Page 55 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“How did you find this place?”

“The campground we stay at had a pamphlet when we checked in once. Since I usually stay behind, I figured I’d find this place to kill some time while the guys went out. I must have got here at the perfect time because the bullfrogs were so loud you could hear them inside the truck.”

First meteors and now bullfrogs. Jackson finds joy in the simplest things and I love that about him.

“I love that you’re so into these things, Jackson. You make it so easy to push aside all the shit and to just live in the moment and hear bullfrogs.”

“Life is too short to not enjoy the little things, Riley.”

Jackson ditched the hat in my car, and I study his profile in the moonlight. He’s so strong in his features; the sharp jaw and hard body, but he’s also soft. His eyes are always kind and his smile is just… perfect. But it’s the organ inside that nobody sees that’s both the softest and fiercest part of him.

Jackson’s heart is his most attractive feature, and I’ve pushed it aside the last few months over my own fears. I don’t want to be afraid anymore.

Stepping in front of him, I kick his legs gently to allow me to step inside his stance. He remains reclined on the car’s hood as he watches me from beneath hooded eyes. Sliding my hand up his chest, I lean closer and gather his shirt in my fist.

“Jackson…I came here to find you and kiss you.”

He sits up and grips my hips, pulling me against him.

“I’m not stopping you, Rye.”

Leaning in, I press my lips to his and a gentle kiss turns deep and hungry in a matter of seconds. A palm kneads my ass and his other hand dives into my hair.

“Riley…I’ve waited for this,” he murmurs between kisses. “God, I’ve waited for this.”

“I’m so stupid,” I breathe as my hand drifts to his belt buckle.

Jackson slides his hand around and grips my wrist, pulling my hand away. “Not here, love. You deserve more than being on your knees in the dirt.”

Swallowing, I stare into his kind eyes that mean every word he says.

“I mean it, Riley. I’ve wanted you since I first saw you in that park, and I don’t want this to be cheap and rushed.” He cups a hand to my cheek. “I don’t go halfway. I’m all in, Riley. With everything. If you want me, it’s all of me.”

Jackson kisses my forehead. Then my eyelids. My nose, before finally kissing my lips again.

“Will you spend the night with me?” I whisper across his lips before pulling away.

He wipes a hand down his face, but a small smile forms on his lips.

“You’re making it awfully hard to go slow and do this right, Riley.”

“We can go as slow as you need to, Jackson. Don’t worry about doing right by me. I know you will.” I trace his lower lip with my fingertip. “It’s been too long since I’ve allowed myself to feel again. To open up to someone. You’ve made it easier, but I…I want the promise of wild romance I sell to my clients.”

“I’ll give you that and more, Rye.” He holds my face in his hands as he kisses me so thoroughly my toes curl into my shoes. “I’ll give you everything.”

My grin breaks through against his lips. With the bullfrogs and peepers making their song and this man in the moonlight with me, I can’t help but smile.

“Then take me home. Take us home, Jack.”

With a nod, he places a kiss on my hand and leads me to the passenger door. After opening the door, he only closes it after stealing another kiss and a goofy laugh bubbles past my lips.

“Are you always like this?”

“I only know how to be me, Rye. So I guess the answer is yes.”

He closes the door gently and rounds the front to the driver’s side. After he starts the car and buckles himself in, he hums softly.

If I’m not mistaken, it’s the song from Lady and the Tramp when they share their spaghetti dinner.

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