Tangled by Temptation (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 7)

“You keep trying to push her into something permanent and it is obvious she’s not ready for that.”

“I’m not so sure, but I hope I haven’t fucked it up.” Shane got two plates and filled them with Belle’s apple pie.

“I hope you’re right. We just have to take things a lot slower with her.”

“What about you, Corey? It’s obvious that you are into Belle as much as I am. Why are you holding back?”

“Because like her, Shane, you are not ready for something serious.” Corey could imagine one day, a few years down the road, planning a future together. Just not now.

Unless she’s pregnant. That would change everything.

Though it would be like moving from a standstill into the fast lane, having a child with her would be amazing. Corey would love to be a father. Shane loved children just as much as he did and would be a great parent. What about Belle? Corey smiled. She’d already shown him what kind of mother she was going to be. The loving way she took care of Juan and the other boys at the Stone Ranch told him all he needed to know.

They walked back to Belle with the dessert.

He sat on one side of her and Shane sat on the other.

“Your apple pie looks delicious, sweetheart.” Corey grabbed his fork.

She shook her head. “Shouldn’t you start with the main meal first before moving on to dessert?”

“There’s no rule that you can’t have dessert first, at least not in Destiny.” He took a bite of the pie. The crust and filling were perfection. “Oh my God, where did you learn to bake like this?”

She grinned. “From my mom. You really like it?”

“Corey never lies, baby.” Shane took a bite of the piece on his plate. “Wow. This is good. Really good.”

“I hope everyone that tried my pies enjoyed them as much as you two.” The blue mood she’d come in with seemed to be lifting some.

“I’m sure they did, Belle.” He took another bite. “We got the last three pieces.”

“No kidding. That’s great. Those girls from the high school worked hard. I’ll have to let them know. I wonder where they are?”

“At the dance, no doubt.” Shane’s plate was empty. “I’m on a time crunch, sweetheart. I’d like my dance.”

She laughed. “Corey, has he always been so pushy?”

“Only since we were kids.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “I still say our parents spoiled him and Phoebe. I’m the sensible one of the three of us.”

“I can see that.” She sent him a sweet wink and then turned to Shane, offering her hand. “A promise is a promise.”

They all stood and walked over to the room where the dance was going on. Wolfe Mayhem, Mitchell’s band, ended one song and segued right into another, this one being a fast country song.

“You know the line dance that goes with this one?” Shane asked her as the crowd of boot scooters were lining up across the floor.

She nodded. “It’s so much fun. Let’s go.”

Corey watched them laughing as they kicked and stepped in time with the rest of the dancers. It was good to see them having so much fun. He walked over to the bar and got a beer and a glass of wine for Belle, which he knew she preferred. Shane was going to be on guard duty so he got him a bottled water. He walked back with the drinks jus

t as the band changed to a slow tune.

Shane held Belle close. The look on both their faces told Corey they were already falling hard for one another. As the song ended, Shane kissed her tenderly, and they walked over to him.

He handed them their drinks.

Belle smiled. “Thank you. You remembered I love red wine.”

“Of course I did, sweetheart.”