Page 6 of Big Filthy Cowboy

“It’s not stalking if you’re my future wife.” He winks and presses a kiss to my cheek. “See you later, sweet girl.”

He’s out the door and gone before I even get a chance to respond. Instead, I stand there in the inventory room with my hand pressed to the spot he just kissed.

“I think reading romance has turned me into…one of those people. Do you know if that can happen?” I ask Dotty quietly. We’re tucked away in the kitchen of the bakery. She’s nibbling on a second donut, and I’m sipping my second glass of wine.

“I don’t know what kind of people you mean,” she says.

In the lobby of the bakery, a round of loud laughter erupts. It’s book club night which means my shop is filled with women who love discussing their favorite books just as much as I do.

I take a deep breath and decide to blurt it out. If anyone is supposed to understand you in this world, it’s your best friend. “A sex addict. I think reading smutty romances has turned me into some kind of sex addict.”

She laughs so hard she snorts. “If that’s true, then murderers must read mysteries.”

“I’m serious! All I think about lately is s-e-x,” I confess miserably. It’s been three days since I met Barrett Maple. I’ve been ducking Linda, which I feel guilty about.

“Why are you spelling it?” She giggles again before she sobers. “OK, tell me this. Did your recent thoughts around s-e-x start after you met a certain cowboy?”

I guzzle the rest of my wine and confess, “I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind.”

More like, I haven’t been able to get his offer out of my mind. I’ve tried a couple of times to orgasm on my own, and everything works right. But I still feel hot and achy all over even after I manage to come.

“So, then work him out of your system,” Dotty suggests as she pops the last bite of her donut into her mouth.

I drum my fingers on the counter, considering her suggestion. He said something about a date, but I don’t see the need for that. We can just use each other to get what we want. Mutual, incredibly satisfying sex.

“I’ve never done…that,” I start, trying to decide how much to tell her. Dotty and I clicked instantly, but there’s still a lot she doesn’t know about me.

“Had a fling?” She dusts the sugar sprinkles from the hem of her shirt.

“Doneanythingwith a guy.”

“Me neither,” she admits in a soft tone. She thinks for a moment then says, “Well, look. He’ll probably be so thrilled to see you naked that it won’t matter.”

“Maybe.” I chew on my bottom lip. In the books I read, the hero never cares if the heroine has had past experience. He just loves her. I’m not silly enough to think that Barrett loves me or anything. But will he care? Is this important to guys?

“He’s already made it clear he likes you, and I asked around.”

“You didn’t!” I bump her shoulder with mine. “You were asking about Barrett?”

“It was easy. I’m a journalist. We question everyone, and nobody thinks twice. Anyway, the vibe I get from around town is that he’s not a player. I couldn’t even find anyone who could recall him having a past girlfriend.”

“That could just mean he’s dated girls who are outside of town,” I point out. The thought sends a pang of white-hot anger through me. He’s mine—or at least, I want him to be. Just for a night or two.

“Call him and accept a date. Go out, kill a few minutes over dinner, thenpark.” She nods as if it’s settled.

“You’re right,” I agree. I’m single and young. Barrett is single and well, only older than me by a few years. “Any chance you’re driving by the Maple Farm tonight?”

Chapter 4

Sadie

“Remember you’re a total catch,” Dotty says from where she’s parked on the dirt path. At the end of this road is Barrett’s house. He lives on the farm with his mom and brothers. According to Dotty, each of his brothers have built their own houses on the land.

“Total catch,” I repeat as I unlatch my seatbelt. There are butterflies in my stomach as I clutch the box of treats from the bakery closer. “You’ll watch over Coco tonight?”

“Coco is in great hands,” Dotty promises solemnly. “Now, go ride your cowboy!”

I hoist my backpack filled with essentials, so I don’t have to do the morning-after walk of shame. This is going to go perfectly, I reassure myself. I’ll have a quick and dirty fling with Barrett, walk away with some great memories, and return to my normal life.

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