Page 30 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

Cassie’s heart seemed to expand. How could he be everything she’d ever wanted but she wasn’t certain how to trust him?

His parents said their goodbyes and left. They sat down and ate the delicious dinner of roast beef, potatoes, squash, and Brussels sprouts. There were homemade rolls with raspberry jam, and the banana cream pie for dessert.

Easton drew out Cassie about wedding details while they ate and Presley contributed, sharing any tidbit she’d picked up while listening to Cassie’s wedding preparations. After dinner, they ate the pie. Cassie savored every bite. It was thoughtful of Mama and Easton and reminded her of all those happy and innocent days she and Easton used to have.

They settled down on his leather couch and watchedThe Little Mermaid. Easton claimed it was the only Disney movie he could find. She hid her smile. They’d watched it on their first date. He’d hoped singing the song “Kiss the girl” would get him a kiss, but she’d stayed strong. It wasn’t until four dates later when he had sung, “‘Are you going to kiss me or not?’” that he had won her over.

Presley cuddled into Easton the entire movie. It was incredible to watch them together, and Cassie wished she could cuddle in and be encircled by Easton’s arms.

Presley fell asleep at the end of the movie. Easton grinned as he easily lifted her and stood. “I’d better carry her up to bed.”

“Thank you.”

Cassie walked with them, hurrying in front of Easton to turn down the bed and tuck Presley in. She could sleep in her comfortable outfit. Clint hadn’t come with their things. What wouldCassie sleep in?

Easton straightened away from the bed, staring down at her daughter. “She’s incredible,” he murmured.

Of course Cassie agreed. “Thank you.” She walked to the door. Easton was incredible too, but she couldn’t let down her guard fully. He was also still a playboy, and she was a single mom who had to keep herself and her daughter safe.

Easton strutted to the door; the man didn’t know how to simply walk. He looked incredibly appealing in a simple T-shirt and jeans. He still had the gun strapped on his hip, which was reassuring.

Cassie backed into the doorframe and leaned against it for support. Easton came up close, brushing her cheek softly with his hand. She was helpless to move or say anything as he bent down and his warm breath touched her lips. A slight movement and their lips would meet. Cassie had never wanted anything so badly as she longed for his kiss. She’d never forgotten his kisses; no other man’s had ever compared.

“Did you hold that thought for me, love?” he asked, his minty breath washing over her.

“I did,” she admitted, wondering what she was doing or thinking.

“Are you ready to share it with me?” Easton’s lips turned up in a cocky smirk.

Cassie was faint. Almost as weak as when she saw blood.

Yes, she wanted to share her thoughts, her lips, her life with him, but at what cost? What would she do when he cheated on her? Could they talk through the pain of the past and could she trust him if he looked at her with those blue eyes and promised never to cheat on her again?

Easton waited patiently, which was impressive in and of itself. She ran her fingers over the scars on his forehead.

“Do the scars … bother you?” he asked.

She’d never seen him so vulnerable. “Not at all. They make you even more handsome. Dangerously so.”

He grinned, captured her hand, and tilted his head. “Let’s go downstairs. I’m not sure you want to share all your ‘thoughts’ with Presley a few feet away.”

Cassie hadn’t even thought of her daughter sleeping right there as she longed to kiss Easton. “Okay,” she managed.

He escorted her out of the room. The look in his blue eyes made her knees weak.

There was a loud rap on the door.

Easton growled low in his throat. “My family has rotten timing.”

“Are you sure it’s your family?”

He nodded. “Clint with your clothes and toiletries, I’m betting.” He squeezed her hand and released it. “I’ll be right back.”

Cassie eased back toward the bedroom. The interruption was fortuitous. How could she stay strong around Easton? Did she even want to any longer?

She had to. It wasn’t just her that would be broken if he cheated on her again. Presley’s heart was at stake too.

Sadly, Presley’s heart was already entangled, captured by the enticing cowboy Easton Coleville’s blue eyes and pretty words.

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