Page 18 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Jackson pauses and stares in his lap before meeting my gaze again.

“Does this mean you aren’t available for me to ask on a date? I’ve hired you to help me, so isn’t that a breachof confidence or something? Can I date you if I’m paying you? Or…can I just ask you out?”

Oh, boy. I don’t normally talk about my past with clients, or new friends, for that matter. It’s one of those things in life that people can be weird about.

“Well, in my former profession, that’s exactly what I did. I used to be an escort. Men paid me to attend functions with them.” Among other things, but I don’t think I need to voice that part. Why I’m even telling him this, I don’t know. We aren’t dating and we can’t even call ourselves friends.

Yet I’ve just thrown this huge thing about me at him before we even get to know the basics of each other.

Jackson nods slowly, like he understands but yet he doesn’t quite understand.

“How did you end up with this business, then? If you’re running an escort service in Kissing Ridge, I’m sure I would’ve heard of it by now.” He chuckles. “Cowboys gossip like you wouldn’t believe.”

With a sigh, I lean back in my chair, feeling inexplicably more than comfortable with him. Without his hat on and his boots out of sight, I can pretend he’s just another guy with nothing in common with Chase. He’s easy to talk to. There’s just something about him that has me spilling more than I usually would.

“I don’t run an escort service. I build romance. Sex workers have a negative stereotype.” I notice Jackson hasn’t sneered or shown anything other than an openness to listen. So I keep going. “The men who hired me weren’t always just looking for sex. Some were, but most wanted someone to make them feel loved and cherished. To feel like they mattered to someone in a world that was far tooquick to dismiss them. If it led to sex and they wanted that, then I provided it. But you’d be surprised at how many men simply wanted to feel good about themselves in a non-sexual way.”

Jackson nods along, riveted by my words, and I should feel relieved that a man I’m interested in seems to not care about all that. Instead, he shifts forward with a genuine smile on his face.

“That’s a kind thing to do, Riley. What is Wild Romance then, exactly?”

“Well, the simple answer is that I love fairy tales. This is me making them come to life for people. I plan wedding ceremonies and receptions, proposals, and romantic dates for those who want to surprise someone special. Anything to make a magical moment. I love romance and love.”

Jackson’s cheeks flush under his scruff, and he ducks his head. Something about his demeanour just sucks me in, and instead ofkeeping my walls up, I’ve poked a hole in one to allow a bit of light in.

“I just want to not trip over my words. To meet someone who doesn’t mind staying home and cooking dinner together instead of going out. I like a simple life and it’s hard to find that.”

He raises his gaze again, and our eyes meet. Jackson’s tongue pokes out, licking his lips before biting his lower lip.

“And you’d like me to coach you on how to do that? To find someone like that?”

Jackson remains silent for a few beats before he finally speaks.

“I’d like you to be more than my coach. Would you…I mean, I wanted to ask you on an actual date today, but I was late. You’re very, um, I like how you look.” Jackson wrinkles his nose and shakes his head. “I mean, you’re the kind of guy I’d like to ask on a date, but most of the time, I just say something weird and…yeah.” He snaps his mouth closed again and my heart dances in my rib cage, unsure of what I’m potentially about to agree to. After all, this is my mystery man from the park. I want to know more about him for reasons I’m not ready to admit.

“It’s weird, but I feel like…like we’re already friends I guess.” Jackson’s lips tip in a small smile. “We shared hummus, and I told you I like Lady and the Tramp.”

I can’t fight the smile that brings to my lips.

“We did have hummus in the park together. I’d consider that a start of new friends.”

Jackson’s smile is what dreams are made of, and I like that I put that smile on his face.

“You’re right. We’re no longer strangers. So…Riley, would you like to go out with me sometime?”

Of course I want to date this man. He didn’t blink an eye when he learned I used to be an escort. He’s as hot as those Thai chilis my aunt dared me to eat once and he likes hummus. Not that hummus is on the checklist of boyfriend qualities, but it’s a definite plus in my book.

But… my gaze drifts to the cowboy hat on the seat next to him and I freeze. The small hole I poked in my walls gets plastered over.

“I don’t date cowboys.”

Jackson stares as his smile slowly drops and my heart squeezes.

“I don’t know who did you wrong Riley, but give me a chance. Not all cowboys break hearts. I think it means something that you’re the same guy I messaged to help me after we already met at the park.”

“So you believe in fate?”

Jackson’s gaze slides from mine back to his hands. He squeezes his hands together repeatedly before twiddling his thumbs.

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