Page 73 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
His decisions didn’t match his claim that he wasn’t ready to be a father figure. Then again, hers didn’t line up with her comments, either.
Knowing he had the hots for her, she’d still accepted his birthday party invitation. Now she was sleeping with him when she’d sworn to stay away from men until Tex was older. Way older.
As light faded from the sky, Tex started yawning. While he was distracted by Ezzie performing the cha-cha, she got her uncle aside. “We should think about leaving soon, before he gets overtired.”
“Gotcha. Let me ask when Cole’s doing the night version of the Beaver Bunch. It’s worth seeing, and we can leave right after.”
“Good plan.” As her uncle went in search of Cole, she scanned the group and spotted Monty. Ezzie was now teaching the cha-cha to Tex. She hurried over to Monty. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Let’s walk out toward the pasture. Nobody’s over there.”
“That works.”
When they were several yards from the crowd, he stopped. “This should do it. Are you fixing to take Tex home? I caught him yawning.”
“Yes, but I wanted to let you know that I…I don’t think we should keep seeing each other.”
“I don’t either.”
“Really?” She gazed at him. He’d had a great time last night. He had more self-control than she’d given him credit for. This would be easier than she’d thought. “Good. That’s good. We’re on the same page.”
“But I think we deserve one more night before we call it quits.”
That lit the fire that she’d kept subdued ever since arriving here. One more night. Then she thought of something. “Is this because you didn’t get to enjoy?—”
“No, that’s not it.” He chuckled. “I forgot about that, but now that you mention it….”
“Cut it out. I don’t want to go back to the party all hot and bothered.”
“Too late for me. I’ve been hot and bothered ever since you suggested this talk.”
“That’s the main reason we have to stop seeing each other. Your family thinks we’re an item and it’s hard to deny it with a straight face when we’re having wild monkey sex every few nights.”
“They have a spidey sense when it comes to relationships. They can tell we’re into each other.”
“Well, we’ve gotta put a lid on it, for everyone’s sake.”
“Especially Tex’s.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I love that little guy, but if I’m not planning to become a significant part of his life, I need to back the hell off.”
“Wow. I was just going to tell you that. Thanks for figuring it out.”
“I realized today that if you and Tex pop over to the ranch now and then, he’ll get his cowboy fix through my brothers. Everyone took a shine to him. He doesn’t need me.”
The sadness in his voice tugged at her heart. “I doubt he’ll throw you over that quickly.”
“Oh, he won’t, but if I quit… I don’t know, just….”
“Looking for ways to make him happy?”
“Yeah, exactly. I love seeing his eyes light up. He’s such a cool kid, with his brownie-serving routine, and his Smokey Bear, and obsession with tape. Oh, my God, the tape! Do you buy it by the gross or what?”
“We go through quite a bit of tape.” Did Monty know he sounded like a proud father? A loving father?
But for some reason, he didn’t want that role. She had a hunch there was more to it than not being ready because he was only twenty-seven.
He took a quick breath. “Okay. I’ve made my pitch for spending one more night together, but I don’t recall you giving a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Which is it?”
She stuck her hand in front of his face.
