“So, you’ll be heading to that Utah rodeo with Lonnie, I expect. It will be four weeks. That was your timetable.”
His smile broadened as he turned the car onto the four-lane highway that would take them close to his home. “Right on schedule. Tom worked his magic and, despite some minor setbacks…” He chuckled, probably recalling the grill fire and Cowboy’s adventure. “Four weeks and I’m back. Longest four weeks of my life.”
Well, she’d try not to take that as an insult. After all, it was four weeks they’d spent together.
“So you aren’t afraid of reinjuring it?”
He shook his head while his eyes stayed trained on the road ahead. “Nah. Pick-up men know how to handle things when a cowboy has a leg or, in this case, foot injury. I’ll be fine, and besides, it’s only for a few seconds. A few crazy seconds.”
She took a deep breath. “I guess you’ll expect me to go, then.”
Chance frowned but kept his eyes on the road. “No need. You can stay as long as you like. I’m happy with our arrangement. Aren’t you?” This time he turned and glanced at her sideways, uncertainty in his eyes.
Now that was the million-dollar question. She wanted more. But should she tell him that? She feared that if she did, he’d run so fast in the other direction, she’d never have another chance with him.
“For a while.”
He patted her leg with a warm hand. “Good. No need to change anything then.”
But for how long? And then what? These were questions she didn’t dare ask. Not right then, but soon.
*
The door creak drew her attention to the naked hunk of a man who was crossing the floor with a slight limp in the shadowy night.
He slipped into bed beside her, and reflexively, she curled next to him, letting the warmth of his body pour over her. She caught the sandalwood scent of his soap. She slid her hand up his chest, grazing her fingers along his neck until she cupped his chin.
“Make love to me, Chance.”
His fingers brushed her arm, sending tingles along her spine. “If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want. You’re what I want.”
He shifted closer, his warm flesh touching her, skin to skin, chest to chest, legs to legs. His breath, fresh and minty, blew across her cheek.
“You’re what I want too, Libby.”
But not for always. Not for forever.
He nestled between her thighs and she could feel him, hot, hard, and thick.
In the beat of her heart, he brushed his lips over hers, tasted her, overpowered her. Strong arms wrapped around her body, holding her captive. He kissed, caressed, and licked in a slow, hypnotizing rhythm, leaving a moist trail as he slowly moved down her body.
Desire pounded through her. At that moment, nothing mattered but Chance—being with him, feeling him, loving him.
*
“I leave for the rodeo in the morning.” Chance cradled Libby in his arms, enjoying the feel of her, knowing it would be as fleeting as the afterglow that surrounded them. They’d made slow, sensuous love to each other as rain pounded against the windows, making it feel like there was no one else in the world but them.
“I think it’s too soon, but I also know I can’t change your mind.” She traced her fingers on his chest, outlining his muscles and sending a buzz through his body. “How much will the rent be?”
“Rent? Who said anything about rent? You can stay here for free.”
“Like a kept woman?” She frowned, and he had to chuckle.
“You want to take on caring for my horses?”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to take that away from Billy. He adores having the responsibility for them. Gives him a reason to bother you.”
Chance smiled. “He’s no bother. I see a lot of me in him—or rather, what I wanted to be. He’s a good kid.”
“That he is, and you’re good with him.”
Chance shrugged. He hoped he could be a positive in Billy’s life. The kid had a lot going for him, not to mention a family that actually cared about him. And he had talent around horses—both in bronc riding and in caring for them.
“You can take care of the house, then.”
“So we’d be like an old married couple, although not really a couple and definitely not married?”
“What do you mean?” The woman had a way of confusing him.
She sat up, leaned on her one elbow. “Would we be having sex? Would we be able to see other people? How is this going to work, exactly?”
“Like it is now. And of course we’d have sex when I’m back. That’s the whole idea.” An idea he liked, keeping Libby around. Having someone to come home to. “Maybe not seeing other people.” Not where Libby was concerned. “But no strings—”
“No regrets. So you’ve said.” She sounded irritated.