Page 76 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
He edged closer. Even though he didn’t touch her, he towered above her, upending her senses and quickening her heart. It took all her strength not to lean into him. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
“Neither have I.”
Ciara started at the unexpected confession. She searched his features for deception, but the truth shone bright in his eyes. “There’s something between us, something special, something rare. Why do you keep fighting it?”
For a moment, she stood silent, unsure of how to respond. Unsure of the answer. “I don’t know. I’m just so overwhelmed. What happened in the past–”
“Remains in the past. And the past is over.” He lowered his voice. “I cannot tell you how much I regret what I did.”
“You do?” She clasped her hands together, intertwining pale fingers. “Because you never were clear about why we broke up. Your father separated us, yet you ended it. Why?”
His hesitation hid a thousand veiled reasons. Yet then he hardened in challenge – and determination. “I am not accustomed to relinquishing control. I believed my path was set, and my role in it.”
He'd been forced into his role as a child, by his far too stern father. “You take responsibility for everyone and everything.”
“True, but I’m not the only one.” He gestured to the horses, yet kept his eyes on her. “You help everyone in need, whether human, horse or skunk.”
She snorted lightly. They were alike in so many ways. Yet was it enough? “I’m leaving soon.”
His features belied the assertion that was no longer certain. “We need to make some decisions.” She stiffened, held her breath, as he paused. Yet then… “But now isn’t the time.”
Disappointment and relief tangled, the desire to share all, the fear of where it would lead. As she edged ever-closer to surrendering to her feelings, danger threatened. If she gave the emotions words, there would be no turning back.
“We should focus on the grand opening.” He held her gaze. “After that, we’ll talk.”
“Talk,” she softly agreed. Yet that wasn’t what they did, as he leaned down. He brushed her lips with his, offering the invitation she could never refuse. His lips were warm and moist, his body hard and heavily muscled, as he held her near. As always, he took control, caressing her, probing, surrounding her with his scent. Yet the horses’ stomping brought them back to reality, and they broke the kiss, even as they held each other tight. If only they could stay like this forever, savor their timewithout labels or decisions. Yet soon they would need to clarify their relationship and forge the future.
“I got you a little something.” He pulled something out of his pocket. When he emerged with a dark velvet box, her heart began to flutter.
It couldn’t be…
“It isn’t much.” He carefully watched her reaction, seemed fascinated by her every movement. She accepted it with not-so-steady hands, calming at how casually he handed it to her. Surely, if it was something of significance, well that sort of significance, he wouldn’t be delivering it so nonchalantly.
She slowly lifted the petal-soft lid. Gold and gemstones sparkled within, glittering with nature’s artistry. It was the most beautiful, unique locket she’d ever seen, an engraving of a horse surrounded by a halo of flawless diamonds. At the top, a gleaming cushion cut emerald cast a rich green hue, reminiscent of the lush fields of Ireland. It represented everything she cared for: horses, nature, Rowan. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“Do you like it?” Satisfaction burned bright. “Open it,” he urged.
She put her fingernail on the tiny catch, releasing it with a soft click. For a moment, she stared at the picture of two kids with matching cowboy hats and wide grins, their cheeks pinkened by the sun, before she gasped. “It’s us!” She angled the tiny photograph in the amber light. “Look at how young we were. That must have been my first summer here.”
“Frank took the picture.” Rowan ran his finger over the smooth image. “He was photographing the horses and noticed us playing in the stables. He took a quick snapshot.”
A vague memory surfaced, of some sort of cowboy game. Frank had been drawn to the laughter, and something about the moment had captured him. The slightly faded photograph showed such happiness, in her and the boy who would becomethe man before her. Ciara clutched the locket in her hand. “How long have you had it?”
“Years,” he admitted softly. “It came from a larger print. When I got the locket, I created a smaller version.”
He’d kept the photograph all this time, even though they hadn’t seen each other in years? She turned the locket in her hands, to an etching in small, cursive letters.May all of your dreams come true. Love always, Rowan.
Nameless emotion welled inside her, powerful feelings splintering her resolve. In front of her, Rowan stood taller, yet his discomfort was obvious. He’d always had such difficulty sharing his true self. Yet he had… for her.
“Thank you.” She stood on her tippy-toes, brushed her lips over his. “I’ll treasure it forever.”
For a second, they just stood there, captured in each other’s world. Their inexplicable bond surged, as she leaned into him, as he wrapped his arms around her. He smelled of spice and the Irish woods, an intoxicating combination.
He leaned down and kissed her. Not her lips, but her forehead, like she was a precious gift. “I wish we could stay here forever,” he murmured. Instead, he touched the small of her back, and they walked together down the aisle, surrounded by horses.
She placed the locket over her head, holding it warm in her hands. When she’d first revealed the small box, her imagination had sparked with something far different, somethingpermanent. It elicited a thousand feelings – shock, anxiety, but most of all…
Elation.
