“Jamie...this is just physical. I only have tonight, but I can make it count.”

“Do you have this all written down somewhere? Like a big speech you give?”

“What?”

“This sounds rehearsed. Like you’re... You sound weird.”

He frowned. “I’m trying to be charming but honest.”

“I already know you’re not charming. And as for honest...well, you were more honest with me out by the bar. More honest with me on the trails when we were out riding. I like that Gabe, even when he pisses me off. I don’t need this one.”

“I...” He laughed, but it wasn’t full of humor. It sounded more surprised. “I don’t remember how to be that Gabe during sex.”

“What does that mean?”

“I hook up a lot, Jamie. And I like to make sure the women involved know the score.”

“Okay, are they all stupid?”

“I... Maybe. I don’t get to know them.”

“You know me,” she said, feeling annoyed and stubborn and she didn’t know why. “You know me, so you don’t need to play a part. I don’t want you to. If you’re going to act like someone different I’d just as soon find someone different.”

He firmed his jaw up, a muscle there jumping. “I’d rather if you didn’t.”

“Good. Well. I’d rather not. Honestly, I didn’t see the appeal of cowboys until you. Mostly because...to me...it’s not that exciting. I mean, other women might get het up over some guy flinging himself around the back of an animal. But basically, every man I know does that.”

“So you don’t find me exciting?”

“Not particularly. I think you’re sexy, though.” Saying that made her cheeks heat a little bit, but she did her best not to let him see.

The corner of his mouth lifted upward. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“I’m not a blonde in a skintight dress—that’s just a fact. But I’m not afraid of dirt or sweat or sore muscles. So I suppose that might work in my favor.”

She could see him debating something for a moment, and then it was like a switch flipped. That light, easy glint in his eyes went hard. Feral.

And she liked it. Liked this version of him much, much better.

“You bet your pretty ass it does,” Gabe said, reaching out and wrapping his arm around her waist.

All the air was sucked from her body. It was still such a strange thing, to be close to him like this. To be held right up against him like this. He was so big and hot, so incredibly arousing.

She was already aching between her legs again. And he hadn’t even kissed her.

And when he did... When he did, she felt like she’d caught fire.

They weren’t in public now. Weren’t on a street in Gold Valley, where anyone might be able to see them. They were in Gabe’s house. Alone.

No chance of interruption.

It made her feel so...strong. And like so much of a woman. In a way that she never really had. She could be here, she could do this. Nothing and no one could stop her.