Page 12 of Unforgettable Cowboy (Montana’s Rodeo Cowboys #1)

“Unless he asks the locals, who’ll happily direct him here.”

True, and it wasn’t like she could put out an announcement for Marietta townsfolk to keep the location of her family homestead secret.

“So, he visits and finds me living at my mom’s place. With no horse.” Hayes didn’t respond and she let out an exasperated breath. “What do you suggest I do?”

“Accept that you don’t have to face down Chance Meyers alone.”

“I do most things alone.” She tossed off the words automatically.

“But is that a good thing?” he asked softly.

Bailey wasn’t enough of a liar to say yes. It wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but it was a safe thing—in some regards.

“It works for me.”

He didn’t move, but it sure felt like he had. Bailey could almost feel the heat coming off from his hard body, which in turn brought memories that she had to squelch.

“I don’t like the idea of you facing off with this guy.”

“Are you going to bodyguard me? Help me handle an egotistical ass who’s used to getting his own way?”

She hadn’t known what Hayes’s response would be to the gauntlet she’d just dropped, but she hadn’t expected his lips to curve into an I-know-what-you’re-doing smile.

“Hayes?”

He dropped his chin, as if needing a moment to come to a decision. When he raised it again, he said, “You still feel this, don’t you?”

Sudden heat warmed her cheeks, which in turn pissed her off. Of all the things she’d thought he might say, that was the farthest from her mind. The realization that she was staring at him as she fought to come up with a response did not help her composure.

She opened her mouth, having no idea what she was going to say, and then a sense of calm settled over her—the same calm she hoped to feel when she faced Chance Meyers. The calm of battle.

“What if I do?” She raised her eyebrows, sending the ball into his court.

He took a step closer, and she automatically lifted her chin to maintain eye contact. “Is it something you want to address?”

Ball back in her court.

“I think not.” Not at the moment anyway. She wasn’t close to prepared.

“Then what? Denial?”

She gave a casual shrug. “It’s okay to deny yourself something you want that may be bad for you.”

“You’re saying I’m bad for you?”

“More like I’m bad for you. I’m not trustworthy in relationships. I tend to bolt.”

He lifted a hand to touch the hair that had settled over her shoulder. Her shoulders rose as she inhaled, but she didn’t speak. He dropped the strands, his fingers tracing over the edge of her shoulder before his hand fell away.

“What if I’m willing to take the chance?” he asked.

Why was he pushing this? And why was she allowing it?

Thoughts of Bruce pushing at her mother shot into her head but pushing was not the word for what Hayes was doing. He was questioning.

But that doesn’t mean the pushing wouldn’t come later.

“Look,” she said in a serious voice. “I don’t want to mislead you in any way.”

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Yeah?” she asked softly. She wanted to touch him, take him by the hand and lead him into her trailer. Wanted to not be alone for once.

“Yeah.”

“I’m leaving after Jenna picks up her horse. I can’t stay here.”

Why not? She shushed her traitorous small voice just before Hayes touched her face, his fingertips trailing over her cheek before his thumb brushed over her lip.

A shiver went through her and she decided screw it.

She wasn’t an eighteen-year-old kid with no relationship skills.

She was a twenty-eight-year-old woman with no relationship skills.

But that twenty-eight-year-old woman had survival skills and she could draw a line.

“I’m not asking you to stay.”

“What are you asking?”

“I don’t know.” He looked down at her with sexy hooded eyes. “An open mind?”

“I’d like to kiss you,” she muttered. “Which is not a good idea.”

“No?”

“Definitely not.” But when she settled her palms on his chest and remembered exactly what his hard body felt like beneath her hands, all parts of it, the idea began to have merit. She raised her head and found that he was waiting. Waiting for her to make the move.

When she did, his hands came to her waist, holding tight as her mouth met his in a kiss that started slowly, as if reintroducing themselves to one another.

But as familiar tastes and sensations took hold, Bailey stepped closer, allowing her hands, which had been placed to keep herself from getting too close, to slide up around his neck.

The kiss deepened and Bailey found her back pressed up against the warm hood of the truck without being consciously aware of moving. It was all she could do not to hook a leg behind his thighs and pull him more tightly against her.

This man.

When Hayes finally raised his head, Bailey let out a shaky breath.

“Haven’t lost the magic,” she muttered. Hayes pulled her close again, only this time in a loose embrace, his chin lightly resting on top of her head. His chest shook with what she could only assume was silent laughter, which in turn made her feel, well…safe.

He didn’t need to know that, and she didn’t need anyone to make her feel safe. Except maybe a dog.

She opened her mouth, but Hayes touched her lips with his finger before she spoke.

“I’m not asking for anything, Bailey.”

She believed him. And because she believed him, she was able to ease out of his embrace and face him without feeling like she had to explain further.

“Thank you.” The only words that seemed appropriate.

He gave her a surprisingly gentle smile. “Maybe I should go?”

“Maybe,” she agreed.

He put his hand on the door handle of his truck but didn’t open it. “Promise me one thing.”

She knew what he was going to say. “I’ll let you know if I run into Chance.”

“Or if he runs into you.”

She nodded and her expression must have convinced him.

“See you tomorrow?”

Parts of her wanted to do a lot more than see him, but she would have those parts battled into submission before their next meeting.

“You will. I’m looking forward to seeing Wade.”

He laughed again. “I sure hope Estelle says the same thing after a few days on the Tree Fork.”