Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

Oh. No.

Mitchell Parker was going to have to fight his way back in, and I was not going to make it easy. Or at least that was my plan. When it came to this man, my heart seemed to win out over my head.

“I’m sorry I make you uncomfortable, Mitch.”

He parked in front of the vet clinic.

“I never said I was uncomfortable around you. It’s the opposite, Corina.”

“What do you want me to say? ‘Oh okay, yay! Let’s go back to your place and have sex’?”

He grinned, a sexy smirk as he looked me up and down. “No, I don’t expect that at all. I wouldn’t argue if you wanted to do that…but no, I don’t expect it.”

I searched his face. “Then what do you expect?”

“To win your heart.”

I let out a gruff laugh and looked away to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. “Do you have any idea how hard I’ve tried to get over you, Mitchell? I finally decided to push you out of my heart and move on. If you think you can simply smile at me and say something sweet, rescue my cat, give me a place to stay, and think I’m going to back down, then you’ve got another thing coming.”

His grin grew into a wide smile. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re sexy as hell when you get pissed off?”

My jaw dropped. “You are unbelievable, do you know that?”

“I do know it, and you find it cute. I see it in your eyes.”

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Mitchell Parker was good at this game, but I intended on being better. He just had no idea how much harder I could play.

We walked into Dr. Harris’s office, and I smiled when I saw Milo sitting on the counter at the front desk. “Looks like he made himself at home,” I said.

The girl behind the desk jumped up. “He’s a sweetheart! I fell in love with this cat.”

Milo did his little bark meow that was special to him. I scooped him up into my arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Snuggling under my chin, Milo purred.

“So, you’re going to be okay with the cat at your place, Mitchell?” the girl asked.

My eyes snapped up to her.

“News really travels fast,” Mitchell said with a slight chuckle.

With a shrug, the girl winked. “Small town, big mouths. Lilly told me at breakfast this morning.”

Standing there with a stunned expression, I got my crap together and cleared my throat. “There is nothing between Mitchell and me except friendship. That’s all.”

The girl grinned before focusing back on Mitchell. “Does this mean you need a date for the Pecan Street Honky Tonk?”

Mitchell looked at the receptionist, then me. “Sorry, Julie. I’m going with someone else.”

I made a mental note of her name. I was positive her disappointed face matched mine. How could he say all that to me in the car, only to have a date to one of Oak Springs’ biggest summer events?

“Bummer, who’s the lucky girl?” she asked.

“Corina.”

If I had turned my head faster, I would have broken it.

“Me?”

Mitchell laughed. “Yeah, Paxton said you didn’t get to see it last year and asked me to make sure you went this year, so, yeah, I guess you’re my date to the Pecan Street Honky Tonk.”

I didn’t know whether to be excited or pissed that he would assume I’d go with him. I wanted to tell him I already had a date, but if I said it now, that would leave it open for Julie to go with him.

Oh, no. I needed to play this right.

“How much do I owe you, Dr. Harris?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Nothing. It was my pleasure to take care of the little guy.”

The kindness of the people in this town never ceased to amaze me. You wouldn’t get this from a vet back in Chicago.

“Thank you so very much. I truly appreciate it.” I extended my hand to the vet.

“I’ve put together some items to help get Milo settled,” Dr. Harris said, handing two bags to Mitchell.

Tears filled my eyes, but I somehow managed to keep them at bay. “Thank you so much. Your kindness is overwhelming.”

The doctor waved it off. “That’s what we do in small towns. Take care of each other.”

“Well, I certainly appreciate it. Thank you.”

Julie brought over a cat carrier and helped me put Milo in. “See ya around, handsome boy!”

I thanked her for all her help and followed Mitchell out the door as a round of goodbyes took place.

Mitchell walked to the passenger door, and I opened it for him to put the bags in, followed by Milo.

“What did Julie mean when she asked if you’d be okay with Milo at your place?”

Mitchell gently put Milo’s case in and shut the door. “I’m allergic to cats.”