Chapter 4
BEAU
Her request takes me by surprise. Not the part about the hoedown—though she does make a compelling argument. It’s the arch of her brow and the earnest look in her eyes when she mentions her personal reasons.
That look could make a man forget how to breathe. Her lashes lower just enough to soften the fire in her eyes. Her lips curve stubbornly, and her cheeks flush a soft shade of pink like she’s ready to take me to task if I say no.
Not that I could if I tried. Despite my desire to blend into the scenery and keep a low profile around town, I can’t resist Coco’s passion, her spirit.
Watching her work the bar, listening to her dish zingers with the locals—she’s a spitfire.
Irresistible sweet poison to a man who’s gone without lovin’ a woman for far too long.
She’s woken desire that’s lain dormant for years.
I realize I’ve stared too long when she turns away, mumbling under her breath. I react before thinking and reach for her. Her gaze flits to my hand. I’ve broken a cardinal rule—laying hands on a woman before asking permission.
But Coco doesn’t reprimand or call me out. She stares where my hand wraps around hers. Her skin is warm, soft, alive beneath my fingers.
“Okay,” I say, my voice rougher and strained. “On one condition.”
Her head snaps up, eyes wide and curious. “Condition?”
I hesitate. Every instinct I’ve got tells me to keep my distance. Don’t go lookin’ for trouble. But the stupid, reckless, bronc rider in me dares me to take the risk.
I release her hand and wrap my fingers around my glass. The ghost of her warmth tingles against my palm. “You really think a hoedown will help?”
Her chin lifts, her eyes full of stubborn certainty. “I know it will.”
And damn if her confidence isn’t sexy as hell.
I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by noise—rodeo crowds, bright lights, people screaming my name.
But Coco’s different. She doesn’t bat an eyelash or use her womanly charm to shake me.
And that’s the real test because I’m already playing with fire wantin’ her.
“The coal company won’t stop until we all make a stand against them. If the town pulls together—”
“I hate what those bastards are doin’,” I cut in gently.
“You do?” She blinks, surprised.
I’m a stranger to these parts. An outsider. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about the land or the people.
“I bought my land to keep them off it.” And paid more than I should to outbid them when the Wright’s put the property up for sale. “Didn’t move up here to see the mountain sold piece by piece.”
Her expression softens. “You could’ve led with that,” she says, smirking.
“With you talkin’ so fast, I couldn’t get a word in edgewise,” I chuckle.
Her feminine laugh wraps around me like a big ole hug. She rests an elbow on the bar and leans in with her chin resting on her palm.
“So?” she asks. “Do we have a deal?”
“Yeah,” I say. “We’ve got a deal.”
“And the one condition?”
Her eyes shine as she grins. It’s damn near flirtatious, and I can’t resist teasing her a little. I know what I want, and I’m not too good to use my land as a bargaining chip to get it.
“You’re part of the deal.”
“Me?”
“Sure. I can pay my own tab, and I don’t care much for peanuts and cherry bombs.” I wink as a flush of pink rises from her neck to her cheeks. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Hays far too scratchy for your delicate skin.”