Page 2 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

He gave her a pointed look, not missing the hesitation in her face. But then she allowed her fury to return. Only this time, sadness joined the party. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she folded her arms tight across her body. “I was dumb to think that the cute guy in school would be interested in taking me out.”

Ash pushed away from the tree, his own anger growing. “Hey!” he barked.

She jumped and looked up at him with wariness. He’d never used that tone with her or anyone else. It had come out of nowhere. And now she stood stiff like she was preparing to bolt from him—or maybe take a swing at him. It could have gone either way.

He strode toward her, his voice low. “All sixteen-year-old boys are immature. You might as well get used to that now because they don’t start wising up for a few years. They have to lose out on a few good ones before?—”

Raindrops exploded against the roof of the house, Ash’s truck, and the ground that surrounded them. Charlie gasped, the tree not giving them any coverage since the leaves hadn’t come in fully. She ducked her head and took off running toward the house. She avoided the porch steps and chose instead to dart around to the side.

Ash groaned and followed after her. He probably should have just let her go, but their conversation wasn’t over. It was clear she’d changed who she was to impress this guy, and that didn’t sit right with Ash. Her brothers would only berate her for her desire to impress some teenager. Ash was the only one who might be able to convince her that she had made a mistake.

He found her pressed against the wall, her skin covered in goosebumps as she stared up at the sky with disdain. “Great,” she muttered. “Now my hair is ruined.”

Biting back a smirk, Ash leaned against the side of the house beside her. The makeup she wore was smudged beyond repair, and she still looked just as beautiful as ever.

He clenched his jaw and balled his own hands into fists at the inappropriate thought. She was a minor. He was an adult. And up until tonight, she’d only ever been his best friend’s kid-sister. Maybe the universe was out to get him.

Ash glanced over to her, studying her in the moonlight. He wanted to wipe the mascara from under her lashes. He wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to change for anyone—especially some punk kid. He would know because he used to be one.

But he refrained.

Charlie heaved a shivering sigh and turned her head to look at him. “It’s probably my fault,” she murmured.

“I’m sorry, what?” The edge returned to his voice just like that, but thankfully she didn’t notice.

She shrugged. “I’ve never cared about my appearance before. He probably thought he’d get here and I’d still look…” Charlieshook her head, her cheeks flushing as she motioned to her body. “I don’t wear dresses. I don’t wear makeup. I don’t try to be pretty.”

Ash practically vibrated with fury. His whole body had gone tense. Every muscle was strained, and he felt like he’d been coiled tight like a spring under pressure. He didn’t have any sisters, but if he had, he would have made sure to tell them they didn’t owe anything to anyone. They shouldn’t feel the need to change themselves just because they want to impress a guy. His silence must have indicated that he wasn’t interested in their conversation because she started to move away. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Charlie pushed away from the house, but his hand reached out to stop her. He grabbed her upper arm—gently but firmly—and turned her to face him. His other hand wrapped around her other arm as he glowered into her face, his nose inches from his own. “Don’t,” he growled.

Her eyes flared wide. “What?—”

“Don’t plant those thoughts into your head.”

They stood in the rain, but he couldn’t care less. Understanding flooded her face and she rolled her eyes. “You’re not my brother, Ash. And you’re not Kevin, so you don’t know anything.” Charlie shook her head, her face scrunching with visible pain. “You want to know the worst part? I thought he actually liked me. I thought for once I’d met someone who could accept me for who I am.” She was almost shouting through the rain now. Her eyes blinked away the droplets that clung to her lashes. “I’ve never even been kissed! Did you know that? What sixteen-year-old has never been kissed? I must be really low on the scale for Kevin to change his mind and ghost me.” Charlie snorted with derision. “He’s not even the hottest guy in our grade.” She shifted as if she were going to pull away again.

Ash didn’t know what had gotten into him in that moment. Every logical reason why he needed to keep her at arm’s length completely disintegrated. No longer did he care if Mason would murder him or if the sheriff would show up at his door to lock him up. The most important thing at this moment was showing Charlie that she was wrong.

He released one of her arms and slipped his hand along her jaw, pushing it behind the nape of her neck. Ash barely registered a soft gasp that escaped her lips before he brushed a kiss to them.

He’d kissed plenty of women in his lifetime. Those interactions ranged from quick pecks to more passionate sessions. But kissing Charlie was something entirely different than he’d ever experienced in his life. Their kiss was as short as it was tender. Her lips were soft and cool from the rain. The moment his lips met hers, that pleasant warmth deep inside him burst to life. Like someone had thrown a flammable substance over glowing embers, creating a roaring bonfire.

Ash pulled back, but his hand lingered at the base of her neck. They stared into each other’s eyes. For a moment he could see a future with her, but then that idea came crashing down as the realization of what he’d done hit him like a bullet to the chest.

She appeared to be in shock. No anger or indignation in her eyes, though. Just surprise.

As if driven by a force that wasn’t his own, he tucked her wet hair behind her ear. “You’re perfect, Charlie,” he whispered. “Just the way you are. Don’t change yourself for anyone.” He took a sudden step back, the cold encompassing him. Then he pushed past her and strode toward his truck.

He’d rather die than look Mason in the eye after what he’d just done. It wasn’t only the fact that he’d crossed the line. No,this situation was different. Somehow Ash knew nothing would ever compare to what he’d just experienced with Charlie.

2

Charlotte “Charlie” Keagan

Present Day

Charlie touched her lips. It wasn’t the first time in the last six years that she’d recalled her first kiss. For the past five months, the memories had consumed her more than usual—ever since Ash returned to town. It certainly didn’t help that Ash had started hanging out with her brother Daniel lately—probably because Mason was usually busy running his own ranch.

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