Page 56 of Country Music Cowboy
Loretta did her best not to stare. But, really? How could she not stare?
Up close, he was even more devastatingly manly than he’d been when the giant fan had his curls bouncing and his shirt blown flat against his rock-hard chest. It wasn’t like he was wearing anything special. A thin white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up. Faded blue jeans that accented some of his best features to perfection. Her head-to-toe inspection came to a halt at his feet. Until now, she hadn’t noticed his footwear. Rather, his lack of footwear.
“Where are your shoes?” Loretta asked. Was it possible to have handsome feet?No. They’re feet. Albeit, Travis King’s feet. But feet all the same.
“For the video.” Travis wiggled his toes. “No boots or shoes. Some artsy thing, I guess.”
“It was all very whimsical looking. Emmy Lou looks like part of the sky.” Margot’s voice was a bit muffled. “At least she was when I wasn’t staring at the blanket.”
“Sorry.” Loretta adjusted the phone stand and made sure the phone was stable. “Better?”
“Yep.” Margot’s voice was loud and clear. And now that she was facing the video production, she couldn’t see what Travis was doing. Or how he was staring at her ankles.
“What?” she whispered, pulling her legs up and tucking her ankles beneath her skirt.
He looked up at her and smiled.
If he knew the effect his smile had on her, would he still do that? Still smile at her as if he was oh-so-happy to see her? Now that her insides were all wobbly and her heart was in her throat, she was on edge more than ever.
Stop looking at him.
She focused on the scene before them. Emmy Lou in an ethereal blue dress. Her long hair in silky smooth ringlets. “She looks like a princess.” Loretta smiled. “More than usual.”
Travis chuckled.
“I mean that in the nicest way possible,” Loretta hurried to explain—without looking at him. “I don’t want you to think I was being snide or catty. I honestly think she’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. Krystal too, obviously.”
“I know.” Travis sounded amused. “When it comes to my family, I think the only one you’ve ever been snide or catty about is me.”
“Do tell,” Margot—who Loretta was fairly certain they’d both forgotten about—said. “What did you do? What did she say? When was this and why didn’t I know about it?”
“It didn’t happen.” Loretta glared at him.
“I think it was our first rehearsal.” Travis was enjoying the way she squirmed. “I think that’s right. It was the same day she told me she didn’t like me.”
“Lori-girl,” Margot sounded horrified. “You didnot?”
Loretta wasn’t sure which was greater: the urge to tell him off or the urge to push him back onto the blanket and pretend they were the only two people in this field. She swallowed, tore her gaze from his, and picked up the phone. “Margot, he’s picking on me. Travis loves to pick on people.”
“It’s how I show I care,” Travis interrupted, leaning in so he was also on camera. “Hey, Margot.”
“Hey, handsome.” Margot giggled. “You two are fun. I think I’ll leave you two alone so there will be even more to tell when Lori calls me later.”
“There is nothing to tell,” Loretta was quick to assure her manager.
“Uh-huh.” Margot waved. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She disconnected.
“I’m thinking you might not want to tell her all about it.” Since Travis hadn’t moved back, he was far too close. “There are some things I’d like to keep between us.” His gaze wandered to her mouth.
Her already stretched taut nerves were reaching their breaking point. “You are—”
“Thinking about how good we were.” He nodded. “I am.”
“No. That’s not. You have to stop teasing—”
“Or you’ll throw me back on the blanket and remind me why I can’t help but stare at your mouth.” He swallowed, his eyes slowly traveling over her face. “And remember how sweet you taste.”
She was speechless then. Speechless and breathless and mindless with need for him.
