Page 7 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

His expression turned more serious, and he said, “I’m glad you didn’t tell me to give up – I’m not going to.”

Before she could reply, he’d stepped back and closed her door and was on his way around to the driver’s side.

As they rode back up the valley, Retta texted Callie to let her know that she wouldn’t be home for dinner. She waited for a while, but Callie didn’t respond, so she slipped her phone back into her purse.

“How long are you planning on staying?” Travis asked.

She looked over at him, grateful for the chance to be able to do so while he had his attention on the road. He was a handsome devil. She wouldn’t have thought that a man who looked the way he did was her type – but she would have been wrong. There was something about him. He was big, tall, and muscular. His arms were covered in tattoos, and she’d never found those particularly attractive – until now. And she wasn’t usually attracted to men with beards, but there was no denying that she was attracted to him.

He chuckled. “Let me know when you’re done looking, and I’ll ask again.”

“Oh!” She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Just because his attention was on the road, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t tell that she was looking at him – checking him out – instead of answering his question. She couldn’t even remember what the question was. “I …”

“It’s alright, darlin’. I’m not offended. You look all you like.”

She had to laugh. “You’re not shy, are you?”

“Nope. Never have been. And you shouldn’t be either. You want to check me out, go right ahead.”

“You’re just so … different.”

He glanced over at her. “Different? I was hoping for handsome, or sexy, or maybe even irresistible, but different? I hope you mean good different.”

“I do. You’re different from other men I know.”

He shot her another quick look. “You mean the men you normally date?”

“I don’t normally date.”

“Well, then I guess that’s how I can be different.”

“How?”

“You can date me.”

He looked so pleased with himself as he said it, she had to laugh.

“I can, can I?”

“You know it – any time you like, as often as you like.”

It was a tempting offer – while she was here. Spending time with him was a lot more enjoyable than hanging out at Callie’s house, feeling like she was in the way.

“You know you want to.”

“You’re not short on confidence, are you?”

He chuckled. “I’m not short in any respect.”

She had to laugh.

“I meant that I’m six-three, darlin’. What did you think I meant?”

“That you’re tall, of course – what else?”

He shot her a quick grin. “So, how long are we going to dance around it?”

She shrugged. “I already told you how things are for me. I told you right from the beginning. Yes, I find you attractive, but I’m not sure that it’s a good idea for us to date.”

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