Page 37 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

She realized that she wasn’t smiling back – she was too busy processing the shock. He was more … everything than she’d dared to hope!

He looked a little dazed, and glanced around them before saying, “Please tell me that you’re Shayna Rose, because if you’re not, I think you might break my heart.”

She laughed. “Of course, it’s me. You don’t need to lay it on so thick!”

He shook his head slowly and took his hat off to run his hand through his hair. “I wasn’t joking, sweetheart. Damn! You’re …” He let his gaze travel over her, and she pulled her hoodie closer around her when her nipples tightened under the heat of that look. He met her gaze again, and butterflies took to flight in her stomach. “Damn! I’m a lucky bastard! But shit. What about you?” He held his arms from his sides. “What do you think? Did you get the raw end of this deal?”

She pressed her lips together in an attempt to hide her smile. “You want the truth?”

His shoulders drooped, and he gave her a rueful smile. “That’s what we promised each other, right? Go on, you can say it … I guess I’m not that lucky after all, am I?”

She pushed at his arm. “Stop it! You know damn well what I’m going to say!”

The hopeful look on his face told her that he really didn’t know; she was happy to set him straight.

“I feel like I won the freaking lottery!” she said with a laugh.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah! Have you seen you?”

He chuckled. “It’s all in the eye of the beholder.”

“Well, this beholder happens to agree with the general consensus about you.”

“Thank fuck for that!”

She laughed. “That’s what I thought! But do you really think …?”

“You don’t need to ask, sweetheart – just look at my face! If you won the lottery, I won the freaking Mega Millions!”

He stepped closer and held his arms out again. “Can I get a hug?”

She nodded happily.

“Come here, then.”

His big, muscular arms closed around her, and she slipped hers around his waist. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his chest as she savored the moment. He surprised her when he dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

When she looked up, she was met by those bright blue eyes, and that smile! She knew that she was wearing a matching one.

“Can you keep an eye out for your bag? I’m not going to be able to take my eyes off of you.”

She laughed. “I didn’t bring one – I have everything I need in my backpack.”

“Shit! That thing has to be heavy, let me take it.”

“I’m fine. It’s okay.”

His eyebrows drew together. “You don’t have to do everything by yourself when I’m around, Shay.”

The intensity of his words hit her right in her chest. She didn’t know what to say.

“Shit. I’m not trying to be bossy or take over. I … Don’t look like that, I’m sorry.”

She laughed. “I’m not mad at you. I’m just … processing.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

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