Page 31 of Some Cowboys Fight for Love

He tossed her a devious grin. “I can’t make any promises.”

Who was this man and what had he done with the quiet, unassuming giant she’d grown accustomed to?

Aria swallowed back that fear and nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

She’d never seen him so alight with excitement. The way he jumped out of the truck and practically ran around the front before getting to her door to open it for her made her heart sing. There was this distinct feeling that he was sharing a part of hissoul with her that he’d never shared with anyone else, and she couldn’t help but feel lucky to be the one he chose.

Daniel took her hand in his and tugged her toward the house. The whole way, he rambled on about the choices the architect had made when designing the house. He pointed out things she’d never noticed on regular buildings or things she might have taken for granted.

The interior was dated, as was to be expected. There was a fireplace in the sitting room, and it was closed off from the rest of the house. They walked through the kitchen, and he turned a corner to guide her up the stairs.

Still, he chatted on about one thing or another regarding the home. He probably said more in the last five minutes than he’d said the whole time they’d known each other. It wasn’t only the way he spoke about the building; it was the animated way he seemed to come alive when he did.

“You really like this sort of thing, don’t you?” she murmured.

He paused. Even in the dark house with barely any light coming through the windows, she could see she’d embarrassed him.

Aria tightened her hand on his. “I like it—like you—” She took a deep breath, fighting her own embarrassment and tried again. “I like that you like this. It’s nice to see this side of you.” Aria could barely keep her voice above a whisper.

When she was with him—like this—she felt safe. It was a strange sense of security. Beyond his promise never to hurt her, she simply knew she could trust him. She might even be able to let down her walls and allow someone access to her heart again.

Daniel moved closer to her, his eyes smoldering with a mixture of excitement and longing. They were both high on this feeling they were sharing.

Their eyes locked, and the only sound she could hear was that of her strained breathing. His gaze searched hers as if asking aquestion she didn’t have the answer to. Then his focus shifted to her mouth, and she knew what he wanted.

Her heart leaped into her throat.

No.

She wasn’t ready for that.

As much as she wanted to be, she couldn’t surrender.

Not yet.

Aria turned her face and stepped back as she cleared her throat. “Where is this special tower you promised me?” She hated the way she croaked when she said the words. Would she ever be ready to offer her heart? If she couldn’t bring herself to give it over to Daniel, then would it ever happen at all?

13

Daniel

Ice-cold sensations crushed over the warmth that had threatened to burn him up only seconds ago. He stared at Aria, noting how her body language completely shut him out. She didn’t want him to kiss her.

He’d never be the type of person to push her into something like that. He didn’t take pleasure in controlling others. Whenever he’d forced his ideas on someone, it was for their own good—their own safety.

It had been rare, like when his baby sister wanted to date someone he’d thought was too old for her. And that time he’d insisted on taking Aria back to the house when it was cold and wet outside.

But to steal a kiss?

The thought made his stomach churn and bile rise in his throat.

He hated the way his thoughts immediately turned to her father. Maybe Aria had held back. Had her father done more to hurt her than she’d let on?

“Ow,” she whimpered.

He jumped and stared down at their clasped hands. Daniel released her, his heart thrashing from the immediate chill that came between them. “Sorry.” He’d been holding her hand too tight. “I didn’t mean?—”

Aria reached for his hand with both of hers. “It’s fine,” she whispered. “Really.” She stared at him and her smile reappeared as she tilted her head. “I’d really like to see what you thought was so special.”

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