Page 8 of Before You Can Blink (Rust Canyon #4)

Friday nights were my favorite. With no school the following day, Daisy was free to spend all evening with me before I walked her to her door.

And with rodeo season set to begin, I wanted to soak up as much of her light as I could to carry with me on the road until I made it back in the fall.

If things went according to plan this year, it could be even longer.

Tonight, the Watering Hole had live music, and Daisy’s laughter rang out loud and clear as she stumbled through a two-step. I’d given her a few lessons, but she just hadn’t caught the hang of it yet. At least if she was laughing, she was having fun.

The up-tempo song came to an end, and everyone on the dance floor stopped to applaud.

The vocals were on point tonight. Sammy McKinley had one hell of a smooth voice, but I knew better than to suggest he take his talents to Nashville.

He was happy to let his music be a hobby rather than a career, content in his role as deputy until his dad was ready to retire as sheriff, with the hope of taking his place.

Sammy strummed his guitar strings, switching to a slower melody. He caught my eye in the crowd and winked. Everyone knew I was sweet on Daisy, and I could have kissed the man for giving me the opportunity to hold her close—even if only for a few minutes at a time.

We had taken things slow. Every night, I met her for a drink, and we talked for hours before I walked her to her door, located on the exterior of the same bar she lived above. But damn if I wasn’t itching to explore the intense physical attraction I felt toward her.

I was acutely aware that if I slept with Daisy, she’d want more, and I wasn’t the type of guy who would be able to give her marriage, babies, or the white picket fence.

What we shared was an easy companionship. Hell, outside of Wade, I’d go so far as to say she’d become my best friend. There was a comfort in knowing that I could tell her literally anything and trusting that she would never judge me for it.

Her soft curves fit perfectly against my hard chest. This felt so fucking right it scared the living daylights out of me.

There was no denying I was getting attached to the incredible woman in my arms.

Unlocking her door, Daisy pushed it open before turning her attention back on me, a soft smile gracing her lips. “I had fun tonight.” She said the same thing every night.

“Me too, Daze.” My reply was always the same, as well.

I took a step closer, my palm coming to rest on the side of her neck as she stared up at me, her blue eyes sparking in anticipation of what we both knew came next.

Slowly, my head dipped, and my lips brushed against hers, softly at first, but as always, it only stayed that way for a second before she parted on a breathy moan, and I dove deeper.

Daisy clung to my shoulders as my tongue swept inside her mouth.

Her taste was as sweet as her personality, and I had quickly grown addicted to both.

My dick swelled behind my fly, and I hauled her flush, letting her feel how much I wanted her.

It was absolute torture knowing that, in another life, I might’ve been worthy enough to claim this incredible woman as my own.

Panting, we broke apart, our foreheads resting together as we caught our breath.

I wasn’t sure how long we could keep doing this.

I couldn’t keep her. It was selfish to let her believe that there might be even the slightest chance of a future together.

Hanging around with me was only holding her back.

She deserved to be set free, to have the chance to live her life fully with a man who could give her the world.

Swallowing roughly, I eased back enough that our bodies were no longer touching. Dipping my chin, I recited our customary goodbye. “Goodnight, Daisy. ”

Her chest rose on a deep inhale. “Night, Jett.”

Usually, this was the point where she’d slip inside while I waited to hear the deadbolt sliding into place. So when she simply stood there, chewing her kiss-swollen lower lip, I cocked my head. “Somethin’ wrong?”

Daisy’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to—“ Her words cut off abruptly, and she shook her head. “You know what, never mind.”

She was halfway to shutting the door in my face when I reached a hand out to stop it. Her squeak of surprise was accompanied by wide eyes as I pushed the door back open.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” I gestured an arm toward the rear exit of the Watering Hole. “We’ve spent every night for months spilling our deepest and darkest secrets to one another, and now you’re clamming up? I don’t understand. Is it something I’ve done?”

“Jett.” She breathed my name softly, almost like a plea to let this drop, but that wasn’t happening.

“Talk to me, Daze. Please,” I begged. “You were wondering if maybe I wanted to . . .” I stared at her expectantly.

She heaved a sigh, her eyes slamming shut before she finished her earlier sentence, the words barely a whisper when she said, “Come upstairs.”

A stunned exhale slipped past my parted lips; my jaw had gone slack. “Oh.”

Lower lip trembling, she avoided my gaze when her lashes finally lifted. “Can we just forget this ever happened? Clearly, I’ve misread the situation, and now I’m so embarrassed I could die.”

“Misread the situation,” I repeated in a daze.

“It’s stupid.” Daisy released a shaky breath.

“We spend every night together, and God, I have so much fun between the dancing and the talking and the laughing. Then there are the goodnight kisses that make my toes curl inside my shoes. You’ve been taking things so slow with me, and I thought it was you being a gentleman, not wanting to push me into something I wasn’t ready for, so I decided to make the first move. I should’ve known better.”

My eyebrows rose high on my forehead. “You should’ve known better? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I get it, okay? It’s one thing to share a nightly kiss with a girl that’s got all this”—she gestured to her soft middle and wide hips—“going on. Another to be truly attracted enough to sleep with someone my size.”

I blinked at her for a full minute before barking, “Are you fucking serious?”

She jolted at my harsh tone, and I felt like the biggest asshole. Fuck, I was only making this worse.

“Sorry,” I muttered, dragging a hand over my jaw.

“You just set my blood to boiling thinking that there’s ever been a time when someone made you feel like less because God gave with both hands when he created you.

” My head shook in disbelief before I breathed out, “You’re perfect, Daisy.

Your curves drive me insane, and I won’t stand here and lie to you.

I’ve spent more than my fair share of nights alone in bed, picturing what that incredible body looks like naked. ”

Daisy’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” I chuckled, moving in to cup her cheeks. “There are days when I wonder what the hell you’re doing, wasting your time with a guy like me. And then I tell my inner thoughts to shut the hell up because no good can come from questioning it.”

Blue eyes searched mine. “So, if I asked again, would your answer be yes? ”

I’d just told her I wouldn’t lie to her, and I wasn’t about to break that vow now. “I want to. God, Daze, do I want to.”

Disappointment settled over her features. “I can feel a but coming.”

She had me there.

“But—“ I held eye contact as I said the following words. “I’m afraid if I do, it’ll end with you getting hurt.”

Daisy sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh! Are you into rough sex, or something?”

Jesus, this girl. I guess she really needed me to spell this out for her.

“No, it’s not that.” I tugged on the back of my neck as I put space between us. “I’m leaving in a few weeks, and someone as incredible as you deserves more than I have to offer.”

Her head tilted to the side as she assessed me. “And what is it that you do have to offer?”

My shoulders lifted on a shrug. “Casual sex.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “God, hearing that out loud, I sound like a total jackass.”

Lips pressed together, Daisy hummed. “I like you, Jett.”

“I really like you too.”

“But you haven’t been listening very well if you don’t know that I’m not planning on sticking around here either. Rust Canyon is merely a pit stop for me, so I don’t have anything more than casual sex to offer you either.”

Well, shit. Hadn’t been prepared for her to be on the same page, but I was pleasantly surprised.

“I only ask one thing,” Daisy continued.

“What’s that?”

“When one of us decides it’s time to move on, there’s no hard feelings.” I nodded my agreement, so she added, “And while you’re sleeping with me, you’re not sleeping with anyone else.”

I reared back. “You think that little of me? ”

She offered me a sad smile. “I’ve been here long enough to know that the idea of premarital sex is frowned upon, especially for women.

But my upbringing was different, and I’ve been with a few guys, some of whom thought it was fine to be screwing around behind my back.

” Her nose wrinkled as she thought about the men from her past. “I know in my heart you’re one of the good ones, Jett, but I have to protect myself—both emotionally and physically. ”

Closing the distance between us, I tipped her chin up. “You have my word. I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since the night I met you. I have zero interest in being with anyone but you until you decide you’re sick of me, or you beat it out of this dusty old town, whichever comes first.”

Light laughter spilled into the night air. “Okay, then.” Pulling away, she jerked her chin toward the stairs set behind her. “You coming in?”

“Yeah.” I could feel the grin tugging at the corner of my lips.

This night had taken a turn I wasn’t expecting, but I wasn’t mad about it.