Page 33 of Love on the Line

“I…didn’t know this was on here…Emily—”

“You ever been kissed by a guy in a cowboy hat?” he asked.

Her mouth went dry. “No.”

He turned the overhead light off, plunging them into darkness. Anticipation cut off her breath. As her eyes adjusted, the flash of the hazards illuminated the lines of his face, which hovered close to hers. She jumped when he squeezed her knee.

“We’ll have to do something about that.” He leaned away. “My hat’s in the back right now.”

He checked the mirrors and pulled onto the road. She caught his mischievous smile in the reflection of the streetlights. He sure knew how to keep her off kilter, in an exciting way.

“Technically, that’s not your hat.” She pointed to the back seat.

Wyatt shrugged. “Dan wouldn’t take it back. Said Pete insisted I’d earned it. Cowboys don’t usually share hats you know, so I didn’t want to insult him.”

“Well, he’s right. You did earn it. And now the manager hired them for another four gigs, so you saved the day.” She touched his arm.

“They’ll just be glad to have Pete back.”

Wyatt sure didn’t hold himself up on a pedestal. Anne yawned and drew her hand back. “I think the fans would be happy to see you again, too.”

He glanced at her. “Thanks.”

The car hummed as he drove, and her eyelids turned heavy.

“Anne. We’re here.”

“Mm…”

A warm hand patted her cheek. She nuzzled against it.

“Anne, wake up.”

Her body shook. No, someone was shaking it. She jerked up in the seat. “I’m sorry, I must have drifted off.” She rubbed her eyes. “I don’t know how. I was so wide awake.”

“It’s okay. It’s really late,” he said.

She unbuckled her belt and groped around for her purse.

“No rush. Relax.” He reached over and caught her hand in his.

She turned to face him.

“Thanks again, for everything. I know this was kind of a weird Valentine’s Day. I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with you.”

“It’s okay. I enjoyed hanging with the girls.”

He undid his seatbelt but still didn’t turn off the engine. “It’s really cold out there, and I don’t want you to freeze at the door when I say goodbye.”

“You don’t have to walk me up. It’s—”

“Shh.” He placed a finger on her lips. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I waited all night to kiss you. There’s no way I’m leaving without doing it right.”

Her heart thumped in her chest. “Oh.”

Lowering his hand, he brought his face slowly closer, as if giving her time to refuse him.

In the dark, her senses heightened to the sound of the whirring heater, Wyatt’s tantalizing musky scent, and the electric energy that pulsated between them, drawing her closer.

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