Page 15 of Fallen Cowboy
“Playing it all out tonight, huh?”
“It’s a date, I’m doing it right.”
He gave the waitress our order, his eyes only on me, and I couldn’t help but blush. Troy had only gotten sexier as time went on and I still couldn’t figure out what he saw in me to want to spend time with me. Or to even kiss me.
“What?” he asked, almost as if he knew my mind was racing.
“Just….I’ve been in your life for years, Troy. And you never once glanced at me that way, why now?”
“That’s a loaded question, Anelise, sure you want it?”
“Yeah, I’m curious.”
He looked around before standing up, his hand held out to mine.
“Let’s talk on the floor. Not so many prying ears.”
He led me to the floor, his arm wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer than a twostep allows.
“Do you understand how insanely gorgeous you are?”
“No. Because I’m not.”
“You might not see yourself that way, Anelise, but just about every cowboy in this bar has kept glancing your way. When you used to follow us around, you were the annoying kid we couldn’t shake. But when I saw you, all grown up and looking like a siren herself, there was no way I could walk away without trying to get to know you again.
“Was it just looks? No. But I won’t lie and say that my dick didn’t take notice of you. But the more I got to talk to you, the more I got to really know you, the more I saw the kid that had matured into a brilliant woman who still knew how to laugh, even after the hurt. That makes a man take notice.”
“And now you want no other man to claim me, is that it?”
“Shit, you think I’m stupid? I might have fallen off the bull a time or two and been hurt along the way, but nothing messed with my mind or my eyes. You’re beautiful, heart, mind, body, and soul. Any man would be lucky enough to get your attention.
“But in these parts, you grew up with all these goons. It’s really no wonder that some man who didn’t live here would grab your attention. Please tell me you don’t think you’re not worthy enough for men?”
“Well, it’s hard. But you’re right. I never thought of these guys as people I would know or grew up with. When I look at the single men, there are not any I would want to date anyway.”
“See. They probably think the same way. Not that you’re not beautiful, but they know you. It’s one of my problems with a small town. We all grew up together, and we all know each other.”
I tilted my head as I thought over his words. That made sense.
I didn’t think I’d die as an old maiden, but he told the truth about being from a small town. There was always a pro and con to everything.
“What did you love most about the rodeo?” I asked him, tilting my head back to look at him. In his cowboy hat with his wrangler jeans and dark boots, he was every cowgirl’s fantasy. I mean, he was mine. And tonight, he looked damn good.
Or maybe it was just my hormones all over the place.
Not being laid in a while did that to someone.
“Getting out of here and seeing different parts of the country. Some of the best sunsets I ever saw were either in Arizona or New Mexico. And out there, it’s just beautiful country. But some of the best times were up in Montana or Kentucky. Damn, the horses there were gorgeous and fun.”
“Someday, I’d love to see it. Some of those other places away from here.”
His hand stayed on my hip as he spun me out and then back in, his lips next to mine.
“I’d love to treat you and your daughter to a trip out of this state.”
Why the hell did that sound so good to me?
I hadn’t thought of it, but now I desperately wanted it.
