Page 8 of Big Rowdy Cowboy

“None of this is true!” I protest, even knowing that it doesn’t matter. Working in journalism has taught me that most reporters don’t care about the accuracy of the story, as long as they get there first.

Thea continues, “We’ll need to make a statement about your relationship soon. Wait, someone is beeping through. I’ll call you back in ten minutes.”

As she hangs up, I continue scrolling through my social media feed. So many people are talking about me and Zac. We even have our own trending hashtag. I let out a little squeak, barely able to process this. “The whole world thinks we’re dating.”

Chapter 5

Dotty

Even though I’m scrolling through the posts, I still can’t wrap my mind around this. “The whole world thinks we’re dating.”

Zac’s beard tickles my cheek as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “Yep, seems like it.” He doesn’t sound even a little bit worried about this. It’s like he’s not taking the situation seriously at all.

“You have to clear this up. You have to release a statement and tell them that we’re not dating.”

“Might be hard to convince people of that when you spent last night in my bed,” he answers casually. Shouldn’t he be freaking out over this? I’m definitely freaking out, and I’m not even the one that’s famous.

“We can’t have people think we’re dating. What about all of my friends and your family?” I’ll have to explain to Sadie and the girls that I’m not dating country music’s hottest superstar.

“I guess they’ll think we were secretly dating.”

I huff. He needs to be taking this a little more seriously. “You’re not going to let this happen. Tell your manager that it’s a little gossip on social media, and she can deny it.”

He scowls at me. “I’m not doing that.”

This man is so exasperating. Maybe it’s a prerequisite to being so handsome that I can hardly breathe around him. “You know what? It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. No one will believe this, anyway.”

Something flickers across Zac’s face. I think he’s troubled by what I said but that makes no sense at all. “Why not?”

I get out of bed, even though the food is half-finished. I can’t have this conversation when I’m still wearing his shirt after having spent the night lying in his bed, surrounded by his masculine scent. “Because you’re incredible. You’re this popular, hot, country music star who writes these amazing songs. I’m just a fat, frumpy, wannabe journalist.”

Zac growls. “Watch the way you talk about my girlfriend.”

I stop searching for my pants long enough to throw my hands up in frustration. “I’m not your girlfriend!”

“You belong to me now,” he says the words with so much confidence that I almost believe them. Iwantto believe them.

I swallow hard, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. Belonging isn’t my thing. It never has been and never will be. “We’re too different.”

“You’re mine, and it’s always going to be that way. Better get used to it.” His tone is different now. Harder, with an edge to it that I don’t even understand.

I grab my pants and slip into them. That’s a little better at least. “This is crazy. You’re crazy. I’ll call your manager myself and explain everything. She has to be the sane one, right? I bet she’s used to dealing with your crazy shenanigans.”

I stalk around the bed. Before I can reach the nightstand, Zac has me pinned up against the wall. My breathing hitches, and I struggle to form a coherent thought. I can feel the heat coming off of Zac’s body. More than that, I feel his fury. It vibrates off of him in waves. “You. Are. Mine. I’ll tell you that as many times aday as you need. You can doubt me all you want, but don’t you dare deny it.”

The same longing from earlier surges again. It’s an ache, insistent and loud, urging me to let myself fall into this. But even though my soul is crying out for his, I know I have to ignore it. I need to be strong now so I don’t hurt later. “Zac, this is nuts. You know that right?”

He takes one of my curls, letting it wrap around his finger. He brings it to his nose, inhaling my scent. “Date me, Dotty.”

I frown. “Why would I pretend to date you?”

He hesitates for a moment before he says, “This is confidential, but I’m being considered for a lead in a movie. It’s a romantic comedy about a cowboy who falls in love.”

It sounds like an incredible opportunity, and I can’t help smiling. I like watching people see their dreams come true. Each time I see it happen for someone else, I remember that there’s so much good still to come for all of us. “That’s amazing! Congratulations!”

“Help me prove to the director that I am a cowboy in love.” His quiet command shouldn’t make me turn to putty in his hands, but it does. He has a way of talking to me that melts me completely.

“Well, that does make sense.” Suddenly, his words about me belonging to him make more sense. He’s playing a part. He’s rehearsing with me, even if he doesn’t realize it.

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