Page 39 of Home to the Cowboy

“Cooper stopped by,” a voice behind her said. Dylan. Only his voice had the ability to send delicious shivers down her spine.

Without looking at him, she crouched down and put food into Daisy’s bowl. “Hi, thanks for babysitting me, but I’m fine now. I don’t know which one of all those meds helped, but I can’t believe how much better I feel today.”

“As I said, Cooper was here. He’s, among other things, a healer I’ve heard. He—I don’t know what he does or how he does it, but he wanted to see you.”

“I remember that Cooper was talking to me at some point.” As she got up she looked at him. Big mistake. His hair was messy, the stubble on his face indicated he hadn’t yet shaved, and the shirt he’d put on was still unbuttoned. Her eyes, of course, immediately zoomed in on those ridiculous abs. The man was just absurdly handsome, damn him.

Quickly she moved to the coffee machine. “Would you like coffee before you leave? You’re probably in a hurry, I …”

A warm hand landed on her shoulder, and he turned her to face him. Combing her hair from her face, he cleared his throat. “I’ve hurt you, I’m sorry. I freaked out. Watching you with Luke and thinking of you among the kids in the library made it clear you should get married, have kids. You’ll be such a great mom. I’ve told you about my parents, I’m not the guy who can give you that. I would like to spend time with you until you return to Seattle, though. If you’re willing of course and—”

While he was talking, his hand glided ever so slowly down her arm so by the time he stopped talking, she had goose bumps all over and her breath had hitched somewhere in her throat.

What she was feeling, standing here, drinking the sight of him in, had to be temporary, right? Lust at best. It wasn’t anything real, anything sustainable. She was a book editor from Seattle; he was a cowboy on a ranch outside a small town. Their lives couldn’t be more different. Why didn’t she spend time with him until she left? Maybe it wasn’t the wisest idea, but it was probably all she needed to get rid of this craziness inside her. By the time she left, she’d have it out of her system.

“Tell you what,” she interrupted Dylan’s words.

“Yes?”

“I’m leaving at the end of the month. Let’s spend time together until then. And don’t worry, I don’t expect anything from you, no strings.”

His eyes widened. “You’re sure?”

She’s never been so sure of anything. “I’m sure.”

Grinning, he pulled her closer. “Then I have just one more question.”

Slipping her arms around his big, solid body, she pressed her face against his chest. “What?” For the first time since Sunday, her heart settled.

“Are you really okay?”

Instead of answering him, she pressed her lips against his warm skin. Definitely not wise but damn, it felt so good. Besides, there would be enough time later to berate herself. Right now, she was going to enjoy what was offered to her.

Groaning, he picked her up. “Daisy, stay,” he said as he walked toward the stairs. “This time, I’m taking you to bed,” he grinned.

“Don’t you have to go back?”

“Later.” He ran up the steps with her in his arms without even changing the rhythm of his breathing.

Oh, my. The man had stamina. Good to know.

*

Dylan put her gently down on the bed before he quickly stripped off his clothes. Leaning on her elbows, June watched him, her eyes following his every movement. As he removed his jeans, they widened, making him feel ten feet tall.

Scooting to the other side, she patted the bed next to her. “Come here, cowboy. I’ve missed you.”

As his heart sighed, he joined her on the bed, pulling her into his arms. “You’re still dressed,” he mumbled as his lips trailed over her face.

“Well, do something about it,” she demanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” Taking his time, he slowly pulled down the shorts she was wearing, his fingers skimming her skin as his hands moved down her body.

Her breath hitched, those blue eyes darkened as she lifted her hips to help him.

Before he could return to her top, she was pulling it over her head. No bra. Exhaling slowly, he bent down, scraped his teeth over her breasts before he feasted on their lusciousness while his hands moved down her body, exploring every sexy line, every soft curve.

Her hands were in his hair, egging him on, her body arching into his touch. She sighed and whimpered, every sound heating his blood until it was just about boiling.