Free A Cowboy to Marry by CATHY GILLEN THACKER Page A

suggested quietly.
    Giving her no chance to protest, he drew her into his arms.
    Libby knew he meant the kiss to be sweet—and short. She could tell by the first, closemouthed press of his lips to hers.
    She also knew that wasn’t going to be enough. She wanted to feel connected to him. It didn’t matter that she was too caught up in the moment to think rationally. Or that taking their relationship to another level would be incredibly risky. He was so big and strong and undeniably male. It had been a long time since she had felt so beautiful and so wanted. And the kiss that had started so innocently quickly turned passionate.
    Ever the gentleman, Holden started to put on the brakes and break it off.
    Frustrated, Libby drew him back. “Don’t go.”
    His hands settled on her shoulders and gripped hard. His expression was shadowed with a mixture of self-discipline and regret. “You’ll hate me in the morning if I stay,” he murmured grimly. “Maybe even sooner.”
    Libby shook her head, scarcely able to believe that what had happened before was happening again. “No, Holden. I won’t,” she said desperately.
    Briefly, emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was gonebefore Libby could decipher it. “If I could believe that…” he said, all traces of the ardent suitor disappearing as swiftly as they had appeared.
    â€œFor once, I just want to do what I want,” Libby confessed, wanting—needing—him to see where she was coming from. “And what I want right now, Holden, is to make love with you.”

Chapter Six
    It was impossible, Holden thought, to be around Libby and not want to take her in his arms and move heaven and earth to protect her. And if this was what she needed to get through the holidays…
    Tightening his grip on her, he hauled her against him and angled his head over hers. And then they were kissing in a way that felt incredibly right, in a way that demonstrated they had a lot more love and life in them than either of them had previously thought. He knew they’d be fools to throw chemistry like this away if it provided the catalyst they both needed to jump-start their personal lives.
    And yet Holden knew he couldn’t let things get too far out of control. He would kiss her and hold her for a few minutes and then that would be it.
    But the more their mouths meshed, the more his gentlemanly intentions went by the wayside. His hands seemed to have a life of their own, and she didn’t mind one bit as he found her soft curves.
    Had they not lost their balance as she tried to lead him, still kissing, toward the stairs, who knew what would have happened?
    But they did stumble, bumping into one of the framed photographs.
    Libby managed to catch it before it crashed to the floor.
    As she stood holding it in her hands, they both looked down and saw Percy’s image staring up at them.
    Libby drew in a sharp breath. Guilt and uncertainty flashed in her eyes, and Holden felt a sharp stab of disloyalty, too.
    Her shoulder slumped. “I guess I’m not as ready to move on as I thought,” she admitted with a sigh.
    Was he? Holden wondered.
    Especially if it meant betraying his late best friend?
    Seeming to read his mind, Libby carefully put the photo on the foyer table. Her chin held high, she turned and took Holden’s hand.
    She wore the same look she had on her face whenever she spoke about selling the dealership and moving on with her life.
    â€œBut I’m also not willing to call a halt entirely.” She paused and looked deep into his eyes. “I want to see you again.” She squared her slender shoulders. “Tomorrow night okay?”
    She really had changed, Holden realized in surprise. Gone were the traces of the ultra-accommodating woman his best friend had failed to appreciate.
    Mesmerized by the strength of character he saw in her eyes, he curtailed his own fast-threatening-to-get-out-of-control