Page 55 of Overdue for a Cowboy

Which was why he needed to end this now. Before either of them got in so far, that they’d both be completely shattered when itwas over. And he knew it would be over, eventually. It always was with him.

He pulled her closer, then…what the hell…he leaned down and kissed her.

Once more, then never again.

Her lips were soft and pliant, and she pressed her lush breasts into his chest, making him only ache for her more as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The plastic splint brushed his shoulder, reminding him of the accident, and of another accident, and that memory was enough to have him pull away.

He held up the book. It was already the fourth one they’d read together, and even though he’d never imagined he would be in a secret book club with a two-person membership, he would miss their literary discussions. “I brought this one back for you.”

She eyed him, as if she could already tell there was something different in his mood. “So, you’re here for book club?” she asked as she walked back into the house.

He followed her in and set the book on the counter as she poured him a glass of iced tea from the refrigerator. “No, not really.” He took a big gulp of tea. This was going to be harder than he thought.

She leaned her hip against the counter, and he couldn’t help thinking about the way his hand curved around that same hip, drawing her closer as her legs wrapped around his waist.

Speaking ofharder.

Maybe he should forget this stupid idea and just carry her into the bedroom and adore her for the next three hours. He could make her see reason another day. And then, this day, all he would have to make her see were stars.

Her forehead creased with concern. “Everything okay?”

He drew in a breath. “No, not really. I think we need to talk.”

Her eyes widened. “Uh oh. This doesn’t sound good.”

“No. It’s not.”Stop stalling and just spit it out. “It’s just that I’ve been thinking about what you said last weekend, when we were in the shop, you know…after…” Oh dang, don’t start thinking about that or he’d never get this out. “You were talking about how you wanted it all—the husband, the kids, the white picket fence.”

“Not the white picket fence, and I said I didn’tneedany of those things…” she started to say, but he held up his hand.

“Just let me get this out. It’s hard enough as it is.” He took another gulp of his tea then set the glass back on the counter. “You may not think you need them, but you damn sure deserve them. You deserve everything you want, and more. And you shouldn’t be settling for someone like me because I’m not the guy who can give all that to you. And this just isn’t fair because it feels like I’m leading you on when I know that I’m never going to be that guy.”

“I’m sorry I said all that. I told you I don’t care about that stuff.”

“But don’t you see, Iwantyou to have all that, and I don’t want to be the one that stands in the way of you getting it. So, it just seems easier to make a clean break now rather than draw thisthing out any longer. Especially when there isanotherguy—abetterguy—ready to step in and give you everything you want.”

He tried to ignore the pain in her eyes—pain thatheput there—as she asked, “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Pete Bishop. He told me last week that he’s serious about you. He’s been trying to get up the nerve to ask you out. He’s a good man. He runs a successful ranch, and he’s already got kids, so you could have a ready-made family. And they probably already have a dog, or I’m sure Pete would get you one. He can give you all those things, all the things that I can’t. I don’t want you wasting your life or your sweet heart on someone like me.”

“Does it matter whatIwant?”

He’d expected her to be sad, but he was surprised at the hint of anger in her voice.

“You already told me what you want. And I can’t give you those things. Pete can. And he recognizes how great you are. He told me that he thinks you’re pretty and smart and good with his kids.”

“Well, gosh, it sounds like youand Petehave just got this all figured out.”

Yeah, she definitely sounded mad.

“I’m just saying, he’s a good guy, and I think you should go out with him.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, her mouth set in a tight line. “Is thatreallywhat you want?”

No.He really wanted to pretend he’d never started this damn conversation and that they could go back to kissing.

He nodded.

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