Page 17 of My Rancher Valentine

“Yes, we can.” He worked his way down my neck.

“No.” I tried. My head fell backward, negating my words. This wasn’t supposed to feel so right. Not Beau. Anyone but Beau. My heart would never recover.

The top button of my shirt opened, followed by the second. His lips continued down to the upper slope of my breast. My fingers tightened in his hair. Another moan left my lips. Insteadof opening the rest of the buttons, he kissed his way back up and sat back.

“Do you have any idea how much I want you, Kitten?” He kissed my lips again. “If we don’t stop now, I’m taking you inside and making love to you.”

“This is all supposed to be pretend.” I shook my head.

“Does it feel like I’m pretending?” He kissed my cheek, my eyelashes, and back to my mouth. What the hell was I doing?

“It feels like you’re just trying to get laid,” I blurted out. My mind was all mixed up from the feeling of his body hardening under me.

Beau instantly stopped. His eyes darkened so fast I had to blink to catch up.

“Is that what you think?” He lifted me off his lap.

It took a second for me to get my bearrings. I quickly buttoned my shirt. “How did you get these open?” I didn’t remember his hands moving from my back.

“My teeth,” He answered nonchalantly. “Do you really think I would use you just to get laid?”

I let out a hysterical gust of laughter. “Isn’t that always your goal?”

He turned to face the front of the truck. His jaw ticked in the darkening night. “I know I’m not some innocent virgin, but I’m not the man whore everyone seems to think I am.”

“Come on, Beau.” I started to run my hand through my hair before I remembered it was in a ponytail.

“Come on, what?” He tipped his head back toward me.

“You’re acting like you haven’t worked your way through most of the women that attend the rodeo.” I couldn’t believe he was really offended right now. “I’m sure if you want to get laid, that hostess at the restaurant would be happy to oblige.”

He turned his body right toward me. “I can count on one hand how many women I’ve been within the last year and noteven come close to using all five fingers.” His eyes narrowed on mine. “Sure, when I was young and just getting into the circuit, I slept around. When you get your first taste of fame, and all you’re thinking with is your dick, that’s what you do, but that isn’t the case anymore.”

“You say that like you’re ancient.” I scoffed as I tried to wrap my head around the idea that Beau might not be as bad as I believed. Was he really telling the truth?

“In rodeo years, I am.” He shook his head. “I’m twenty-eight, and I have maybe four years left. If I don’t get hurt, I could push that to five, but not much more. That isn’t taking into account the pressure from my family to take on more responsibility with the farm and the business. Dad’s getting older, and Hailey already works non-stop. Daphne isn’t going to trade the ranch for the office, so that leaves me.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to give up the rodeo.” How was it that I have known Beau Wynters my whole life and I wouldn’t say I had ever really known him until tonight?

“I know, but I always knew I would walk away sooner rather than later. Go out on my terms and on top.” He shrugged. “I’d just like to be a little more settled when I do.”

I stayed quiet for a long moment.

“How did you know I was a double major?” I asked quietly.

He snorted. “You really think your mother didn’t tell everyone you were graduating with a degree in English and journalism before you ever ordered the announcements?” I should have known.

“I’m sorry.” I let out a breath. “I guess I’ve sort of been judging you on assumptions instead of really trying to get to know you.”

“Thanks.” He leaned his head back on the headrest. “How about we use the next two days to really get to know each other?Work on that friendship I thought we already had.” His lips twitched.

“We could do that.” I agreed, my head mimicked his.

“And if we happen to end up in bed together before Sunday, so be it.” He broke out laughing.

I rolled my eyes. “Keep dreaming.” I bit at my lower lip. The idea of us together sparked a quick heat low in my stomach.

“Oh, I’ve been dreaming.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

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