Page 7 of My Cowboy Temptation

I understand. Even if I don’t have any similar creative talent—or any talent for anything other than bossing people around, making them quake in their boots when they fail or defy me. It’s another reason that a girl as special as Callie deserves someone other than me, someone with more to offer her.

“So,” I start, wanting to get to the heart of what we’re really doing out here. “Do you want to tell me what that was back there? You racing through the trails like a devil was chasing you? And don’t give me any excuse about knowing your way blindfolded. You know you were being reckless. Is it because of what happened last night? I imagine it would be distressing to come upon that scene at your place. Scared even.”

“Scared? Why the hell would I be scared?” she asks a little too sharply.

“Because someone made a place you thought was safe no longer feel safe,” I say simply.

She meets my gaze, and I can see the truth there, the terror, but also something like anger as her eyes flash, and she looks away.

“You’re safe now, Callie. Cody Palmer won’t be hurting you or your friend any longer.”

Cody Palmer is the guy whose kids were part of Everly’s investigation that resulted in their being removed from their home, and who Lucas and I were pegging as the culprit for the vandalism that started with a dead cat left on their door a week ago, leading up to last night’s break-in.

She casts a wary glance my way. “What did you and my dad do?”

“Nothing that Palmer doesn’t deserve. Don’t worry. It’s all legal.” Not that where Callie’s safety is concerned, I wouldn’t have strayed from the lines of the law. “Let’s just say that Cody’s uncle, Zeke Palmer, isn’t going to like having the heat come down on him and his drug enterprise with the imminent arrest of his nephew and leader of the local operation. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

“Won’t that bring blowback to the ranch? On Dad? On you?”

“Not when the source of the information fed to Chief McCall remains anonymous. All I’m saying, Cal, is you’re safe. You don’t have to be scared.”

She shakes her head and grips her reins a little too tight. “It’s not fear that drove me earlier. It’s anger at myself.”

“You? You didn’t bring this on.”

“You don’t understand.” She looks around, almost like for an escape, before nudging her horse forward and heading to a tall larch tree as I follow. She slides off the horse and tries to tie the reins around a low, heavy branch. But her knot keeps failing, and I can see that whatever she hasn’t finished telling me is stressing her out.

I climb off Sampson and come alongside her. “Here,” I say, taking the reins and tying them off, before doing the same with mine. “Now help me understand.”

She paces in front of me. “I’ve always thought myself so fearless. The one who jumps into the fray without thought of danger, especially if it meant standing up for someone I love. But last night?” She shakes her head again and turns around so I can’t see her face. “I was a fucking coward. I couldn’t bring myself to cross that threshold. Not even when I knew Everly was inside somewhere and maybe still in danger. I-I froze.” More softly she adds, “I couldn’t go in. I couldn’t help my friend.”

“Hey,” I say, coming behind her and putting my hands on her arms as I turn her to face me. Her eyes are large and filled with unshed tears as she stares back, and I run a finger across the bottom of her jaw. “You acted like anyone would have in the face of such horror. Your home was broken into. Your personal belongings and your artwork were destroyed. Being afraid of things, this especially, doesn’t make you a coward. Hell, you’re still the strongest, bravest person I know.”

“You’re not afraid of anything,” she says with such certainty that I’m humbled by her faith in me.

I laugh a little shakily. “Oh, darlin’, you have no idea how wrong that is. Fear is part of life. Working through that fear is a struggle for me as much as anyone.”

She studies me, her brows drawn together as she considers this. Then she takes a step forward until she’s almost in my arms. All I have to do is wrap my arms around her. “Are you afraid of me? Or is it you’re afraid of your feelings for me? Is that why you keep pushing me away?”

Hell. This is getting more dangerous than I expected. I nod and look up as if praying for strength. Having her this close, I can smell her enticing scent that hints of flowers and vanilla, feel the heat emanating from that delectable body.

“You don’t have to be afraid of those feelings anymore, Brody.” She tilts her head up and rises on her toes to try and kiss me.

But even with that extra height, she can’t close the distance. Not without a little help.

She presses up against me, her breasts feeling so fucking good as they crush against my chest even as she wraps her hands around my waist. Her mouth is open, and she runs that tongue over her top lip, leaving moisture on her succulent mouth.

I just need to taste her. Just one time.

And before I can talk myself out of it, I dip my head and catch her mouth with mine, tasting the honey flavor of her lips and then her tongue as it slashes against mine with urgent need even as her mouth opens wider, and I don’t know who wants to consume who more.

Fuck, she tastes so sweet and intoxicating. This isn’t going to be enough.

I want more. I need more.

In an instant, I lift her up, my hands kneading the softness of her ass as her legs wrap around my waist, pressing her heat against me, grinding even as a soft moan escapes her throat. A sound that has my dick fighting the constraints of my jeans.

I should stop this. I know that somewhere in the back of my mind.

---