Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)

“You have!”

“You probably think it’s too soon, but we’ve known it for so long. Mitchell denied it at first, but by the time he got around to realizing it, I had started to push him away. In the end, I couldn’t resist.”

Pam wiggled her brows. “Well, who would be able to? That body! Those piercing blue eyes. Holy shit, I bet he’s good in bed.”

All eyes turned to us, and I could feel my cheeks getting even redder. “Sorry! She didn’t mean to say that,” I said, glancing around to the women now totally in tuned to our conversation.

“Oh yes, I did.”

I hit Pam on the arm and we lost our composure. “Stop talking about my boyfriend that way! You’re about to get married!”

“Hey, I’m only speaking the truth. Although, I don’t know how you stand the idea of him being a cop.”

My breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

Pam nonchalantly lifted her shoulder. “I don’t think I could deal with it if I knew Rick was leaving for work every day with the risk of him being injured or killed.”

I swallowed hard. It wasn’t like I didn’t know the risks of Mitchell’s job. I knew. Very well. “You would. You’d stand by his side and support him no matter what he did.”

I could feel her eyes on me so I turned to face her.

“Corina, are you prepared if something happens to him? Are you ready to be left alone, possibly with a child, or God forbid, more than one child?”

My heart knew the answer to that question instantly. My brain, on the other hand, wouldn’t allow me to speak. Finally, I found my voice.

“Of course I am. If it means being with Mitchell, I’m prepared for anything that could come our way. After all, anything could happen to any of us no matter what we did for a living.”

Pam stared as if she felt sorry for me.

“Did my mother put you up to this?” I asked.

She looked away.

“I knew it. She has an issue with Mitchell being a cop, and she needs to get over it. And she has to stop sending other people to talk me out of having a relationship with the only man I’ve ever truly loved.”

“Oh Corina, I wasn’t trying to do that. I see how you look at Mitchell. It’s no different than how he looks at you. Your mom is worried, that’s all.”

I turned away and stared down at my feet. My nails were being polished with a beautiful, soft pink. “Well, she doesn’t need to worry. I’m not.”

An aching filled my chest, causing me to drag in a deep breath.

Pam and I fell into lighter conversation about the wedding. I laughed, got teary eyed, and laughed some more. Talk of Mitchell being a cop was long forgotten, and I hadn’t realized how much I had missed home and my family. A small part of my heart broke knowing in a few short days I’d be leaving to go back to Texas.

Mitchell’s arms were wrapped around me as we slow danced. It felt like I was on a cloud. Being in Mitchell’s arms was one of the most amazing feelings in the world and something I would never get tired of.

“So, your mom had a little chat with me earlier while I danced with her,” Mitchell said.

I held my breath. If she had said anything to Mitchell about him being a ranger, I was going to be so upset. “Oh, yeah? What did you guys talk about?”

“She mentioned coming to Texas. I told her a little bit about the ranch and when would be the best time of year for a visit.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding. “I’ve been begging her to come for a visit, and she always says ‘soon’.”

“Well, you never know. She may have a good reason soon enough.”

My brows pinched together. “What do you mean?”

With a shrug, he leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. “Nothing, dove. Have I told you how beautiful you look in your pink gown?”

I hit him playfully on the shoulder. “You can call a spade a spade, Mitchell. I look like a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. I have no idea why Pam picked this color.”

Mitchell pulled me closer. When his hot breath touched my neck, my body fired up.

“I want to make love to you, Corina. Desperately.”

A slight whimper slipped from my lips. Mitchell had been the perfect gentleman the last few days, with us staying at my mother’s house. Even though we slept in the same room, he wouldn’t make love to me, although he’d used his fingers to make me come a few times. It felt naughty doing something like that in my mother’s house, but I enjoyed the daring.

An idea came to mind. “We could always sneak off later. Go to the beach.”