Page 10 of Hometown Cowboy

She knew something. At the least, she suspected. He swallowed down the last of his coffee and stood, watching where Zed bounded along in front of her as she disappeared around a bend.

“C’mon, boy. Let’s go feed some cows,” he said to Bill as he climbed the steps to the verandah.

He’d deal with his mother when and if she said something. Hopefully she wouldn’t. He didn’t want to dissect his thoughts on the most amazing night he’d ever had. Particularly when the woman in question had left without bothering to say goodbye, taking the cheat’s way out and disappearing without waking him.

Chapter Six

Darby handed changeback to the tourist with a huge smile. She turned to welcome the next customer only to come face to face with Ryan.

“Hey, Darb. Just the two.” He held up two loaves of bread. A huge and obviously painful smile split his lush mouth, the brightness of it not quite reaching his eyes. Eyes that were suspiciously flat.

She nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. All coherent words left her brain as she took in his fine form. She couldn’t help it, she swept her gaze over what she could see of him.

Fitted work shirt and worn, tight jeans that would surely make her drool when he turned around to show his gorgeous butt.

She tried not to sigh aloud. He was the most good-looking man she’d ever seen. And she’d had her hands all over him only hours before.

She focused on him when he narrowed his eyes and tilted his head in her direction.

Had he said something?

“Sorry, what was that?”

A knowing light flickered in his eyes.Dammit!Did he know she’d been daydreaming about him?

Ryan held up a note between two fingers. “Money? You know, for the bread?”

Darby frowned at his teasing tone and snatched the note from his hand. She fetched the change and held out her hand for him to take it over the top of the glass cabinet. How could she be the only one all flustered here, and him just standing there like it was a normal day?

They’dslepttogether. All. Night.

His fingers touched hers, as they had many times over the years, but the instant she felt his warm touch her eyes bounced to connect with his. Awareness crackled and her breath stopped—just froze in her lungs.

The open hunger in his gaze floored her. His expression brought all the memories from the night before screaming back full force. Not that she’d needed any help in that area.

She snatched her hand back without thinking.

Had being together affected him? Did that mean he’d want to do it again?

Darby plastered as normal a smile on her face as she could and tried not to think of that. Tried not to hope.

Heck, she’d asked for no strings and here she was wishing she could strip him naked in the middle of the shop.

Get a grip!

He seemed to search her face, then nodded. “Thanks. So, I’ll see you later?”

For the second time in as many minutes Darby went blank.

“Yes?”

She nearly cringed. She hadn’t meant that to come out as a question. How could one night with a guy—okay, a supremely hot and delicious guy—fry her brain so badly she could barely function?

Was he asking if he could come over, orcome over?

Dammit! She wasn’t used to this. She hadn’t dated in ages. Not that they were dating. Was it a booty call or just a normal visit?

She turned to the next customer with a massive smile and deliberately ignored Ryan so that he would leave. Hehadto leave. She couldn’t focus or think orbreathewith him there.

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