Page 13 of Forbidden Cowboy

“What’s not that simple?”

His boots stomp off the path into the high weeds as he takes a shortcut by the old metal swing set.

I have to run to catch up. “What’s not that simple, Levi? Our friendship? Or was that a sham too? You were my best friend. But maybe the feeling wasn’t mutual. Or were you using me the way you claim you didn’t?” When he doesn’t reply, I grab his muscled arm. “I’m talking to you, dammit. What’s not that simple?!”

He spins to face me. “Everything. Every goddam thing about us isn’t simple. Our last names. Our friendship. That goddam kiss!”

The sky dumps on us. Within seconds, sheets of rain soak me to the core—lightning cracks in the distance. Almostimmediately, thunder rolls from the sky. The storm is creeping closer.

My hand disappears in Levi’s large hand. “We gotta take shelter!” His shout howls through the loud wind. “We can sneak into the back door of the Underwood house.”

I yank my hand away, surprised when his tight grip lets me go. “Answer the question!”

He points to the sky. “You see those clouds? Those are lightning clouds. We need to get inside.” He reaches for my hand again.

“What about that kiss? Didn’t you like it? Did it embarrass you? Embarrassed your family? That’s a pretty darn simple answer.”

Levi throws his arms in the air. “For fucks sake, now is not the time.”

“It’s never the time for you!” I fold my arms over my front. The rain blurs my vision. The wind wrestles with my wrap. “I spent a year trying to find time in your busy schedule, and I’m not moving until you tell me why.”

A roar, sounding as painful as a fox’s cry, rumbles up his chest. He’s in front of me now. So close I can feel the heat penetrating off him. His chest huffs up and down. Water runs down his twisted and strained facial features.

“I fucking loved that kiss. Nothing in my life has ever felt as right as that kiss. But I was sixteen, and a Wilde isn’t supposed to fall in love witha Fox. I refused to let our family quarrel hurt you. I refused to hurt you. I let you go so you could find a man without my baggage. A man who could make you happy.”

The words buzz in my ears. I’m trying to figure out what they could possibly mean. I keep coming back to the same conclusion.

“You fell in love with me?”

His hand cups my face. The pad of his thumb runs over my lower lip. “Why else would I ever walk away from you? You were my best friend.”

The second half of my fantasy pops into my mind, but it’s quickly extinguished.

“Levi, the hair on my arm is standing up.” It’s a well-known indication lightning is close.

“Run. Run!”

I let him pull me toward the house. A sizzle pierces the air, followed by an intense crack and what sounds like many sticks of dynamite being detonated. A lightning bolt hits the swing set. I scream and squint against the flash of white light. The loud and powerful boom vibrates the ground. My ears ring, and I crouch to the ground.

Levi pulls me on. “Come on.” He guides me to the house and kicks in the back door. “Inside.” He pushes me in first, then follows.

I can’t see a thing, but it’s not my first time here. It’s pitch black inside. The wood planks nailed to the windows leave only enough room for small streams of light between the cracks. All the kids sneak into the Underwood haunted house at some point to catch a glimpse of the little girl’s spirit who roams the halls.

“You alright?” Levi spins me, and his hands touch my face, shoulders, and arms. His strong hands clutch my hips. “Hope, are you hurt anywhere?” The tone of his voice reminds me of the time I fell during one of the many hikes we took together. He was right there. Quick. Caring. Loving.

I miss him.

I want him.

This might be the last time I’m alone with Levi. He’s made it clear we’re complicated. Not simple. But he’s also made it clear he wants me. I’ve already spent too long of my life wondering what it would feel like to touch him. To have him touch me. Tokiss him and feel his kisses. I need him now more than I ever have in my entire life.

Maybe my head’s still spinning from the lightning. Or perhaps the lightning cleared away the fog of everyone else, always warning me to stay away from a Wilde.

I slide my fingers under the hem of his shirt. I feel him still as my fingertips graze the waistline of his skin.

“I’m okay.” My voice is a cracked whisper.

The rain, thunder, and lightning sing a melody in the distance.