Page 56 of Rogue Cowboy
Cole stopped pretending he wasn’t listening, that her story didn’t pertain to him.
“Finding Ginny, his high school girlfriend, and helping her and her son with a project steadied him.”
“Ginny’s his wife,” Cole remembered.
Riley bit her lip.She went to wrap up the remaining half-sandwich again, but he stayed her hand.The unusual combinations of tastes were surprisingly pleasant.He might want more if she didn’t.
“I want to be your Ginny,” Riley said quietly looking at her hands.
It was probably the best declaration he could hope for, and her words did settle him.Inches and feet, he thought.Steps.The were moving forward.
“We can go back to the rodeo grounds,” Riley offered, slipping her hand into his.He stroked his thumb along her callouses, feeling them, happy that though she was delicate, she was strong.She’d need to be.“It’ll be pretty quiet during the parade.”
She meant it, and he felt the pressure in his chest ease more.
“I don’t deserve you,” he said and tore off a quarter of the sandwich and held it out for her to take a bite.She did.“But I intend to.”He put it out there and popped the other part in his mouth and chewed, concentrating on the texture and creaminess of the cheese he’d never known had existed—what was wrong with plain cheddar cheese or if you wanted fancy, pepper jack?
Then he pushed because despite the fact that he had always been quiet and watchful, he had determination stamped in each strand of his DNA.“When we go to Texas, I need to introduce you to queso.”
“I’d like that,” she said.“But Cole…” She paused, clearly not wanting to ruin the moment just like he didn’t want it ruined.
“We need to stay to cheer on Petal and Arlo,” he said, hoping to delay a more serious conversation.“And then I’m sure you’re going to have work throughout the day to organize the horses for their rodeo events.”
She nibbled on her lower lip.“Yes,” she drawled out.“It’s a working weekend for me.”
“I’ll be your assistant.You can boss me around.I’m sure that holds an appeal.”
She laughed at him.“Did you sort of make a joke?”
“No.”He leaned in and kissed her smiling lips—just a brush, and it took all his willpower to pull back.He didn’t need her folks or family on his ass for PDA.“I’m serious, but that doesn’t mean I won’t boss back.Later.”
*
It was funny.She’d stood on this parade route a few times as a little girl—usually with ranch hands or friends as her father and mother rode in the parade, and then when she’d been a bit older, she’d participated either in her 4-H group, FFA, or as a junior rodeo queen or her Marietta high school barrel racing team.But for the last few years, she’d avoided the parade, staying instead on the fairgrounds taking care of the stock animals for her parents or Boone when he competed so that a couple of the ranch hands could peel off and have a good time before all the behind-scenes work began in earnest.
But today she felt a bit like a kid playing hooky—not that she’d ever done so.But she was happy.Thrilled to have Cole beside her in a way she felt like she shouldn’t, and yet, she felt a bit of a rush—an inkling of that girl she’d once been.Last night dancing up on the stage, showing off a little, had cracked something open in her again.She’d felt a light, and instead of wanting to douse it, she wanted more.
Did she dare?
I have to.
Cole stood beside her, handsome, virile and so present, but she didn’t want to be an obligation.She wanted to be his partner.A team like her parents.And that meant she had to stop hiding—from her feelings, from her desires and goals.But also from her fears.No longer let them lead.Maybe she could start imagining them trailing after her like the naggy little sister she’d never had.
Cole’s hand slipped around her waist and lightly rested on her hip.He stepped in to her, and she felt her body go pliant once again.His presence felt wonderful.He was warm where she was cold.Could she let herself keep him?For a moment, she closed her eyes and imagined it.Not always pretending with everyone, hiding herself.Could she have a friend and a man who knew her darkest secrets and was still at her side?
She concentrated on the feel of his hand, spread so it took up more real estate on her body.She breathed in, imagined the crowd gone.Just her and Cole.Could she let him touch her—skin to skin—or would she fail him?Or would the monsters in her head wake?Cause her to panic, her mind in chaos, her body revolting, leaving her a balled-up, shivering mass on the bathroom floor again?
“Here they come.”Cole’s voice was low in her ear.
Riley flushed, embarrassed that she’d been more focused on her growing attraction to Cole instead of keeping an eye out for Petal and Arlo.Some coach she’d be.
Cole’s husky laugh shivered through her.
Riley relaxed and laughed at herself too.“Your fault for distracting me.”
“I plan to do it often,” he promised.
Rather than be subtle, she took off her hat and waved it, shouting out as Petal and Arlo stood on the backs of Cinnamon and Spice and smiling at the crowd.They wore matching sparkling red stretchy jeans, stretchy western shirts, and hats, and looked confident and adorable.How was Petal already in high school?
