Page 25 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)

She should’ve backed up, should’ve demanded he leave. But her lungs seized as he blasted into her personal space, as he bent down right above her. The difference in their sizes had never been so apparent.

Storms raged in his eyes. “Are you all right? Tell me where it hurts. Should I call for a doctor?” Even as he rattled off questions, he studied her, conducting his own intimate examination. Sensation raced through her.

She was naked.

Rowan was examining her.

He reached out!

Her breath splintered as he touched her arm, as suddenly she was able to move. “What are you doing?” she gasped, yet instead of the strong demand she’d planned, her voice painted the invitation she longed to give. Forget invitation. She wanted to pull him down into the water with her.

“I heard you fall.” Distress etched every word. “When I came in, your eyes were closed. I thought you were unconscious.”

So he hadn’t come to explore.

And she wasn’t really, really, really disappointed.

Through the fog of desire, traitorous thoughts loomed. I will not accost Rowan, I will not accost Rowan, I will not accost Rowan. “I’m fine. The fall didn’t hurt me.”

“But you did slip?” Eyes blazing, he studied her once more. His fingers twitched, as if he longed for a more hands-on examination.

Yes, please. “Just on my backside,” she whispered the admission. “I closed my eyes for a moment, but I’m fine, truly.”

Finally, he relaxed. At this point he should’ve fled, excused himself with a hasty apology. Or she should’ve sent him away, mentioning the very obvious fact she was not dressed for company. Instead, they both remained frozen.

He still leaned over her. She fought the urge to pull him closer, to invite him to touch what he’d only seen. The power in him was obvious, the straining control. It would take so very little to snap it.

Could she?

Should she?

She didn’t plan her next words. “Can I take advantage of you?”

Snap .

She brushed her lips against his. He returned the kiss in an instant, ignoring her wetness, her nakedness, as passion flared. His woodsy scent surrounded her, and so did he, all-consuming and primal. Nothing shielded her from him as she grasped him tighter.

Water splashed, but neither noticed as they deepened the kiss, as he wrapped his arms around her bare back.

Her breasts pressed into his chest, sensitive nipples rubbing against firm skin.

She moaned and closed her eyes, surrendering to the desire.

There was only one thing she wanted, and only with one man. And she wanted him now.

“Rowan, are you in there?”

She pulled back just as Rowan did, and they stared at each other. Who was that? What had just happened?

Could it happen again?

The voice came again, this time louder – and suspicious. “Rowan?”

“Quinn,” they breathed in unison, as reality became as clear as the body the water couldn’t hide. Pink, ripe and exposed curves shimmered under the glossy service, revealing everything. “We can’t be caught like this,” she hissed. “Go before he calls another search party!”

Rowan touched under her chin, gently lifting her face to his. “Everything is going to be all right. We’ll talk about this later.” He moved back. The water seemed cold as Abhartach’s heart as his touch disappeared. “I’m still staying close. If you need help, call for me. I’ll hear you.”

She wouldn’t call for him if a shark suddenly appeared in the water with a knife, fork and a menu that said “Fresh Ciara.” Likely, the overprotective man would arrive with a sword to vanquish the beast. “I’m going to take a quick shower, then come out.”

“Take it easy on that ankle.”

Quinn called again, and Rowan rose to his full height. She held her knees to her chest, fought not to pull him back in with her. He took one last look, his expression fierce with undisguised desire. Finally, he left, opening the door only slightly, careful not to let Quinn see inside.

Relief and disappointment tangled when he was finally gone, amidst a million emotions.

The kiss had changed everything. Perhaps not her feelings, because they’d always been present, but her admission of them.

How far would they have gone if Quinn hadn’t come?

Would she have been strong enough to resist the temptation? Most importantly…

How hard was she falling for him?

There you are.” Quinn strode to the bathroom door just as Rowan emerged. His arms were folded across his chest, his lips a thin slash across a solemn face. “I was looking for you.”

Rowan pursed his own lips to prevent the frown.

His brother’s tone was matter-of-fact, but unabashed interest edged it.

Did he realize why he hadn’t responded to his call, or that he wasn’t exactly alone?

Unfortunately, his brother was curious enough to investigate and intelligent enough to figure it out.

“I was in the bathroom.” That was true, proven by his recent emergence. Of course, a very beautiful, very wet and very bare woman had also been present. One detail he wouldn’t share.

Quinn studied him. “Were you showering? Frank said Ciara was bathing in…” His voice trailed off, before a slow, simmering smile emerged. “I see.”

“It’s not what you think,” Rowan swiftly denied, even if it was exactly what his brother thought. “I was helping her.”

Sort of. He was helping himself to her.

Quinn’s widening smile said he knew it.

“I thought she needed my assistance,” he continued with the truth-but-not-the-whole-story, keeping his voice calm and emotionless.

Yet somehow it was becoming increasingly difficult to hide behind his neutral mask, especially when it regarded Ciara.

Their entanglement wasn’t a secret, but they hadn’t defined their relationship.

A fact he intended to rectify very, very soon.

“Helping her shower?” Quinn clearly saw through every misdirection. “Frank said she sprained her ankle.”

“Yes, but she slipped, which is why I rushed in.” And kissed her. “Thankfully, everything was fine.” Really, really fine as I kissed her. “I was just being responsible.” By kissing her.

“I see.” By the amusement in his eyes, his brother saw far more than Rowan intended. Yet instead of teasing, he turned serious. “It’s okay, you know.”

Rowan set his jaw, pushed aside his discomfort. “What is okay?”

“You and Ciara. You’re good for each other.”

A swift denial formed, but Quinn cut him off with a raised hand. “I know you won’t admit it, and that’s all right. I approve, for what it’s worth.” His eyes filled with kindness, warmth… and love. “You deserve a happy life.”

He did? Rowan stood in stunned silence, at the simple sentence that conveyed endless meaning.

He conversed with his brothers every day, yet never about anything personal, at least not on his side.

While he was always happy to listen to their problems, he never burdened them with his.

They were his little brothers, even if they weren’t so little anymore.

He’d protected them when they were young, and he’d never really stopped.

“I enjoy myself,” Rowan protested, yet was it true? Since he’d been back in Waterstone, he had enjoyed his life. Being with Ciara, taking care of the animals they both loved, gave him a contentment no amount of money could buy. It had been different before.

“You work.” Quinn put a hand on his shoulder. “You take care of the family. You take care of the horses. You take care of everyone . We see how much you do for us, Rowan.”

Rowan blinked. What was happening? His normal, companionable relationship with his brothers was changing.

It had to do with being here, with Ciara.

He didn’t have a clue what to do about it.

“I don’t do anything extraordinary,” he said lightly, even as Quinn peered right through his mask. Perhaps he always could.

Spencer walked in. “Hey guys. How’s Ciara?”

“She’s feeling better,” Rowan replied swiftly, before Quinn could share anything about intimate meetings or unbeckoned emotions.

“It’s probably just a sprain, but Dr. Andrews is going to stop by later to examine her.

” His brother’s relief was obvious. They’d risked their lives by plunging into the storm to chase Ciara.

“Thank you for helping out. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Quinn replied.

“No big deal,” Spencer said.

But it was a big deal. He’d always known his brothers were good guys, but he hadn’t quite credited the extent of their dedication. Perhaps they were different than he’d always thought… just as he was.

His emotions tumbled, for Ciara, his brothers, his life.

Spencer and Quinn were treating him differently, not a change of feelings, because there had always been love, but in how they were expressed, understood.

In the end, everything led back to Ciara.

Perhaps it was her, or how he acted around her, but his world was transforming.

It affected every facet of his life, from his family to his work to everything in between.

Now what was he going to do about it?

“Please eat, sweetheart,” Ciara coaxed the skittish palomino, reaching out with the fresh apples.

The horse snorted and stomped, staring at the food in disdain, as if insulted by its mere presence.

Despite Ciara’s efforts, no amount of asking, cajoling or pleading convinced her to take a bite.

If only she could demand the animal eat, or feed her herself, but aggressive measures would only backfire. The horse needed to do this on her own.

“She’s still not eating?”