The Cowboy and the Cougar (The Cougar Chronicles #1)(10)

They ended up at the coffee shop across the street, a little Mom and Pop Shop called Mocha Dreams that had, so far, stood up to Starbucks. Jack bought Holly a Vanilla Latte and he had black coffee.

"I’m a purist," he said and she couldn’t help but smile.

"So," he said, handing her the Latte and pulling out a chair for her at one of the little round tables. "Tell me about Holly Taylor."

"There’s a loaded question." Holly tried to sound nonchalant. There was both nothing and everything to tell. Her life hadn’t been that exciting.

"I’m from here originally. Where are you from?"

His grin split his face. "Texas."

Of course. The drawl, the persistence, the raw male beauty, his size. Everything about Jack Sherwood was big.

"Okay, I’m dying to ask. Why were you modeling nude last night?"

His laugh filled the room. "I was doing a favor for a friend."

"For who?"

"Mark Fleming, the teacher."

"You know Professor Fleming?"

"He’s my godfather."

This just kept getting better and better. Holly shook her head and took a sip of latte.

"So you were out late last night and up with the birds this morning. Where’s your boy?"

"Sam’s with my mom for the week, having some grandma time. Mom knew I was helping Mark out, knew I’d be out late. I’m modeling for all his classes this week, not just yours. Some are during the day."

"What do you do otherwise?"

"I run a small ranch about an hour from here, so I’m used to getting up early."

Holly shook her head again. "You’re not anything like I expected."

"What’d you expect?"

"I don’t know. Kind of a cad, you know? A guy who’d bed a woman without knowing her."

"Seems I recall the whole thing was your idea, sugar. Who was I to say no?"

"You’re right." Holly couldn’t deny it. That night had been her idea. She’d used him, really. It hadn’t been a nice thing to do. "I’m sorry."

He grinned. "You hear me complainin’?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Sugar, the only complaint I have is that you left without saying good-bye. I wanted to see you again."

"Like I said, Jack, I was in a bad place then. I needed something. Someone. You were there and you gave me a nice memory. It meant more than you know."

"I don’t want to be a memory, Holly. I want to see you."

"I’m too old for you."

"That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard."

"It’s not dumb. You’re just starting out in life, and I’m—"

"For Christ’s sake, Holly, you’re forty. You’re not dead!" He looked around and lowered his voice. "I got a bigger bang out of being with you than I’ve ever had with a woman. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. Yeah, the sex was great. It was earth moving. I won’t lie to you. I want more of it. But I want to get to know you, too."

"Now you know me. I’m Holly. I’m forty. Single, never been married. I’m a lawyer who wants to draw. Enough said."

"Why don’t you want me?"

Holly’s mouth dropped open and she stared at his chiseled face. "Are you serious?"

"Well, something’s keepin’ you from seein’ me again."

"It’s...it’s the age thing, Cowboy." She swallowed. "That’s all."

"Not good enough, sugar." He stood and tossed his empty coffee cup in the nearby wastebasket. "We’re going out tonight."

"Jack, I have class."

"Mark doesn’t have a class tonight."

"It’s not Mark’s...er, Professor Fleming’s class. It’s a different class. Conceptual drawing."

"Skip it."

"No. Drawing is my passion. I don’t want to skip it."

"I’ll make it worth your while."

"Damn it, Jack. Why are you so determined?"

"I do whatever I can to get what I want, sugar. Right now, you’re it."

Holly sighed. "Tomorrow night?"

"Don’t want to wait. But tomorrow it’ll be, if that’s what it takes. The day after, I pick up Sam from my mom’s and my time’ll be more limited." He grinned. "In fact, tomorrow’s perfect."

"Perfect?" What did he have in mind? And why did tomorrow sound like it wouldn’t work? "Oh!" She clapped her hand to her mouth. "Tomorrow’s no good. I have to go to Professor Fleming’s—"

"Exhibit," Jack finished for her, still smiling. "I figured you’d like that idea so I’ll be takin’ you. We’ll have dinner first. Deal?"

Warm tingles spiraled through Holly. He understood how much the exhibit meant to her. Maybe, just maybe...

She sighed.

No.

This was only temporary. Once Jack found out the truth about her, he wouldn’t want her anymore.





Chapter Six


"How am I supposed to walk through Professor Fleming’s exhibit after that meal you just fed me?" Holly patted her full tummy. "You’re going to have to roll me out of here."