Page 18 of Rogue Cowboy
“You are an exquisite man who is too kind for his own good.You are noble.A hero, and I’m…” she gulped in a deep breath and squared her shoulders “…broken.”
He felt like she’d just cracked him in half.He didn’t want to be here.But here was where she was, and they’d have to walk out of the spiral together.
“You’re not broken, Riley.You need to fess up and…”
“Fess?There will be no fessing,” she said urgently.“And who uses the word ‘fess’ anymore?”
God, if this weren’t so damn painful, he’d laugh and then pick her up and run to his truck.But she had to make her stand here with her family, where she’d feel safer before he could take her to meet his and start their life together.
“You’re too strong to let them win.”
She shook her head, but he caught her chin, stared down into her eyes that looked like crushed pansies.
“Too strong.”He tapped her chest.“Own your power.They stole years of your life.Enough.Take back control and live the way you want.”
Hopefully with him.
“I’m here,” he stated, needing to be honest for both of them.“I’m not going away, Riley.Not again.We are a team, and we will face this and everything else together.”
She stared at him appalled, but there was something else stirring in her gaze—curiosity, and he hoped the first hint of desire.
“I feel like you’re trying to plant a flag in the rock.”
“Figuratively,” he agreed.“But since this is the rodeo weekend, and you’re here to work, and I’m doing some reconnaissance for my family’s stock-contracting business, we’ll keep our business our business for now,” he said.“Works for me this weekend at least.Getting ambushed, cut up, grilled and served up at the famous steak dinner by your father and brothers would be an inconvenience for us both.”
“Not for me.”
He laughed.“That’s my girl.”He finally did something he’d dreamed about for years.He brushed his lips over hers.“We like our women bloodthirsty in Texas.”
He’d wanted to make her smile.Instead she took a step back.
Yeah, he had his work cut out for him.But nothing in Cole’s life had ever been easy, and anything that was, he didn’t trust and didn’t want.
What’s your favorite dinner?
Riley had to think about that for a few hours.She hadn’t had much of an appetite, but she appreciated how Cole kept reaching out.She felt too guilty to contact him.Too needy.And she dreaded the day he’d stop reaching out.
I feel like I should say meat loaf and mash potatoes.It’s my family’s favorite.But chicken and cheese enchiladas along with Spanish rice, black beans and grilled peppers is my favorite.And of course, guac.What’s yours?
Damn.That sounds delicious.That’s my favorite now too.You got a good Mexican restaurant in your town?
Rosita’s.
It’s a date.
Chapter Four
As she andCole walked across the footbridge back to the fairgrounds, Riley wondered how she was going to ditch him.She needed a breather.A reset.He’d been kind to her, and she needed to treat him with respect, but he couldn’t imagine he’d be glued to her side the entire rodeo weekend.What would her family think?And even though she’d pulled back socially, she knew a lot of people, and Cole was not someone easily ignored.
“Listen.”She turned around once they got to the other side of the bridge and was disconcerted with how well attuned to her he was.His body stilled.His expression was remote, but his gaze swept the area before settling back on her face so attentively she nearly forgot what she’d been about to say.
The yellow flecks glinted.He was taller than her and twice as wide in the shoulders, which had made her feel like she could cling to him if she needed.
But she didn’t want to be weak.She didn’t want to need.
One dark brow arched in expectation, and she had to remind herself to breathe.
“I know you want to spend time together.”She channeled her inner cowgirl.“And you owe me dinner at Rosita’s,” she reminded him, thinking of one of their long-ago text exchanges, or was she the only one who still read over them?“But I’m working.”Good she sounded professional.She pushed her advantage.“I’m taking care of eight horses—four are barrel-racing clients’ that we bred, trained and board.And I’m helping my cousin, and her friend do an exhibition in trick riding.Also I’m in charge of Boone and Rohan’s horses—Boone still competes in bulldogging and some roping events.And they might need me to jump in and help Rohan with the buckin’ broncs and bulls.”
