Page 2 of Forbidden Cowboy
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“WHAT IS THAT hunky cowboy of a man, Levi Wilde, doing here? At a town meeting?” My youngest sister licks her rosy lips. She’s not shy to flaunt her apparent attraction for the entire fair committee to witness.
“Look at you, Josie Fox, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for a Wilde,” I say.
At the same time, I peer over the committee agenda, which widowed Wilma Quylt handed me on our way in. The older woman and her gossiping sidekick are still chattering my mama’s ear off at the main entrance.
Sisters Wilma and Faye Quylt are local busybodies and pride themselves on being experts on all things love-related in Rocky Ridge Creek.
Ironic since they’re the only ones who don’t notice Levi Wilde stride in all confident like he knows he’s hot shit. Or that every woman—single or not—is making a spectacle of themselves.
Batting eyelashes.
Teeth gnawing on lips.
Eyes filled with enough lust to set Rocky Ridge Creek’s town hall up in flames.
There are more than enough prospects the old croons could shoot their cupid’s arrow into—or, in their case, weave a love quilt for.
Levi’s deep brown eyes skim the crowd and land on me.
Directly on me.
There’s no mistaking it.
Our gazes lock.
My breath catches in my chest, and I’m lost in his mysterious gaze for what feels like a lifetime. Until the married town flirt, Peggy-Ann stands up and slams straight into Levi’s chest. Her bright yellow halter top boosts her breasts against his solid wall of muscles. His thick callused hands grip her bare arms to put distance between them.
I’d remember those callused hands anywhere.
“I’m so clumsy.” Peggy-Ann’s fake giggle irks me to the core. Her hand lingers so long on his chest he’s forced to remove it.
“Excuse me.” His gruff voice curls my toes.
I’ll admit, it’s hard to miss him. Hard to miss any of the Wilde brothers. All hard-working ranchers laboring under the sun and tossing hay bales like they’re weightless.
Tall.
Rigid.
Muscular.
Tattoos that dip down in all the right places.
Our properties touch, so I’ve seen a shirtless Wilde or two mending a broken fence.
Those men strut their tight asses like they own the town. I suppose that being one of the wealthiest ranching families in the state boosts that ego. And ego is precisely what all the Wilde brothers bestow.
Just like Levi, right now, strutting his tight ass in a good pair of denim. And did he purposely wear a white T-shirt slightly tighter than need be? His biceps are stretching the material to the max. And I’m sure all the Rocky Ridge Creek gals want to rip off that T-shirt and sink their nails into the flesh beneath.
Myself included.
I’m glad I wore a flowery summer dress to cool the growing warmth between my legs. I can enjoy as much Wilde eye candy as I please, but the Wilde boys are off-limits to the Fox family. Some big rivalry bullshit feud between our two families. A feud that is way past due to being resolved. Plus, Levi wants nothing to do with me. He’s made that crystal clear.
My oldest sister, Jade, would disagree with resolving the ancient dispute. My stubborn sister would never be caught ogling a Wilde brother. “Excuse me. Good evening, Mrs. McCoy. How are you tonight?” Jade shakes hands as she makes her way down our row of folding chairs.
Glaring.