Page 83 of Wild, Wild Cowboy

“You saidno.” I half sobbed, half laughed, remembering. “You said,you know damn well who I am, Hannah Bell, so you don’t need to presume shit.” I gave him a watery smile. “I’m paraphrasing, of course.”

“I think that’s spot on, actually.”

“I love you, Zack Hale.”

“Yeah?” He settled my glasses back on my face and I blinked at him. “Well, thank fuck, because I love you too, Hannah Bell.”

“Kiss her, you fool!” James hollered.

“I’m getting to it!” Zack shouted back.

I grinned. “Did you like my grovel?”

He snorted. “Sure did. Especially the part where you said you had nothing to apologize for. Put a whole new spin on the concept of groveling.”

“Well, I made you a pillow. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“That’s for me?” An odd expression crossed his face, like he was remembering something.

My grin widened. “Sure is.” I turned it around, showing him the embroidery on the other side.

Zack Hale’s Magic Dick Gave Me the Best Sex of My Life.

And then I was very glad that he had returned my glasses, because I had the pleasure and privilege of watching his face turn beet red from the base of his throat to the tips of his ears.

Zack Hale, my wild, wild cowboy, was blushing like a school girl.

And then he finally kissed me.

34

ZACK

Zack:

Everyone clear on what they’re doing today?

Adam:

What’s today, again?

Brax:

Family trip to Disney Land, remember?

Zack:

You both suck.

Ted:

Ignore them. I’ve been looking forward to this rodeo all month. It’s going to be great.

Hannah was wearing a skirt. She didn’t always, these days. In the month we’d been back from our road trip, she occasionally wore the jeans she’d brought home with her. It would be a waste not to, she’d explained, like she needed an excuse to do whatever the hell she wanted. But today she was wearing a skirt. Dark blue denim with a slit up to her knee. Her ankles and calf came in and out of view like a kinky game of peek-a-boo.

That, paired with her hair in pigtail braids and a cowgirl hat, gave me all kind of ideas about throwing her over my shoulder and taking her back to my cabin. Which would have been awkward, since she was standing in the middle of the arena, giving the opening speech of the rodeo.

“Libraries are a vital part of the community,” Hannah said into the wireless mic. “Thank you all so much for coming out today to support the library that supports you. The money we earn today will go to new computers, new books, and new programming.”

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