late night catch up or two when we’re both back home at the same time.”
