Page 83 of One Lucky Cowboy

Honestly, she’d been waiting to take the sexy cowboy to bed since he’d walked in the door in jeans and a white button-down shirt this time, daisies and bluebells in one hand that somehow matched the dress from their first date perfectly, a bottle of pinot noir in the other. A subtle scent of cinnamon and something earthy—pine? Woodsmoke?—had followed him and inebriated her more than wine ever could.

When his lips had met hers, the spark buzzing between them became a blaze that no fire team could put out. His hands had tangled in her curls, while hers slid up his shirt, relishing in the soft strength beneath the linen. She’d sat in his lap, her body pressed against the solid wall of flesh still wearing too many clothes, her core aching. She’d known lust before—she was only human after all.

But the fire burning between them had quickly raged out of control with mumblings of passion and desire and whispered promises that turned into an inferno.

Thank goodness Jax’s phone had gone off, stopping her from replying to his whispers of things that bordered too close to love. The intrusion had done what Jill needed but didn’t have the courage to do herself, namely, take a step back and keep their relationship what it was—friendship with a side of kissing, maybe a naked entreé now and then.

Not a four-course meal with candlelight and crème brûlée at the end of the night.

She shook her head free of the memories and waved to the guys.

Jax sent her an enthusiastic wave back, and Betty Blue, seeing her friends from the barn, stopped munching on grass and moseyed over.

“You two had the same idea, huh?” she asked.

She slid a leg over and hopped to the ground, tying off Betty Blue near the geldings. She gave Lightning a sideways glance, then resumed her snacking.

“Great minds and all that.”

“You’re getting the hang of that,” she commented to Ren as he attempted another go at the tie off. “As a fellow city-dweller-turned-ranch-manager of sorts, I can say you’ve made more progress in the past week than I have in almost two months.”

“Thanks. Yeah, it’s not that hard, but man, there’s a lot to remember. How to saddle a horse, how to ride one, how to groom it when you’re done, and how to take care of them when they’re out.”

Jax laughed, sliding up next to Jill. “Just be glad we started with that, because you won’t like what comes next. Mucking and bathing and feeding—that’s the real fun stuff.”

Ren just smiled. She had to hand it to the kid; he was into all of it, anything with animals. He’d make a good rancher if he ever decided to follow that path someday.

“He’s getting good.”

“He is. Just needs the confidence to go with it.”

Jax’s hand snuck in the back pocket of her jeans. She gasped the same way she did every time they touched. So much for putting a little distance between them. Ren’s tongue was out, his eyes fixed with determination, so he didn’t see the flirty move his dad made.

“What’re you doing?” she whispered. She didn’t dare move and break the spell, though.

Damn traitorous body.

“Hanging out with my kissing friend. The real question is, what are you doing, Henley? You stalking me?”

She nudged him playfully with her shoulder. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m actually ahead of the curve with Steel Born so I thought I’d take a ride.”

He kissed the top of her head then put his arms up in supplication, a wicked and delicious smile making her knees weak. “Don’t worry, he didn’t see anything. Anyway, he knows about us. Did after that first night.”

“Seriously? Why didn’t you say anything?”

He shrugged, his trademark gesture that had rubbed off on Ren.

“I didn’t want to scare you. Make you think that meant we had to trade letterman jackets or something.”

“It has been a while since you dated, hasn’t it? Letterman jackets? No one does that anymore.”

“I’m gonna make Ren bring it back. But hey, good work with Steel Born. Maggie must be thrilled. I’m sorry I left you hanging with the final details. I’ll be there for the fair, though.”

She waved him off. She hoped Maggie would be thrilled, but it was possible she’d be upset Jill hadn’t told her sooner. “What about the job in Austin? Have you gotten your contract yet?”

He shook his head. “They said it’s coming soon, but—”

Her phone rang, interrupting Jax. “Speaking of Maggie.” She let it go to voicemail; she could fill in her friend later.

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