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Although if my mystery girl did live close, we probably would have met before now.
Granted, I've been a career military man for the past twenty years, so it's not like I'm current with the town gossip and the surrounding counties’ residents. But I've been back enough times throughout the years to not be totally clueless. And since Guardian Valley offers the best amenities within a ninety-mile radius, it’s not unheard of that we would’ve met.
“Probably wasn't my best idea.” She tucks her chin into her chest and shrugs. Like she’s trying to make herself smaller out of shame.
“Hey.” I cup her cheek and tilt her head up. “You're a pretty girl who wanted to dance. Nothing wrong with that. Just look out for curbs next time, yeah?”
A pink flush warms my palm as she whispers, “Yeah.”
“That's my girl.” And damn if I don't feel the truth of her being mine down to my bones.
God, I’m fucked.
Because not only am I too old and jaded for someone as sweet as her, but I’ve got nothing to offer a woman.
The family ranch doesn’t belong to me anymore.
Strangers own it.
The only thing I have is one of the ranch cabins available to employees. Who knows if the new owners will want to keep me around to run things when they arrive?
I could be homeless and jobless soon.
And no woman wants that.
CHAPTER FOUR
ADELINE
“...he could have any woman he wanted quicker than a bull rider’s eight seconds.”
THAT'S MY GIRL.
That's. My. Girl.
The words spin around in my head—along with the other sweet things Heath’s said—making me dizzy with yearning.
He probably didn't mean anything by his comments, but I've never belonged to anyone, never felt so protected. And the thought of being his, Heath's girl, sends a shiver of desire down my body, my stomach clenching with nervous energy. My knees and palms still throb from tripping, but there's a different ache settling between my thighs.
One that’s as unexpected as it is welcomed.
Because I'm still a virgin.
Technically, the only orgasms I've experienced have been self-given. And while Heath seems like the type of man to know how to treat a woman—in and out of bed—my shyness hasn't magically disappeared. Evidenced by the one word answers I've given him.
How exactly do I expect to go from shy virgin to a one night stand? I must be out of my mind!
Even if I never felt safer than when I was in his strong arms, it doesn’t mean we’re soul mates.
A random memory surfaces at the thought. Gran had a friend who lived in a town called Suitor’s Crossing where they believed in soul mates. Gave them a special name and everything: heart sparks.
That’s not what this is.
A one-time fling is all it would be. There’s no way Heath would want something more with a woman like me who’s too shy and too plump. I’m sure he could have any woman he wanted quicker than a bull rider’s eight seconds.
Someone beautiful and confident. Someone with a sexy name like Vanessa or Alessandra. Not an old-fashioned name like mine.
Gracious! I haven't even told him my name, yet here I am fantasizing about belonging to him.
