Claiming the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 7)

Kane snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I moan as he glides his tongue inside. The kiss deepens, turning hot and eager as I fist his shirt. He’s a master with his mouth, and I can’t deny the way it sends shivers through my body.

Without breaking contact, he slides his hands to my ass and lifts me. I wrap my legs around him and feel his erection poking into my stomach as he moves us to the couch. As I press harder into him, he growls.

“Goddamn, Hads,” he whispers as his lips move down my jawline, then to my ear. “You’re driving me fuckin’ crazy.”

He tightens his grip, and I grind down on his arousal. “Kane...” I mutter. “We should talk first.”

“I was only tryin’ to calm your nerves. You’re the one who started moanin’.”

I burst out laughing, then create space between us so I can look at him. “Then you shouldn’t have kissed me like that!”

Kane flashes his adorable white smile. “Alright, fair enough. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve waited years, and now that I’ve had a taste, I’m greedy for more.”

He helps me off his lap, and I settle into the spot next to him. “But we shouldn’t rush. Going from friends to more so drastically is confusing for me.”

“I understand, and you’re right. I’m afraid to lose you.” He brushes loose strands of hair behind my ear.

“That’ll never happen,” I vow. “No matter what, you’ll always be one of my best friends. We’ve known each other too long and been through too much to let anything come between us now.”

“Good, because I’d be a mess. And we all know what happens when I lose my shit.”

I roll my eyes at his macho response. “I think that’s a Bishop quality.”

He chuckles. “It definitely is.”

“Honestly, I don’t want to lead you on. I’m still trying to figure out what to do and what I want.”

“Because of Knox, right?”

I lower my eyes, unable to bear seeing the pain in his.

“Because you’ve been in my life for so long, and this has been a little mind-boggling. The way you decided to tell me how you felt after I’d been out with Knox leaves me with conflicting emotions. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Kane cups my face and plucks my bottom lip from my teeth. “I respect you too much to rush you, but I want you to know where I stand. I’d never hurt you, Hadleigh. Giving you my heart means it’s yours, no question. I’d treat you so damn well, and I know I could make you happy if you’d let me.”

Tears threaten to spill. Any girl would love hearing those words from a man who's as sexy and sweet as Kane.

“I have absolutely no doubt about that. You’re amazing, and every moment with you shows me just how much.”

He brushes a thumb along my cheek, and I close my eyes, soaking in his touch.

“You must hate me right now,” I mutter.

He furrows his brows in confusion. “Never.”

“You should. You deserve a woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t indecisive.”

“I’d wait a lifetime for you, Hads. But by the way you were grinding on my dick, I can happily assume that there’s at least a mutual attraction.”

My eyes widen, and he smirks.

“Yeah, but I’ve always found you handsome. I just hadn’t realized there was an underlying physical attraction until you kissed me.”

“And you feel the same about Knox too,” he states without question.

I wince, the guilt of this situation lying heavily on my chest. Instead of speaking, I nod.

“Has he told you how he feels?” he asks.

I swallow hard. “He hasn’t said anything…beyond the physical stuff, at least. This is why I’m so confused.”

He looks at me with no judgment or anger and just listens. If I could just release the hold Knox had on me, I’d be ready to run into Kane’s arms and never let go.

CHAPTER SEVEN

KNOX

Before I’ve even finished my shift, four people text me about seeing Hadleigh and Kane at the B&B. I haven’t responded to any of them because I don’t fucking care.

Them eating together is nothing new. Now, having Hadleigh on her knees looking up at me with my dick down her throat, that’s new, but it’s something I don’t see happening with Kane. When we arrived at her place after our date, she was all over me like something wild had unleashed inside her. I could barely tame it.

Hadleigh Callaway has perfected the sweet and innocent disguise, but I knew there was more to her as soon as she slammed her lips to mine.

Something she was eager to show me.

It’s the only reason I’m driving around at nearly midnight to see if her Jeep is still at his house. And when I find that it is, I clench my jaw and rev my engine, knowing he’s probably trying to sweet-talk his way into her panties.