Page 41 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“Enough.” I set my coffee on the counter. “Dani, get up.” I snap my fingers.
“Why?”
“You’re going to unhide the email.” I can’t believe I have to spell it out for her.
She crosses her arms, leans back in her chair, and glares at me.
I sigh. “Dani, hasn’t she been lied to enough?”
Dani glowers at Theo.
“Exactly. We’re not lying to her.” I grab my Stetson and run my fingers through my hair before putting it on.
“She won’t stay, Thorn.”
“Then she doesn’t stay.” I walk to the door, my heart breaking with every step.
Shit. It wasn’t supposed to go this way.
“Yeah, well, you’re not the only one who wants her to stay.” The desperation in Dani’s words ricochets inside me.
I inhale deeply before turning around. “We can’t take this away from her. Especially not after everything that happened last night and all the lies she’s lived with. She is full of regret now.” My eyes land on Theo. “She regrets listening to you.” I look at Dani. “She regrets leaving you.”
Dani’s scowl doubles.
“I won’t do this all over again to her. I won’t. And deep down, Dani, I know you won’t either.” I wait a few seconds and add, “we have to let her choose her future. Not control it.”
Dani huffs, and the chair scrapes on the floor when she slides it from the table.
“Fine, but you better bring all your fucking charm to the table because if she leaves again, this time, it is on you.”
Chapter Twelve
FLORA
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I WAKE WITH the fuzzy memories of the night before flooding my mind.
I can’t believe I had sex with Thorn in the gazebo. What came over me? And why am I ready to do it again?
I tilt my head, surprised to find my sister’s bed empty.
I’m all right with it. Better than alright.
I let the goofy smile steal my lips. I let all the warm feelings from last night flood my body while I nestle deeper into the plush comforter.
I don’t let the fact I have no idea what having sex with Thorn even means or that I have to compartmentalize everything I discovered yesterday and figure out what I’m feeling—besides the longing desire to knock boots again. I bury all my issues deep down.
Instead, I feel his imprint etched on my skin. I recall the delicious flavor when his mouth crashed onto mine. My breasts tingle at the thought of his calloused hands cupping them and his firm thumb rubbing and squeezing my nipple. Each memory ignites a flicker of warmth in me.
My eyelids fall closed. I indulge in the sweet memory of his touch as my fingers tentatively explore my curves. I trace the outline of my breasts, evoking the feel of his rough fingertips.I imagine his lips against my neck. Each caress awakes another sense, and desire blossoms inside me.
My hand travels lower, and I hesitate momentarily, savoring the anticipation. Then, embracing last night’s passion together, I surrender, and my hand finds my sensitive spot. The room fades away with each exploring touch. Every stroke draws me closer to the edge as I envision his hands gripping my thighs. The tension coils tighter. I’m teetering on the brink. A delicious thrill courses through me. I envision his heated stare on me, and that sends a final, shuddering breath as I let go. A surge of ecstasy washes over me. It cascades through me, leaving me breathless—lost in my bliss.
As the waves subside, I lay back against the pillow, smiling. The room sharpens into focus when the bedroom door opens, and in waltzes the handsome cowboy who still lingers so clearly in my mind. It takes me a second to realize he’s really in my bedroom. And hot dang, what a delicious treat, a freshly showered cowboy smelling like the great outdoors.
He catches my gaze and flashes that charming smile of his.
