Page 54 of Jonathan

“What the hell does that mean?” Lauren asked impatiently as she too looked completely dazed. She was not as beautiful as her two friends but had a strong and elegant physique that drew the eyes.

Her ebony skin glowed with health, and she wore her thick black hair in a loose bob around her angular face. The three women turned heads whenever they were out in public.

“It means that it’s complicated.”

“The man is obviously crazy about you.” She pointed out.

“And I think I am crazy about him too. But it’s too fast and with this happening…” She shrugged. “Can we just focus on the fact that I was shot?”

“We are so going to talk about the gorgeous billionaire cowboy later.” Salome warned her as she rushed towards the wide ocean of a bed. “But my God! You were shot and almost raped. Who knew that this cute little town offered so much drama.”

She flung her arms around her friend and squeezed, forgetting about the shoulder until Kamilah yelped.

“Sorry.”

“Sal, you moron.” Kicking off her designer boots, Lauren climbed in and hugged her carefully. “We were so worried about you darling.

But as it turns out, there’s really no need, is there?” Mahogany eyes gazed at her friend curiously. “And as much as you want us to concentrate on the trauma, we are going to talk about the cowboy. When’s the wedding?”

Easing away from her friends, she avoided their eyes and pleated the cotton sheets between restless fingers.

“What?”

“Nothing. He has not asked me, and it doesn’t matter. Things got a little too intense between us. I think he’s trying to slow things down. He has not touched me.”

They both stared at her and burst out laughing.

“What?”

“What?” Kamilah repeated as she tried to hide her embarrassment. “It’s just…, it’s complicated.”

Salome exchanged a knowing glance with Lauren before leaning in closer. “Well, we are here for you, no matter what. But do tell us more about this cowboy of yours before we explode from curiosity.”

Kamilah sighed, resigning herself to the inevitable interrogation. “He’s different from anyone I’ve ever met. Strong, silent, and incredibly stubborn. He drives me crazy sometimes, yet I can’t help but feel drawn to him. There’s this intensity between us that’s hard to explain.”

Lauren’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Sounds like quite the man. But why hasn’t he touched you? Did something happen?”

“It’s not like that,” Kamilah said, shaking her head, “after the attack, he’s been so focused on keeping me safe and making sureI recover. It’s like he’s afraid to be close to me, and I don’t know how to break through that.”

Salome’s face softened with understanding. “Give him time, Kam. He’s probably just worried about you and trying to do what he thinks is best. Men can be frustratingly protective like that, especially when they care.”

Kamilah nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at her friends’ support. “I know. It’s just hard sometimes, trying to navigate all these feelings while dealing with everything else.”

Lauren wrapped an arm around her shoulders, careful to avoid her injured side. “We’ll help you get through this. And who knows, maybe things will settle down and you two can figure out where you stand.”

“Thanks, guys,” Kamilah said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Salome grinned and squeezed her hand. “Well, you won’t have to find out.” Sitting up against the headboard, she took another look around. “This place though, it’s like something out of ‘Ranch Dailey’.”

“Not to mention the town itself.” Lauren added. “You were right, The place has a certain charm that I have never seen anywhere else. Have you explored the entire ranch?”

Kamilah laughed, grateful that her friends was finding the appeal that was beginning to grow on her. “That would take days. And we were busy.” A sly smile touched her lips. “With other things.”

“You heartless bitch.” Salome moaned. “I have seen the package, not in its entirety, but that long lean body, those broad shoulders and I did get a peek at what those faded jeans were cupping.”

“You didn’t!”

Salome only grinned. “And if that’s any indication of what it appears like when it’s sleeping, then I can just imagine when it’s alive and kicking.”

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