And that said nothing about trusting fate enough to risk loving someone, knowing it would devastate her to lose that person.It hadn’t been that hard with most of the men she’d dated.Even the cowboy who’d screwed her over wasn’t a man she’d thought to spend her life with.She might have wanted him to be that man, but deep down she’d known he wasn’t.Which while his actions had angered her, she hadn’t been heartbroken by any means.But Riley was a whole different matter.
If she were honest, if Riley was sincere, she didn’t think she could resist him for long.The man was six feet plus of solid, good-looking, hardworking, honest cowboy.From the top of his cowboy hat to the bottom of his cowboy boots, he was a sight to look at.Maybe it would work if they just confined their relationship to a short fling.No broken heart, no risk of what to do if she fell in love and then lost him.
But damn, that kiss he’d just laid on her was anything but platonic.Same went for the first kiss at her apartment several nights ago now.He’d said he thought he’d been pretty clear.And considering those kisses he’d given her, she had to agree.
*
Riley didn’t expectLetty to ask him to come over after the Stroll, but she did.He was happy about that but also wary.He was pretty certain she didn’t intend for them to make mad, passionate love once they got there.In fact, he wasn’t even sure she’d let him kiss her again.She’d responded to him but he had a feeling she wished she hadn’t.Plus, he’d taken her by surprise both times he’d kissed her.The kisses had been good but he wondered what it would be like if she was as invested as he was.
They drove up and parked at the same time, and he followed Letty to her door.She let them in, yanked off her hat and tossed it aside, took off her coat and hung it up, then held out her hand for his.
He shrugged out of it and handed it to her.
She motioned for him to sit.“Do you want something to drink?I’ve got water and diet drinks.”
“I’m good.Did you enjoy the Stroll?”
“I did.”She took a seat on the couch too, but at the opposite end from where he sat.“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What the hell is going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“What is with this sudden interest you’ve apparently developed in me?Asking me out, helping me bake pies, taking me to the Stroll, which as I remember you never particularly liked, and finally, kissing me?What are you trying to do besides confuse me?Because if that’s what you’re trying to do you’ve succeeded.”
“It’s not that sudden.”
“Are you kidding me?It’s totally out of the blue.You’ve never been interested before.What brought this on?”
He wasn’t sure how to explain it.Or even where to start.He’d been thinking about Letty more and more since Liam and Val’s wedding.Probably even before that.That night at Grey’s, seeing her ready to leave with another man, had woken him up.Blasted him out of his belief that he had time.If he wanted her, and he did, he needed to do something quick.
“I’ve been thinking about you for a long time now, even if I haven’t said anything.”
“Which you haven’t,” she interjected.
He ignored that and plowed on.“I’ve been thinking I want to settle down.Have a serious relationship for a change.And you’re the woman I want to have it with.”
She cocked her head.“Settle down.You mean like get married and have a family type serious?”
“Well, yeah.Eventually.”
“What makes you think I’m this woman?”
“This seems sudden to you, but it isn’t to me.We’ve known each other a long time.I’ve always liked you and been attracted to you—”
“Phff.You were absolutely horrified when I kissed you on my graduation night.”
“I wasn’t horrified.But you were way too young, and you were living with my family.It wouldn’t have been right.”
“So now,twelve years later, you’ve decided you like me after all.Sounds like a crock to me.”
“It’s not a crock.I’ve changed in that time.So have you.For one thing, you’ve grown up.And I’ve thought of you as a beautiful, desirable woman for a long time now.”
“You have?”
“Don’t look so surprised.You know you’re beautiful.But never mind that.I think we’ve been getting closer ever since Val and Liam got married.Haven’t we?”
