Page 53 of Slow Hands Cowboy

Just for the acknowledgment, she supposed, since nobody else had acknowledged it.

Though, if she were honest, it felt a little bit more like red flags waving in front of her face, things that she had missed before.

And it was definitely a good view of what would have happened if she had married Alan. Nobody would have taken her side. Not ever. Nobody would have been concerned about her. Whatever conflict happened in their marriage, his side would have been taken unquestioningly.

It wasn’t as if that was completely unexpected or outrageous or anything like that, it was just kind of... affirming in some ways to get a window into that potential future without having found herself stuck in it.

She was so lost in thought she didn’t realize that they were already turning back onto the ranch.

She blinked. “It didn’t seem like anybody really reacted to that,” she said.

“Just wait. Just wait until the hostess posts the picture. Just wait until people start texting their friends. Just wait.”

She wasn’t good at that, waiting. She was the kind of person who liked to make things happen, she wasn’t the kind of person who liked to sit back and wait for things to come to her.

But he seemed relaxed. Though, that was Walker. That facade of total serenity. As much as she knew that wasn’t entirely the case.

Still, maybe she could borrow it. Just for a moment.

As long as he didn’t touch her hand again.

It made it a lot harder to seem serene in that situation.

They pulled into the driveway at the cabin.

“We have some new guests coming in tomorrow,” he said. “I’m going to have you move over to the hotel.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll get packed tonight.”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay. I’ll just...”

She got out of the truck as quickly as possible, partly because she was trying to avoid him coming around to her side and touching her again in any capacity. But then, when she got out, he was there.

“I’ve got to walk you to the door,” he said. “You never know what kinds of wild animals might be out there.”

“I grew up here. And you’re not going to scare me with stories about potential wild animals.”

“If you say so.”

He followed closely behind her as they walked up to the front door of the cabin.

She looked down at the keypad and then made the mistake of looking up at him.

Yet again, she became very conscious of her lungs. Of air moving without her consent. The breath being sucked from her like there was some sort of apparition at work.

All she could see were his eyes. So blue. Even in the porch light. Glittering as he looked down at her.

And she felt very suddenly like she had been lit on fire. Her hand was tingling, her lips feeling lit up like a beacon.

He lowered his head, and she wanted to scream. Push him away, tell him no.

And at the same time, she wanted to grab those broad shoulders and pull him in. To finally have the kiss she never even let herself fantasize about but wanted all the same. To finally have Walker—his mouth on hers, his body pressed against her.

He was so close now, only a whisper away, and she found herself tilting forward just a bit. Just enough. But he would have to make the final move. He tilted his head, his mouth now so close to hers, she could feel the heat radiating from him.

“Addison,” he said, his voice low, compelling. “I like begging, remember.” Then he moved away from her, taking a full step back. “It doesn’t come for free.” He turned away from her, and she felt like she had been doused with a bucket of ice-cold water. All she could do was stand there and stare at his broad, retreating back as he went back to his truck. “See you tomorrow.” He jerked the door open and got halfway inside. “Now we just get to watch the storm that we unleashed.”