Page 70 of Wyoming Bodyguard
She twisted her lips to the side. He was right. This town was filled with people willing to lend a helping hand. All she had to do was ask.
Indecision battled in the pit of her stomach, and she set down her fork. “This is someone’s big day we’re talking about. I want to know I can deliver what this couple wants instead of jumping in and hoping I don’t land on my face.”
“Honey, even when we make all the plans in the world, we can still fall on our faces. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith.”
She wasn’t sure if he was still talking about her possible business venture or taking that leap on them, but either way, her mind and heart were set.
She wanted both.
“I want to take the jump. I want to try and give it all I’ve got.” The permanent pit in her stomach dissolved. She’d made up her mind and would go after what she wanted with everything she had. And if she ended up with nothing, at least she’d know she’d done her best.
His grin grew impossibly wider and he scooped her off the counter, whooping with excitement into the empty room. “You’re going to kick ass.”
Laughing, she wrapped her legs and arms around him and held on tight as he spun her in circles. “Stop it. I’m getting dizzy.”
He set her on her feet and captured her mouth in his. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“You made a choice. You’re grabbing an opportunity by the horns, and you’re going to kill it. We’ll start making plans tomorrow, tonight we celebrate.” His gaze lingered on her lips.
Her heart burst like a confetti popper. Here was a man who not only supported her but encouraged her to do more than was expected. To step out of her box—out of the shadow of her father—and make a stand for herself and the land she loved.
“Thank you.”
He tilted his head to the side, brows raised. “For what?”
“For showing up after I was awful to you. For protecting me and teaching me that things aren’t always what they appear to be. Sometimes I get too caught up in my own life and don’t stop to consider the issues others might be facing. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to walk through life with my eyes closed. You forced them open, and I see so much more now. I see you.”
“You’ve always seen me, Lily. You just saw me as a pain in the ass.”
Chuckling, she slapped a hand to his chest.
He trapped it against him with his own, and all hints of amusement fled. “I didn’t give you or anyone else in this town a chance to look past what I was willing to show them. I’m not happy about what you’ve gone through, but I’m glad it brought us together. I’ll never forget what a gift you are.”
“Never, huh? That’s a long time to not forget, cowboy.” She couldn’t stop the breathy quality from taking over her voice, but damn it all, the hint of a promise coated his words.
“There’s nothing about you I’ll ever forget, Lily. I want to memorize every taste, every touch, every line of your beautiful body.”
She sucked in a shuddering breath as her legs threatened to give out. She leaned against him, her muscles putty in his hands. Steeling her nerves, she traced her fingertip along his scruffy jawline then over to rest on his bottom lip. “That’s a lot to memorize. You better get started.”
Chapter 26
The journey downstairs was filled with playful kisses and a trail of clothing. By the time they made it to Lily’s room, she was in her black lace bra and panties. The cool air pouring from the vents wasn’t enough to dim the heat consuming her. She needed it all off. Now.
Madden stood in front of her with his chest and feet bare, his jeans hanging low on his hips. Stacked muscles rippled along his torso and on his biceps, making her fingers itch to touch him. He closed her door then turned to her on a low growl.
Her toes curled into the soft rug, and desire burst into flames in her core. She reached for him, but he shook his head and avoided her touch. She jutted her bottom lip, head cocked to the side. Her long locks spilled over her shoulders. “Change your mind?”
A husky laugh rose from his throat. “You kidding me? No way. I just want to look at you. You’re so damn beautiful.”
She squirmed under his perusal, but not because of embarrassment or self-consciousness. He stared at her like a dying man about to devour his last meal, and she couldn’t wait to give him exactly what he craved.
He stalked toward her. Fire lit his eyes, clear as day even in the darkness of the room. Slowly, he traced his index finger down the side of her face then glided it over the exposed column of her neck until he hooked it under her bra strap. He dragged the strap over her shoulder then pressed a kiss on the shallow dent above her collarbone.
Tremors of excitement rippled along her spine, and she swallowed hard. Her rapidly beating heart was the only sound in the room.
“Should we get rid of this?” he asked, tugging on the thin material.
