Nicole Edwards - Travis

They’d long since gotten past the getting to know you phase , which meant there were only two directions they could go from here. Either down the path to fervent sexual gratification, or they would turn around and head back the way they came, sticking with a more professional association.

Kylie wanted the sex, plain and simple.

Ever since the first night Gage took her out to dinner, Kylie had been thinking some rather heated thoughts about the man. They’d shared quite a few intimate meals together, and some much more casual dates, most of them spent chatting it up like long lost friends, with that very distinct buzz of sexual attraction in the background.

Having not been on many dates where jumping into bed within the first ten minutes wasn’t on the guy’s agenda, Kylie was a little off kilter around Gage. She spent most of her time wondering whether they would jump one another’s bones the next time they saw each other or if he’d be content simply asking her personal questions about her past.

With her hormones beginning to overflow, Kylie wasn’t sure how much more she possibly could store up before the lid blew off due to the pressure. If Gage kept up this perfect gentleman routine, she was going to have to buy stock in Duracell or Energizer just so she could function on a daily basis.

She found herself wondering more and more why they hadn’t moved to the next phase of what felt like a potential relationship either. They’d had make-out sessions that were testing the limits of her smoke detectors, but never had they ventured farther than second base.

If chemistry was all it took, they would have been horizontal for most of the time they had known one another because what happened between them when they kissed was explosive. But every time they got close to rounding the bases and heading for a home run, Gage put the brakes on. A sudden, abrupt stop that sent Kylie careening headfirst into the dashboard, her brain jarring from the impact.

And of course, every time Gage halted their progress, Kylie managed to take a step back, taking advantage of the opportunity to reflect on what was happening between them. She genuinely liked him. They laughed, talked, and yes, he knocked her socks off with his kisses, but as far as going any further, she didn’t deny that taking things slowly was for the best. At least with them moving at a snail’s pace, she wouldn’t risk the possibility of getting too attached.

Kylie Marie Prescott did not roll that way.

Not after Travis Walker ruined her for all time.

Damn it.

Kylie instinctively closed her eyes, refusing to allow the image of Travis to come to mind. As a rule, she avoided any and all memories that involved him because as sure as the sun would rise in the morning, thoughts of him caused a painful ache to return, and the echo of long ago love still had a devastating impact.

Even all these years later, her body reacted in strange ways to those lingering memories that hadn’t yet faded around the edges. Sort of like muscle memory, the feel of his skin, his mouth, his hands, it was as though he hadn’t been gone from her life for ten years. No, it felt more like yesterday. Considering how he walked out on her after they’d been married only three weeks, it would make more sense if she wanted to slap him, not jump him, but damn it if she didn’t want to just…

Ok, totally inappropriate. Tune back in to reality, girl.

Kylie knew that it didn’t help that they were still married, which was a painful reminder each and every day. A mere technicality, she told herself repeatedly. But one she hadn’t put much thought into rectifying until she’d started getting closer to Gage.

In truth, the only thing real about their nuptials was the paper they’d received that validated it. It was easy to pretend otherwise because living with a man for three weeks did not a marriage make. Especially when he turned the other cheek and walked away as though she didn’t mean a thing to him.

If only she thought she could emotionally survive seeing Travis again, she’d seek a divorce. Every year she convinced herself that she’d be stronger next year. Since she still didn’t believe she could handle seeing him, and since he hadn’t yet taken the initiative himself, Kylie was still married to Travis Walker.

The only benefit was that she didn’t have to relive Travis ripping her heart right out of her chest and walking away with it still beating in his hands. Because sure as she breathed, seeing him would blow another crater right in the center of her chest.

Ok, you’re cut off now, woman. No more thinking.

Her inner monologue with herself was enough to set her straight as she headed down the back staircase. She busied herself taking notes in the kitchen, jotting down the ideas she’d come up with so far.

“Let me know when you’re done. I’d like to take you to meet some folks.”

Kylie was leaning over the island, her pen tapping steadily against the notepad as she stared back at him. Dropping the pen because, quite frankly, she was getting on her own nerves, she exhaled and smiled. She was suddenly eager to get some fresh air. Whether it was the close proximity of this handsome man or thoughts of the one from her past, she wasn’t sure, but the room was suddenly getting a little warm.

“I’m good for now. As long as you promise I’ll get to come back soon.”

“Darlin’, you’ve got the job if you want it,” Gage said, grinning.

“You don’t even know my price,” she informed him.

“Irrelevant.”

Money had never been a subject they broached up to this point, but Gage’s nonchalant attitude when anything even close came up made her believe he wasn’t necessarily hurting financially. Which made her question other things because she knew for a fact that a cop’s salary wasn’t going to give him money to burn.

No doubt, this project wasn’t going to be cheap, but at least she could do the work in stages. And she was extremely resourceful. She just needed some local crews to help because those she normally worked with weren’t likely to venture this far out. And if Gage was looking to save some money, he could add some elbow grease of his own.

After Gage locked up the house and helped her into his truck, Kylie allowed her mind to relax as he drove. The familiar song on the radio made her want to tap her foot on the floor, but she refrained. It was rare that she was in a good mood after such pressing thoughts from her past, but for some reason, just being in Gage’s company helped. That, and the prospect of the new job, made her smile.

For once, she just wanted to enjoy what life threw her way. It was high time she stopped trying to hide behind those events that had changed her life irreparably. Time to move forward.

Still smiling, Kylie pulled herself back to the present as Gage turned onto a long dirt driveway. In the distance, she saw a lovely old farmhouse come into view, the fresh paint and new roof gleamed radiantly in the bright Texas sunshine. This one looked significantly different than the one they’d just left. This one was sporting a recent facelift.

Refraining from asking questions, Kylie paid attention to the details of the house in case Gage was here to show her some ideas he had, her brain barely registering the men moving furniture into the house. As she focused on what they were doing, she noticed two more talking on one end of the beautiful wrap around porch.

Kylie mentally cleared her throat because… Wow! Did this place only breed hot, sexy cowboys?

When Gage pulled the truck to a stop, Kylie unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out. She continued to stare up at the beautiful house, her eye for detail noting the few things they’d done to stick with the house’s former glory, although there were quite a few enhancements they’d made to modernize it as well. Either way, she was impressed. Wouldn’t have been her choice, but then again, it wasn’t her house.