Falling For A Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

. “ What about you? ”
    “ I ’ m a cowhand . Work the Double T ranch near M arfa . ”
    “ So you ’ re a real cowboy? ”
    He chuckled . “ Yes ma ’ am , and proud of it. ”
    “ What about your friend? ”
    “ Ah, not a cowhand, exactly . But definitely a cowboy. ” Jesse seemed reluctant to say more .
    “ A bronc rider though? ”
    “ Yep . He ’ s definitely that. His destiny is busting broncs . ”
    And breaking hearts she ’ d bet.
    “ Your hair smells nice , ” h e whispered in her ear.
    That had to be the trite st line she ’ d heard in a while. “ Thanks, ” she muttered as the music stopped . The band would be going on in a few minutes as it was closing in on nine . Time for her to exit, especially if she would be working tomorrow.
    “ I ’ ve got to get going . It was nice to see you again , Jesse, ” she said, smoothing her skirt.
    He grabbed her arm . “ Can ’ t you stay a little while longer ? I ’ d like to spend some time with you . For real. ”
    Well, he was good at sincerity , she ’ d give him that.
    “ No. I can ’ t . Good luck tomorrow. ” She tossed him a smile as he let go of her.
    Without bothering to say good-bye to Tara Lynn , who was in conversation with Clay, she headed toward the front door. For some reason she just had to get outside and g arner some fresh air . And go home .
    “ Hey B en , ” Dusty called to the older man stationed in the foyer to collect the cover charges . Pushing open the double glass doors , s he breathed in the night air as the blue neon sign flashed above . It was dry and dusty and hot as hell during the summer, but Langley had clean air and starlit skies , and it was home.
    Through the full parking lot, s he made a beeline for her shiny silver pick-up , parked toward the back. She ’ d bough t it with her own money , the start she needed toward independence and a new beginning. Walking across the gravel, she kicked at the ground with her boots sen ding a spray of pebbles and dust in all direction s . She did it again and again until she reached the truck. F ingers on the cool metal door handle, she stilled when she heard her name called.
    She turned around to the sight of Clay bearing down on her . H er heart skip ped a beat . His white shirt almost glowed in the moonlight while the rest of his body was etched in black against the gray night sky. He moved with the rolling gait of the cowboy he was, all fluid motion and power , a trim muscled torso on long lean legs. H e held up his hands in surrender . “ Don ’ t I count ? You gave Jesse a dance . Don ’ t I get one? ”
    H e sure was a hunk of man . Her heart thumped hard inside her chest. She couldn ’ t tell his expression with the brim of the Stetson shadowing his face but she guessed it wasn ’ t a happy one.
    “ I didn ’ t know you wanted one , ” she managed to get out , just as he stopped short in front of her.
    His looming height m a de her feel small. She looked up at a set of unyielding lips, m idnight blue eyes , and the gray shadow of a beard etch ing his strong jaw .
    “ I want. ” His voice had a husky timbre to it. He reached for her and she endured the slight brush of his hand against her shoulder as he fingered strands of her hair. Goosebumps danced where he ’ d touched . “ Your hair is down . I knew it would be worth seeing. ”
    She couldn ’ t move.
    He smoothed a tendril back behind her shoulder with the barest touch . “ I ’ ll take this instead . ” H e bent down.
    He was going to kiss her . She knew it and still she rooted in place. Firm lips gently br eezed across hers . T he taste of hops filled her senses . H is lips brushed again as his hand touched her sh oulde r and tugged her closer . She tingled clear to her toes. H is lips pressed harder against her s , seeking a response . She opened and his tongue slid inside. A whimper of surrend er escaped . He reacted to the sound by pressing her head closer to him , holding her for his