Page 22 of The Forever Cowboy (Noble Ranch #1)

She didn’t want to meet his gaze and see any sign of rejection there. Instead, she closed her eyes, slid a hand to the back of his neck, then tugged him down at the same time that she leaned forward and touched her lips to his.

He sucked in a sharp breath. Was it one of surprise or distaste?

She was half tempted to pull back in mortification and to apologize and make an excuse.

But was Hyacinth right, that she was being a coward in holding back from Sterling?

The truth was, she loved so many things about him and always had.

She loved that he was strong-willed and a natural leader while also being gentle and concerned about those weaker than him.

She loved his faithfulness, kindness, and sweetness in so many things.

Yes, she may as well finally admit the truth. She loved Sterling Noble. Though she may have run away from him and tried not to love him, here she was again. She loved him too much to give him up.

She needed to win him back. That was ultimately why she was here. And if a kiss would help show him what she felt, then so be it.

Without loosening her hold behind his neck, she angled into the kiss more fully, meshing her mouth to his.

At the same time, warmth fanned to life inside her—all the desire for Sterling that had always been there but that she’d tried to forget.

It flamed into a fire that she couldn’t ignore—one she didn’t want to ignore.

His lips were pliable and soft against hers but hesitant.

It didn’t matter if he wasn’t sure about the kiss or her. She would kiss for both of them.

She dug her fingers into the curling strands at the back of his neck and tried to drag him closer, needing him, needing more.

He shifted and seemed ready to pull away. His lips left hers for an instant, then he groaned, and in the next instant, his mouth collided with hers in an explosion of two worlds that had been torn apart but were now finding their missing places again.

His lips moved in an almost desperate rhythm, as if he was afraid the moment would come to an end too soon and he wouldn’t get enough.

His desperation only stoked a frenzy inside her. She matched the give and take of her mouth to his, just as eager to get as much as she could.

The kiss was unlike any they’d shared previously. It held a passion and urgency that had never been there in their few simple, chaste kisses, which had mostly taken place at the front door when she’d been saying goodnight to Sterling.

This intensity was new, and the fire was hot. Though she had the feeling it would be very easy to get burned, she didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she wanted Sterling to know how much she cared, how much she desired him, how much she wanted something between them.

As if she’d spoken her thoughts aloud, Sterling abruptly broke their kiss and pulled back. Even before she could open her eyes, he was lowering her to the settee. His movements were hasty and jerky, and as soon as she was out of his arms, he pivoted and stalked to the door.

He was moving so quickly that she expected him to leave the room without a word and without looking back. But as he reached the door, he halted. He blew out a taut breath then shot her a dark look, one she couldn’t read. “We can’t…I can’t…”

She couldn’t move, couldn’t think about anything but his mouth against hers.

He glanced away, exhaled another breath. “We can’t do that again.” Then without another word, he exited the room, his footsteps heavy and determined.

Was he determined never to love her again?

Her heart tumbled, and the passion and thrill from the kiss fell away.

She stared at the open doorway, at the emptiness of the front hallway. A moment later, the back door of the house slammed closed.

As silence settled over the parlor, all that remained was an empty ache inside her chest. She’d tried to give him her love, tried to show him she cared, and he’d rejected what she was offering.

He didn’t want her. He was finished with her. Even though he’d forgiven her, he was making it clear he had no desire to renew a relationship and intended to move on.

The pain inside her heart reared up into her throat, and tears stung the backs of her eyes.

Was this how he’d felt when she’d walked away from him?

More likely his pain had been a hundred times worse—even a thousand times worse—at what she’d done. The two couldn’t even begin to compare because he’d only walked away from a kiss and an invitation to have a relationship again, but she’d walked away from their wedding and a life together.

No wonder he’d been angry when she’d unexpectedly shown up in his life again. It had been callous of her to think she could do so. He would have been better off if she’d stayed away and not reminded him of all that had happened.

She lowered her head and finally let the tears come. She’d hurt him so deeply. How could she ever make up for that?

Maybe she never would, but one thing was certain—she wanted to try.

She would do her best to care about him and love him without expecting anything in return.

That was all she could do. Then, when her time at the Noble Ranch was over, she would go on her way, give him the freedom he wanted, and never seek him out again.