Page 40 of Curvy Nanny for the Cowboy

“Rolling biscuits tired him out, so he’s upstairs having a siesta.” I continued to roll out the dough until I had the exact thickness I wanted. “What’s up?” I turned to find Colton standing less than a foot from me, rubbing his hair nervously as his gaze darted all around the kitchen.

He was dirty and dusty from spending all day on the ranch, but to me, he’d never looked handsomer. Hotter. “I’d like to take you out, Molly. On a date.”

A date. It was everything I wanted, but still, I couldn’t help the suspicion that tore through my chest. “A date? Why?” It didn’t make sense. He’d had sixty days to ask me out, and he hadn’t. Then it clicked. “I already spoke to Serenity and told her I’d stay for the next twelve months.” I still wasn’t completely sold that it was a good idea, but Hunter needed me, and this was my job. I’d spent too much of the past couple of years hoping for a placement like this, long-term with a lovable kid who needed me, and now that I had it, I wouldn’t throw it away.

Not even to cure my broken heart.

Colton sighed, taking a step back. His eyes flashed with offense, which I didn’t intend, and instantly, I felt guilty. “I’m not asking you on a date to get you to stay on as my nanny, Molly.” His gruff tone revealed the depth of his hurt.

I frowned, unsure what was actually happening. “You’re not?”

Colton shook his head, a slow smile gathering at the corners of his lips. “No, I’m not. It was recently brought to my attention that I hadn’t given you a proper reason to want to stay, so that’s what I’m doing.”

My head spun as his words landed on my ears and slipped down into my heart. “A proper reason?”

He nodded and closed the gap between us, gathering his arms around my body and pulling me so close against his chest I felt the beat of his heart against my own. “Yeah, a proper reason.” His thumb and forefinger gently grazed my chin, tilting my head up so we were eye to eye.

I couldn’t look away from the gorgeous, seductive look in his gaze. The sultry smile that pulled his lips into a tantalizing grin. “Then how can I say no?” My heart raced, and the blood made an underwater sound as it pulsed through my veins.

His smile widened. “I’m hoping like hell that you can’t.”

He was right; there was no way I could turn down the opportunity for a night out with Colton. “What about Hunter?”

“He’ll spend the evening with Wyatt. It’ll just be me and you.”

That sounded heavenly. “In that case, I would love to go out on a date with you, Colton.” A squeak escaped when he hooked an arm around my waist and pulled me close.

“Yeah?” In that moment, he looked more than gorgeous; he looked sexy and vulnerable, as if he wasn’t sure I’d say yes, which only made me want to say yes all over again.

I licked my lips and nodded, and when Colton’s gaze landed on my mouth, my throat went dry. My heart pounded against my chest, and longing pulsed through my veins. “Hell yeah.”

“That’s good,” he growled. “Really fucking good.” And before I could even smile, his lips were on mine, soothing the ache that gathered deep in my chest and sending a different ache down my belly and between my thighs.

He kissed me like I was his whole world, and I didn’t know what to make of that, but my poor, battered heart was too happy, too overwhelmed to do anything other than revel in the moment.

I wrapped my arms and then my legs around Colton, and I gave myself over to the moment, to the heat that swirled between us. To this moment with this man. And even if it was just for this moment, I pretended that he was mine.

All mine.

Chapter24

Colton

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Molly smiled up at me as I twirled her around the dance floor, her green eyes, hell, her whole body, radiated pure joy, and I couldn’t help but think I had something to do with that. Her blond hair brushed over my hand as she tilted her head back, a small blush staining her cheeks. “You might have mentioned it a time or two.”

“You always look good, especially in those itty bitty shorts, but you and a denim skirt? A match made in heaven.” The skirt hugged her ass and hips like a jealous lover, hitting about mid-thigh so her shapely legs were on full display. The red belt that nipped in her small waist was a bright pop of color against the soft white shirt with the snap buttons. It looked like lace, but it didn’t feel like it, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. “And red cowboy boots?”

“You like?”

I nodded and then swung her around the floor again, making her squeak and laugh, before her gaze darkened as I dipped her over my arm when the song came to an end. “Hell, Molly, I more than like it.” I wiggled my brows, and she laughed again, the sound growing more intoxicating by the minute.

“Then I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention just how handsome you look in this whole getup.” Her gaze darkened, and her nostrils flared; the heat of desire was like a quickening tornado around us. “Especially these jeans.”

I groaned and pulled her even closer as the strains of a slow country ballad started. “Temptress.” I whispered the word in her ear, my chest swelling with masculine pride when she shivered.

“Yeah? No one ever called me that before.” She looked quite pleased with the compliment, which pleased me in return.

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