Page 23 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

“A bear could rip this open with one swipe,” she murmured.

“You seriously need to stop thinking about bears.”

“Easy for you to say.” She walked past him to return to her seat on the log. As she passed him, she caught a whiff of his scent—all sweat, aftershave, and man. He was so damn gorgeous she suspected that beautiful smile probably talked many women out of their panties. She wanted to toss him down on the open ground, and ride him until neither could move.

“Why do they call you—outlaw?” she asked asshe sat back down.

“Because I steal women’s hearts.”

“Seriously?” She stood, her hands going to her hips.

“Nah,” Roark said with a chuckle. “It all started when I was a rookie at bull riding. I was up last and everyone thought the reigning champion had it won, but I beat him by three points. He told the press that I rode in like an outlaw and stole it from him.” He shrugged. “It stuck.”

Nodding, she stared at him and thought the first reason was entirely possible. What woman in her right mind wouldn’t want Roark Callahan? He was everything she loved in a man—tall, dark hair, beautiful light colored eyes, and his body was to die for enticing. The only thing wrong with him—he was a cowboy. She hadn’t been lying when she told Roy she wasn’t into them. They had never appealed to her and now looking at Roark, she knew he could very likely change her mind. Oh, she was sure he’d stolen a lot hearts. He had heartbreaker written all over him.

“Do you want to eat before I take you to the pond or go there now?”

“The pond for me. I’m so hot and sweaty.”

“I am too, so sounds good to me. Pond it is.”

Oh, yeah… he was hot, and sweaty, and she wanted to lick the salty taste from his skin. Every inch of him. As she stood there staring at him, he raised his eyebrows as if in expectation. She internally rolled her eyes and hoped she hadn’t been drooling.

“I need to get my soap and a change of clothes then you can show me where it’s at.”

“I’ll be going with you to make sure no animalscome around,” he said as he walked to his duffle bag then squatted down beside it. She watched him as he unzipped it, reached in, then pulled out soap, and clean clothes. When he stood, he looked at her a moment then nodded for her to get her stuff.

“Oh, okay… right. I’ll just be a second.” Priscilla moved to the tent and crawled inside to find her duffle bag. He’d tossed it inside after erecting the tent. Now, she dug through the bag and retrieved soap, panties, socks, lounge pants, and a T-shirt. Crawling back out, she looked around for him and saw him leaning against a tree with his back to her. Hell, even the backside on this man was sexy. Those jeans really hugged his ass. He could be an advertisement for the brand. She wanted to sink her teeth into that ass.

After standing, Priscilla slowly walked to where he stood. When she stepped on a twig making it snap, he spun around. Their eyes met and held. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her gaze from his to the ground and continued to where he stood.

“Ready?” he asked her.

“Yes. I can’t wait to get in and cool off.” She picked up her pace as she hoped the water was cold.

“Wait. Watch your––” Roark’s wasted warning was interrupted when she took a nosedive into the tall grass. “Step,” he said and she could hear the laughter in his voice even as he wrapped his hand around her arm and helped her up.

“I got a little overanxious,” she said, giving him a sheepish grin.

“Ya think?” He grinned with a chuckle. “Good thing your parents didn’t name you Grace. Come on, I’ll show the way.”

Priscilla followed him through the woods then gasped when he came to a stop and she peered around him. It was a beautiful spot, with tall pine trees standing on one side like sentries while the sun beat down on the pond making the water sparkle. Large boulders sat along the bank where she stood giving the place a feeling of security.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah, I love coming here.” They both looked behind him when they heard the grass rustling only to see Snowy running toward them. “Hey boy, where were you? I hope not causing trouble somewhere.”

“Uh, where can I change?” she asked as she rubbed Snowy’s ears.

“Change? You mean take your clothes off?”

“Well, I’m not getting naked in front of you, Roark. I don’t know you.”

“You know that makes no sense at all. You don’t know me… yet here you are, alone in the woods with me. I could be a rapist for all you know.”

Priscilla laughed. “Don’t let this go to your head but you wouldn’t need to rape a woman.”

“No man shouldneedto rape a woman. Any who do are scum of the earth in my book. Okay, go over there behind those bushes, and I’ll turn my back. You can run and jump in when you’re ready. There are no big rocks so you’ll be fine. Once you’re in, I’ll come in too.”

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