Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Escape (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free Page B

him. She just wasn’t used to people actually going out of their way to help each other.
“Please, come in, I’m sorry. It’s just taking some getting used to, being in the country.” Beau stepped in, his tight jeans clinging to every manly inch of him, the blue shirt he had on, stretched tight across his chest and arms. She was used to being around men who had more muscle than brain, but none of them every made her feel as small as Beau did. Just his presence in the room alone made her feel swallowed up whole. As her heart rate quickened, she felt her body warm. The reactions this man brought out of her were new and slightly startling.
     
    Mara stood, setting the spoon onto the counter. Beau took a step inside as Bear shoved past him, before he could shove the door shut. The dog sniffed at Mara’s feet, licking the little sauce that she had missed. When he found no more scraps to lap up, he sat, leaning his heavy body against hers. She instinctively reached down, threading her fingers in his long fur. It soothed her nerves somehow, that this large animal took to her so quickly.
“Are you hungry?” She asked. “I don’t need any help, I got it all unloaded myself, but I can offer you some spaghetti.” Her hand fluttered to her hair, tossed up in a messy bun. Her nerves were raw and she still felt the embarrassment of yesterday. This man always looked like he walked off the pages of some Western romance, but she looked like a bum. He smiled at her, flashing those pearly white teeth and Mara wondered how any man could get away with looking so perfect.
“I could eat, I spent all day in my greenhouse and forgot lunch, and dinner.” He moved easily to the counter as if he belonged there. Mara fixed them both plates of spaghetti, setting some homemade meatballs on a plate for Bear. Beau laughed at the dog as he inhaled the special treat. When Mara moved to sit near him, he noticed how she pulled her chair to widen the distance between them.
Stay close to her, protect her at all costs, he thought to himself. He wasn’t sure why he felt such a protective need over this woman. Sure, her beautiful long blonde hair and pale skin looked good enough to kiss, lick, and taste. She was beautiful. But maybe it was the fragileness she had about her, that she could break at any time. He admired how strong she came across, but he could see beneath it.
     
    “So, what all did you end up getting?” He asked her, hoping to break her from the quiet shell she was wrapped in.
“Oh, I met the loveliest woman. Jennie, she helped me find flowers and vegetables to plant. By next summer, I won’t need to buy produce from the grocery store. I can provide my own and the flowers will look nice. She’s going to come help me tomorrow. I also got my first pair of cowboy boots.” The way Mara’s face lit up sent his body into shock. Electricity flew throughout his extremities, his cock hardened. Her cheeks were pink and that smile lit up her whole face.
“Jennie’s nice. She moved here after her husband died and she retired. Her gardens are amazing; you should see them. I can take you by there sometime. She’ll really help you. I would love to see those boots too.” Beau had always felt there was more to Jennie’s story. There was a sadness in her eyes at times. But, that woman was a force to be reckoned with, so he never pushed her for more. She had been like a surrogate mother to him since they met.
    “Yea, I’m excited. We spent hours in the store together. She just walked up when I was trying to figure out what to buy and off she went. I loved it. I’m not used to being around many people.”
“I thought you were from the big city?” Beau asked her. Mara instantly clammed up. Her skin paled and she stared at her plate. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?” Beau tried to lighten the mood, to bring back the excited girl that was there before. He shoveled food into his mouth, trying to keep quiet.
“No, you’re