He raised a brow. “You asked the bartender that, too?”
She laughed, tucking the card in her coat pocket. “She volunteered that information.” Skylar gave him her number. “Phone works both ways.”
Rawley stared at her, then touched his hat, dark eyes glinting. “Goodnight, Skylar McCoy. I hope I hear from you.”
“Me too, Agent Bowman.” She lifted her key fob, and the SUV’s lights blinked in response. She turned, slipping inside. Through the window, she saw him still standing there, rigid as a guard, then she drove off to head home.
Skylar entered her house, secured the lock, and hung her purse on the antique hall tree. The familiar sensation of soft fur brushing against her ankles made her look down into Cosmo’s blue eyes.
“Hey, pretty boy.” She crouched down, running her fingers through his silky coat. A smile spread across her tired face when his rumbling purr vibrated against her palm. “You know what? I got to talk to that hot cowboy I saw last night.” She exhaled slowly. “Rawley Bowman is just too hot, but he was nice and that’s always a plus.”
Rising to her feet, she padded across the cool tile of the kitchen floor, flicked off the glow of the light above the sink, then made her way to her bedroom. She peeled off her clothing as she walked, leaving a trail behind her.
Moonlight filtered through her bedroom blinds as she stepped into the bathroom to wash off her makeup. After patting her face dry with a plush towel, she slid into her favorite leggings and an oversized, faded blue T-shirt. How she wished she had one of Rawley’s shirts, still carrying the scent of leather, fresh hay, and that intoxicating aftershave.
“Oh, girl, you are in so much trouble,” she murmured, shaking her head.
She couldn’t help wondering if he’d gone into the bar and hoping he hadn’t. He could pick up any woman in a heartbeat; tall, handsome, confident. Skylar laughed softly; at five-six, she was almost a foot shorter than Rawley, but she loved tall men.
“Damn, he’s got it all.” She sighed. “So, why’s he still single? What’s his deal?”
She settled onto her bed, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the TV, scrolling through movie options. She wasn’t tired, but after such a disappointing day, she welcomed the distraction. Still, she smiled remembering that the night hadn’t been a total bust, she’d talked to Rawley, and maybe he’d call.
The next morning, she awoke feeling unusually relaxed. It was Sunday and she intended to be perfectly lazy. While waiting for her coffee to finish dripping into the cup, she mentally scolded herself.
“Don’t get obsessed,” she warned. “He could let you down. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Fishing her phone from her leggings pocket, she texted Ryan:
I saw Rawley last night.
Bubbles appeared almost immediately.
At Dewey’s?
Outside in the parking lot. I was leaving because he wasn’t there, but he was walking toward the bar, as I was heading for my SUV. We swapped numbers. Now I just hope he calls.
Me too.
He’s so hot!
Ryan sent a laughing emoji.
He really is.
Understatement! He’s nice too. I like him a lot.
I hope it works out. You deserve a great guy.
I want one. I want him.
You’re in trouble.
Skylar laughed as she typed:
I know… told myself that.
Just be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt.
