Free Cowboy from the Future by Cassandra Gannon

the savages you believe.  We
have a sonic bathhouse, like the rest of the world.”
    Sonic
cleaning instead of water?  That sounded weird, but doable.  “Does it have
shampoo?”
    “Sham-what?”
    It
was one step forward, two steps back.  God the future was a pain in the ass.  “Will
it wash my hair?”  She asked tiredly.
    “Oh. 
Yes.”  His gaze went to her messy curls, tracing over them with an odd
expression.  “Although, your hair seems fine to me.”  Cade cleared his throat,
glancing away.  “Really… fine.”
    Whatever
tiny bit of apprehension Addy felt about this man melted away at his
awkwardness.  “Thank you.”  She said softly, charmed by the big dummy.
    “You’re
welcome.”  He muttered and cast an uncomfortable look around, like he was
searching for a safer subject.  “Um… Was Deke bothering you earlier?  I could
talk to him, if you want.  I know he can intimidate people.”
    “It’s
fine.”  She smiled.  “He was very cute.”
    “Cute? 
Deke?”
    “Yeah. 
He was warning me away from you.”
    Cade
muttered a curse.  “I’ll talk to him.”  He said darkly.
    “No,
don’t.  And don’t be annoyed with you brother.  I know annoyance is your
natural state, but it’s nice that you have someone to protect you.  You should
never take that for granted, Cade.  It’s a much harder world when you’re alone
in it.”
    He
shot her an unreadable look, still concerned with her Cowboys and Aliens dating prospects.  “Deke’s right, you know.  You should avoid me.  For your benefit, though, not mine.  If you’re here, you will be hated by association.  You’ll
remain alone forever, if your name is blackened with mine.”
    “Because
you’re a Voltron?”
    “Voltyn.” 
He corrected with a sigh.  “We’re dangerous.  Ask anyone.”
    “Right.” 
She leaned closer to him.  “Tell me.  Did you really buy this place, so you
could take care of your little brothers?”
    He
frowned defensively, which she took as a big, fat yes.  “What does that have to
do with anything?”
    “It
just doesn’t seem like something a dangerous man would do.”
    “And
you know a lot of dangerous men?”  Cade retorted, like she’d just insulted his
Black Hat status.  “I’d be shocked if you ever came within a gantii of anyone
without bayma on his hands, lady.”
    She
squinted at him.  “Okay, I seriously have no clue what that means.”
    He
made an aggravated sound and got to his feet, shoving his hands into his
pockets.  The waistband of his pants slipped down farther on his lean hips and
Addy struggled not to notice.  She was epically unsuccessful.  Seriously,
was she nuts or did Cade have an even better body that Patrick Swayze in Dirty
Dancing ?  And no one had a better body than Patrick Swayze in Dirty
Dancing .
    “Huh?” 
She said when she realized he was talking and she hadn’t heard a word of it.
    “Gods,
why do I bother trying to reason with someone with so little common sense?”  Cade
actually looked over at Rushmore like Washington or Roosevelt might be able to
answer that.  With no presidential wisdom forthcoming he shook his head.  “Just
stay away from me, Adeline.  You’ll be far safer.”
    “No,
I don’t think so.”  She gave him a smile.  “I think you’re the safest place I
could be.”
    Cade
didn’t seem to have an answer for that.  He just stared at her.  “I’ll have
Jacobi show you where you can bathe.”  He finally decided and turned to go.
    Addy
caught hold of his sleeve.  “Can’t you show me?”
    Cade’s
purple gaze jumped to hers, his irises burning bright.  The heat reflected
there had her breasts tightening.  Oh wow .  Addy’s insides melted,
unable to look away from that predatory gaze.  She barely held back a whimper
of desire, as he leaned in closer.  He really did smell incredible.
    “It’s
a very bad idea for me to be near you when you’re naked.”  He said flatly and
her stomach dipped.