Page 231 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
As Josie starts into another fireside story, I can’t be bothered to listen. I’m not a socializer. I can hardly make it through campfires with just my brothers or the ranch hands and their families.
This right here? This is a little overboard for me. My bed is calling. My tent is calling. A good walk would also do the trick. But I don’t want to spend one second away from Jade, not when we’ve already lost so much time.
Never once do I overlook her thigh pressing against mine, or her side rubbing mine. We’re close on this folding sofa.
So close.
And I never want to move.
Which is why when Levi and Hope retire for the night, I don’t take that as my cue and hop up. Then, like there’s some memo we didn’t get, the rest get up, one by one, and take off, leaving just me and Jade.
It’s fast and quick.
Like a silent clock chimed, and they all jumped to their feet.
“This was intentional,” I say when the last of them are gone.
She smiles up at me. “By you?”
“My guess is, since the Quylt sisters and town council decided to room with our mothers at an Airbnb, someone had to play the matchmakers. So, they called in our siblings.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You sure you’re not in on it? Trapping me here with you all cozy and alone?”
Fuck, I’m not opposed to it.
I can’t help but chuckle at the way she’s looking at me, all sharp edges and fire.
“Trapping you? I don’t believe anyone can trap Jade Fox.”
I’ll be lucky to survive this ‘cozy’ little setup with her so fucking close and us not sure where we’re at.
She leans into the corner, twisting her body to get a better look at me. She curls her feet up in front of her, and it puts distance between us.
I don’t like it.
Her lips curve into that sly, confident smile I’ve always loved. “I’m not some damsel to be caught in your little ‘cozy’ trap.”
This side of her is my favorite. I love the sass. The tease. The flirt. All bundled into a heat that radiates off her.
It’s intoxicating.
“It’s not my trap,” I clarify. “And I’ll be lucky if I survive this setup at all.” My voice is lower, edging into the territory I’m not sure we’re ready to cross.
“Is that so?”
My breathing hitches. Her flirting is a whole new level of turn-on. Her big, round eyes and sultry look are dynamite.
“With you so damn close.” The growl comes from deep in my chest. “I’m not sure what’s more dangerous: the fire or your smile?”
She raises an eyebrow, her grin only growing. “You worried I might bite, cowboy?”
That last word out of her mouth makes me want to show her exactly the cowboy I can be.
I shrug, playing it off like I’m not affected, but she’s got me on edge now.
Wanting.
Hard.
