Playing With Fire (Tangled in Texas, #2)(55)

“Well, no. But I—”

“Exactly. And I do believe the second time I specifically asked you not to. But you didn’t listen.” I shook my head at him. “You men are all alike. You take whatever you want because you’re so afraid someone else might get to it first. Well, I’m not a trophy to be fought over. Good night, Cowboy,” I said, stepping inside as I swung the door closed.

But not before the toe of a boot slid inside.





Chapter Twelve


Cowboy shoved the door open. “I’m not done with you, yet.”

“Well, I’m done with you.” I spun on my heel and stormed into the kitchen.

His boots thudded on the tile behind me. He’d shadowed my movements because as I neared the sink, he grasped my shoulders and spun me around to face him. “Sonofabitch, Anna. Stop walking away.”

I sighed in defeat. “What do you want from me?”

He dropped his hand from my arm and clenched his fist at his side. “One f*cking date. That’s what I want.”

“No.”

“Just dinner, nothing else.”

“I said no.”

Cowboy closed his eyes and counted to ten under his breath. “Darlin’, I’m about to blow my f*cking top. Never in my life have I had to beg a woman to go out with me.”

I crossed my arms and looked at him in disbelief. “And what? You want a round of applause? A monument in your honor? How about a cookie?”

“No, I want an explanation.”

“I don’t owe you anything, Cowboy, an explanation or anything else for that matter.”

His eyes glazed with fury. “You damn sure owe me something after the bullshit you’ve put me through for the last week.”

I looked him directly in the eye and scoffed under my breath. “I already told you I wasn’t interested in dating you. But you just won’t listen. You’re crazy if you think you can blame—”

“Shut up.”

I blinked, registering what he said. “Did you just tell me to—”

“Damn straight I did. I’m tired of listening to your bullshit excuses. That story of yours about you not being interested has more holes than chicken wire. Every time I touch you, your body reacts to me. And you already know what you do to me. I’ve had the same goddamn boner for over a f*cking week. And jerking off hasn’t done a damn thing to relieve it. So why don’t you do us both a favor and quit blowing sunshine up my ass.”

My mouth had fallen open, but I managed to snap it shut. “You don’t need to use your licentious language on me.”

His brows furrowed. “In English this time?”

“You know…the…um, sexy talk,” I explained, my face flaring with heat. “Stop it. You’re embarrassing me.”

His expression lightened as he grinned with amusement, obviously delighted by my discomfort and not exhibiting the least bit of remorse for his behavior. “Darlin’, I hate to tell you this, but there’s no one else here.”

I straightened my spine and took on a chastising tone. “Doesn’t matter. Someone has to teach you proper etiquette.”

“Oh, f*ck me,” Cowboy groaned, shifting the bulge in his crotch and shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m getting all hot and bothered for a woman who acts like an old-fashioned schoolmarm.”

I glared at him. “Why don’t you just leave me alone, then? Lord knows I’ve asked you to several times.”

He closed his eyes and pursed his lips. “Because I can’t, okay?”

“What do you mean you can’t?”

“You’re like a…drip on a leaky f*cking faucet. You know, where at first you don’t notice it, but once you do, it’s the only damn thing you can concentrate on.”

“So now I’m a drip?”

“No. That’s not what I… What I mean is…” He pinched the bridge of his nose as the delivery of his lines stilted. “God, I’m f*cking this up.” He took a deep breath and looked back at me. “Don’t you get it? Anna, I want you.”

My stomach twisted into a knot, and I clamped my eyes shut, trying to block out his words. A sickening wave of nausea washed over me. Though I wasn’t planning on staying much longer, the thought of having Cowboy at least once was enough to tempt me. It was a fantasy I’d played over and over in my head many times before. But could I actually do it? Could I allow myself one night with him, knowing it would mean more to me than it would to him?

No. I couldn’t possibly torture myself that way. To even consider it meant he’d already gotten under my skin. But to grant him one night would only ensure that when my time was up, I’d leave with nothing more than fond memories and a broken heart.

So instead, I said the one thing that would put an end to his relentless pursuit. “Cowboy, I didn’t move here with any intention of finding a relationship. Even if I had, I’d want one with substance, one that means something. Not a fling with someone who wants to take care of his…er, baser needs. I’d need a commitment.”

“So that’s what it all boils down to, right? You think I’m in it for the sexual reward? Like some sort of test to my manhood? I’m not, I swear.” He measured me with his eyes, his face serious.