Page 33 of Perfect Cowboy

“You just made it look so easy.”

“It is easy.”

“For a cowboy maybe.”

“I’m not going to bother fixing your dad’s old generator right now. I’ll just grab the portable one from my truck and get you set up. Then I need to get back home.”

Her golden eyes widen in surprise, and I can’t tear my gaze away from the melting snow trailing down her face and caressing her full lips. My mind shouldn’t be on her body, but I’ve never been very good at resisting her.

“You’re really driving back?” Ashley asks.

“What else would I do?”

“But it’s–”

“I’ll leave enough gas for you to keep the generator running for a week, but we should have power restored well before then,” I interrupt. “Just conserve energy as much as possible. I’m guessing there’s no running water?”

She shakes her head and starts to explain, but I’ve already put the pieces together. This is my world and she’s not built for it.

I raise a hand to stop her from talking. All she’s doing is delaying me from getting back in my truck and away from the temptation of doing a lot more than saving her.

The goddamn kiss took away what was left of my resolve, but I’ll be damned if I ever let her know it.

“Alright, don’t worry, I got it,” I say. “Stay inside. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

The phone is vibrating like mad in my pocket, but I don’t have time to deal with Bobby, Cade, or Cameron right now.

I’m sure they’re all calling to tell me that I’m insane. But I already know what I’m doing for Ashley – what I’m risking over a woman who doesn’t give a shit about me and never did – makes me certifiable.

Now, it’s just a matter of getting the hell away from her as quickly as possible.

I set the portable generator up under the shelter of the porch and hook up the essentials for the cabin. The loud and distinct rumble will let Ashley know that it’s working.

She comes onto the porch, and I’m about to send her back inside, but decide now is the perfect time to show her how to fill the gas tank.

Her eyes are glued to me, and I can only hope she’s paying close attention because I’m not going to be able to safely drive back.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Why did you come?”

I set my hand on her back and guide her inside the cabin, closing the door behind us. The heat of the fire has the thermostat on the wall reading a reasonable temperature, and it will be easy to keep such a small place warm.

Provided she doesn’t let the fire go out.

She must realize how important the task is now.

“I had to come. You would have died,” I reply.

“Why did you care?”

She is completely exasperating. If she’s expecting me to confess my undying love for her, she’ll be waiting for a long time.

At one time, I did love her more than anything. But I got over her. I moved on. Her unexpected presence may be stirring up all kinds of painful and confusing emotions, but that’s only to be expected when your unresolved past is thrown in your face.

“Because I’m a human being and it was the right thing to do,” I reply. “Nothing more.”

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