Page 1 of My Cowboy Bodyguard

Chapter 1

Amanda

The bookstore where I work is quiet. No one is shopping thanks to the sheets of rain pelting the sidewalk. It’s one of those quick summer storms with lightning crackling across the sky and thunder booming loudly.

I love looking at the sparkling rain droplets on the windows while I’m inside, warm and cozy, and surrounded by stories I can escape into. The aroma of coffee percolating fills the air, and a slice of chocolate cake is waiting for me in the back.

These moments of peace and rest fuel my soul and help me battle the insomnia that’s almost a constant companion because I’m afraid of the night now. Staying awake to keep guard gives me a sense of safety.

If I’m awake, then I’m not as vulnerable as when I’m sleeping. I won’t jerk awake to a floorboard creaking beneath the weight of a stranger’s footsteps.

Thankfully, the town of Lucky River isn’t like the dark side of Dallas. It’s not a place to run from but to and I’m grateful to this place for welcoming me.

I’m leaning on the counter, chin in my hand whenhewalks by.

He doesn’t pay attention to the storm he’s in, to the rain dripping from the brim of his black Stetson.

We lock eyes as he reaches the midway point of the window.One. Two. Three.Seconds that are over too fast but leave me breathless, wishing I was the type of woman who could boldly chase after the hot cowboy and ask his name.

Ask why there’s something about him that makes me feel restless. Hungry for a taste of the delectable morsel he is that I shouldn’t take a bite of.

Safely lies in keeping to myself as much as possible. Especially now that I’m being hunted.

I drop my gaze and turn away, sitting on the stool to support my shaking legs. Thinking about the night I had to flee does that to me. Injects my body with a surge of adrenaline, driving my thoughts into dark “what if” places.

What if I wouldn’t have woken up when the floorboard creaked? What if I wouldn’t have recognized the cloying scent of that cologne?

The string of bells on the door jingle and I turn, smile in place like the armor it is, ready to greet the customer and offer my help. Then I freeze.

It’shim.

The black t-shirt clings to him, the wet material plastering against his muscled chest. His face isn’t picture-perfect handsome but arresting. The kind of face that’s weathered a hard life and turned a human into steel.

He studies me through dark eyes as he sweeps his hat off. Droplets of water run from his dark brown, nearly black hair down along the sides of his jaws, disappearing into his beard.

“Can I help you find something?” I ask softly.

“No.” His voice is deep and gravelly.

I’m melting, my bones incinerating from sudden longing.

“N-No?” I twist my fingers together and lower my eyes from the intensity of his gaze. “Then what do you want?”

“To protect you.”

I jerk my head up, eyes widening.

Outside, thunder cracks and lightning flashes, a perfect imitation of what’s going on inside of me.

His eyes flick to my lips.

I swallow hard.

Take me. Oh no! Did I say that out loud?

He moves two steps toward me and I instinctively back up until my butt bumps a bookshelf.

A book topples from the stand showcasing it.

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