Free Cowboy Command by Olivia Jaymes Page B

known.  We were pretty much dating so people would leave us alone and stop matchmaking.  I’m happy for her and Alex.  Hope it works out.  Despite his biker appearance, he’s a hardworking guy.”
    She leaned back to look up into his light blue eyes.  “Well, well, well, you can apologize.  And thank you, I accept.  I think they make a cute couple.”
    Seth nodded toward the duo, their heads close as they swayed to the music.  “Did you two go shopping this morning in the city?  You both look nice.  That dress on you is very, um, red.  If you were trying to blend in, you failed.  Although you would have been the center of attention no matter what you wore tonight.”
    “ My favorite color is red.” Presley laughed.  “Yes, we did.  I really like Eliza.  She’s sweet and we had a lot of fun.  Thank you for not making a big deal about me going.”
    Seth shrugged.  “I talked to Evan and he didn’t see any reason you shouldn’t go.  No one seems to have any idea you’re here.”
    “ Since they think I’m dead,” Presley drawled.
    “ There’s that.”
    They danced until the song ended and she pulled away regretfully.  She ’d liked being in his arms more than she wanted to admit.  His body had been warm and strong, his scent tantalizing.  It made her want to press her face to his muscular chest, run her hands over his wide shoulders, and breathe deeply. 
    “ How about some air?”  Seth pointed to some partially open barn doors.  She nodded in agreement, letting him lead her to several stacked hay bales with blankets thrown over them.  They sat and his thigh was close to hers.  If she moved they would brush against one another, so she stayed as still as possible.  In less than a week, this man had her tied into knots.  Usually she could take or leave a man.  This one she wanted to take.
    The evening was chilly but there were portable heaters positioned all around the barn to keep the dancers warm.  Presley looked up into the sky, mesmerized by the amount of stars twinkling overhead. 
    “I can’t get over how many stars I can see out here.  You can’t see this many at home.”
    “ We’re away from the lights of the city.  You can’t see stars because of the lights.”
    “ How do you know I’m from the city?  I could be from a rural part of Florida.”
    She heard his soft laugh.  “No, Presley.  You’re not a country girl.”
    She elbowed him.  “Are you saying I don’t blend in?  That I’m all citified?”
    His fingers captured her chin and turned her so she could look into his eyes.  “I don’t think you could blend in anywhere.  You’d stand out no matter where you went or what you did.”
    “ Maybe.”  She reached up and captured his hand with her own.  “You’ve been pretty mad at me this week.  Is all forgiven now?”
    “ I’ve been a jerk this week.” Seth shook his head.  “You’ve done a great job organizing the office.  You’ve revolutionized the place.  You’re easily the best secretary I’ve ever had.  And the thing about Eliza, well…”
    “ Well?” Presley prompted.
    “ I was embarrassed,” Seth admitted.  “I got dumped while you were watching.  I didn’t want you to think less of me.”
    “ You didn’t get dumped.”  She squeezed his hand.  “I don’t think less of you.  Actually, I really kind of like you.  You’re a nice man.”  She giggled.  “Kind of a pain, but a genuinely nice man.”
    It struck her at that moment how few nice men she ’d ever known.  She scoured her memory banks but couldn’t come up with a name quickly.  She could only think of him at this moment.  He seemed to take up all the physical space around her and all the real estate in her mind as well.
    “ Next thing you’ll tell me that we can be friends or that I’m like a brother to you.” 
    “ I never had a brother before,” Presley teased.  “That might be nice.  Unfortunately, my feelings aren’t the least bit