One Night Rodeo (Blacktop Cowboys 4)

“Nope. The only reason I tried to stay at the top was for the money.” Kyle gestured to the room. “So I could buy a ranch to call home. Now that I’ve got it, I lost the reason for being on that blacktop.” He pointed at her with a screwdriver. “And I believe it is your turn to tell me something else you love about me.”

I love that you get me.

Could she say that without giving too much of herself away?

Another laugh. “You can’t think of even one more thing?”

“Yes, I can. I love your loyalty. Even when you’re still upset with your mom, you’re planning on giving her the money that Marshall left, aren’t you? All of it.”

“It’s not like she won’t have to work and I’m setting her up with a life of luxury. It’ll give her more options. And it’s just…I owe her. I am who I am, I’m loyal because of her. Because she beat those values into my head from the time I was a kid.”

“Same with Hank and Abe. I resented it so much back then. Not them, just their rules.” She still hadn’t heard from her brothers. And that hurt like a raw wound that wouldn’t scab over.

“Hey.” Then Kyle was right in her face. “They’re probably waiting until their full body armor arrives before showing up and facing both of us.”

Kyle always tried to put a good spin on everything. She loved that he was such an optimist. “Thanks.”

“And it’s my turn, isn’t it?” He gifted her with that rare, secret smile, so she figured this I love would be about a body part. Probably her legs. “I love that you starch my shirts. Actually, I love that you don’t mind doin’ laundry because I freakin’ hate it. Maybe it makes me silly, but there’s just something special about wearing a shirt that you starched for me.”

Whoa. Another answer she hadn’t expected. She shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d turned what should be a mundane chore into something romantic. “I don’t think it’s silly at all. I’ll admit some selfishness to it because I really like the way you look in them. It’s sweet that you appreciate it. That’s just another thing I love—”

“Hold that thought, okay? Be right back.”

Celia watched him disappear around the corner. Then he returned with a tissue-wrapped package. “What’s that?” She squinted at him. “I thought we’d agreed no Valentine’s Day presents.”

“It’s not.” He shoved it into her hands. “Just open it.”

She ripped the tissue paper off and found a purple long-sleeved shirt nearly identical to the blood-covered one she’d had to throw away after her bulldoggin’ mishap in Vegas. She looked at him with complete shock. “Kyle. Where did you find this?”

“I called Harper to thank her for helping you pick out all them sexy clothes.” He smiled saucily. “We got to talking and for some reason she remembered your lucky purple shirt and she was happy to track down another one for you. It’s not exactly the same—”

“But it’s damn close to perfect.” Just like you. Celia slipped it on over her T-shirt. She had difficulty doing the buttons; her fingers kept fumbling.

Then Kyle’s warm fingers were under her chin, lifting it up. Their eyes met. “Do you hate it?”

“God no. I love it. I’m just…touched. Beyond words, really. Thank you.” She pressed her lips to his. “I love your sweet, romantic side. Love it like crazy. Love—”

The kitchen timer dinged, signaling that the pork roast was done.

They both stepped back, strangely unsure about what’d just happened.

Then Kyle grinned. “I cannot wait to see what taste sensation you’ve whipped up tonight. Come on. Let’s eat. I’ll even set the table.”

After supper, Kyle flipped on the new TV. As soon as she sat beside him on the couch, he scooted closer to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He propped his feet on the coffee table and channel-surfed.

She snuggled into him, trying to remember if they’d ever watched TV together during the years they’d known each other. She couldn’t think of a single instance. So it surprised her to discover that he liked dramas and cop shows. She’d pegged him as the type who watched sitcoms.

The events of the day caught up with her. She began to drift off. The next thing she knew, Kyle was sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to bed. “Sorry.” She yawned. “I really wanted to christen the furniture tonight.”

“It’s not like the couch or that reclining chair is goin’ anywhere.”

“But I was even wearing my get-lucky shirt.”

He kissed her forehead. “I thought it was a lucky shirt.”

“I’m renaming it my get-lucky shirt. So if I’m wearing it, look out. You’ll know what I expect.”

“I knew I shoulda bought you a box of chocolates instead.”

She whapped him on the arm. She stripped to skin and crawled between the sheets. Four seconds later the bed dipped and Kyle slid his naked body next to hers.

He chuckled softly. “I love that contented sigh you make whenever I touch you. And when I’m laying next to you at night.”

“I am content. Very content.”

“Good to know.”

Celia floated into that happy place between slight consciousness and sleep.

Then Kyle’s voice rumbled in her ear. “What did you say? You kinda mumbled.”