The dance ended and Cooper walked her back to the table.Hunter was already there, chatting with Ellie, who was on his other side.As they neared the table, he looked up.
She was so scared, petrified, really, of what she’d be able to read in his eyes, that she smiled, hoping to hide her confusion.
Cooper was right.She didn’t want to know what Hunter was feeling.Whether he had any feelings for her or not, leaving him was going to be hard.Not knowing was probably the coward’s way out, but she wasn’t brave enough for the alternative.
Chapter Eleven
Hunter couldn’t quitemake out Willow’s mood as they drove back to the ranch.She was quiet but had scooted right up to him and was lying with her head on his shoulder, her hand in his.
“You awake?”he asked as they left the town behind them.
“Mmm.”Just the sound she made was enough to light the embers that had been burning low in his belly all night.
“Did Cooper say anything that upset you while you danced with him?”
Lifting her head, she lifted a hand, slipped it his hair.“Why do you ask?”
“You’ve been quiet ever since.”
For a long time, she was quiet while her fingers kept stroking his neck.Finally, a soft sigh escaped.“He thinks I still feel guilty about Walker’s death.”
“I’ve heard the rumors about the night you brother was killed.Want to tell me about it?”
She put her head back against his shoulder.“I was the one who persuaded my brothers to go into town that evening.There was a cute cowboy who told me he’d be at Grey’s Saloon.”
“Yeah?Who?”
“I’ve forgotten his name.He never even showed up, but that was the silly reason why I was hell-bent on going into town in the first place.On our way back to the ranch, an elk crossed the road.Hayden tried to swerve, but…” She sighed.“There was an accident.Now I only have three brothers instead of four.”
“So, do you?”he asked.“Still feel guilty?”
“I didn’t think so, but Cooper thinks I do.I could see why my brothers were struggling to follow their hearts, but somehow, I haven’t seen that I have the same problem.”
They reached her house, and he parked his truck.He quickly got out, walked around to her side and picked her up.Instead of putting her down, he continued with her in his arms to the front door.Only then, he dropped her gently to the ground.
With her hands resting on his arms, she chewed her lip.He waited.
“Do you want to come in?”
Exhaling slowly, he lifted her chin.“If I do, I’m not leaving until morning.”
Her brilliant smiled nearly had him slobbering all over the place.“I have to leave early, and I can’t promise breakfast…”
He didn’t let her finish but just about dragged her with him into the house.Dropping his hat and his coat on the nearest chair, he inhaled deeply.“You sure about this?”
With her eyes on his, she slowly took off her coat.“I want this.I want you.So badly.”
Scooping her up in his arms again, he strode in the direction of her room.“Good, because it’s all I’ve been thinking about for days.”
The soft bed light welcomed them into her room.Like the previous time he was here, her familiar scent of wildflowers with notes of citrus welcomed him.Next to her bed, he slowly slid her down his body, making sure she felt every aching inch.
He’d wanted to go slow, but the fire in his body was making it difficult.“I want you naked,” he growled as he anxiously pulled at the buttons of his shirt.
“Slowly,” she whispered, covering his hand with hers.“We have all night.”With a small smile, she unbuttoned his shirt.As it dropped to the ground, her eyes widened.With a deep contented sigh, she spread her hands over his chest.“Wow, cowboy, you’ve got some serious muscles.”
And damn, if her words didn’t make him feel ten feet tall.
Her eyes twinkled.“Rock hard gets a whole new meaning.”
