Page 33 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

“No.”

“You keep saying that?—”

“What else am I supposed to say?”

“You’re supposed to listen to me.” His hands reached for her, but she took a step back from him. His jaw tightened, and he shoved his hands into his pocket once more. “I made her up because I didn’t want Liam to set me up. He wouldn’t leave it be.”

Charlie let out a sharp laugh. “Do you hear how that sounds?”

“It’s the truth,” he insisted. “There’s only one person I’m interested in. What was I supposed to say? Gee, thanks, Liam, but I’d much rather date your baby sister.”

She flinched, not liking the sound of that, either. “And the cooking lessons?”

“An excuse,” he said quietly. “I… wanted to spend time with you.”

Her heart burst with his statement, and yet she was still having a hard time wrapping her head around what he was saying. She shook her head, unable to say anything more than she already had. She needed to think about what he’d said—what it would mean for the two of them, and for what it would mean to her brothers. She only got two steps into the rain before he stopped her.

In a movement that flashed by so quickly she barely had a chance to register what was happening, one of his hands had slipped around her waist and the other cradled the back of her head. For one breath-stealing second, their eyes locked as hermouth turned into a smile and she nodded. Then his mouth crushed over hers.

Her legs nearly buckled, and she wrapped her arms around his neck in a desperate attempt to keep upright. This kiss wasn’t like their first. That one had been a sweet, gentle caress—a whisper of a promise for her future.

This one was demanding, searing, absolute fire. The two kisses could barely be compared, and yet they were intertwined.

Beginning and end.

They’d come full circle from that kiss six years ago. Here in the rain, she couldn’t help but believe everything he’d said. She got the feeling that if he’d give her access to his phone, his computer, she wouldn’t find any evidence of a girlfriend. His stories had been all too vague.

And then another memory hit her. What he’d said about how he met his girlfriend.

She’s related to a good friend of mine.

Is she from Copper Creek?Charlie had asked.

Yes.

Every question she could remember asking him—his answers could have easily been describing her. And that realization made it that much easier to give in to the desires she’d been fighting since Christmas. To throw caution to the wind and the rain just so she could enjoy this moment in his arms.

Their kiss deepened and a soft moan slipped from Charlie’s lips. Her hands pushed into his hair and she clung to him like he was breath itself.

No, this would not be the end.

This?

Thiswas only the beginning.

15

Ash

Ash sat on the couch in the living room. A movie played on the television. Daniel sat beside him, and on his other side, Wade and Brielle had squished together. Charlie was curled up on a chair in the corner with a book in her hands.

It was dark in the room, save for the one lamp that hovered over Charlie’s right shoulder. Her lashes fluttered just enough for her to glance in his direction, and he winked at her.

Two weeks later and he still couldn’t get enough of her. He couldn’t be happier than he was in that moment. He had everything he’d ever wanted.

Had their timelines been a little skewed in the beginning? Absolutely. But his patience had paid off, and sometimes he couldn’t believe any of it.

A smile curled Charlie’s lips, and she dropped her focus to the book once again before turning the page.

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