Page 30 of Protective Cowboy

Is he serious? Autumn couldn’t tell. “Well, thanks to last weekend, the whole town thinks we’re dating for real. That’s why Mom and Dad invited you over for dinner tonight.”

“I know,” Matt acknowledged. “People have been asking me about you all week.”

Autumn rolled her eyes. “Say what you want about Bozeman. People there sure don’t gossip as much as they do here.”

“Yeah, well.” Matt shrugged and spread his hands in a what can you do? gesture. “I mean, since everyone thinks we’re together, maybe we should play along for a while longer. Until the Phillip situation is resolved.”

It sounded crazy… but also dangerously appealing.

Then Matt added, “To really sell it, why don’t you move in with me for the time being?”

Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

It was either the craziest thing she’d ever heard… or a stroke of genius.

∞∞∞

Matt had never been more serious in his life. His chest felt tight and hot with rage at the way Phillip Garthe had tried to bully her just now.

The sadness, the fear, the uncertainty in her expression… those were new. And he was a hundred percent sure they were Phillip’s handiwork.

Protect. I have to protect her.

His Autumn had a quick wit, an uninhibited laugh, and a wicked sense of humor. She radiated confidence and sexiness, not this heart-wrenching uncertainty and frustration.

A quick memory of a naked Autumn in his bed, smiling up at him with flushed cheeks and sleep-tousled hair, flashed across his mind.

He wondered if his impulsive offer was stirring up her memories of sneaking into each other’s bedrooms at night, of fevered kisses and tentative caresses exchanged under the covers while listening for approaching footsteps in the hall.

He caught the hesitant glance she threw his way, and he felt a sting. Damn. Does she think I’m just like Phillip, trying to trap her into a reconciliation?

“I don’t know if you heard, but I just bought a three-bedroom house in town,” he explained quickly. “You and Jayden would have your own rooms. It would be strictly platonic. Housemates.”

Autumn still looked uncertain. “I don’t want to impose…”

She looked so vulnerable. He fought the urge to wrap her in his arms.

This isn’t the time or place, he chided himself. And the last thing Autumn needs is another guy hounding her.

He shook his head and tried to find something to say to reassure her. “We’ve been friends for a long time. It’s the least I can do.”

“Let me think about it,” Autumn said. “In the meantime, we’re going to miss out on dessert if we stay out here too much longer.”

∞∞∞

“Is Dad still out there?” Jayden asked in a small voice as Autumn came back into the dining room.

I’ll never forgive Phillip for scaring our son like this. A son should look up to his father. Not fear him.

“No, sweetie. Your grandpa and uncles made him go to a cabin. He’s probably asleep by now.”

Jayden was quiet for a moment. “Good,” he finally said. “I don’t have to see him, do I?”

She hated that Phillip’s bullying actions were affecting her son this way. Jayden deserved to have a loving father in his life! Not a selfish, manipulative one, like the man she’d so foolishly married.

“Not if you don’t want to,” Autumn assured him. She leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Don’t worry, okay? Deputy Matt and I are handling this.”

Jayden nodded and gave Matt a shy look. “Okay.”

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