She retreats, but not far. When I climb to clip the next run, she stands below with hands on the ladder, eyes on me like she has my back. This time it’s my turn to trust her. And I do.
By sundown, we’ve barely made a dent. But it’s semi-clean and shaping up into something suitable for a good old fashioned hoedown. Once lights and decorations are finished, the place will really be something.
Tannon, Oren, and the ladies call it a day, but Coco lingers behind, rocking on the back of her heels with her hands in her back pockets. I sidle up beside her, drifting close as the others drive off. She gives me a side glance and a teasing, “Careful, cowboy,” but doesn’t move to put any distance between us.
“Stickin’ around?” I ask, hopeful to get some time alone with her.
“Maybe,” she shrugs. “If you’re asking. We could finish the lights.”
“I’m askin’.” I rub my hand over my jaw. “What do you say we feed Duke a few of those apples first?”
“Beau,” she warns, but I don’t budge.
“He’s been cooped up in his stall all day, stayin’ outta the way. A reward’s the least we can do.” I turn and stick my elbow out, hoping she’ll take my arm. “Join me?”
She hesitates, eyes flicking to mine, then to my arm. A slow curve forms at the corners of her mouth. She slips her hands from her back pockets and loops her arm in mine. It’s enough to make my heart kick, enough to know I want more.
7
COCO
The others headout with tired goodbyes, and for a moment the night is quiet except for the wind ruffling through tree branches. I should go. It’s the smart thing to do—get into the Jeep, shut the door, and drive home.
But I’m rooted where I stand, beside the man who takes up way too much space in my head. He’s nothing like men I’ve dated, full of empty promises tucked behind eager smiles and fast talk. Beau’s quiet, deliberate, a man who does what he says he’ll do. And handsome, which is the real kicker. He makes me forget the lessons I’ve learned the hard way—men lie, cheat, and break hearts.
I know how this goes. Tis the season commitment-phobe men fear most. Christmas to Valentine’s Day. Small-town gossip spreads faster than wildfire, and all of a sudden, they get cold feet. Because heaven forbid women are tired of being treated like play things. Committing to just one would be too much pressure.
But so what? There isn’t a law against having fun. It’s okay to see where flirtation goes. Beau can only hurt me if I let him into my heart.
And that won’t happen.
I slip my hand through the crook of his arm, lean in, and let myself trust him.
“Promise you won’t regret this,” Beau says as if reading my mind. He tucks his hand over mine, and his sexy, dimpled smile nearly undoes me.
But the closer we get to Duke’s stall, the more my stomach flutters. Standing next to twelve hundred pounds of muscle makes me shrink back. I relive the accident that ripped the flesh from my leg and ass, leaving me bruised and broken emotionallyandphysically. All because I trusted a sweet talking man in a cowboy hat who didn’t give a rat’s ass about anything other than taking me for a ride.
History repeats itself until lessons are learned. But maybe I’ve been learning the wrong ones. Maybe fear’s been keeping me from something better. Maybe I’ve been a fool for listening to the voice in my head.
“Relax,” Beau murmurs beside me, his voice a low rumble. “He’s just sayin’ hi.”
“Tell him I said hi back,” I say, forcing a shaky laugh.
Beau chuckles, stepping closer. His laugh slides down my spine like warm honey. “You can do this, darlin’. Duke’s a gentleman.”
I side-eye the horse. He is beautiful. A rich chestnut coat that gleams in the dim barn light, long lashes framing curious brown eyes. He looks harmless enough if I ignore his height and powerful muscles. I wish I could shake my fear, though it keeps me rooted in place.
Beau plucks an apple from the box I brought. “Here.”
I take a deep breath and grab the apple with trembling fingers. As soon as I step closer to Duke, he exhales a snort that ruffles my hair. My pulse sky rockets.
“Nope.” I shake my head and shove the apple at Beau. “Not happening.”
“Guess we’ll just stand here all night then,” Beau says, a grin tugging at his mouth. His eyes glint with amusement. “I promise you can do this.”
Beau slides one hand across my lower back, and steps close enough I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. He takes my hand gently, and my pulse does a funny, traitorous flutter. And I like the way it feels with his skin against mine—warm, rough, callused from work—and I can’t stop staring as he curls our fingers around the apple.
“Easy,” he murmurs. His chest brushes my back, a solid wall I could easily melt into. “Just hold still.”
