Page 30 of Perfect Cowboy

Gavin was always an athletic outdoorsman, and I was a bookish girl who never thought I had a chance of getting his attention.

But then he asked me to tutor him in English literature, and library sessions suddenly got a whole lot steamier than the stories I loved reading so much.

I remember our first interaction like it was yesterday. I knew who he was, of course. Everyone did.

But I couldn’t believe that he knew me.

“Ashley, right?”

Gavin approached my table at the library wearing light wash jeans and a tight black T-shirt. He looked absolutely divine and was already covered in hard, rippling muscles.

“Who wants to know?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “A guy who needs your help. What are you doing anyway?”

I held up my book. “This is called a book. I know it’s not shaped like a football, so you might not recognize it.”

He chuckled. “You’re feisty. I like it. Mrs. Masterson was opining about how amazing your essays are and how you’re the best student in the class. Well, I’m the worst. And if I don’t bring my grades up, I’m going to have to sit out.”

By sit out, he meant not playing football, which would be devastating for a guy about to land a scholarship and probably a job in the NFL.

“I don’t tutor jocks. I don’t tutor period.”

“Why not?”

“I’m busy.”

“Reading about Fabio?”

My face flushed. “I’m not the one failing my classes, so I can read whatever I want. You should probably stick to textbooks though. Or footballs.”

“Touché. Please help me.”

There was something about the way he said please that heated up my insides.

“What’s in it for me?”

“My undying appreciation? I mean, I can pay you, if you want.”

“I don’t want money. I just want you to leave me alone so I can finish my book. I’m at a really good part.”

He sat down on the chair across from me and pulled his baseball cap off, putting it on backward instead. And somehow, it was the hottest thing I’d ever seen.

“Really good, huh? I bet that I could do it better than Fabio.”

I giggle-snorted, but it only made him smile so hard that his eyes crinkled. “Doubt it, buddy. Now leave me alone.”

“Sorry, no can do. You’re my only hope.”

We battled it out for over a week with Gavin hounding me at the library and in class every chance he got.

Ultimately, he wore me down.

But that was forever ago, and none of it matters anymore.

Even though I miss him like hell.

Instead of risking the drive into town, maybe I need to find the closest neighbor’s house and beg them to save me.

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