Page 74 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“Yeah?” His lips tilt in a pleased grin and I nod.

“Really. It’s great. Thank you so much for this. For everything.”

“Don’t ever feel you need to thank me for taking care of you, Riley. When you care about someone, it comes with the territory.”

“I’m sorry. This is just all so new to me. Since I left Aunt Agnes’s house to be on my own, I’ve always had to take care of myself. I’ve never…” With a sigh, I reach out to slide my palm across his cheek. Jackson’s lips part, and he places his hand over mine. “Nobody has ever made me feel like you do,” I whisper.

I’m overwhelmed by all the new feelings percolating in my head and heart. Yes, I like Jackson as more than a friend, but I’m still afraid of being hurt. Even though there’s no way he could be anything like Chase, the fear still pokes at me like the little plastic bit under a clothing tag that you didn’t quite remove entirely.

And yet, we complement each other so well. He makes me feel safe and cares for me in a way no one has ever done. I want him. I want us, and I want to rip that damn remnant of plastic tag off and burn it because this man deserves all of me.

Jackson’s gentle gaze is what it should feel like coming home. It’s the welcoming arms of a loving partner who wants to give everything he has.

Not once has he taken from me. Not even at the hotel. I’m always first, and it’s just the way he is.

“I can say the same thing about you, Riley. With you, I feel like I can conquer the world.”

Sliding off my stool, I lean into him in the space between his legs. He rests his hands on my hips and his lips part when I slide my hands up his chest.

“Jackson…I want…you.”

His entire face softens as he brings a hand up to stroke my cheek. “You can have me, Rye. I don’t know what else to do to show you. You’ve had me since I rambled about baby carrots in the park.”

Leaning in, I kiss him softly, but his hand grips the back of my neck, and he kisses me back. It’s a kiss that leaves me breathless. It’s tender yet passionate and so spine tingling it makes my knees shake. When he finally lets me breathe, I see him. Ireallysee him. A man who gives everything for whatever it is he’s doing. Be it steer wrestling, hydroponic gardening, or caring for someone special, Jackson doesn’t do it halfway.

He’s all in just like he said he would be and for the second time tonight, I’m a little overwhelmed that all his attention is on me. That this amazing man is here solely for me.

“Tell me what you want, sweetheart,” he rasps as he runs a knuckle across my cheek.

“I…jeez, Jackson.” Huffing a laugh, I rest my forehead against his. “I can’t list it off because I want it all.”

“Then we’ll just check all the things off as we go.” His lips on my neck and hands on my hips squeeze before he pulls away, and I try to chase after his kisses. “But you’re exhausted, Rye. Let me clean up the kitchen and I’ll meet you in bed. If you fall asleep before I get there, it’s okay. If you’re still awake…” He grins before turning back to the kitchen.

I huff a very annoyed breath, knowing I won’t win, but Icanplay dirty.

Jackson runs the water at the kitchen sink and while his back is to me, I wrap my arms around him from behind, sliding my hands under his shirt.

“I’ll let you have it your way, Jackson. But I’m not falling asleep.” To illustrate my point, I ghost my hands over his package before stepping away.

Jackson’s deep chuckle as he throws a glance over his shoulder at me sets my heart racing, and I know I made the right move. If he doesn’t leave those dishes half washed, I need to work on my seduction techniques more than he does.

With an extra swish in my hips, I make sure he’s still watching as I remove my shirt before disappearing down the hall to the bedroom. His whispered curse confirms he was still watching and for the first time since the news of Aunt Agnes’s fall, I feel like myself again. That I can manage anything thrown my way and it will be okay.

Right down to falling for a cowboy.

Stripping completely and foregoing my initial thoughts of more lacy underwear, I slide under the covers. I’ll have to ask him if he’d like more lace or something else. But right now, I just don’t wantto be bothered. I want him against my nakedness the moment he steps into this room.

Which means I need to think this out better. I know he’s going to want to give and I want him to receive, dammit. I flip the covers back, exposing myself completely. An almost restless energy has settled over me despite the exhaustion I lied about not having. I want to show Jackson just how much I appreciate what he’s done for me.

Exactly seven minutes later, Jackson steps into my bedroom.

“I’m still awake, cowboy.”

Running my hands down my body, I stop at my cock and give myself a slow stroke as Jackson’s gaze burns down my body.

“I see that.” He tears his shirt off, dropping it on the floor as he walks towards me. “You sure you don’t want to go to sleep?”

“Jackson. Do I look like I want to sleep right now?”

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