Page 25 of Forbidden Cowboy
We finish cutting the structural wood and tackle the redwood. I’ll give Wyatt credit for choosing redwood for its resistance to moisture purposes. I’ll also give him credit for not trying to steal my girl. He has a thing for Hannah. Unfortunately for him, she’s too distracted checking on her rug rats tonotice.
The rumbling buzz of the saw blade touching the wood screeches in my ear. The fresh-cut wood's fragrant and earthy aroma brings me to my roots.
I love working with my hands. Always have. I remember being a young lad, chasing my granddad with my small toolbox and mini tool belt to fix the barn or a fence. While Wheeler’s love for tractors earned him a spot cultivating the crops, and Beck’s love for animals secured his position as head of cattle, I wanted nothing more than to work with my hands. Hart has always been the bossy numbers guy and enjoys hiding in the office.
I slice the last of the wood and scope out Hope. I’ve been tracing her tracks like a lost puppy all afternoon. My lip lifts in a half smile when I see her sauntering my way carrying an ice-cold beer. Her loosely braided pigtails flow from under her brown Stetson.
I toss my safety glasses on the saw table. “That for me?”
“I just got you back in my life, and I’m not letting you cut off a finger drunk sawing.”
“Drunk sawing? That’s not a thing.”
“It’s not today.” Her natural pink lips swathe the top of the beer bottle. She tilts her head backward to slurp the liquid gold. I’m jealous as hell of that bottle.
“Screw it. I’m done on machinery.” I take the bottle from her and swig what’s left. It’s as close to her lips as I’ve been all day.
She laughs.
I laugh.
And when we’ve settled down, she beams at me. “This is going to work.”
At the six-hour mark, the kissing booth’s construction is finished. A handful gathers around the bright red booth for the final paint stroke of the night. Hope has some extra touches she plans to add once the paint dries, but the main construction is officially finished.
I step nice and close to Hope, brushing against her backside. My hand covers her hand, which grips the paintbrush. I hear her slight intake of breath, even surrounded by half the town. I smell her orange womanly sweetness.Half the town is drunk, so I doubt they’re paying attention to the heat between us.
“Three, two, one!” The crowd counts down.
We stroke the last spot, and the crowd goes wild. Flashes from phones snap. Beer bottles clang together. But the most crucial part of the night is seeing my brothers and Hope’s sisters congratulate one another.
With work finished, barbecues are grilling steak, burgers, and hotdogs. I swear half the town is here. The crowds have spilled into both parking lots. Everyone’s getting along, laughing and joking. Wilma, Faye, and their quilting club claimed a tent, and they’re busy quilting away. Thomas has given up trying to shoo everyone and is passing out the rodeo and fair flyers while attempting to rope in more volunteers.
“Hey, come here.” I slip my hand in Hope’s, and we duck out of sight. We skip to the side door of the town hall. Inside, I pull her down the short hallway into the events storage room.
I lock the door behind us and gather her in my arms. “Hi.”
She wraps her arms around my neck. “Hi.”
“I missed you.”
She laughs, and the sweet, soft sound is music to my ears. “We’ve been together all day.”
“It’s not close enough.” I cover her mouth with mine and slowly lap my tongue with hers. The rush and fear of never kissing her again diminish, leaving time to truly enjoy every part of her.
“You taste like beer and sour cream chips.” She sucks her lower lip between her teeth.
I groan. “I want to take you here.”
A devilish glimmer lights her eyes. “I’m not objecting.”
I groan again, this time capturing her mouth in another kiss. Harder. Longer.
When her fingers tickle the skin above my belt buckle, I grasp her hand. “Not here.”
“Why not?” She puckers out her lower lip in a sexy pout. Her gorgeous green eyes are a pool of desire. I’m so fucking hard that I’m on the verge of exploding.
“I want to do it right next time. No hiding. I want to strip you naked, lay you down on a bed, and ravish every part of you like you deserve.”