Vicki Thompson - Cowboy All Night

Desire uncurled and stretched within her, creating a sweet ache that made her shift her position. She accidentally brushed against him. “Sorry.”

“No worries.” His low voice worked as effectively as a caress.

As heat shot through her body, she shivered.

“Cold?”

“A little,” she lied.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded and walked beside him down the wooden aisle. The air seemed to crackle between them, but maybe she was the only one who could feel it. She wished he would take her hand. No, she really didn’t. That would be the beginning of something she shouldn’t want.

He chuckled softly.

“What?”

“I thought they’d be gone by now, but apparently they’re having a little tiff.”

She’d been concentrating so hard on Brant that she’d missed the sound of voices. The argument didn’t sound serious, though. Lexi and Cade were both laughing.

“Okay, here’s the guy who can settle this,” Cade said when they walked outside.

“Settle what?” Brant closed the door and slid the bar across.

“Lexi seems to think washing her truck includes detailing it. I don’t recall a word about detailing, do you?”

Brant gazed at him with a smile. “I was planning to detail Aria’s van. Otherwise it’s not a complete job, and I know how you hate doing something half-assed.”

“Ah, I see how things are.” Cade clapped him on the shoulder. “Okay. I guess keeping the women happy is worth it.”

Lexi glanced at Aria. “Like that remark, for instance.”

“Oh.” She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

“What remark? I was only—”

“Quit while you’re ahead, bro,” Brant said. “Although I think you might be behind. In any event, you need to shut the hell up.”

“Listen to your brother.” Lexi linked her arm through Cade’s. “Let’s call it a night, shall we?”

“All righty.” Cade touched the brim of his hat. “Good night, all. See you in the mornin’.”

As they drove away, Brant started laughing. “I swear to God, if he doesn’t quit making those bonehead comments, Lexi’s never gonna propose. ‘Keeping the women happy.’ What a moronic thing to say.”

“Lexi’s supposed to propose to him?”

“Yep. Last summer he popped the question a few days after he’d come back to town. It was way too soon. After she turned him down, he decided she’d better choose the timing. At this rate they might tie the knot in their golden years.”

“She’s an independent woman.”

“Which is the best kind, in my opinion.” Brant nudged back his Stetson. “Speaking of that, on the way over to the cabin Cade told me you plan to open a cooking school.”

“Eventually.” The glow of the barn’s dusk-to-dawn light gave her a better chance to admire his handsome self. Coming upon Cade and Lexi had momentarily interrupted the buzz she’d had going on, but once she looked at him she got it back.

“So that’s why you’re working so hard.”

“It is, although I’ve become sidetracked with Josh’s accident.”

“I’m sure.” His gaze warmed. “It’s a generous thing you’re doing for him.”

She shrugged. “He’s my brother. Anyone would do the same.”

“Not necessarily.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m trying to say I admire you, and making a poor job of it.”

Her heartbeat sped up. “Thank you.”

“Let me make it a little plainer.” He looked into her eyes. “I like you.”

“I like you, too.” She swallowed. “Quite a bit.”

“I had a hunch. So...?”

“We should probably leave it at that.” Damn it.

“Why?”

“I’m really busy.”

“Okay.” He sounded skeptical.

“I don’t blame you for questioning that tired old excuse. Plenty of busy people find the time to indulge in...stuff.” Her cheeks grew warm.

“So I’ve heard.” His lazy smile ramped up his sex appeal several more notches.

“But there’s also Josh to think about.”

“I’m not following you.”

“He’s stuck in a wheelchair with not much of a life. Working to change that has to be my focus.”

“Ah.” He rocked back on his heels. “And indulging in stuff with me might cause you to forget about Josh’s situation.”

“Yes.” Guaranteed. Just talking about indulging in stuff with this gorgeous cowboy had short-circuited her brain.

“Temporarily, anyway.”

“Right but—”

“Is that such a bad idea?”

“You’re suggesting I need a break.”

He shrugged. “Only you know if that’s true.”

“I hadn’t thought about it that way.” Her pulse began to race.

“We could try a kiss and see how that works out.”

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