Page 41 of The Roper & the Author

“Yes,” Walker answered without hesitation. It hurt to lose his chance with Lily, but he was coming to see that was more years of thinking she was the right one and male pride than Lily actually being his right one. “It’s like comparing the sun to the stars. She lights my world and the way she makes me feel with one look, word, or touch is warmth and power.”

Clint was grinning now. “I’ve never heard you talk like that, and that is exactly the way I felt about Lily compared to Sheryl. There’s no comparison, because Lily is the right woman for me.”

“You think Marci could be the one for me?” Walker was having trouble breathing imagining Marci in his arms and his life. It was crazy and too soon and they lived on different ends of the country, but he’d move mountains to be with her. Would he break his brother’s heart? He didn’t know how to work around that.

“I don’t know. That’s for you to decide.” His gaze narrowed. “How does it feel when you kiss?”

“I haven’t kissed her.”

“Oh.” Clint blinked, swallowed, and then straightened away from the barn wall and shoved the door open. “Shall we go in and wash up for dinner?”

“Wait a minute.” Walker’s neck tingled. He grabbed Clint’s arm, stopping him in the open doorway. “Did you kiss Lily during that whole … fake fiancé situation?”

Clint looked as guilty as Walker had ever seen his loyal, straight-arrow brother look. He thumped his closed fist against his leg, squinted at the setting sun then faced Walker straight on, his shoulders straightening. “I did,” he admitted on a heavy exhale.

Walker released his grip on him and stared. “Huh,” was all he managed to say, cold anger making his chest tight. He’d trusted Clint to give him a chance with Lily, just as Easton was trusting him with Marci. He didn’t know how to riddle it out in his mind, but it still felt awful to be the one blindsided. How would Easton feel if he came home and Walker had claimed Marci’s heart and her lips? His fists tightened.

“The first couple of times, it was for the fake fiancé ploy,” Clint said quietly. “But it was the most mind-blowing sensation I’ve ever felt. Then … I got carried away. We were alone inmy house and …” He focused on the horse stalls, his shoulders bunched around his ears. “I’m sorry. It’s no excuse, but she kissed me first and I let down my guard and my self-control.”

Walker was stunned. On one hand, he couldn’t say that he blamed his brother. Being alone with the right woman for him in his house, protecting her, pretending to be engaged… Now that Walker knew how hard it was to resist Marci, he wasn’t ready to rip his brother apart like he would’ve been a few weeks ago.

“A few weeks ago, I would’ve slugged you. Repeatedly. Now I just want to slug you, but I want to slug myself for that matter.” He groaned. “Being around Marci …” He shook his hands out and admitted, “I understand how hard it is to resist the right woman for you.”

Clint’s shoulders relaxed, and he said quietly, “Near impossible.”

A few seconds passed. It was uncomfortable and neither of them knew where to step next.

“Do you think I can kiss Marci and not feel like I’m betraying Easton?” Walker asked into the silence.

“I don’t know. I definitely didn’t think about youwhenI was kissing Lily and experiencing heaven on earth.” Clint grinned, but it slid away quick and he thumped his fist against his leg. “It was a hard wallop of guilt after, but definitely not during.”

“Good.” Walker wasn’t sure if he was saying good that Clint enjoyed kissing his fiancé or good that he’d felt some guilt.

“Thanks for understanding,” Clint said gruffly.

Walker nodded. Had he really understood? Kind of, because he now felt like he was in Clint’s shoes. If only he could have the same end result and someday soon be engaged to Marci and have Easton punch him if he needed, but not hate him for life.

“Talk to Easton,” Clint continued. “Get it off your chest. If you and Marci are meant to be, it’ll work out. You’re the mostconsiderate and impressive of men, Walker. Marci would be lucky to have you love her.”

Clint slapped him on the shoulder and exited the barn. He’d definitely exceeded his emotional capacity and deep conversation threshold. Walker had never talked with Clint like that before. He appreciated the honesty and the insight, even if the anger was still leaking out and the confusion hadn’t completely dissipated.

Walker stood there for a few moments. Could he kiss Marci tonight and not feel as if he was betraying his brother’s trust? Clint had done something similar to Walker and Walker didn’t hold too many hard feelings. He’d forgive Clint. Would Easton forgive him?

Clint had called Walker two weeks ago to tell him he couldn’t resist Lily any longer and begged him to give up his ‘dibs’.

Walker pulled his phone out. His hands were unsteady as he pulled up Easton’s text saying he was coming home. He’d had service but might not now. He pushed Easton’s number before he could second guess himself. It went straight to voicemail.

Dang. Did that mean the good Lord wanted him to wait? Talk to his brother face to face? He was still feeling a bit put out and judgmental of Clint, and Easton was much more prideful than he was.

He drew in a breath, bowed his head, and said a prayer. He needed a lot of help and strength. Especially if Heavenly Father wanted him to resist kissing Marci. He didn’t know that he’d ever faced a harder temptation than wanting her in his arms and his life.

Chapter

Thirteen

Marci chattedwith Walker and his family through dinner. There was something different in the way he’d looked at her since he and Clint had come back from doing chores. Was it a good different like he was done resisting the magnetic pull between them, or was he going to be more withdrawn because of whatever had transpired with his brother?

Lily had quietly teased her about Walker earlier. She’d been more than happy to tell the angelic beauty she was gone over hervaquero guapo.

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