Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5)(18)

"No," Casey said. "The black eye will make them. We'll forever remember the day you saved my nephew's life."

Ridge's neck muscle stiffened. Kaia could tell the attention was making him uncomfortable.

"Everyone, I've got this." She made shooing motions. "Ridge is right. You all go on back to the big house. We'll be along as soon as he's steady."

"You need me to stay?" Archer asked.

"Naw," Ridge said before Kaia had a chance to ask her brother not to leave her alone with him. "Don't let me spoil your day."

"You didn't spoil the day," Lynne said. "You saved my son. You're a hero."

"No biggie." Ridge shrugged, looked embarrassed.

"You took a hoof for my kid," Ned said. "It is a big deal."

"I did what anyone else would have done," Ridge said.

"Except no one else did." Lynne hugged her son tightly and covered him in kisses. Atticus squirmed and giggled.

"We'll hold brunch on you two," Casey said, wrapping her arms around Archer's waist and drawing him toward the Suburban.

Slowly, everyone drifted away to their vehicles. A couple of minutes later, it was just she and Ridge.

"Are you okay?" Kaia asked more to fill the silence than anything else.

"Why? Do I look that bad?"

"You need to put ice on your temple, reduce the swelling."

"Good point."

Kaia rose to her feet, held out her hand to give him a boost up off the ground. The minute their fingers touched, a sharp snap of static electricity shot from him to her. Jarring. She sucked in her breath.

His good eye widened, telling her that he felt it too. The second he was on his feet, he dropped her hand. Fine with her. She didn't like that snap, crackle, and pop any more than he did.

"I heard Vivi say your house is open and stocked with supplies. Do you think she's got frozen vegetables in the freezer?"



       
         
       
        

"I have no idea."

"Maybe there's ice."

"May be."

"It's a fifteen-minute ride back to the mansion and a short walk to your house. How about we give it a shot? I'm afraid if we don't get some ice on it ASAP you won't be able to pry your eye open tomorrow. Archer doesn't need a best man with no depth perception. After we ice it, I'll drive you to the hospital."

He hardened his chin. "Not going to the hospital."

She sank her hands on her hips. "You could have a concussion."

"I've had concussions before. This isn't one."

"You don't know that for certain."

"I'm not leaving the ranch. Casey and Archer are expecting us for brunch."

"They'll understand."

He hardened his chin. "Not throwing a monkey wrench in their wedding plans."

"You already did. That shiner is gonna be epic if you don't get ice on it." She snapped her fingers. "Get a move on."

"When did you get so bossy?"

"Sometime over the last decade."

"It has been a long time, Kaia." He said her name in such a low, seductive way, it sent goose bumps dancing down her arm.

She bit her lip and tried not to smile. He could charm the skin right off a rattlesnake. "Ice pack. Now."

"I really like this side of you." He grinned. "Tough talking on the outside, but gooey on the inside."

"Who says I'm gooey on the inside?"

"You don't fool me, Braterminator. I know you too well."

"Then you know I hate to be called that." Lie. When she was a kid she loved that he called her the Braterminator. It made feel like a superhero.

"I could shorten it to 'brat' if that's easier for you to work with."

Kaia snorted. "Don't bother. You're not going to be around long enough for it to stick."

"True," he mused. "But if you let me call you brat, I might be tempted to stay a little longer."

"You are so full of hot air, Lockhart." Ignoring her pounding heart, she scooped his Stetson and sunglasses off the ground, shoved them into his hand. "Your house. Now."

She spun on her heels and headed for the house, trying not to let him see how much his teasing got under her skin. Considering how loudly he was chuckling, she had to assume he already knew.

Dang it.





Chapter 7




Kaia walked fast, but she couldn't outpace him. He had longer legs and a more powerful stride. Ignoring the pulse pounding through his right eye, Ridge sprinted to catch up with her. 

Approached the steps he hadn't trod in ten years.

They reached the bottom porch step at the same time, but he sailed past to get the door for her.