Page 34 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

It had been incredibly difficult to hide their budding relationship. The constant worry that someone would walk in onhim saying something they would deem inappropriate had his body constantly on edge. He still came for cooking classes, and every so often it would be just the two of them.

When it wasn’t, all he got was the brief touches of his finger grazing hers where they rested on the countertop.

He kept coming up with excuses to see her for additional lessons, but no one seemed to be any the wiser.

Ash rolled his lower lip out from between his teeth and glanced at her again, not surprised to see her looking over at him. He was going to have to ask her out for an official date. He’d just have to figure out a way to get her there without her brothers catching on.

They’d both agreed that it was for the best—keeping their relationship a secret.

Charlie placed her book to her side and got to her feet. Both Daniel and Ash glanced up when she stood. He wasn’t surprised when she didn’t look in his direction as she moved toward the kitchen.

Daniel glanced over his shoulder at her. “Can you get me a drink, Charlie?”

She rolled her eyes. “You can get it yourself.”

He pouted. “But I’m comfy.”

“I’ll get you something,” Ash said and stood.

“Thanks, man,” Daniel nodded. “A cola?”

Ash clapped his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Sure thing.” He leaped over the back of the couch and followed Charlie into the kitchen. It was open to the entertaining room, and there would be no hiding anything if any of her family turned around to look at them.

Charlie was already at the cupboard where the cups were kept. She pulled down two and handed one to him. Ash accepted it, his fingers brushing against hers and lingering there before she released it.

“Thirsty?” she whispered.

“I’m craving something,” he whispered back.

The only light on in the kitchen came from beneath the microwave, but even in that dim lighting, he could see the blush that crept up her neck and into her face. She looked toward the living room, then back to him. “You’re positively shameless.”

He wagged his eyebrows and leaned closer to her. “You want to know what I’m thinking about?”

She arched a brow before she turned to the fridge and pulled out a two-liter bottle of cola. “I haven’t a clue.”

Ash moved closer to her. He lowered his mouth to her ear, then brushed the hair from the back of her neck. “I want to take you out.”

Goosebumps rose on her neck, and he smiled, so tempted to brush a kiss to it. She turned and pushed the bottle into his hands. “Do you think that would be wise?”

“I think that I’m going crazy without being able to kiss?—”

“Hey, Ash,” Daniel called.

Jolting back a step, Ash turned to see that his friend wasn’t even looking in his direction. “Yeah?”

“Maybe some chips, too. We got barbeque.”

“Coming right up.” Ash ducked his head with a nervous smile at Charlie. Then he whispered, “This conversation will be continued.”

She hid her smile behind her glass, then moved around him to pour herself a drink. Then she slipped back to her seat beneath the light. The book returned to her lap, and she only snuck one more look before she dove into her story.

Ash intertwinedhis fingers with Charlie’s as they walked down the street. Colorado Springs was the perfect location for them to be themselves without worrying about prying eyes. Charlie leaned into him. Out here, no one would judge them.

They fit together.

They’d already had dinner, and now he wanted to take her for some ice cream. But as they strolled past the bookstore, Charlie tugged him toward it. Her eyes were bright, and he knew there was no avoiding it.

Three books later, they were back on the sidewalk and heading for the self-serve frozen yogurt place. He piled his chocolate ice cream high with Oreos and chocolate syrup, while she put strawberries and graham crackers on her cheesecake-flavored dessert.

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