Page 34 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“You should come to Texas someday.” He looked over. “My mom lives on twenty acres. A horseback ride can last forever.”
“Sounds peaceful. Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, glancing over.
“Thank you for coming. You look good on a horse.”
This made her laugh. “Really?”
Lawson tipped his head to one side. “You could use a hat.” He brought his horse closer to hers and took the hat off his head to place on hers. It was akin to wearing a guy’s jacket, an immediate intimacy falling on her and igniting all those dormant places. She doubted Lawson gave the honor of wearing his cowboy hat to just anyone.
“How do I look?” She struck a pose, holding on to Bon-Bon’s reins.
“Beautiful,” he said, stealing her breath and her smile.
Her heart bucked against her rib cage. “I, uh, better get back. I have to prepare for tomorrow’s yoga class. I want to add a new pose or two.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Can’t wait. Never thought I’d say that about yoga.”
“It grows on you,” she said, as they turned around and headed back down the path.Hewas growing on her.
“I’m here a lot after work. Come ride with me anytime,” he said, helping her dismount from Bon-Bon when they were back at the barn. He didn’t place his hands on her ass this time, which was both regrettable and a relief. Instead, he steadied her waist with his hands. She turned to face him after he helped her to the ground, and was surprised to find how close they were standing. Close enough that the brim of his hat on her head nearly touched his chin.
“This belongs to you.” She took off the hat and went up on her tiptoes to put it back where it belonged. Their eyes locked as the movement brought them even closer together. Her heart bucked again, like a wild horse ready to bolt.
Returning to flat feet, she started to step away.Neededto step away. Too bad Bon-Bon was still behind her, blocking her escape.
“Julie?” he said, making her feet pause and her heart stutter. She liked the sound of her name on his lips. Low, deep.
“Yes?” she asked breathlessly.
He reached out his hand to tame a strand of her hair brushing against her cheek. “You have what I call hat-hair.” He took his time smoothing the hair around her ear, awakening every nerve in her body. Then he slowly dipped, keeping his blue-as-the-ocean eyes on hers, and kissed her.
She melted into him instead of stepping away. The side of his cheek on hers was warm and inviting, intoxicating. His tongue tapped softly against hers, just once, as he swept his hand behind her neck, pulling her gently toward him.
A soft moan escaped her throat, betraying her. She parted her lips for him, inviting him in, begging him to stay, which he did for just a moment longer. Then he broke it off, keeping it sweet. The kiss had threatened to be more, though. It had threatened to take her inside that barn, lay her down on a blanket of hay, and be a whole hell of a lot more.
“See you later, Lawson,” she said, forcing herself to step away from him, away from the horse and the barn. She turned toward her car and didn’t look back. Otherwise, her hormones were going to win and drag this cowboy into the barn and slam the stall doors behind them.
“See you later, Julie,” he called after her.
Chapter 10
Julie lay in bed Tuesday night reliving the kiss, again and again. Lawson’s lips on hers, the feel of his skin against her. The smell of him.
She blew up a breath, turning her attention to the window where the moon was casting soft light into her bedroom.
“What are you doing, Julie?” she said out loud, her voice filling the small room. There’d been a time when she’d felt these butterflies in her chest over Daren, and look how things had turned out. Lust and romantic feelings were dangerous; they led to unknown places and right now she really needed to know exactly what she was in for.
Sitting up in bed, she got up and dragged her feet down the hall for a late-night snack. Grabbing a small carton of ice cream from the freezer, she sat down at her kitchen table, not bothering to turn on the lights.
Ice cream made everything better. She usually indulged with Kat and Val. Kat would be asleep in bed right about now. But Val might still be awake. She was single and a bit of a night owl. Pressing Val’s icon on her cellphone, Julie slid another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth and waited.
“Hello,” Val answered a moment later.
“You awake?”
“I wouldn’t have answered if I weren’t. I’m surprised you’re up, though. What’s going on?” Val asked.
Julie shrugged slightly. A chill moved through her as she ate the cold treat. And as she thought of Lawson. “I kissed him,” she confessed. “But don’t tell Kat.”
