Page 28 of Mountain Time
We reach her porch and climb the steps. At the top, I lightly pull on her forearm turning her toward me because I can’t helpmyself. I reach up and rub a strand of her silky blonde hair between my fingers.
She sucks in a breath and meets my eyes. I’ve never seen green eyes this beautiful before. I’d stand here all night looking at them if she’d let me.
“Sweetheart, you deserve to be walked to your door. You deserve to be told how breathtaking you are. I don’t know what kind of men you’ve been dating but find better ones.”
I drop her hair and run my hand down her arm. She doesn’t reply. I’m not even sure she’s breathing.
“Goodnight, Kacey.” I let go of her arm and start walking back to my truck.
I hear her say softly, “Goodnight, Knox.”
I don’t even make it past the gate of the ranch before I have to fight the urge to turn back around and knock on her door. Imagining her dating someone who isn’t me makes my stomach churn, but I’m not what she needs. Besides, I need to focus on my goal: win a world title.
So why can’t I stop thinking about her?
Chapter 14
Kacey
Jessie
*clears throat*Hellooo? I’m waiting for my update on last night.
Jessie
How did it go?!
Kacey
Good.
Jessie
Good? That’s all I get? I basically facilitated this entire date and all I get is ‘Good’?
Kacey
First of all, you are the most dramatic person I know. Secondly, it was not a date. I’m busy working cows, I’ll fill you in later.
Jessie
First of all, I take pride in that title, thank you. Second, fine, I’ll be patient—but barely. Meet me at Gran’s for dinner tonight.
After Knox got in his truck and drove off last night, I promptly went inside to hyperventilate. His whole “not a date” definitely felt like one by the end of the night. I’m trying not to overthink it or read into anything, but the way he touched me, the things he said, replay in a constant loop in my mind. And never in my life has a man looked at me the way he did. Like he wanted to cherish me, yet at the same time, pin me against the wall and prove exactly how breathtaking he thinks I am.
I’m helping Chet, Carson, and two of the other cowboys work cows, but all I can think about is the hungry look in Knox’s eyes. He wanted to kiss me, I could see it. And to be honest, I’m not sure I would’ve stopped him if he—
“Kacey! Wake up!” Chet yells, right as a cow we need runs past me.
Shit.
“Sorry, I’ll grab her!”
Carson follows me. “What’s up with you? You’ve been out of it all morning.”
“Nothing’s up. Just tired is all.”
There is no way I’m telling Carson about Knox and me. Not that there is a Knox and me to talk about. I know there is no future for us—he’s leaving in a few weeks and doesn’t even live here. Not that the butterflies in my stomach seem to understandthat. I’ve never felt so drawn to a man, and it terrifies me. And even worse, just for a few minutes last night, I let my guard down.
