Page 14 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

“Don’t worry,” Paul said quietly. “She flirts with everyone. Easton’s nobody special to her.”

Jarom studied Autumn and Easton, hugging and flirting and laughing together, and thought he had plenty of reason to worry.

He eased closer to the tall, handsome pilot. Autumn’s close friend, apparently. “I’m nobody special to her either.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

“Do you know something you can share with me?” Jarom asked as his heart leapt. He ripped his gaze from the happy couple laughing about something to focus on Autumn’s pilot friend. “She likes me?” It felt like a very juvenile thing to ask an accomplished warrior and pilot, but the words were out there.

“What if she did?” Paul’s look was challenging now.

Jarom snuck a look at Autumn and the cowboy. They thankfully were no longer hugging, but they were talking in earnest,grinning and flirting and making him literally sick to his stomach.

“I find myself very intrigued with her,” he said in a low voice. “As a Christian and a gentleman, I would treat her and her heart with the utmost respect and tenderness.”

“You’d give up chasing different women?” Paul asked quietly.

“If she returned my interest, I would never think about chasing any other woman. A committed relationship with Autumn would be my entire focus,” Jarom declared, amazed to hear himself say the words. Even more amazed to find that he meant them.

“I’m not admitting to anything,” Paul said. “But you stand more of a chance than anyone.”

“Thank you.” Jarom grasped the man’s hand and pumped it. “You have restored my faith in womankind.”

Autumn broke from her teasing with the cowboy and glanced at them, her brow wrinkling and her golden eyes suspicious.

Paul slapped him on the shoulder, clasping his upper arm. It wasn’t painful, but he’d have to utilize the moves Eli had taught him to break the grip. Paul leaned in so only Jarom could hear. “If you miraculously secure her heart and then hurt her, I will rip out your spleen. Surrogate big brother talking here.”

“I read you loud and clear, tough and macho pilot Paul.” Jarom saluted him.

Paul chuckled and released him. They both walked toward the pair. Autumn turned to face them, her gaze locked on Jarom’s face. He smiled. Even with the jealousy of her touching and fawning over this cowboy, he had hope.He had a chance. He’d blown past the parameters of only flirting in his mind. How could he blow past them with Autumn?

Paul shook Easton’s hand as soon as they reached him. “Great to see you,” he said.

“You as well,” Easton returned. “Thank you for bringing her to me.” He grinned at Autumn.

Jarom didn’t have enemies. With the exception of monsters like Benjamin Oliver. How could he find love in his heart for this smiling bull rider when he wanted to knock the man’s smile into next week? He was definitely thinking more like Eli than himself. Would any of the moves Eli taught him work to eradicate the smug smile?

“Jarom,” Autumn said, and it didn’t escape his notice that she started the introduction with him. That had to mean something. “This is Easton Coleville. We’ll be staying at his family’s ranch and he’ll help protect you from Benjamin. Easton, the famed and talented Jarom Love.”

Easton extended his hand. Jarom placed his hand against his competition’s. The man squeezed, hard. “Nice to meet ya. I’ve seen some of your clothes on actors.”

Jarom knew the cowboy wanted him to wince, pull his hand away, and show he was a pastry puff. He didn’t. He kept his expression neutral and nodded. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Thank you for welcoming us. I hear you’re a bull rider of some notoriety.”

Releasing his hand, Easton gave him a wide grin. “I am. More famous than anyone else in Coleville, that’s for certain.”

“My most sincere congratulations,” Jarom said smoothly. “I look forward to seeing you compete someday.”

“That would be your lucky day.”

Easton was a cocksure cowboy. Jarom admired theconfidence and recognized a fellow charmer and playboy. Was Easton genuinely interested in Autumn or only flirting?

“Do you have any videos?” he asked. “Isn’t bull riding the most dangerous sport in the world? I’d love to see you in action.”

Easton looked surprised and defused from the measuring contest he’d obviously wanted to instigate. “Much obliged.” He cleared his throat and smiled. “Autumn has loads of videos pulled up on her phone of me. She’d be happy to show them to you.”

“I’m dying to show him,” Autumn teased.

Easton chuckled. “We’d better get moving. Papa’s no cap stressed about Benjamin Oliver’s unknown plans and wants you two back at the ranch safe and sound. Appreciate you, Paul.”

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