Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(124)

“Because you’re a clueless * who doesn’t deserve her.”


“Keely West McKay,” Carolyn said sharply, “that isn’t helping.”


“I don’t care. She’s mooned around you for years—years! Why? She’s shouldered more responsibilities than anyone should, which is probably why she was so drawn to you in the first place, Mr. Large and In Charge—”


“Whoa, back up. Whatya mean mooned around me for years? She’s twenty-two.”


“She has some crazy notion she’s been in love with you since she was five.”


“No,” he breathed, but the truth pummeled him from every direction as the things AJ


said came rushing back.


Because I’m definitely smitten with you.


I’ve had a crush on you for so long.


You’ve been my fantasy man since that day all those years ago.


Keely’s eyes burned with anger and tears. “You think it’s a coincidence she was untouched? No. AJ saved her virginity for you.”


I’m so glad I waited. Waited for you to be ready for me.


“I thought it was stupid, I still do. I tried to talk her out of waiting because I didn’t think you could love her like she’s dreamed of her whole life.”


Just like this. Love me like this, slow and easy and for a long time. Make it last forever.


“She’s the closest thing I have to a sister and I hate that my brother is just like every other man—taking what’s offered and giving nothing in return.”


“Cord West McKay. Is that true?” his mother demanded.


Cord’s cheeks grew hot. Partially because his mother was listening to the conversation; partially because he felt the need to defend himself. Keely was dead wrong.


“She came to me. So don’t you go blamin’ me for nothin’. I offered to marry her.”


“Like you were doing her a favor,” Keely snapped. “Like she was just one of the fringe benefits of taking over the Foster ranch.”


“That’s not true. I care about her.”


“Care? Jesus, Cord. You care about horses, and cattle, and the ranch. If you care about a person, you tell them you love them. Hell, you shout it from the rooftops.”


All I wanted was for you to love me. Just love me.


“Why haven’t you done that?”


“I don’t know!”


“That’s bullshit,” Keely said. “AJ deserves better than you. Why should she have to be the one to convince you she’s worthy of you? You oughta be on your knees proving that you’re worthy of her. Instead, you’re here glaring at me, acting as pigheaded as every other man in this testosterone-laden family.” Keely opened her cell phone and whirled away.


He snagged Keely’s elbow. “What do you want me to say? I nearly lost my f*ckin’ mind when I realized no one in my entire family knew what she’d been through all those years to keep that goddamn ranch when she was merely a girl? That I nearly wept with fear when I considered I could’ve lost her forever if she hadn’t been in my bed the night her house caught fire?


“Should I tell her that I can’t sleep, I can’t eat and I miss talkin’ to her? Or just sittin’ with her? That I miss the secret way she smiles at me? That I constantly think about the way she smells, the taste of her mouth, the feel of her skin, and the sound of her laughter?