Pressure Rising (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 2) by Rhonda Lee Carver

bit. Besides the pretty ladies and good looking horses, there wasn’t much happening.” Nash went back to preparing his sandwich.
    “That seems like quite a lot.” Pearl crossed her arms over her chest. Would DJ want her to leave now that Nash had come?
    “Don’t let him fool you, Pearl. He couldn’t wait to come back to poke fun at me for getting shot. He wants to change the bandage.” DJ laughed.
    Nash’s gaze narrowed. “No, I’m not here to change your bandage, bro. That ain’t happening. I’m here to take up your slack.” Nash dropped the knife into the sink and took a large bite from his sandwich.
    “Well, as far as the agreement, I still have a few more days left on my nursing contract.” Pearl noticed how DJ looked at her, curious. Did he think she’d be packing and leaving as fast as her feet could carry her? Her breath caught. She’d been so against coming here, and now why didn’t she want to leave? If she investigated too closely she might not like what she found.
    But two Walters cowboys under one roof?
    This would be a very interesting next few days.
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    DJ heard the clanking of dishes in the kitchen. “What are you doing, Pearl?”
    “Give me a minute!” she called.
    He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his neck. He was grateful she’d decided to stay after Nash came home. He wasn’t sure how he would have taken her leaving right after their lovemaking.
    He knew she’d leave soon, it was bound to happen, but he hoped to prolong the unavoidable as long possible.
    He saw a flash of light and looked up as Pearl came into the living room carrying a cupcake topped with a lit candle. She brought it to the coffee table and set it in front of him.
    “What’s this all about?”
    “Really? Are you going to act surprised? Why didn’t you tell me today is your birthday?”
    He smiled and shrugged. “I guess because it’s no big deal. Nash tell you?” She nodded. “Thank you. It’s nice you thought of me.” Since yesterday in the cabin, he’d done what he could to keep his distance, but her thoughtfulness made his wall crumble some.
    She held out two forks, handing him one. “You don’t mind sharing do you?”
    “Not at all.”
    “First you have to make a wish and blow out your candle.” She plopped next to him on the couch. Her eyes were glowing in the golden light.
    Hell, there were tons of wishes he could make. He wanted to get his own place built soon. Get a loan to build more cabins maybe. Instead, he went with a wish that came out of nowhere. In one breath, he blew out the flame.
    “What did you wish for?” She clasped his elbow.
    “If I tell you it won’t come true.” Probably wouldn’t anyway, but a cowboy could hope.
    “Okay. I won’t pry.” She laughed.
    My God, she was glowing.
    His heart took a hit.
    What the hell was wrong with him?
    He pulled the candle from the cake and licked the chocolate icing from the wax. He dug his fork into the dessert and brought it toward her. “The baker gets the first bite.”
    She closed her mouth around the fork and he pulled the utensil away. Chewing, she delicately wiped the corners of her mouth and it triggered something wild inside of him. His cock did a dance in his pants and the zipper confined his parts. He shifted.
    Her gaze dropped to his thighs. “Something wrong?” She shook her head.
    “Not wrong, but very, very right.” He forked another bite of cake and ate it. The confection practically melted in his mouth. “Did you make this?”
    “Yes. There are more. I thought we’d share with Nash.” Her eyes sparkled.
    DJ grumbled. He was still upset that his brother had shown up, but Nash would be out late on the land. “You’re spoiling me. Steak, mashed potatoes, rolls and now this delicious dessert. A man could get used to this.” Did her gaze narrow a bit?
    “I’ll be leaving soon.” Did he catch a quiver in her tone? Or was that his heart cracking?
    “Uh-huh.” He stuffed his