Page 12 of Fallen Cowboy
Did I mean to mark her last night under the bleachers?
Nope.
Did I regret it?
Not at all.
“Gonna be able to keep your hair down while riding a horse, Anelise?”
“I don’t have a choice. Someone decided he needed to do something. Hell, I don’t even recall the last time I had a hickey.”
She moved back as I opened the door then grabbed my hat, putting it on. I stepped closer to her, bending so my lips were level with her ear.
“If I had my way, Anelise, you’d always have love bites to show who you belonged to.”
She slapped my arm, but there was a blush on her cheeks that I liked to see.
“I don’t belong to anyone, Troy.”
“See, that’s where you are wrong. You might not want to admit it yet, but you belong to me.”
I saw the shiver that raced over her, I saw the look of longing on her face, and I saw the pleasure that crept into her eyes.
She could deny it all she wanted to, but her body told me, plain as day, that she wanted to belong to me. And fuck me, I wanted to claim her.
That was a new feeling. I never wanted a woman like that before. Never thought of anything long term.
But seeing her, being with her, hell kissing her, and I wanted her for the long haul. I didn’t want another man to even look at her.
This was not the same man that stepped off the circuit. I’m sure anyone would question my sanity, especially with as many buckle bunnies as I had, but I couldn’t fight what my mind was thinking.
And that was scary, very scary.
I never thought of settling down, and yet, here I was. In Pecos, nonetheless. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my hometown, I did. I was proud of where I came from. But it was small, sometimes too small for my liking.
Which was why I left. Just didn’t think I’d be back quite so soon.
“Come on, Cowboy, the horses are waiting.”
“What are you doing today?”
“Riding with you. MaryBeth wanted to stay and help Cook, so she agreed to watch her. My mom is coming by in a little bit to pick her up. Something about needing her grandbaby. I’m not sure what for. I just let it go. So, my day is free for a bit.”
“You mean, I get you all day?” I wiggled my brows at her, causing her to laugh.
“Well, I have a job too.”
“Did MaryBeth see the mark?”
“Yes, Troy, she did. And asked loudly just what happened to my neck. In front of your best friend. Which,” she paused, a smirk on her face and I followed her gaze, seeing Markus stalking our way. “You can have fun dealing with him. I’m giving Rainbow a treat from her owner.” She patted my arm, and walked away, laughing while she did.
“Just what the hell are you thinking, Troy?” Markus demanded, his eyes blazing.
“I got carried away last night. I didn’t mean to.”
“Bullshit. You always liked letting women know you claimed them. I don’t care if you date her, I told you that. I just want to make sure you don’t hurt her. You have a tendency of doing your own things, you know, and not realizing who you’re screwing over.”
“I get it. Don’t have to go all big brother on me.”
