Page 122 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“Most of the time, I feel like we’ve been together forever. But sometimes, like just now, it hits me that there’s still so much we don’t know about each other.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Do you enjoy camping? When I said we should ride out into the backcountry, I was thinking that we could make a weekend of it – go camping. But I don’t even know …”

She smiled. “My dad used to take me camping. I haven’t had the chance to go since he died – and that’s a long time ago now. I’d love to go with you.” She made a face. “You’ll probably think I’m a useless city girl because I won’t know what to do, or how to help – but I’m a fast learner and …”

He chuckled as he caught her chin in his hand and made her look into his eyes. “You don’t need to do a damn thing, Shay. I’ll take care of you.”

She wrapped her arms around him and dropped a kiss on his lips. “I know, but I want to learn, and I need to do my part.”

“I want to tell you that your part is just being with me and looking pretty but …” He laughed when she pushed at his arm.

“I’m messing with you, sweetheart.”

“I know, but you know better.”

“I do. Have to tell you, though, you’ve got the looking pretty thing covered. What do you say, do you want to go this weekend?”

“What about Sunday lunch?”

He made a face. “I’ll tell them that they have to fend for themselves this week. They didn’t expect me to be there to cook for them every week even before I met you.”

“Okay.” He loved the way she smiled. “Let’s do it.”

“Now, I’m going to spend the rest of the week fantasizing about making love to you under the stars.”

She shivered and he ran his hand up and down her back. “You like that idea, huh?”

“I do …” She dropped her gaze.

“What?”

She looked back up at him with a guilty little smile. “I’ve never …”

He shifted in his seat. “Never …? Under the stars?”

She shook her head slowly. “Outside.”

He got to his feet so fast that he had to hold her steady so that she didn’t fall when she slid off his lap.

“What … Where are you …?”

He didn’t say a word as he marched straight into the spare bedroom and dragged the mattress off the bed.

Shay’s eyes were wide as she watched him haul it outside and lay it down on the porch. He tugged at the sheets to straighten them before he looked up at her. “I’ll go get the pillows.”

She laughed. “Ty!”

“What?” He went to her and cupped her face between his hands. “It never occurred to me that you wouldn’t have …”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Maybe I was saving myself for you.”

He crushed her to his chest and claimed her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. When he finally lifted his head, she smiled up at him.

“You like that then – the thought of me saving myself for you?” she asked with a laugh.

He nodded vigorously. “Yeah. I know it’s unreasonable but …” He shrugged. “I ain’t gonna deny it. Don’t go anywhere, I’m going to get you a pillow.”

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