Page 77 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

Walker reached out and gently pulled Roan’s hand away. He eased the white marks on his wrist until they went red, then faded. “A job’s a job, Roan. The idea that in order to be happy your work has to be your life’s calling is a myth. Your job doesn’t diminish you as a person. At least you’re productive. And you can set your mind to finding something different whenever you’re ready for it.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

Walker rubbed Roan’s hand a little more. “I have a plan for tonight.”

Roan peered at Walker. “That’s your noodling face. Oh my God, what are you planning now?”

Walker invaded his space and grinned, pecking him quickly on the cheek. “Now, why would I go and spoil my fun by ruining the surprise?”

He’d realized that he wouldn’t be able to have Roan in the house for long, not without lights and movement alerting any observing crew or producers to the fact that Walker was home and not alone. With just his Ford out front, and Tessa’s Jeep noticeably missing, that would bring up a ton of questions in the morning.

So he’d texted Marlon with a favor and now he hoped Roan would go along with it.

“Wait here,” he said, tugging Roan out to the kitchen porch. “I’ll be right back. Try not to let anyone see you.”

“Be quick then,” Roan whispered, gripping his own elbows like he was cold, even though the air was still warm.

“I will.”

It only took him a moment to jog around the side of the house and climb up on the animal Marlon had left hitched there.

Walker rolled his shoulders as he sat astride Cormac. His skin tingled with nervous excitement, and he tried to shake it off. “Get a grip,” he mumbled, and Cormac shook his head. “Sorry, pal. Not talking to you.”

It’d been forever since he went for a bareback ride, and the fluid movements of the old quarter horse felt so soothing he promised himself to make more time for this in the future. But first he was going to take Roan out with him.

When he rounded the barn, he found Roan pacing anxiously on the kitchen porch and gave him a little tip of his hat.

“That’s just not fair,” Roan whispered, quietly climbing down the steps.

“What isn’t?” Walker looked down at Roan and grinned.

“You on horseback with no saddle. Jesus.”

“Ready to go for another ride?”

Roan’s eyes flew wide, and he actually clutched his chest. “With you? Now? On one horse?”

“Obviously, when else, and yes.” Walker jumped down and made a cup out of his hands. “Take a good handful of his mane.”

Roan looked between Walker, the horse, and the driveway leading to the renovated barn, as if judging what was more dangerous. Finally, he put his hand in Cormac’s mane. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

“You won’t.” He nudged Roan with his shoulder.

“But we’re too heavy.”

“He might look small, but he’s very sturdy. C’mon.”

“I didn’t say he looked small—”

Walker straightened. They almost stood nose to nose, and Roan fell silent. “Why are you resisting when we both know you want to go?” he whispered and trailed his fingertips along Roan’s jaw, rough with the day’s stubble. “It’d be so much easier if you just gave in.”

“I give in,” Roan said. “Sometimes.” His thick eyelashes fluttered down as he looked at his feet. They were long and fanned across his cheekbones, casting shadows.

“Wow,” Walker whispered and barely resisted a low, admiring whistle.

“What?” Roan looked up with a coy smile.

“You’re an irresistible temptation,” Walker murmured. “Like the smell of that first cup of coffee before the sun’s even up. Or the feeling of fresh sheets when you go to bed exhausted. I just want to…relish you.”