Page 48 of Mister Cowboy
January
Doingher best to block out the stunning woman standing next to Brecken, January focused on Victor. He was as tall as Brecken, but his frame was much smaller. Dirty blonde hair was buzzed short on the side. The top was longer and slicked back. Tattoos covered what she could see of his neck and hands, but his eyes were what held her attention. His long, dark lashes made an interesting contrast against the color of his eyes, which were so light blue they were almost white. He was beautiful and, at the same time, looked like a total bad ass.
Movement caught her eye, and she watched as Nadia reached out and placed a perfectly manicured hand on Brecken’s bicep as she laughed at something Victor had said. Their eyes met, and Nadia’s red lips pulled back into a wicked smile. It told her everything she needed to know. She’d done this before—walked the gallery, met his friends, and she wasn’t going anywhere without a fight.
Brecken’s words interrupted the jealousy raging inside her. “Good to see you, Victor.”
“See ya later.” Victor turned to January and smiled. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
She nodded stiffly as Brecken led her away without saying anything to Nadia. His hand never left her as they made their way around the room a second time. She barely glanced at the art this time. Her mind was reeling, and she didn’t feel like putting on a show as the happy, perfect date any longer.
With a smile, January shook free of his grasp, held her head high, and walked quickly to the front of the gallery and out the door. Brecken was right behind her, his hand finding her lower back and guiding her down the sidewalk as if he knew exactly what was going on. She ignored him and closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath.
When she was sure that she was capable of speaking calmly, she turned to face him.
“I’m sorry.” He placed his hands in his front pockets. “Nadia was out of line.”
“Are you sleeping with her?” She placed her hands up to halt him as he took a step forward.
A flash of guilt passed over his face, but his voice stayed even and clear. “Not anymore.”
She already knew the answer, or inferred as much, but the twist in her gut was so painful it hurt to breath.
“I should go.”
“No. Look—” He ran both hands through his hair. “There’s been no one else since you.”
She glared up at him and huffed a breath through her nose. She knew deep down she was being irrational. Of course he’d dated other women. Hell, she’d dated other men. It wasn’t fair for her to be acting like this. She’d let him consume her life, her thoughts, her whole world, and there she was, acting like a teenager who couldn’t handle the real world.
She tried to hold on to her anger, but when he reached over and touched her pinky finger with his, none of it mattered. That one touch told her that she was already in too deep.
He held her hand loosely as they walked to his car. He walked a half-step in front of her, allowing her to appreciate the view even while her emotions were all over the place. His version of dressing down had been to trade in his suit for gray dress pants and a black sweater. While it was casual for Brecken, she’d secretly hoped he had some jeans hidden away in the back of his closet. What she’d give to see him in a pair of faded Levi’s.
He pulled her to him and bent to kiss her, but she turned her face to the side.
He pulled back and laughed. Like tipped his head back, big belly laugh. “I like this jealous side of you.” He stepped forward until their bodies touched. “It means you like me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said through clenched teeth.
Laughing again, he ran his thumb over her lip.
“Admit it.”
“Admit what?”
That she was jealous? Yep. That she liked him? Oh yeah.
“That this—you and me—is real.” His eyes bore into hers, and her heart raced. “You like me.” He leaned in as if he were going to kiss her. “Reallylike me.”
She didn’t respond, and his mouth hovered just above her trembling lips. He dropped his hand down to her chest so his palm was flat over her heart.
“I’m in here.”
When she didn’t respond, he brought his lips softly down against hers. He nipped at her bottom lip until her body threw in the white flag and parted to let him in.
All of her resolve had nearly melted as he pulled away.
“Come on, let’s go home.”
