Page 39 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“I see.” He rubbed a hand along his jaw. “Okay. What else do I need?”
She pulled a few more outfits off the rack, holding them against her, not giving Lawson a chance to object. “You’ll look great in these. Trust me.”
He folded his arms at his chest. “I do trust you.”
The way he said the words made the hairs on her body raise. Trust was an issue she was working through. So was confidence. But, here she was, acting confident with him. Feeling confident. Having fun. She turned to glance at Lawson over her shoulder. “You should have your own mat, too.”
“Mat?” His gaze on her was intense. She doubted he was paying attention to the clothes she was holding in her arms anymore, or how much of his cash she was proposing spending. “Why do I need a mat? The center has mats for me to use.”
“But you can’t use those when you practice at home.” She lifted her chin stubbornly, but she was only teasing. “I expect you to practice if you want to be a gold-star student.”
“Do gold-star students get extra privileges?” he asked, his voice dropping a sexy notch.
Her skin burned as she considered what kind of privileges she might offer the Marine in front of her.
“Maybe.”
Lawson held out an arm. “Then please. Take me to the mats. I insist you pick out a manly colored mat, however. No pink ones.”
Julie laughed. “I wouldn’t do that to you.” She led the way. She knew this store well, even though she hadn’t had the money to go shopping for herself in a good while. “I thought you might like a bright purple one.”
Lawson groaned behind her. “You’re killing me, Julie Chandler. Killing me.”
Hewas killing her, with that gaze he had steady on her and his one-liners that had her laughing so easily, something she’d rarely done since returning home.
She bent to pick up a boxed mat, very aware of the view she was giving him. Whirling, she shoved the mat into his arms. “Blue. Is that manly enough for you?”
“I’ll take blue. Is this it?” he asked. “Anything else that I can’t live without? Other than a good yoga instructor, that is.”
She swallowed. “Nope. This should be sufficient.”
They browsed their way to the cash register and paid. Then they stood awkwardly outside the shop for a long moment.
“That was fun,” Lawson said, adjusting the hat on his head. “I have to admit, when I woke up this morning I got excited at the thought of spending time with you.” He rubbed the new growth of hair on his jaw again. Why was something so simple so very sexy?
She pulled her lower lip into her mouth, suppressing a smile. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I, uh, rented a movie before coming here,” he continued. “I’m not too keen on watching movies alone, though.”
“You could ask Beth,” she suggested. She was his sister, after all.
“I could. But I’d rather ask you.” His gaze held her hostage as they stood in the parking lot.
Her pulse quickened. She adjusted the shopping bag in her hand, trying to expel some of her nervous energy. Where was that confidence she’d just prided herself on having in the store? Now she was a bundle of nerves.
“Here. Let me take that to your car for you while you try to decide whether or not to say yes to me.” He took the bag, which contained a simple shirt that she’d purchased for herself. A small splurge to celebrate surviving her busy week.
“Where are you parked?” he asked.
Julie pointed across the street. “There.” She followed him, considering her answer. Bad idea. Very,verybad idea. “Yes,” she said before she could stop herself. There were those pesky hormones overriding her brain again.
Lawson turned. “You know coming to my place tonight is a bad idea, right?”
She froze. “So you should probably take back the offer.”
“Can’t. I don’t want to. So you’re going to have to take back your answer.” He took a step toward her, ramping her attraction to dizzying levels.
She shook her head, pressing theUNLOCKbutton on her keychain. Her instinct was to back away as he came closer, but she kept her feet rooted to the ground. “Can’t. I don’t want to, either.”
