Page 5 of His Big Hometown Cowboy
“Not sure yet. Travis is letting me crash at his place until I figure things out.”
“Any plans?”
“Besides recovering from tech burnout?” He stretched languidly on the rock, arching his back, drawing my attention back to his lean, defined torso. Damn him. “Not really. Might help Travis with some projects around his place. Reconnect with old friends.”
My heart started hammering against my ribs. A stupid, reckless idea formed, one I knew I’d probably regret but couldn’t seem to stop.
I turned back, facing him. “You know, there’s a bar over in Milton. Hosts a Rainbow Night every Sunday.”
Tim’s eyebrows shot straight up. “A gay night? Tonight? Here in cattle country?”
“World’s changing.” I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance, trying to ignore the frantic pulse in my throat. I let a hint of confidence, bordering on cockiness, slip into my smile. “It’s not San Francisco, but it’s not half bad. Good music, decent drinks.”
He tilted his head, studying me intently. “How do you know about it?”
I gave him a look. “How do you think? I might not be the partying type, but I get out every once in a while.”
“Right.”
“It’s the next town over,” I added, feeling the need to reassure him, or maybe myself. “Nobody cares much about other people’s business there.”
Tim waved his hand, as if that was the last thing he was worried about. He studied me for a long, silent moment, his hazel eyes searching mine. “Are you asking me to go with you?”
This was it. The moment to back out, laugh it off, pretend it was just a casual suggestion. But the image of him sitting here, the memory of his hand on my waist, the years of suppressed longing—it all coalesced. I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze directly. No more hiding. “Yeah. I am.”
His smile bloomed slowly, transforming his face, chasing away the last vestiges of the kid I remembered and revealing the man sitting before me. “Then yes. I’d like that.”
“Really?” The surprise leaked into my voice despite myself.
“Don’t sound so shocked.” He stood up, still in nothing but those briefs, and crossed his arms over his bare chest. He had to tilt his head back slightly to meet my eyes. “Did you think I’d say no?”
“Honestly?” I admitted, running a hand through my damp hair. “I wasn’t sure I’d have the guts to ask.”
His expression softened, a warmth entering his eyes that mirrored the heat spreading through my chest. “I’m glad you did.”
Something shifted between us then, palpable, like a logjam breaking free in the creek. Possibilities I’d never allowed myself to seriously consider suddenly felt real, within reach.
“Tonight, then,” I said, letting my confidence resurface, steadier now the leap had been taken. “I’ll pick you up at eight?”
“It’s a date.” He paused, his eyes locking with mine again, seeking confirmation. “It is a date, right?”
I met his gaze, no longer hiding anything, letting him see the want that had been simmering for years. “Yeah, Timmy. It’s a date.”
He didn’t correct me on his name this time. Instead, he grinned, a flash of the boyish enthusiasm I remembered, but his eyes held a promise that made my pulse quicken all over again.
“I should get back,” I said, bending to gather my damp, heavy clothes. “Still have the fence line to check before dark.” Responsibility called, same as always.
“Don’t let me keep you from your duties.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes were warm, holding mine. “Some things never change.”
I pulled on my cold, damp jeans, grimacing. “And some things do.”
I shrugged into my shirt and put my boots back on.
As I swung back into the saddle, Pepper shifting patiently beneath me, Tim stood watching, hands on his hips. For a moment, I thought about all the years I’d spent telling myself he was off-limits, all the missed chances, all the carefully constructed distance.
“Eight,” I reminded him, tipping my still-damp hat with a touch of cowboy swagger I hadn’t earned but felt anyway.
“I’ll be waiting.” He raised a hand in farewell, a beautiful smile across his face. “Try not to fall in any more creeks between now and then.”
