Page 36 of Catching a Cowgirl

“But not bad.” It was a statement, though the way he’d said it made her think he still wanted confirmation.

“Not…bad.” The flutters in her chest returned. “Like I said. Unexpected.”

Shane turned to face her. His body blocked her in. With the stalls at her back, Shane blocking her front, and their clasped hands preventing her from edging to the side, there was no escape. While her mind sought one, her heart insisted she didn’t need it. His voice had lowered, but it wasn’t menacing. “Admittedly, I wasn’t thrilled, hearing him hit on you like that.”

Her lashes fluttered. “You weren’t?”

Slowly, he shook his head. It was as if he wanted his words to sink in.

“Are you suggesting you were… jealous?”

He grimaced. “That sounds harsh.”

“But you were.”

“Would it upset you if I were?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I think healthy jealously has a time and a place.” She cocked her head to one side. “Though historically, a first date isn’t typically when that happens.”

“I suppose I’m not a typical guy.” He was so close.

Eloise didn’t know when it happened exactly, but he’d continued closing in and now his face was inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek, and it forced chills to course through her whole body. She tilted her face upward, inching ever so closer to him.

Two inches was all that stood between her lips and his. He could kiss her right now and there would be nothing she could do about it—not that she would want to. Her hand had tightened around his. Time froze in that moment. What would it feel like to be held by him, kissed by him?

Voices drew near, and she blinked. Shane released her hand, leaving her feeling chilled. He took a few steps back. Disappointment swirled within her. What a ridiculous emotion to feel in this moment. She should be more focused on getting to know him better.

Forcing a smile, she moved toward him and took his hand in hers once again. “Where are we going next?”

He stared at where they were connected, then brought her hand upward. His lips barely grazed her hand but nevertheless caused a fresh wave of shivers. “I have the perfect place.”

* * *

Eloise had thoughtShane was going to take her to some fancy restaurant. She’d expected him to spend excessive amounts of money to impress her. But she’d been wrong.

She stared out at the lake before her as the red sun set on the horizon. White Rock Lake was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. It had an old-time sort of feel from the wooden dock to the way the water crept up right to the edge of the grass growing along its perimeter.

Her eyes locked with Shane’s for a moment, and she let out an appreciative sigh. “How did you know about this place?”

His focus swept through the area, and his serene smile was hard to miss. “Not many people know this about me, but I’m a sucker for places like this—the simple pleasures in life.” He glanced toward her again. “I think I have my parents to thank for that. My mother was raised with money, but my father wasn’t. We spent every Sunday finding new places to watch the sun set.”

There went one more layer, and she could see him a little more clearly. Eloise studied his profile. A billionaire who could appreciate the simple things. Now she’d seen it all. “You’re not normal, are you?”

He gave her a funny look, and her eyes widened.

“Please tell me I didn’t just say that out loud.”

Shane chuckled. “I suppose you’re right. I’m not very normal.”

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way, I swear.” She blushed hotter with each passing second. “I only meant…” What did she mean? Even in her head, it sounded stupid to tell him she was impressed that he liked sunsets. She cleared her throat and looked away. “I only meant that you’re not what I expected.”

He turned toward her, then tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear as she met his gaze. “I assume that’s a good thing?”

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t,” she said.

His eyes searched hers, darting from one to the other. He was going to kiss her. She just knew it. This was that moment when he would try toshowher that he found her attractive. Eloise leaned into him, and her eyes closed. But the kiss never came.

“You aren’t quite what I expected either,” he whispered.

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