Page 17 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

“There’s my sweet but sassy Cass,” he said smoothly. Then he grinned and sang, “‘Slow down, you’re moving too fast.’”

Cassie’s resistance almost crumbled. He was everything she’d ever wanted.

“Did someone say something about pancakes and butter syrup?” he asked.

“I … you … No!” She placed her hands on his chest and tried to shove him away, but he was like a brick wall.

“Easton!” Presley called from the car.

He smirked at Cassie and then bent past her. “Can I come for pancakes?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Presley clapped her hands together.

“Oh, my, goodness,” Cassie hissed.

“I’ll see you soon, Princess.” Easton straightened out of the car, wrapped his large, warm, tingly palms around Cassie’s hips, gently eased her away from the door, and then shut it. He directed her back against the car, his hands still framing her hips and waistline. “Is it all right if I come for pancakes?” he asked softly, his gaze dropping to her lips and then raising to meet hers again.

Cassie’s body filled with heat despite the cold winter air. “Like I could say no now and break my daughter’s heart.”

“Great point. You are an incrediblemom, Cassie.”

“And you use that against me,” she shot at him, angry at her body’s longing for him and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

“I find I have to use every tool in my arsenal to get close to you.”

“Unlike all the other women who melt in your arms.”

He smirked at that. “Don’t worry. You’re worth the extra work.”

Cassie pushed at him to try and open her own door. He smoothly pulled it open, but she couldn’t squeeze past him. He had her pinned against the door, and he bent until their breath intermingled. His blue gaze held her captive. “Have you been holding that thought for me?” he asked in a husky voice that shot quivers of yearning through her.

She had no response but to pant for air and wish he would just kiss her already.

“Maybe you can share it with me soon.” His eyes twinkled as he stepped back and held the door for her.

Cassie slid into the seat, panting for air, and wondered how she’d get through the now not-so-relaxing Sunday afternoon—thrilling, mind-blowing, joy-filled—definitely not relaxing.

Chapter

Seven

Easton smiledto himself as he helped Cassie clean up after their pancake breakfast. It had been delicious and Presley had made it a lot of fun. Cassie had finally relaxed as they ate and talked and teased with Presley.

She’d acted like he’d encouraged his flock of admirers to approach him at church. He couldn’t help the natural magnetism he had for women. Trudy was an annoyance, but he knew how to avoid her. It was a lift to his confidence that none of them were bothered by his scars.

Cassie didn’t seem bothered by his scars either. What was holding her back? What had she been through in the past six years? A patience Easton Coleville had never exhibited might be required to win her back. If Cassie would recommit to him, he’d be patient and find a way to be standoffish enough with other women that they all left him alone. She was the only woman he wanted, and he felt heaven had brought them together. Couldn’t she see that?

Presley was watching a princess movie, lying on hers and Cassie’s bed. They were virtually alone in the living area.

“What did the pastor want?” Cassie asked him as she rinsed off a dish and loaded it into the dishwasher.

He put the milk away and closed the fridge. “Just wanted me to be Joseph in the Nativity on Christmas Eve. When I told Pastor Heath his boy needed to rush off to keep up with the most mesmerizing and beautiful woman in the world, he didn’t keep me long.” He gave her his patented irresistible smile.

“Who’s Mary?” she asked, turning off the water, wiping off her hands, and pivoting to face him.

Easton approached her slowly, maintaining eye contact. He placed his hands on either side of the counter, not touching her but framing her in. She arched back to hold eye contact. Her pulse point was racing.

He was doing a good job rizzing her. He always did, but the stakes of this rizzing were higher than ever. The most important of his life.

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