Page 24 of Some Cowboys Fight for Love

He arched a brow at her statement. “I’m pretty sure she left about twenty minutes ago.”

Confidence slipped from her countenance and her head whirled around so she could search out her cousin. She muttered something under her breath and heaved a sigh. “Fine. Whatever. I guess you can take me home.”

He’d never tell her that he’d been the one to assure Camilla he’d be bringing Aria home. She’d looked tired and ready to be done while Aria had been in the arms of another man. Aria’s cousin hadn’t hesitated. She’d slipped out without saying goodbye as long as he promised to get Aria home safe.

And that was exactly what he’d do.

10

Aria

Safe.

Aria felt safe when she was around Daniel.

It wasn’t lost on her that her instincts about him shifted and flipped until she didn’t know which way was up. When they’d danced, with his arms around her, she felt like she could finally let down the walls she’d worked so hard to construct.

Perhaps it was that feeling she got from him that had her body reacting in ways that really weren’t appropriate. Her breath had stilled to the point she’d felt lightheaded. When she thought back on how she’d heard the thrumming of his heart, her pulse did an erratic dance.

His second week at her cousin’s ranch felt like the complete opposite from the first week. Whenever she saw him, her heart skipped and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stay on her feet.

It was crazy, right?

She shouldn’t be feeling this way when they hadn’t even done more than share a few meals and dance one song.

Aria heaved a breathless sigh as she exited the house with her steaming tea in her hands. As expected, Daniel was in that corral across the way working with the horse that Sophia had on the schedule.

The guy was predictable and loyal. He could be counted on. His muscles were present but not overly bulky. When she’d been wrapped in his arms, all she could think about was how nice it would be to fall asleep against his firm frame.

Her cheeks flushed at the silly thought.

Daniel had made it perfectly clear he didn’t want anything to do with her. He probably only saw her as the broken little girl she’d been when she was a child. It wasn’t difficult to see the way he avoided touching her even when they were cleaning up supper.

Another sigh escaped her lips. It was just as well. She had a one-date rule for similar reasons.

She was broken. How could she date someone after her experiences? The two most important men in her life had only shown their true colors behind closed doors and only after they knew she wouldn’t be able to escape.

It wasn’t hard to anticipate that most men were similar.

Daniel might not be abusive in the same ways, but he demanded a sort of control. She’d seen it from the start. And she’d noticed it in other ways.

He never strayed from his schedule. The cabin was always impeccable. And then there were the times he insisted on being at the country club only to make her leave early.

Yup, Daniel craved control, and she had promised herself she’d never give up her autonomy for anyone. Not even someone like Daniel.

It was a shame, though. If anyone had a shot at changing her mind, it would probably be him.

She watched him for a while, growing more antsy by the second. With Sophia gone, Aria hadn’t had the opportunity to go on many rides. That was how Sophia liked to exercise her horses. They’d take at least a ride a day, and it had been a week since Aria had tagged along for something like that.

Aria needed out. She craved being out in the sunshine, letting the warmth kiss her cheeks. It wouldn’t hurt to leave the ranch for a little while so she could stop obsessing over a certain cowboy, too.

It didn’t take long for her to return her mug to the kitchen and find clothes appropriate for riding. When she marched past the corral and toward the barn with what she knew was a look of determination, she wasn’t even surprised to hear Daniel chasing after her.

“What are you doing?” he demanded, falling into step beside her. The horse he’d been about to ride left behind in the corral.

“Going for a ride,” she said airily. “Why? You want to tag along?”

“What? No, you’re not.”

---