Missedhim.
Just one night. That’s all they’d had. And yet, she couldn’t get the man out of her thoughts.
It’s only for now, she reminded herself.This, between us, it’s for the summer and that’s all.
Did her heart listen?
Never mind about that.
She wrapped her hand around the nape of his neck, stroked her middle finger in that tender place behind his ear. “You know I’m interested. I thought I made that clearlastnight.”
He nuzzled the hair at her temple. “I love how you smell. Like roses—and something else. Something woodsy, a little sharp.”
“Juniper.”
“That’s it.” He breathed deep. “I like it. A lot.”
“So you wanted to talk about what shampoo I use?”
He chuckled. The sound vibrated from his body into hers. “I wanted to talk about doing things your way.”
Her hopeless heart beat a faster rhythm. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, Vanessa. You still open to that?”
She looked up into those eyes that were deep and dark now, night-blue. “I am, absolutely. I’m open, Jameson. To you.”
Chapter Six
Now that he had Vanessa in his arms, Jameson knew he’d made the right decision. He’d lain awake half the night last night, staring at the shadows lurking up near the vaulted ceiling, trying to tell himself thathewas right and she was wrong, that he’d had enough of trying to get through to her.
But then, a few hours before dawn, he’d finally faced the truth. He wanted to get close to her. And with a skittish woman like Vanessa, a man only had a chance of getting close if he agreed to do so on her terms.
The irony of the situation did not escape him. He’d spent a lot of years having nothing but a real good time when it came to the fairer sex. When a woman got too clingy or started talking marriage and babies, he couldn’t get the hell out fast enough.
And then he finally grew up. He’d started hungering for a family—with the right woman. He’d met Maybelle. They’d married. And from her, he’d learned a painful lesson. In the immortal words of Jon Pardi, “It ain’t always the cowboy that rides away.”
Would Vanessa have him humming the same tune in the end?
It sure did look that way. But a man could never win if he refused to play the game.
So for now, forget the future. He had Vanessa in his arms, and the way she looked up at him, dark eyes soft and hopeful, promised a great night ahead and, just maybe, if he played his cards right, more nights to come.
Whatever happened, at least he’d have a good time while she remained in town. It wasn’t near enough for him. But to have a prayer of more, he needed to stay in the damn game—and keep a check on himself.
She’d made it painfully clear that she had no interest in getting serious. He needed to remember that, needednotto get too attached.
And who could say? Maybe they’d grow closer. Close enough that she’d learn to trust him. Close enough that she’d be willing to change her rules.
Right now, though, he needed not to push her when she refused to budge.
“You want to stay for the fireworks?” Jameson asked as the song ended and another slow one began.
Van pulled back enough to meet his waiting eyes. “Nope. I was kind of thinking I might follow you to your place.”
The way he smiled at her made her stomach hollow out and hot shivers race up and down her spine. “Get our own fireworks going?”
She returned his smile. “You just read my mind.”
