Page 16 of Curvy Girl and the Protector Cowboy

"And what would the right woman be like? Someone who could handle your competitive side?"

"Someone who'd understand it, I think. Not just tolerate it." I find myself watching her lips as she listens. "Someone who'd know when to push me and when to slow me down."

"Would you?" she asks. "Slow down, I mean. For the right woman."

"I'm starting to think I would," I answer, the words feeling more significant than I intended.

Her eyebrows lift slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean..." I hesitate, then decide honesty is the only path forward. "I've known you less than a day, Luisa, and already I'm more intrigued than I've been by anyone in years."

Color rises in her cheeks. "Cole, I—"

"I'm sorry," I say, stepping closer before I can talk myself out of it. "This is probably the last thing you need right now."

And then I'm kissing her, one hand gently cradling her face. Her lips are softer than they looked, warm and yielding beneath mine. For a heartbeat, she's perfectly still, and I worry I've made a terrible mistake.

Then she sighs against my mouth and leans into me, her hands coming to rest lightly on my chest.

I know I shouldn't be doing this. She should be resting, keeping her distance from men, and focusing on her son. But the moment her smile broke through her tears, something inside me shifted—as if some part of me recognized her and had been waiting for her to appear.

I draw back slowly, our breaths hastened in the small space between us, her eyes fluttering open.

"What are you doing?" she whispers, her hands still resting lightly on my chest.

"I'm sorry," I say again, though I can't bring myself to step away. "I just... I would have regretted it if I never went for it. But I promise I won't do it again if you don't want me to."

"Stop," she says softly, and for a moment my heart sinks. Then she continues, "I liked it. I'm just... nervous. Confused. I have no idea what this means for me, for Miguel. For everything."

I take a steadying breath. "It means a new life if you want one, Luisa. Even if nothing happens between us, you can still make a home here at the ranch. There's a place for you both."

Her eyes search mine, looking for deception or ulterior motives. She won't find any.

"But right now," I continue, my voice dropping lower, "staring at you, I want nothing more than to kiss you a second time."

She fidgets with the hem of her borrowed shirt, clearly nervous. The small gesture is endearing, a reminder of how vulnerable she's allowing herself to be with me. After a moment, she steps forward, chin lifting in that determined way I'm coming to recognize.

"Do it," she says, her voice soft but firm. "If you want me this much, you have to claim me first."

The challenge in her eyes sends heat rushing through me. I smirk, unable to help myself, and I scoop her into my arms in one single movement. She gasps, her arms quickly finding their way around my neck.

"We'd better go to my bed," I whisper against her ear, feeling her shiver in response.

She nods, eyes wide but determined. I carry her down the hall to my bedroom, kicking the door closed behind us. The space is purely masculine—navy bedding, simple furniture, a few rodeo trophies on the dresser. Nothing fancy, but it's private and far from the main areas of the house.

I set her on the edge of the bed, her slight weight barely denting the mattress. For a moment, we just look at each other, the reality of what we're about to do hanging between us.

"Are you sure?" I ask, needing to hear it one more time.

In response, she reaches for me, pulling me down for another kiss—hungrier this time, with an urgency that makes my pulse race. When we break apart, her lips are pink and slightly swollen.

"I'm sure," she whispers.

That's all the confirmation I need. I step back just far enough to grasp the hem of my shirt, pulling it over my head. Her eyes widen as she takes in my bare chest, and I don't miss the way her gaze lingers on the muscles honed by years of ranch work and rodeo training.

"Your turn," I say softly.

She hesitates just a moment before reaching for the borrowed t-shirt, slowly drawing it upward. The gesture reveals a strip of smooth pale skin, her curvy waist, and her beautiful jiggling boobs.

---