Page 61 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

Goose, with his pink tongue lolling lazily to the left, ambled up to Jackie and sat heavily beside her feet. Music started up in Wade’s apartment, and the dog slid onto his belly with a moan, chin resting on his paws.

Jackie grinned, but Cole’s mind was stuck on what she’d said earlier. “Any place?”

“I’m sure Sheriff Johnson would understand if he caught you without pants.”

Cole shuddered at the prospect of public indecency.

Jackie stepped aside to let him into her apartment, her dog trotting over to the couch, claiming it as his. Cole caught a whiff of strawberries as he passed Jackie, and backtracked a step, leaning in to place a kiss on her lips. He meant for it to be short and sweet, but as usual, it deepened, pulling him in. He shifted his weight, bringing her into his arms.

“That’s better,” she said as they broke apart. The sweet look of pleasure that brightened her face made his heart feel lighter than it had all day. Though he’d been sorely out of place since returning home, right now, with Jackie in his arms, everything seemed right.

“Are you busy?” He bumped his nose against hers.

“I might be able to clear my schedule.”

“Put on your dancing shoes.”

“Why?”

“I figure if you’re moving to the city, we need to make the most of our time together in Sweetheart Creek.” He brushed a thumb over her cheek as sorrow replaced their earlier happiness.

She didn’t want to go.

The feeling was mutual.

“Very logical,” she said smoothly. “I’ll find my shoes.”

“The town will be boring without you,” he said, pulling her in for another kiss, to let her know it was true.

“Good thing it’s not a long drive,” she said. “I can still come and instigate fun.”

“Well?” He didn’t release his grip on her. “Are you going to put on your dancing shoes or what?”

She smirked. “Maybe if you let me go.”

“Never.” He angled his head, kissing her again. As soon as her lips touched his, he was gone. All thought and all worries left, and nothing remained but himself and Jackie. As the kiss deepened, he braced them with a hand against the doorjamb. They were either going to have to move inside or get onto that dance floor.

When they broke free, he dropped his arms, allowing Jackie to drift away enough that she could drink him in. She grinned and dragged a finger down the line of snap buttons on his shirt. “I see you put some effort in again tonight. Very handsome.” She hooked a finger around the snap near his belly button and gave a tug. The clasp held, and her smile became slightly more wicked. She edged her feet between his, bringing her other hand to the snap and pulling it apart with a quiet click. She watched him as she moved to the next snap. Then the next.

“Undressing me won’t help.”

“Help what?” she asked.

He didn’t want to think about his reputation, or hers, or anything but the way her mouth felt on his right now.

He duck-walked them into the apartment, shutting the door. He pressed her against it and continued to kiss her. She gave a low growl of satisfaction as he pulled her shirt from the waist of her jeans.

There was more of a softness to Jackie this evening. Cole couldn’t put his finger on it other than her mood was less desperate, less fiery, and more of a slow burn seated in a deeper need. He didn’t need to understand it to know it felt natural and more meaningful than any other moment they’d shared so far.

He gently caressed her ear with his thumb as they kissed, angling his head for better access to her mouth. Her tongue, wet and hot, met his and he pulled off his hat, tossing it off to the side, not caring where it landed.

But things didn’t get wild and crazy like he’d expected. Their kisses and caresses continued to intensify slowly, leaving him even more desperate for her. All of her. Everything from reveling in the small things, like the feel of her skin under his callused fingers, to the softness of her nape, the firmness of her jawbone, the way her hair entangled his fingers, falling forward to curtain them on one side. She smelled of fruit and something so Jackie that he knew he would never smell it on anyone but her.

The kisses felt more intimate than anything he’d ever experienced, and the two of them were still fully clothed, still standing.

It was then, and without a doubt, that he realized if Jackie left town, he would follow.

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