Page 22 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

I nod. “I was.”

“Is that how you hurt your leg?” She asks, and then her face turns beet red, and she averts her eyes.

It occurs to me that I wasn’t imagining those little footsteps in the hallway in the wee hours this morning. “How did you know I hurt my leg?” I ask, knowing the truth.

Her gaze is on the floor. I place my finger under her chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine. “Were you spying on me last night?”

She swallows and closes her eyes briefly, and when she opens them, it’s a slight eye roll. “No.” She says with a pinch of snark in her tone, telling an obvious lie. “It was this morning.”

I smile. “Alright. You’ve got me there. Why were you watching me? Did you need to go?”

She chuckles, looking down, as I remove my finger. “No. I heard you in pain. I wanted to make sure you didn’t need help.”

“Well, how come you didn’t say anything?” I ask, a ‘v’ forming between my brows.

“Because I was in that...t-shirt...that you don’t like. And you were in your underwear. It was awkward.”

Oh, make no mistake, I like the shirt, baby. It’s just that I don’t trust myself with you in it.Is what I want to say, but I keep that comment locked way in the back of my head. “I see. Well, I’m sorry I woke you.”

“I wasn’t asleep.”

“Did y’all have trouble?”

She shakes her head no. “This place is wonderful, Billy. It’s the best I've ever known. I slept like a dream. I just...I heard you in distress and I wanted to help. I really did, but I was afraid.”

“No need to be afraid, darlin’. It’s just a battle wound, is all. It strikes when I’m dead tired, but not so much otherwise.” I leave out the part about my other wound, that I’m sure she didn’t see, otherwise she would have been horrified. “I’m a big boy and I’ve been looking after myself for a long time, darlin’. A little salve and a cold compress and it’s as good as new. Nothing I can’t handle. Next time I’ll be sure to close the door so that I don’t disturb you.”

She lifts a hand. “No, that’s not necessary. I don’t want you to alter your ways of living in any way just for me.”

I smirk. “Well, it’s too late for that, doll. I usually sleep naked.” I frown, nodding, letting her know that some things are a tad awkward for me, too.

“Oh.” Is all she says.

“Now, I didn’t tell you that to make you feel uncomfortable, either. Just that it’s not a big deal. Same as it’s not a big deal for you to take my credit card and go get yourself some decent clothes.” I slide a hand through my hair. “Come to think of it, if you’re going to work here, we need to get you a hat and some riding boots, and a good pair of jeans. You head into Crawford’s if you’ve got the time. Tell him you’re working here with me, and he’ll set you up with what you need.”

“Are you sure you want me to be publicizing that?”

I scoff. “Like I told you before, darlin’, word’s going to get around, anyway. There’s no way to avoid it, so y’all might as well look the part. Now, I see you’ve made a ton of progress here already. What’s say you go on and get yourself cleaned up and ready to go, throw in your laundry, and get into town, hm?”

“Okay. I’ll be back before lunch. That’s when Jade and Crystal are coming.”

“Jade and Crystal?”

She nods. “Jade is the girl I was telling you about that’s going to clean the place up, and Crystal is her sister, my former dormmate.” She stares at the floor sheepishly. “She’s the nosey one.”

“Ah, I get it. Your friend found out that you were living with your boss and she just had to check it out.”

She presses her palms together. “You don’t mind, do you? God, when my Aunt Kay finds out about this, she’s going to want to meet you, too.”

I cluck my teeth together. “I don’t mind at all, darlin’. So long as they’re decent people, which I’m guessing they are, otherwise y’all wouldn’t be in their company.”

Her smile is warm. “Thanks. You know, a lot of people seem to have the wrong impression of you, Billy. So far all I’ve seen is a really nice guy.” She leans up and presses her lips on my cheek, giving me a kiss. “Thanks.” It takes everything in me not to pull her towards me and sink my tongue inside that sassy mouth of hers. Slide my hands up her shirt, pull it up, so I can suck those hungry tits of hers. My cock is wide awake as I feel her lips on my skin, and my mind races, thinking of her sitting on that wooden chair, legs spread wide, as I kneel and tickle her clit with my tongue.

“You’re welcome, darlin’.” I manage, while clearing my throat, not trusting my voice. “I’ll be outside with the builders. Y’all let me know when your friends arrive.”

“Sure. They won’t stay long. I’ve got studying to do and my other job after dinner.”

“Sounds good.” I nod, walking away from her, wanting so badly to taste her lips. When she’s out of earshot, I murmur to myself. “Fuck, am I in trouble.”

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