Page 46 of Beat of Love
And cast a glare at the large home mere minutes away.
For the last ten days (she wasnotcounting) he’d come by the stables early in the morning and spent time with Elsa. She never joined them but surreptitiously watched as he walked the horse — with halter and lead — around the paddock. He always had treats in his pocket, and the mare accepted them from his hand without fuss.
And she was glad. Truly.
If the horse bonded with him, she’d gladly relinquish ownership.
But.
The man knew she was going out tonight.
Her son had procuredcondomsfrom him.
For her.
And he — Rafferty, that is, not Preston — had condoms at the ready to dish out.
Out of the three revelations, why did the final one disturb her the most?
He was nothing to her beyond a thorn in her flesh.
They were both adults.
She was allowed to have sex.
And so was he.
It just would never bethem.
Brandy did not like the surge of disappointment flooding her.
No siree, not at all.
Dammit.
She backed out of the carport and slammed the Yukon into drive, pulling away with a burst of speed.
*
Brandy-Lyn found a spot to park at the end of the parking lot behind Daisy’s Saloon and texted Stas she had arrived as he’d requested when she had warned him that she was running late. She did not, however, wait in the SUV for him to fetch her, and hit the sidewalk on Second. He met her halfway, his hand fisted on his hips, shaking his head. “God protect me from stubborn women. But” —his eyes swept over her — “you look absolutely stunning, and I cannot find it in me to be annoyed because it gave me an opportunity to watch you strut toward me.”
Her eyes drifted over the man. He wore dark jeans — ironed, mind you, which she could use against him — and an untucked black shirt, top two buttons undone. He looked mighty fine. “You clean up well, too.” On impulse, she grabbed hold of his upper arms, stretched onto her toes, and placed a kiss on his cheek.
A grin slashed across his face. “I think we can do better that that.” He tilted his head. “May I?”
For a beat she regretted her spontaneous action.
You’ve gotta start somewhere, Brandy.
Okay, then. Here goes.
She nodded.
He gave her a searching look. “Yes?”
“Yes.”
He bent forward and claimed her mouth with a firm press of his lips. She opened beneath him, tangling her tongue with his, tasting the beer and something salty he’d recently consumed.His hand cupped the underside of her jaw, and he eased away, lifting his head. “Good evening, Brandy,” he murmured, sliding his thumb over her chin.
