Page 28 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
“Is it?”
“He’s decided you’re his new hero.”
“You put on lipstick.”
“Yes, I did.” Her breathing was wonky, too.
He stepped closer, breathed in her citrus scent. “Why?”
“It’s the kind that smears.”
“You think I’d grab you? I’d never?—”
“You’re not the one I’m worried about.”
“Oh.” That info ramped him up even more. Too bad he’d just declared that he’d never grab her. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “So.”
“So.” She copied his move and put her hands in her pockets. But instead of meeting his gaze, she focused on a point over his right shoulder. “As I was saying, Tex has serious hero worship.”
“No kidding. Any chance you can talk him out of naming this foal after me?” He couldn’t seem to stop looking at her mouth. And the pale pink lipstick she’d applied to keep herself from kissing him.
“I hope so. But not today. This foal is a big deal for him.”
“I get that.” She had the perfect mouth for kissing—a cupid’s bow on top and a plump lower lip that was just begging to be nibbled.
“He’ll probably remember it forever.”
The kid likely wasn’t the only one. Standing close to a woman he wanted to kiss, a woman who’d indicated she was similarly inclined, and being stymied by her recently applied lipstick….
“Like I said, Tex wants to be like you.”
“True.” That lipstick wouldn’t last forever. The kind that smeared never did. By the time they finished dinner, it would be gone.
“Mari and I talked about it. She suggested I ask you how you wanted to handle it.”
“Me? He’s your kid. I have zero experience with something like this.” But when it came to kissing, he had enough experience to know how sweet those lips would be, how supple, how?—
“You’ve never had somebody’s little kid take a shine to you?”
“Can’t say that I have. But I’ll bet this isn’t the first time Tex has latched onto a random adult.”
“Actually, it is.” She finally looked at him. “His social life in Great Falls consisted of the kids at his pre-school and their parents. None of the dads were cowboys.”
“Do you think that’s all it is? The outfit?”
“It’s the outfit, but it’s also your job. You take care of horses. And there’s your ranch, and your, um—” She licked her lips and gestured toward him. “Your mannerisms.”
Her lower lip glistened where she’d run her tongue over it. He sucked in air. “I don’t have mannerisms.”
“It’s your walk, the way you stand, the tilt of your hat, the tone of your voice….” She trailed off, her gaze locked with his.
His heartbeat was out of control. “Are we…” He paused to clear his throat. “Are we still talking about your kid?”
“Yes. No.” She dragged in a breath. “Look, you don’t want to get tangled up with me.”
“You’re right, I don’t.”
“See, I knew that. You’re not ready for?—”
