Page 9 of Catching the Cowgirl

“You wanted me to?” June nods her head.

“Why didn’t you say that?” I keep a firm hold on her—not that she is trying to get away from me, but just in case. You can never be too sure of anything when it comes to June. She enjoys surprising the hell out of me. I should loathe that, but with her, I find I like it.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs one of her delicate shoulders. Her cheeks start to turn pink. “It was a fight not to text you.”

“I don’t understand why you would fight it.” I carry her over to where Paisley and Abigail are so that we aren’t standing in the middle of the bar. June isn't paying attention to anything around her except me. She plays with the top button of my shirt, undoing it, and then another.

“I guess I get a little shy with you.”

“You’re shy?” That’s not a word I would ever think to use to describe her.

“I don’t know.” June faceplants into my chest, right below my neck, so I can no longer see that beautiful face of hers. I don’t think she’s used to feeling shy. I’ll fucking take it. As much as I’d rather she text or demand I be somewhere she is, I love that I can draw that shyness out of her that no one else can.

I enjoyed the hell out of her texts over the past few days. Sometimes I don’t even understand the memes or jokes she sends, but I get a weird thrill each time my phone goes off when I get a message from her. Everything about June is light and easy. It’s different from everything else in my life.

I sit her down on one of the high chairs at the bar, but I don’t let her go. I can see my sister out of the corner of my eye, staring at us, with her mouth hanging open. I'm guessing June hasn't told her much about us.

“Your family is staring at us.”

June slowly lifts her head. “Look around. Everyone is staring at us.”

When I do, I see that she’s not wrong. A lot of people are watching us. Some openly, while others try to hide it. I don’t understand why. I see some other couples full-on making out. One right on the dance floor. “They aren’t used to me throwing myself at a man and kissing him.”

“Why not?” My whole body tenses when I ask the question.

“Come on now.” She playfully rolls her eyes at me. “Like you don’t know.”

“Tell me,” I order, wanting her to say it. June motions with one finger for me to come closer. I lean down. She brings her mouth to my ear.

“You’re the only one I’ve ever kissed.”

I can’t stop myself at that. I kiss her again.

5

JUNE

Slowly, I open my eyes. I do not remember my bed ever being this hard before. A bare chest greets my eyes. A hand rubs up and down my back, causing goose bumps to form on my skin. I feel at peace. Bits from the end of last night come back to me.

I’d demanded that Luka and I continue the night, but once my dad got there to pick my mom up, he wasn't letting me go home with him. So I dragged Luka home with me. Then, after everyone went to bed, I snuck into the guest room and cuddle-attacked him.

“If you want, I will roll over and close my eyes so that you can flee the house.”

“Not going anywhere.” His hold on me tightens. I’m freaking wrapped around him like a koala bear. A knock sounds at the door.

“Come in,” Luka responds.

“Wait!” I try to pull the blanket over me. I’m not naked or anything, but still. The door opens to reveal my mom. She’s got a tray with her.

“Morning,” Mom chirps as she comes into the room. You'd never know, given how put-together she is, that she'd been out taking shots with us last night. Before pulling the curtains back, she sets the tray down on the table next to the chair by the bay window. “We’ve got a wedding today.” She beams. “Maybe we’ll have another one soon.”

“Mom!” I hiss. “You’re supposed to be hitting him with a newspaper, making him run from the house. Not encouraging him.”

“Why would I do such a thing? I want grandbabies.”

“Oh my God.” I groan, but thankfully I find the blanket to pull over my head and hide. Luka silently laughs, his whole body shaking. At least someone finds this funny.

“Your dad tended to the horses, so don’t worry about it.”

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