Page 61 of Tame Me

“I am.” I clenched my jaw and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’ve been lying to all?—”

“Hello, ladies. I’d hoped I’d find you here.”

“Billy!” A gasp caught in my throat.

My heart slammed into my chest and tears stung my eyes as I tried to take in my sexy cowboy through my blurred vision. As usual, his attire was out of place at this beach setting—a plaid shirt, tucked into jeans and hemmed in with a belt adorned by an oval buckle that caught in the sunshine.

Yet rather than look ridiculous, he looked amazing. Like he belonged. He probably looked like that, no matter where he was.

I wiped my eyes, hopeful he wouldn’t see my tears, but when the smile fell from his face and his eyes softened, I knew I was too late. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

The kindness in his voice was unbearable, and my lip quivered as I fought my sorrow. “Yes, I’m fine. Sorry.” I flicked at a wayward tear.

“You don’t have to be sorry. As long as you’re okay.”

“Would you like a seat?” Lolly probably thought she was saving me from his inquisitiveness, but the idea of him joining us was a disaster.

“I’d love to, but I can’t, I’m afraid. I just wanted to invite you to come to my show today.” He held a ticket toward me, and I chewed on my lip as I reached for it. “I’m sorry, Lolita; I didn’t think to buy you one, too.”

She fanned her hand. “It’s okay; I’m busy anyway. But Jane’s free, aren’t you, babe?”

I tried to kick her under the table, but she was out of reach. Billy’s eyes drilled into me as if silently pleading for my acceptance.

As much as I’d prefer to crawl into bed, I couldn’t resist him. How could I?

It was amazing he even talked to me after my terrible deceit. But he hadn’t just forgiven me . . . he’d come back. Many times over. I looked up at him and studied his handsome features. He was an honest man, and I was so lucky to have received his forgiveness.

“I’d love to come.” I attempted to grin, though it probably looked more creepy than anything.

His smile dazzled. “Excellent. The show starts at midday—shall we meet in the hotel lobby at eleven?”

The idea of waiting around under the ugly gaze of Needledick had me cringing. “Can we meet at the sun lounge out the front?”

“Of course.” He leaned forward, and when he kissed my cheek, I inhaled his sexy cologne. “I’ll see you then.”

He kissed Lolita’s cheek too, and as he walked away, I admired his butt in the tight, fitted jeans.

“Now that’s a stud.”

I grinned at her. “I know.”

“So, you get to see the cowboy in action. Giddy up.”

“It does sound like fun.”

“Are you kidding? Man and beast working together? That’s what I call a show.”

I laughed at her enthusiasm.

“You know . . .” She tapped her pink fingernail on the table. “He’s proof that it’s not all doom and gloom with Hunter.”

I cocked my head, eager to hear her thoughts.

“If Billy can forgive you, and Henry, and that sexy hunk Corben, for that matter, then of course it’s not unfeasible that Hunter could too.”

I took a huge bite of my muffin, and as I chewed, I considered her answer. Was that possible? Could I hope to continue seeing Hunter after he learned of my dishonesty? I ran my spoon around my mug as I tried to envisage how that conversation with him would go. “I hope you’re right.”

“I’m always right. You know that.”

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