Page 17 of The Cowboy and His Beauty
My mouth lands on her soft lips and she melts into me like she used to. It's as if no time has passed and she’s still mine. I slowly taste her lips, savoring every detail, in case I don't get this chance again. One thing I’ve learned is that you never know when a kiss will be your last.
I wrap my arms around her and pull her body against mine. She has a few more curves since the last time we kissed, but they mold to my body perfectly and I allow my hands to run over them, getting to know her again.
She pulls back much sooner than I'd have liked and stares into my eyes. She has to know who I am by now, right?
I don't like the idea of her thinking she’s kissing someone else. I want her to know it's me. I never planned this, and another chance with her wasn't even in the cards until now. But if we go down that road, I need to be sure she knows who I am. I can't kiss her again or move forward without her knowing.
I place a light kiss on her forehead and take a step back.
"Go get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning," I tell her, watching her walk out the back door, across the yard, and up the stairs to her apartment.
Only once she’s out of sight do I turn and head to my room. I go straight to the bathroom and stare at myself. I haven't done this since I was injured. I know the scar is there, but I don't need to be reminded every day.
I don't see a hint of myself under the long hair and the beard. I have to know she sees me as we move forward. I don't see myself in the mirror, so how can she?
So, I do what I thought I never would. I grab the scissors and say goodbye to Dash.
Chapter 11
Sky
I get up the next morning and get ready. Nothing fancy, just leggings and a t-shirt to go and make breakfast. I’ve started taking a shower at midday after I do the cleaning but before I start lunch.
Usually, I’m the first one up and I’ve never once thought about my outfit choice until this morning. I walk into the kitchen and Dash is standing there. His back is toward me and he's looking out the kitchen window.
"Good morning," I say and head to the fridge to get going on breakfast.
He doesn't say anything, but turns to look at me. My gasp leaves my mouth before I can stop myself.
There is no mistaking that the man standing in front of me is my ex, Corey. But he's also Dash, the man I've gotten to know in the last few weeks. As he stands in front of me, looking nervous and unsure, my brain tries to combine two people into this man.
In the last few weeks, I have not known Dash to be shy, or care what anyone thinks. But the man in front of me is Corey, and I've seen his insecurities. He could never hide them from me.
I knew I recognized him. In my heart, I knew it was him. Things felt the same as when I was him, but I never made that connection.
"You did this for me?" I ask, still trying to make sense of everything.
"Yes."
"Why?" I want to know why now, but I can't seem to get the whole thought out.
"I wanted you to see me," he says, still unsure.
I don't know how to act, or how I feel, and I need to figure it out. "I think I'm going to head into town this morning." That is all I say.
"Go. I'll make breakfast," he says in a tone with no emotion.
I nod and head back to my apartment, dressing in a daze. I don't remember getting into my car until I'm driving down the road and almost in town.
Then I started to get pissed. Pissed he tried to hide who he was. Pissed everyone kept it from me. Who knew this was Corey? Jenna wasn't around before he left, but the church ladies were. Ben? They had to have known.
Did my parents know? My guess is not. They don't run in those circles with any of those people. They would have dismissed him with just a look.
I park in the town square and the first person I see is Ben. I head right for him. "Did you know?"
He doesn't ask what I'm talking about, which says it all.
He looks around and nods toward his police car. "Come sit in here so we can have a bit of privacy." He opens the passenger door for me. "Yes, I knew, but he asked me not to tell anyone. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knew it was him. Besides that, we were friends back in school, so bro code and all." He shrugs. "It wasn't my story to tell."
