Page 38 of July’s Cowboy Dallas

He took in a deep breath, his chest expanding with the effort.

“And because when the gate opens,” I whispered, “you're the one I look for.”

Dallas didn't move for a heartbeat. Then he reached for me, slow enough that I could have stepped away.

I didn't.

His hands settled at my waist, warm and careful and not careful at all, and he lowered his forehead to mine. “I've loved you longer than I had any right to,” he said, his voice low, his words for my ears alone.

“That wasn't your call either.”

His mouth curved, but his eyes stayed serious. “No?”

“No.”

“Then whose call was it?”

“Mine.” I slid my hands up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart under my palms. “And I'm making it.”

He went very still.

“I don't want you only when things are hard,” I said. “I don't want you only when there's a gate to hold or a problem to fix. I want you after the rodeo. After the gossip. After the dust settles and this town finds something else to whisper about.”

Dallas's hands tightened at my waist.

“I want mornings,” I said. “And bad coffee at the stock barn. And you looking at me like that even when nobody needs saving.”

He let out a jagged breath. “Sadie.”

“I want you next to me,” I said. “Not because I need someone there. Because I want you there.”

For a second, he looked like he didn't know what to do with that much wanting. Then something inside him gave way, like the last thin piece of doubt he'd been holding between us cracked into tiny pieces.

Dallas kissed me like he finally believed me. That kiss was everything. Deep and consuming and steady, his hands framing my face, his mouth claiming mine like he'd spent years waiting for permission and had just realized he'd had it all along.

I kissed him back just as hard, my hands fisting in his shirt, my body pressing against his. All those months of watching his hands and pretending I wasn't. All those years he'd stopped himself an inch from touching me. We had ground to make up, and I intended to make it up as soon as possible.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard. And the town was watching.

Ruby grinned from her spot at the concession stand. Addison shot me a smile from next to the rodeo queen trailer. Tanner had turned away, but I caught the faint curve of his mouth before he did.

Dallas's gaze stayed locked on mine. “The whole town's watching.”

“Let them.”

His laugh was low and rough, and all I wanted was to hear it over and over.

Then he kissed me again, slower this time, his hands sliding to my waist, his forehead resting against mine when we finally pulled apart.

“I don't know what I'm doing,” he admitted.

“With me?”

“With being wanted.”

I touched his face, my thumb brushing over the rough line of his jaw. “Then I guess you'll have to learn.”

His mouth curved. “Yes, ma'am.”