Catch Me A Cowboy by Jacquie Underdown Page B

little. Come here, Daisy.’ The dog rushed to him and sat at his side.
    â€˜What … what are you doing out here?’ she asked.
    He arched a brow. ‘I could ask you the same question.’
    She smiled and lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I snuck in a second phone. I know it’s against the rules.’
    Wil laughed softly, being sure not to be too loud. ‘I don’t blame you. I’d be lost without mine.’
    â€˜Really? Out here?’
    He laughed again. ‘Might be the country, but it’s still the same century.’
    Emily lowered her gaze and grinned bashfully. ‘Of course.’
    â€˜I was on my way back from my parent’s house. They live on the neighbouring property,’ he said pointing behind him. ‘I saw you slinking across the field and thought it a good opportunity to get you on your own. Away from the cameras.’
    â€˜On my own? Why?’
    He took a step closer until she could see his face clearly under the thin slice of moonlight. He may even look better under this light.
    â€˜I wanted to make sure you were okay. You were a little distracted today.’
    The guilt in her belly strummed again, but she ignored it. ‘I think I’m tired, that’s all.’
    He nodded, silent for a moment. ‘Whatever you’re worried about, we’ll make it work.’
    Emily’s eyes widened to hear that statement. He took another step closer, then another, until his chest was almost touching hers. His heat stretched across the space between them and caressed her flesh. Reaching a hand to her face, he smoothed a finger down her cheek. Emily’s eyes closed at the touch and her missing O stretched and purred. The pads of his fingers were rough and created the most pleasurable friction.
    Her belly tugged and pulled when he said with his deep, husky voice, ‘I really want you to stick around, Em.’
    Her heart fluttered. She nodded. ‘I want to stay longer too.’ And she truly did. She wanted to know this man more intimately. Especially now that she had a taste of him up close. But, she also knew that at the end of the day, this attraction could be nothing more than fleeting, meaningless fun because she couldn’t give up her independence for a man.
    Yes, she wanted a husband, and this cowboy was very much reinforcing that point, but she didn’t want one if it meant uprooting herself from the life and security she’d made in Melbourne.
    He smiled warmly. ‘Good.’ For a long moment, he gazed at her, his focus flicking between her eyes and mouth, until she wanted to fist his shirt and pull him to her for a kiss. He took a deep breath in and looked towards his farmhouse in the distance. ‘I better go before they find us here together.’ His voice was even deeper, gravelly. ‘I’m sure it would break some ridiculous production rule and I’ll end up getting a wrap over my knuckles.’
    She nodded, still breathless. ‘Probably.’
    â€˜I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night, Em.’
    â€˜You too.’
    She watched him walk away, the dog following beside him, surprised by how being close to him, and alone, made her body hot and tingly. It had been such a long time since a man had made her feel like this.
    Emily tilted her head back and peered up at the black sky, full of blinking stars. After that simple gesture of stroking her cheek, no longer was she here to simply win. She was also here to explore every facet of this cowboy. What happened beyond that … could be dealt with later.

Chapter 15
    â€˜You’re helping me on the farm today,’ said Wil to the girls.
    Emily’s eyes widened at the news. ‘Helping? How exactly?’
    He leant down so his face was closer to hers. ‘Getting your hands dirty.’
    All three women looked at each other with widened eyes.
    â€˜Fine by me,’ said Becky, tying her long red hair up into a