Borrowed Cowboy (Shadow Maverick Ranch) (5 page)

Chapter Eight

Pax waited while the bartender poured up the next round of pitchers. The last round for him. After finishing all of his burger, and half of Reese’s, the exhaustion that always seemed to plague him this time of the week dogged his heels.

Gavin sidled up to him. “So, you and my wedding planner, huh?”

Pax faced his brother. Arms folded, he propped a hip against the bar. “We were friends long before she became your wedding planner.”

“Is that what you are now? Friends?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” He sure as hell hoped so.

Reese had a sharp wit and an infectious laugh she was quick to share. Without even trying, Reese made everyone around her feel comfortable. Her sapphire eyes sparkled, showed every emotion whether she knew it or not. She fit in well with his family, holding her own, tossing barbs with ease, adding a familiar camaraderie he hadn’t realized he’d missed.

And her sweet drawl, hot damn. He wanted to hear his name melt from her tongue as he had the taste of her on his.

Reese had kept her hands to herself after his warning, but he hadn’t. A subtle shift and their thighs would touch. Another shift and the back of his hand feathered the side of her leg. She’d shivered on that one and bumps had erupted all over her skin. Then he’d draped his arm over her chair, a casual move that allowed him to caress the back of her arm without the prying eyes of his family catching on.

He wouldn’t care if they had. He enjoyed keeping those fascinating little bumps alive on her flesh. He liked touching her, liked sharing the private intimacy with her while they were surrounded by other people. Her reactions, no matter how hard she tried to hide them, made him want to take her to bed. Secure her hands and feet so he could touch her at his leisure. To draw every ounce of pleasure from her body before he took his own.

“You’re treating her like your date.”

Snapped from his fantasy, Pax tried not to look guilty. “How would you know how I treat my dates?”

Gavin didn’t pull any punches. “Last I knew you didn’t date. At all. You’ve had more of a blow-and-go kind of thing going on. I’m curious if you’ve changed your stance.”

The bartender eased the full pitchers across the bar and accepted the cash Pax handed over. “Blow-and-go? That’s a little crass, don’t you think?” Not to mention unflattering to his character.

Gavin snorted. “Call it whatever you want. Meaning doesn’t change. You’re in and out. No over-nighters. No relationships. No commitments.”

“There a question in there somewhere?”

Gavin’s lips thinned. “Don’t fuck around with her, Pax. I mean it. Reese is a nice woman, and Lauren really likes her. You fuck this up and make her quit, I’ll have your ass.”

“Contrary to what you might think, I’m not a total asshole.” The air left Pax’s lungs in a rush, his chest deflating as fast as his irritation. “I should tell you to mind your own fucking business, but for the fact you’ve got a point.” As much as it pained him to admit it.

He eyed the table, watched as Reese’s head fell back in laughter at whatever Erin was demonstrating with her hands. As though she’d sensed him looking, she glanced his way. All she had to do was fucking smile at him and his world tilted, righted itself in a way that should have him running in the other direction.

So why wasn’t he?

He shook his head. God. First Clay, now Gavin. Damn his brothers and their blasted advice. He didn’t want to think about this shit. He just wanted to enjoy what was left of the evening.

“She won’t quit. No matter what happens between her and I—which is, in fact, none of your business—I won’t lie to her. She knows where I stand.”

Gavin frowned. “And where is that, exactly?”

Pax ran a rough hand through his hair. Gavin had spent the last ten years working in London. Since he’d moved home a few months ago, Gavin had become increasingly meddlesome. As much as Pax loved having his oldest brother around, he could do with a little less interference. “I told her I didn’t have anything to offer her.”

“You believe that?”

Pax blinked.

Did he? A week ago he’d been damn sure about his resolve to live out his life a bachelor. His conversation with Clay had left him conflicted. It hadn’t set well, nor had the fact that his nosey brother had skirted around whatever it was he wanted to say.

“What’s all this cross-examination really about?”

Gavin studied him. They had the same black hair, same strong jaw, but Gavin’s blue eyes—so unlike his own dark ones—shone with concern. “I’m worried about you. It’s time you moved on, Pax. Before the anger eats you alive.”

“Do I look angry to you?” Because at the moment, he only felt slightly annoyed at the prolonged hen party his brother was hosting.

Apparently ready to try another tactic, Gavin clapped him on the shoulder. “You and Reese were good once, right?”

“We were
friends
, not to mention just kids. Things are different now.” A whole mess of different. The lust she provoked, he hadn’t been capable of in his youth. The intensity of their first time together hadn’t held a candle to the other night.

“As they should be when people grow up.”

Pax reached for the pitchers, careful not to spill beer all over his boots. “As riveting as this conversation has become, your lovely bride-to-be looks lonely. I think I’ll wander over and see if she wants to dance.”

Gavin glanced at the table and a smirk split his face. “I’d say I’d return the favor and dance with Reese,” he jerked his chin. “But it looks like someone’s beat me to the punch.”

Beer decorated his shirt and pant legs as Pax whirled in time to see Reese offer her hand to a dude wearing a designer hat and jeans tight enough to guarantee sterility.

City boy playing cowboy.

Pax cursed and placed the pitchers back on the bar, shaking the liquid from his fingers. He had no right to the sensation in his gut caused by watching another man swing Reese close. Too close.

Gavin laughed, loud and irritating. “You should see your face.” His brother picked up the pitchers Pax had abandoned and shook his head. “Friends, my ass. Words of advice: if you care about her, for christsake, get your head out of yours.”

Pax thought about what Gavin said as Reese circled the dance floor. Instinct warned against what he was about to do.

He’d wanted to explore the undeniable connection he’d felt the moment he’d laid eyes on her again. It scared him shitless, because this was
Reese
. The first woman to own his heart. A heart now damaged by betrayal.

It was a mistake. He should walk away before they got in any deeper. His boots had other ideas.

As the song came to an end, he pushed away from the bar. He met Reese half way back to their table, grabbed her hand, and walked her back to the dance floor.

“Guess we’re dancing, huh?”

Pax swung her around and brought her in close. He put his mouth to her ear, swaying them to a slow country tune. “Any objections?”

Her fingers toyed with the ends of his hair. “None I can think of, although your hand on my ass might tip off your family that we’re more than just friends.”

She looked away as though she hadn’t intended the implication of
more
.

“Let them think whatever they want. We’re consenting adults. And I’ve been thinking about you all week.”

“You have? What have you been thinking?”

He moved his hand to splay across her lower back and tightened his hold. He wanted her to feel what she did to him as he eased them around the dance floor. “About how much I’d like to get you naked again.”

Disappointment blinked across her features before she smiled. “That was fun, wasn’t it?”

He leaned back to catch her gaze and dove in, head first. “That’s not all I want.”

“You offered me pleasure, and I said yes. What more is there?”

He was such a dick. He’d made this beautiful woman think she wasn’t anything more than a sex object to him. Hell, he’d told her as much.

Life fucking sucked sometimes. He wished like hell things had been different. That he hadn’t walked away from her all those years ago. That he hadn’t married the wrong woman and forgotten how to trust.

“That’s what I want to figure out. I don’t know what I’m doing here, Reese. I haven’t felt the urge to have a woman in my life since my marriage fell apart.” Could he do it? Let go of the past and build something new? “Seeing you again, being with you … I want more. I won’t make promises I don’t know if I can keep and I don’t want to hurt you, but I want more.”

She laughed softly. “Why, Paxton Mathis. Are you asking me to go steady?”

A smile played at his lips. Pax shook his head, amazed at her ability to ease the tension. “Nothing quite so sweet, I’m afraid.” He bent and brushed his lips against hers. “Just a chance, Reese. To explore each other. To see what we could be together.”

“Just so I understand, you want us to only see each other?”

Pax shoved deep the emotions her words provoked. Jesus, was he sweating? Who knew this would be so hard? The visual of Reese, dancing in another man’s arms, propelled his vocal cords. “Yes.”

She nodded. “I’d prefer it that way as well. Since we didn’t use condoms last time, I assume you won’t want to use them in the future. You haven’t slept with anyone else this week, have you?”

“Are you kidding me?” When had this become a contract negotiation? And what the hell kind of man did she think he was?

Oh. Right. Exactly the kind of man Gavin had accused him of being. Wasn’t that a kick in the nuts?

“Not even a little. It’s important to be safe, for both of us.”

So logical, his head spun. He hadn’t considered… “Did
you
have sex with someone else this week?” His feet stopped moving. The man Clay had seen her with last weekend?

The thought made him want to hit something.

“Of course not. But I need to hear you say it. Give me your word that if you find someone else you want to sleep with, you’ll tell me. Or at least use a condom.”

Pax cursed. He laced their fingers and towed her from the dance floor, straight out the front door. He didn’t stop until they’d rounded the building, the darkened area giving them some semblance of privacy.

He backed her against the side of the building and crowded her space. “Let’s get one thing straight. When I say you’re the only woman I want to see, I mean it. I’m not just fucking asking to pass the time with you until someone else comes along. No other woman stands a chance next to you.”

Okay, he hadn’t meant to say that, but now that he had, he wouldn’t take it back. He spoke the damned truth.

“No games, Reese. I won’t share, you hear me? Never again.”

She shoved at his chest. “Ditto, buster.”

A low, guttural tone vibrated his chest a second before he captured her mouth with his. She gave no resistance; her tongue lashed out to meet his. Anger melted into lust as he tasted her, explored her mouth, taking everything she offered and demanding more.

Desperation and hunger fueled him as he cupped her breast. He cradled her, teased her nipple to a tight point with his thumb as the humid night air cocooned them.

He broke the kiss, rested his forehead against hers as he tried to find his breath. She was his, damn it. In this moment, right here, right now, she belonged to him.

He released the button on her shorts and slid the zipper south.

“Pax.” Reese’s nails dug into his biceps as he breeched her panties. “You seem to like putting your hand down my pants.”

“I’d rather use my mouth, but I’m improvising.” Warm, wet flesh met his fingers. He pressed in, curled a finger deep.

Reese went to her toes, a soft moan on her lips.

The sound went straight to his cock. “I’ve thought about this all week. Touching you. Teasing you. I’d hear your cries in my dreams, and I’d wake up hard and alone. Do you want to know what I thought about when I took myself in hand?”

He found her clit, pinched the tight bud between his thumb and forefinger.

Her breath hitched. “Tell me,” she pleaded.

Pax leaned in, kissed a path along her neck. Wildflowers mingled with arousal and he drew it in, filled his lungs until he’d memorized every facet of her unique scent. “I thought about this. You. How beautiful you are. How hot and perfect you feel when I’m inside you.” Sliding lower, he eased two fingers inside her, groaning as she squeezed him.

Her mouth was swollen from his kisses, her cheeks flushed with a desire he felt to his bones.

“We really should try this in a bed sometime.” Her hips moved in time to the thrust of his fingers.

“We’ll get to that. We’ll get to a lot of other things too. First things first.” Pax nipped at her lips. “I want to watch you come. Right here under the stars.”

“Up against the side of a bar,” she panted. Her nails dug in. His biceps were sure to bare her marks for days.

He chuckled. “I’ll make it worth your while, sweetheart. I promise.” He found her clit again. His fingers worked from memory, remembering exactly how she liked it. How fast. How hard. Ignoring his own painful need, he gave it all to her.

“Yes. That’s it. Just like that.” Her eyelids fluttered closed, her breaths closer together. Her muscles tightened and Pax took her mouth again, swallowing her cry as she came.

“So fucking sexy.” Pax eased her down, slowing his movements as her hips settled. With one last caress, he removed his hand. He wrapped her in his arms, lending her his strength while she found her own.

“I hope you don’t expect me to go back inside after that,” she said against his chest.

“Agreed.” Not with the hard-on he currently sported.

Her hand headed over his stomach, and Pax stopped her before she palmed him. He dropped a kiss to her forehead.

“Not yet, baby.” His control had met its limit. At this rate, he’d come before he could get his zipper open. Not happening.

“Follow me home?”

He trailed the line of her bottom lip as it disappeared behind her teeth.

“Yeah.” Pax knew then he’d follow her anywhere.

Chapter Nine

Reese pulled into the parking spot in front of her apartment.

Within seconds, she saw Pax in her rearview, parking his massive truck in an out-of-the-way spot.

He’d never been a vain man. She suspected he’d parked further away as a consideration to other residents and not for any need to protect his vehicle from dents or dings. Such a small gesture, but it warmed her heart, nonetheless.

She’d spent the drive trying to wrap her head around the events of the evening. What did it all mean? Were they officially dating now?

He’d asked for—no, demanded—exclusivity. Not a problem for her, but less than a week ago he’d said he didn’t want a relationship. That he had nothing to offer her.

What had changed?

I won’t share. Never again.

Reese had a fairly good idea where that had come from and it turned her stomach. Not only from her suspicions about what had ended Paxton’s marriage, but that he’d also think Reese capable of such a thing.

She’d been a fool to think she could work him out of her system.

Yeah. They had a lot to talk about.

She waited on the sidewalk for Pax. Her stomach fluttered as though she’d swallowed a jar of jumping beans. God, he’d made her come in a bar parking lot and
now
she was nervous?

“This is it,” she told him as he approached.

His gaze scaled the building. “Looks nice. You ready to go up?” He wet his lips and slid the keys from her fingers. A protective, dominant vibe flowed from him as he pressed the appropriate button, apparently needing to double check that she’d locked her car.

There were those damned jumping beans again.

She led the way to the third floor. She took a right and stopped in front of her door.

“Which key is it?”

She pointed out the right one. Within seconds, he’d opened her door and ushered her inside.

Reese flipped on the lights and pointed him toward the couch. Her place wasn’t huge, but it was plenty big enough for her. She’d furnished it for comfort. A large couch, oversized chair, and square coffee table made up her living room. Items that seemed small with Pax in the room. The man took up a lot of space. “Take a load off. I’ll grab us a couple drinks.”

He looked around her apartment. “Just a water for me, please. One more beer, and I’d be asleep before I hit the bottom of the glass.”

Reese grabbed two bottles of water and went to join him on the couch. Before she could sit, Pax pulled her across his lap. His erection lay hard and hot under her hip. Reese had figured he’d want to get right to the good stuff, so color her surprised when he settled her against him, seemingly content just to have her close.

Another piece of her heart slipped away.

Reese snuggled her nose into his neck, drawing in his scent. God, she loved the way he smelled. The fresh scent of the outdoors, mixed with saddle leather and man.

He didn’t say anything, and Reese was content with the silence. She didn’t need words or false promises. She just needed this. Him, holding her. His heart beat under her palm. His warmth surrounded her.

This was the good stuff too.

“You have a rough week?” They hadn’t talked about anything personal, and she wanted to know about his life.

He shrugged. “Nothing unusual. I won’t be sorry when the damned heat eases. I’m exhausted before noon when it gets this hot.” His lips caressed her forehead, not quite finding purchase. His breath was warm against her skin. “Don’t know what I hate worse. The heat or the storms.”

His phone beeped and he sighed. Reese leaned back as he fished it out of his pocket, and then snuggled back into his heat while he checked the screen.

His body went lax with a sigh of defeat. “Shit. I’ve got to go. Amber’s refusing to go to sleep until I get home.”

She eased back. “So soon?” She feigned a pout to tease him. “But, you just got here. Such a shame. It’s Friday night. For the first time in months, I don’t have to work on a Saturday.” It was rare she had a weekend off during the summer, even this late.

“Well, you might not, but I do. I’ve got the vet coming at the crack of dawn and that’ll take most of the day. Then there’s a well pump that needs my attention as well as a baler that’s down. There’s always something to do. Being a rancher isn’t a forty hour a week job, you know,” he snapped, color infusing his cheeks.

“Whoa. Where did that come from?” His anger-laced words stunned her. Maybe even hurt her feelings a little. She eased from his lap and scooted back, putting the length of the couch between them.

He leaned forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. His shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

Reese’s heart broke as he dropped his head into his hands, his fingers curled into his hair as though he planned to rip it out from its roots. Reese knew his reaction had nothing to do with her. But come on … all his talk of sharing and now this? Twice in one night was more than she could take.

“I don’t know what this is.” She motioned back and forth between them. “Whether we’re just getting reacquainted, or if we’ll actually be able to build some kind of relationship. Whatever the hell this is, you don’t get to make assumptions about me. First, while I wish you could stay, I understand why you need to go. You’re watching out for your family. I’d never want to stand in the way of that. Second, I’d never condemn you for doing whatever was necessary at the ranch. It’s not just your job, it’s your heritage, and I’d expect nothing less than for you to take care of it.”

When he didn’t respond, she added, “Please, don’t insult me by making me pay for someone else’s mistakes. You know me better than that.”

His head snapped up and his gaze met hers. “Do I?”

Okay, that definitely hurt. They’d been stupid kids, and they’d both walked. Hadn’t they been through this? If she’d thought for a moment that he’d wanted her, needed her back then, she would have stayed.

Not about me. Not about me.
“Do you want to talk about it?”

His fingers shoved through his hair and he stood. “No, I don’t. I should go.”

Sadness tugged at her heart. Regardless of what he’d said tonight, she’d known the deal. He hadn’t been ready for a relationship less than a week ago. Nothing had changed except his sudden need to keep her for himself. Why, she could only guess. The sex
was
pretty amazing.

He didn’t trust her with his pain. He didn’t want to share his life with her. His bed, maybe, but not his life. She’d been stupid enough to get caught up in thoughts of being with him again. A childish girl’s fantasy.

He did need to go. He had a family to take care of. A family that didn’t include her. “You should.”

He stopped at the door, turned back to her. “I don’t have your number. I’d like to call you later.”

Reese slid to her feet. “Give me your phone.” She waited for him to unlock the screen and put it in her hand. She added herself to his contact list and handed the phone back to him. “You can call whenever you want, Paxton. I’m not going anywhere.”

Because, God help her, she still loved him.

* * *

Reese spent all day Saturday cleaning her apartment. She’d scrubbed the floors, finished her laundry, vacuumed and duste
d every available surface. Once those chores were done, she’d cleaned out the refrigerator and rearranged the kitchen cupboards. Anything to keep herself from agonizing over how she’d left things with Pax.

She was more than a little annoyed he’d clumped her into the same category as his ex-wife. As though Reese would judge him, or intentionally hurt him in some way. Reese didn’t know what had happened between Pax and his ex, but she could put the pieces together. There was only one thing that would get the man she’d known to break the bonds of marriage.

And Pax
was
the man she’d known. Bigger, harder, and maybe a bit disenchanted with the idea of love, but deep down, he was still a man bound by honor and love for his family.

It sickened her to think that his ex had cheated. What had the woman been thinking? The stupid bitch had already belonged to the best man Reese knew.

It was a strange feeling, wanting to deck his ex for hurting him and thank her at the same time.

Reese flopped on the couch and threw her arm over her eyes. Exhaustion rolled through her. God, she needed a vacation.

Her cell phone buzzed on the coffee table. The thought it could be Pax got her moving. He hadn’t called after he’d left last night, so she had no idea where his head was.

She groaned, her overworked muscles protesting as she reached for the phone. She smiled at the name on the display.

“Hello, Mrs. Sinclair.”

“Hello, Reese dear. And please, call me Marjorie.”

Reese laughed. They had the same exchange every time they spoke. “Hello, Marjorie. What can I do for you this fine Saturday?”

Marjorie Sinclair accounted for over sixty percent of Reese’s business, and was also the wealthiest woman Reese knew. She’d married media magnate, Montrose Sinclair, when she was twenty-three. Just eight years later, Montrose suffered a fatal heart attack, making Marjorie a widow at thirty-one.

In the fifteen years since her husband’s death, Marjorie had never remarried.
“When you find the person who completes your soul, my dear, you’ll understand,”
Marjorie had said.

Now, Marjorie spent her time raising funds for various charities, and Reese had been fortunate enough to become her primary event planner.

“This is a social call, dear. I’m having some friends out to the beach house next Saturday and would love for you to be there.”

Reese pulled out her calendar. She had a fundraiser Friday night that wouldn’t run too late. She had a few meetings planned for Saturday, but nothing she wouldn’t be willing to move for her best client.

She pulled out a pen. With this short of notice, she’d have to start making calls immediately. “What kind of food would you like to serve? How many people in attendance?”

Marjorie’s laugh twinkled through the line. “The party is all arranged, Reese. Now, please don’t get upset with me. I had my secretary arrange a seafood boil. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? It will be very informal, but there will be people there I’d like you to meet. Close friends of mine who share my passion for a good party.”

Reese snickered. Marjorie had a heart of gold. Her passion wasn’t for a good party. Her passion was for the
results
of a good party. “So, you don’t need me to do anything?”

“Not this time. Come, have fun. Meet some new people. I dare say you’ll pick up some new clients. Please say you’ll be there.”

“Of course I’ll come.” After everything Marjorie had done for her, she wouldn’t miss it.

“That’s wonderful! Do you remember how to get to the house on Galveston Island?”

Reese nodded, even though Marjorie couldn’t see her. “Yes.”

“Perfect. Oh, and Reese dear, you’ll need to bring a date. I’ve invited couples.”

Interesting. “What about you, Marjorie. Do you have a date?”

“Oh goodness, no. I’m the hostess.” As though that explained everything. “See you next weekend.”

Reese stared at the phone.

A date?

She collapsed against the back of the couch and noticed she’d missed several calls in the last few minutes.

Todd.

Good lord. She couldn’t deal with Todd today. He was a nice man, but he wasn’t the one she wanted.

There was only one thing she could do. Last night hadn’t changed anything, even if sex was the only reason Pax wanted her. He’d said he wanted more. If he wasn’t willing to open himself up to her, what more could they have? Still, she’d given her word.

Goddamn it. She hated the feeling of being in limbo.

Pax wasn’t ready to trust her. A tough pill to swallow, but she would. She loved him, so what choice did she have?

Reese dialed from long-term memory with hopes the number hadn’t changed or been disconnected.

On the third ring, a breathless, youthful voice answered. “Hello?”

“Jade?” Reese took a guess.

“Yes?”

“Hi, it’s Reese Jameson. I—”

“Reese! Why are you calling on this phone? Do you need Lauren? I could run—”

“Jade.” Reese laughed at the teenager’s energy. “I don’t need Lauren. I’m actually calling to speak with Paxton. I realize he’s probably not there, but if you could ask him to call me, that would be great.”

Silence.

“Jade?”

“Yeah, sorry. I’m here. You caught me off guard is all. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a call here at the house for Pax. Most people either want my parents or Gavin. Or Jared. Or me, of course.” She laughed. “Pax is out in the west pasture with the doc. If you can hold on a—”

“No! There’s no need to bother him—”

“—minute, I’ll get him on the two-way.”

Reese heard the thud of Jade putting the phone down. Reese hadn’t wanted to interrupt his work. Not after explaining to him last night how she’d understood his dedication.

“I could’ve left a message for him call me back,” Reese grumbled. She wasn’t a clingy person, yet that was exactly how interrupting him made her feel.

“Hey, Reese?” Jade chirped happily. “Pax said to hang up. He’s going to call you right away.”

Reese groaned and rolled forward. Pressing fingers against her temple, she massaged the pulse that hovered below the surface. “That wasn’t necessary.”

“Necessary or not, we should hang up. He used
the voice
.” Reese almost heard Jade shudder. “Bye!”

Within seconds of the line going dead, the phone buzzed in her hand.

She took a deep breath and answered. “Hey, sorry about—”

“What’s going on, Reese? Are you okay?”

Okay, one: she’d really like to finish a sentence, and two: was that panic she heard in his voice?

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking. I wish Jade hadn’t done that. I figured you’d be out. I meant to leave a message for you to call when you had a minute. Not have Jade walkie-talkie you as though it were an emergency.” As an afterthought she added, “I don’t have your cell number.”

He released a breath. Relief?

“Do you have a pen?”

“Yes.”

He rattled off his number. “I should’ve made sure you had it before I left last night. Hold on.” His muffled voice yelled, “I’ll catch up. You guys go on.” More shuffling. “Sorry about that. It’s been a crazy day. I don’t have long, Reese. Colt’s still here checking the calves. Was there something you needed?”

Now that she had him on the phone, she felt ridiculous. “I … well …” A nervous laugh fluttered from her throat. “I need a date. Next Saturday.”

Way to put him on the spot.

“What’s the occasion?”

“A client of mine is having a seafood boil at her beach house. She’s a sweet woman. She mentioned introducing me to her friends, so I suspect I might come away with a few new clients. I know you’re busy. We can talk about it later. If you can’t get away, or have other plans, I’ll—”

“You’ll what? Find someone else to go with you?”

Was he kidding? Reese’s temper flared. “Don’t. Don’t do that. I was about to say I’d go alone. In fact, you’ve suddenly made the idea very appealing.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he grumbled, his frustration evident. “I’ll go with you.”

“Don’t do me any favors.”

“Damn it, Reese.” He fell silent.

Reese took the time to rein in her anger.

His soft chuckle drifted through the line. “Just like old times, huh?”

The thought had occurred to her. Only this time, she didn’t want to borrow him. She wanted to belong to him.

The wind picked up, causing a loud vibration in their connection. Pax’s volume increased. “I want to go with you. I’m sorry for how I reacted. Sorry for snapping at you last night too. I know it might not seem like it, but I’m trying. You deserve better than my bullshit, but I’ll be damned if I want to lose you again. Don’t give up on me, Reese. Please.”

Emotion stung her eyes. In his own way, he’d claimed her.

“Apology accepted. Go back to work, cowboy. We can talk details later.”