Cowboy Up(63)

“I like the way you think, honey,” I say softly, my eyes on the red-faced woman a foot in front of me. “But I think I’ll take lovin’ you slow before you love me bad.”

“I love you, Linney,” he drawls slowly in the erotic way that only Clayton can achieve with the deep raspy tones of his voice.

“I love you, Clayton.”

“Linney?” he calls before I have a chance to say good-bye.

“Yeah, honey?”

“You let Jess know if she ever comes near you again, not even my woman callin’ and givin’ me her sweetness will be enough to keep her safe from my anger.”

The woman in question jerks her head and gapes at the phone in my hand. I’m not even surprised that he knew about her being here. There isn’t anything that gets by him, especially when it comes to my well-being.

“There won’t be a safe place left in Pine Oak for her if she pulls that shit again,” he says, the fury in his words unmistakable.

“You’re on speaker, Clayton,” I tell him, not taking my eyes off Jess.

“Good, baby. Maybe she’ll heed my words this time and not twist them up in her head to be whatever crazy shit she’s convinced herself of this time. You enjoy your time with the girls, but when you finish you better get that sweet ass home so I can get my ring on your hand.”

“What?” I gasp.

His deep, low laughter is the only answer I get before he disconnects the call with his parting shot still ringing in my ears. He doesn’t just shock the nasty woman who interrupted my girl time though. He also floors me as well. I had been joking. I wanted to put his awful ex in her place, but the second the words left my mouth it became something else. I can’t help but feel a little anxious over what will happen when I go home. I don’t know if he’s serious but hope he is, even if it makes us both crazy. When you know, you know. But the part of me that’s completely owned by him can’t stop the rush of pure pleasure I get when I think that he might have been planning for this if he really does have a ring.

“Holy cow,” Leighton gasps breathily.

“Oh my God!” Lucy screams.

“I knew that sexy brooder would be a scorcher!” Jana bellows from her position behind the pie displays. “Just knew he’d give it real good.”

With a pounding heart that has nothing to do with the showdown I just went through, I give Jess one last arch of my brow and let my whiskey-filled teacup boil over one more time. “Get out of my face, Jess. Get out of Leighton’s place. And learn something from today.”

I turn, my ponytail slapping across her face, and return to my seat at the table I had been sitting at before she stormed into the PieHole and started throwing her crap all over the place.

Clapping my hands, I look between Leighton and Lucy. “So, where were we?”





20


CAROLINE


“No Matter Where You Are” by Us the Duo



When I pull into the drive to the ranch, butterflies erupt in my gut. It’s still early in the afternoon, so I know Clayton isn’t going to be in the house, but that doesn’t ease my nerves, but with the size of the Davis ranch, finding him is going to be like hunting for a needle in a haystack. I pull my car into my spot next to Clayton’s truck and lean back against the headrest, closing my eyes, thinking about what could be waiting for me. The steady breeze from my air-conditioning cools my overheated skin in the process.

As anxious as I feel, I’m not going to be shy and timid about it. Not anymore. Even if he was joking, I have no doubt it’ll one day happen for us. I’d be lying, though, if I didn’t admit that I’d be disappointed now that the thought is in my head.

I want to be his.

I want him to be mine.

In the forever way that binds us legally and in the eyes of God.

I want to spend the rest of my life with Clayton Davis while he gives me bad and gives me the power to find myself with the confidence his love provides me.

A loud pounding pulls me out of my thoughts with a scream. My knees slam against my steering column as I almost come out of my skin. My eyes snap open and my hand flies to my chest as I look out the driver’s-side window. My heart is still thundering in my rib cage, the lingering rush of panic from being caught off guard while I daydreamed still making it hard to focus.

Clearly having had enough of my wide-eyed staring, Clayton thumps his cowboy hat brim as he studies me through the window. With his hat farther up on his head, I can see his face clearly without shadows. His brows are pulled tight in confusion, but a small smirk is curling his lips. He shakes his head a few times, that smirk turning into a full grin, before reaching out to pull open my door.