Page 26 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

Pippa cut herself off and cleared her throat. She shifted in her seat, and he knew exactly what she was going to say. This was about his college experience.

She fidgeted again and flashed him a smile. “So, you gonna tell me or what?”

He lifted a brow. “I told you when we set this up, it’s a surprise.”

She groaned again, this time even louder. “I got someone to cover for me tonight and everything. I want to know what we’re doing so I can figure out if I want to make up an excuse and go back to work.”

His mouth dropped open. “You’re not serious.”

Her expression was very serious, but then she threw her head back and laughed. “I would never do that to you.”

Rob feigned being hurt. “But you justtold me you would.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please tell me what’s going on. You’re being very suspicious.”

“I told you everything I was gonna tell you. We’re going on a date where we can have some privacy—where we can be ourselves.”

Pippa reacted much like he thought she would to that statement, smiling shyly as her cheeks filled with color. She looked away briefly and shrugged. “Okay.”

“Okay? You’re not going to pressure me into telling you?”

She glanced at him once more. “Your spontaneity is one of the things I like about you. I’ve always admired how you’ve been able to go with your gut.”

“Really?”

Pippa nodded. “Of course. Why do you think I agreed to the whole ‘no strings attached’ thing? Do I look like the kind of person who can just throw caution to the wind? You’ve pushed me to try new things more times than I can count.”

Rob had never thought of it that way. He’d always seen her ability to make plans and accomplish them as a strength he never had. Her words filled him with a new sense of self-worth.

He picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “Good. Then I think you’re going to like it.”

When he pulled up in front of his rental, she gave him a surprised look but didn’t question him. Rob hurried around the truck to open her door. When he helped her from the vehicle and pulled her in for a quick kiss, she clung to him, letting their touch linger.

Pippa’s eyes flashed with a desire he knew was mirrored in his own. There was no telling how far things might go if he didn’t put a stop to it first. Rob forced himself to put some distance between them and led her to the house.

“Now, this isn’t going to be as special as that chocolate cake you made us the other night. I can’t boast anything quite that fancy.”

She gave him a pointed look. “I don’t expect you to be something you’re not.”

For once, he didn’t feel the need to take offense at her words. She liked that he was different. They made a good pairing.

“Close your eyes.”

She did as she was told and he opened the door.

“Careful. Watch your step.”

“I can’t when my eyes are closed,” she snickered.

“Very funny,” he said dryly.

She lifted her nose appreciatively. “I smell cider. And cinnamon.” She tilted her head. “Is that popcorn? Are we having a movie night?”

He laughed. “I should have known you’d pick up on the smells, but no, we’re not doing a movie night.”

She frowned. “That’s too bad. I would have loved to snuggle with you.” Her teasing tone practically dripped with the implications of that suggestion, making it hard to ignore the fire that continued to grow in his stomach.

“I’ll have to file that away for next time.”

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