Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(72)

“Undoubtedly, but we’ve been down this road before.”

“Yeah, well things change…people change.” Her gaze sought his. “Are you seeing anyone else?”

“Nope.” He shook his head, avoiding the eye contact she desired. “Not for a while now.”

“Going on three months, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess that’s about right.” He shrugged. It was ten weeks to be precise since Nikki had left. He hadn’t had sex with anyone else, but he wasn’t about to admit that.

“I thought we were pretty good together. Was it really that much better with her?”

Dangerous question, Wade. Tread carefully.

He took a deep breath. “It was completely different, Allie. Nikki and I had a connection that I can’t explain. I only hope you also experience it with someone one day.”

“Yeah well, you know I prefer to keep things simple. I’m not like other women. I don’t want or need emotional entanglements. They only make women needy.”

“It isn’t weakness to need somebody, Allie. Hell, we all need somebody sometimes.”

“So they say,” she remarked blithely. “But I don’t get it. Maybe I’m just wired differently. I don’t need a husband and children to make me feel ‘fulfilled.’”

“Maybe that’ll change when you meet the right man.”

She snorted. “I don’t think so. I’m perfectly happy as I am.” She stroked her fingers down the length of his silk tie. “You sure you don’t want to blow off some steam? I’m experiencing a dry spell myself. You can consider it a going-away present.”

“Thanks, Allie. That’s mighty generous, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to start anything up again.”

She offered up her palms. “No strings attached.”

Allie was more than willing to pick things back up. She’d probably let him take her right here on the desk if he’d wanted to. Although he felt the strain of celibacy, he had no desire for a casual hook up. He shook his head. “Thanks again but I’m still gonna pass.”

“Damn.” Allie’s mouth turned down in disappointment. “I didn’t expect that.” She stepped back with a smile that looked forced. “Can’t blame a gal for trying.”

Wade took her hand in both of his and held it. “I’m sorry, Allie, but it wouldn’t be right—you and me. We’d only be cheating ourselves. We both deserve more.”

“More?” She laughed dryly. “What else is there?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “But I think I was damned close to finding out.”

The experience with Nikki had opened his eyes, but she’d gone before he ever had a chance to know if it could work.

Only a few weeks ago he would have been on the next plane to Atlanta if he’d thought there was any chance of persuading her to give it a go, but she’d made herself crystal clear. There was no point in pursuit when she’d expressed no intention of ever coming back.

“When do you leave?” Allie asked.

“Tomorrow.”

Given Dirk’s good fortune, the opportunity had finally come for Wade to break loose from the ranch. After almost two months of waiting and hoping Nikki might come around, he was finally ready to move on. He was making some big changes in his life. Her phone call had come too late. He was moving on—to Helena.

*

Nikki got off the plane at Bozeman Yellowstone Airport and inhaled the frosty air with a strange feeling of welcome. It was suddenly as if she belonged, as if she’d come home.

“It’s freaking c-cold!” Shelby pulled the collar of her fuchsia faux fur jacket, the one she’d bought to offset the new pink highlights in her platinum hair, up around her ears. “You didn’t warn me about that.” Shelby glowered.

“Some snow bunny you make.” Nikki laughed. “Generally speaking, Shelby, where there is snow there is also cold.”

“Then all I can say is Big Sky better have some really hawt snowboarding instructors to make up for the lack of temperature.”

“Have you ever seen mountains like this? Just look at them!” Nikki exclaimed.

“How can I not see them? They’re everywhere. And that seems to be all there is. You didn’t warn me about that either.”

“But they’re gorgeous. I haven’t seen them like this before—all covered in snow.”

“That’s just flippin’ great if you’re into this kind of scenery, but I’m starting to think I prefer palm trees.”

“Don’t be such a crybaby, Shelby. Look, we don’t have time to check into the hotel before my appointment with the attorney. Do you mind coming along with me?”

“If I do, can I use your credit card later?”

“For what?”

“Shopping of course. I’ll need warmer clothes. Do you think they even have malls here?”

*

Half an hour later, Nikki pulled up to the Bozeman offices of Evans and Knowlton with a heightening sense of anticipation. She’d taken pains with her hair and makeup that morning but now wished she’d flown in a day earlier just so she’d look her best. She approached the reception desk with butterflies in her stomach. The receptionist smiled and introduced herself as Stella.