Page 6 of The Curvy Girl's Christmas Cowboy
Storm clicks on the flashlight. “Look,” I say, hurrying further inside. “This wide-open space is perfect for a dance floor and socializing.” I point to an area in the corner. “And it has all these cozy nooks where people can sit and relax. And, can you imagine?” I crane my neck back and stare up at the ceiling. “We could get the biggest Christmas tree we wanted, put it right in the center, and still have plenty of room.”
He doesn’t take his eyes off me and just stares silently with a sexy lean.
I easily imagine the space filled with Christmas lights, hay bales, and dancing couples. The smell of fresh pine needles mixed with the crisp winter air would make the perfect atmosphere for the hoe down.
Storm comes up behind me, and leisurely runs a hand along my back. Heat floods through me on contact. “This is perfect,” he whispers, in that gravelly sexy tone that wreaks havoc with my system. “What do you think?”
I turn to face him, and our eyes lock. There’s that spark again, and I know I’m in trouble. “It’s amazing.”
He steps closer, and his eyes soften. “You know what’s even more amazing?” he says gently. “You. I can’t stop thinking about the first time I kissed you.”
“At the lockers, next to the gym. I’ve missed you,” I confess, unable to resist or hold back any longer.
He pulls me into a tight embrace, and brings his lips close to mine.
“Just the two I was looking for.” A crusty voice comes out of nowhere surprising us out of the moment. I step back and we both turn as an older man with bow legs, faded Levis and a well-worn plaid shirt strolls over. “You’re the West Palomino hoe down folks?”
I almost kissed Storm.Two more seconds and I would’ve been a goner.
We make our introductions while a million thoughts ofwhat ifplay ping pong in my brain.
The older cowboy takes his time while he brings us to an area we missed out front, which would be perfect for the sleigh rides Tiana and Lexi are planning. Then he gives us a tour of the entire space showing us a cozy room off the main barn where we could set up the craft show. The bathrooms are clean, and there are plenty of power outlets. The water and heat just need to be turned on and we’re in business.
In less than an hour the old barn is ours.
Chapter five
Storm
It’s been four days since I’ve seen Peach and I’ve become obsessed. As much as I tried, it was impossible to get her off my mind last night. Janine called and wanted to hook up, but I had no interest in being with her.
Peach has this week off. She texted me earlier and said she rounded up a group to decorate for the hoe down. I grin, sliding into a slushy parking slot at the campgrounds. I’ll play Santa if she’ll be my elf.
I’d hoped to get here earlier, but Greg needed me to help again on the ranch today. It’s funny, sometimes I wonder if people forget I have a job of my own. Rogers Ranch is modest sized, a little over three hundred acres. My father still runs it, but it will be left to me someday.
The sun is setting as I approach the barn, inhaling the scent of cider and hot cocoa wafting into the crisp air from the open doors. Christmas music blasts from somewhere inside, as I hustle over the cold wet ground.
I scan for Peach the second I’m in the barn. It feels like the whole town is here, decked out in Santa hats and silly sweaters. The place is packed with boxes overflowing with tinsel, ornaments, fuzzy reindeers, and hundreds of lights—
Finally, I look up and find her perched high on a ladder, leaning precariously to one side. Her luscious hips sway to the beat of the Eagles, “Please Come Home for Christmas” and I’m mesmerized. She’s wearing jeans that hug her curves perfectly, and a red sweater that doesn’t hide how hard her nipples are in the chilly barn.
My heart beats faster as I watch her meticulously wrap a string of lights around a beam. The way she bites her lip in concentration, with her silky hair falling over her shoulder, everything about her is driving me mad. What I wouldn’t do to have her in my arms, with those voluptuous curves flush against me.
Once a man is with a woman like her, he never forgets, and always longs for one more time. Peach looks down and spots me with her big brown eyes. “Hey, you made it.”
“I wouldn’t leave you hanging, darlin’. Would you like some help?”
“I’m okay. I think I’m good.” I grab the ladder and hold it steady as she reaches up to hang another strand of lights, wanting her so badly it hurts.
“Why don’t you let me do that for you?” It bothers me to see her up there. I can’t stand the thought of her falling.
“No thanks. I’ve got this, but I need more lights.” She grins and begins her descent, one tempting rung at a time, bringing that beautiful round ass of hers closer and closer to my face. Someone drops something large and metal behind me and the sound startles her. Fuck. Peaches’ foot slips off the step, the ladder rocks and she loses her balance. She lets out a yelp and starts to fall. I react instinctively, reaching out to catch her. Our bodies collide and I take the last two steps down with her in my arms.
She blinks up at me. “Sorry,” she whispers, and for a moment we lose ourselves in each other. The Christmas lights twinkle above, casting a warm glow over us, and I’m so tempted to kiss her and make the world and everyone around us fade away. Unfortunately, she starts wriggling and I have no choice but to set her down.
Peach straightens her sweater, and my eyes go straight to her perfect breasts. I need to get a grip before I throw her over my shoulders and drag her out of here, but I have other plans. I can be patient.
“Hot chocolate?” She points to a fold up table laden with Christmas treats and drinks. “My mom baked the sugar cookies this morning.”
