Free Rogue Cowboy by Kasey Millstead Page B

with arousal.
    She’s still panting, her chest heaving up and down causing her pebbled little nipples to brush against my chest.
    “Go out with me,” I repeat, conveying with my eyes how much I want her to take that step and just fall, trusting I’ll catch her, trusting I’ll take care of her.
    “Okay,” she replies hesitantly.  My shoulders sag with relief.  Thank fuck!   She’s taking a step, trusting me, and she’ll never know just how much it means to me.
    I know something happened to her previously, something bad, judging by the thick walls she’s got surrounding her.  But, I’m fucking happy as a pig in shit that she’s coming around and lowering her fortress enough for me to get a peak inside.
    And, what’s inside is fucking stunning!

SIENNA
     
    Holy shit, I just agreed to go out with him.   I mean, I know I’ve been out with him before, but something in the way he said it this time, has me believing he means something much deeper.  Deeper, as in, me finally opening my eyes to see what’s standing right in front of me.
    And, I said yes.
    Oh shit.
    My heart is thudding in my chest, but something is blooming in my stomach along with the nerves.  I think it’s hope.  
    Oh god, it is hope.
    My heart stutters and my tummy flutters, all the while I remain pressed against the delicious, warm, toned, hardness of Zeke.  I can feel the steady rhythm of his own heart thudding through his shirt and slowly mine begins to match his beat, syncing together in harmony.  A feeling of calm washes over me, beginning at the top of my head and spreading through my body, right down to the tips of my toes.  It’s warm and soothing and safe.
    “Okay,” I say again, this time with firmness behind the word.
    His eyes twinkle with delight.  “That’s good, baby.  You just made me the happiest man alive.  Now, let’s get you fed.”
    I smile up at him and watch his back as he walks away, the tight buns of his arse teasing me beneath his jeans.  I take a moment to gather myself and then follow him back to fix us some food.
     
    ***
     
    I’m running late.
    I dart out of the pub, across the grassed area and into my cabin, kicking off my clothes as soon as I clear the door.  I jump in the shower, loving the way the cold water instantly cools my skin, hot from humid weather that’s been building into a thunderstorm since lunch time.
    I quickly wash my body, shave my legs and then jump out.  With a towel wrapped around me, I ransack my closet for something to wear, finally settling on a pair of denim shorts and a loose white top.  I sweep my hair up into a twist and pin it on top of my head.  Then, I quickly brush some bronzer onto my face and add a lick of mascara and some lip gloss. 
    Ready.
    I grab my handbag and pick up my phone from the bench.  On it, I see six missed calls and four messages.
    Throughout the day, a number I didn’t recognise kept calling me.  I didn’t answer because I was so busy at the pub – Joanna had her first day today (which went amazing, by the way!), I made up a roster for the girls, and Sadee came in to pick hers up.  Genevieve showed up (early!) for her shift and I got her sorted.  It must be said, she’s amazing at what she does.  She’s very diligent and professional.  The pub is sparkling.
    I also quickly visited Aunty Dory after lunch.  She’s doing slightly better, but she still looks so sick.  I filled her in on the goings on at The Cow and Calf, and she was really happy that I wouldn’t be working myself to the bone anymore.
    I wasn’t going to tell her about Zeke, but she seemed so down in the dumps, I told her all about him – about how persistent he’s been and about how good a kisser he is. Let me tell you, that woman is a sucker for some juicy gossip! 
    As soon as I mentioned Zeke’s name, she perked right up in her chair and leaned forward.  “Tell me everything,” she insisted. 
    Because she looked so damn well all of a sudden, I