A Cowboy Kind of Daddy by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Author:Cathy Gillen Thacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

“WE’VE GOT TO TALK about this,” Travis told Annie as he put on his shorts and jeans.

Annie slipped on her panties and fumbled with the clasp on her bra. “I don’t see why.”

Travis stepped behind her and did it for her. “You haven’t looked me in the eye since we left the bed.” He watched as Annie flushed and snatched up her shirt. Sank onto the edge of the bed. “How’s that for a reason?”

“I don’t do this, Travis.” Annie’s hands trembled as she shoved her arms through the sleeves of her blouse. “I don’t have affairs.”

Travis had known that. It was what had made it so special. “Neither do I,” he said quietly, retrieving his paint-spattered work shirt.

Annie hopped around, putting on her shorts. Misunderstanding what he meant, she whirled to face him. “Okay, so maybe making love twice in one afternoon doesn’t constitute an affair—”

Travis pushed to his feet, not above using his superior size to inject some control in the situation. “It does in my book.”

Annie regarded him in stony silence. “You’re not saying—?”

Travis closed the distance between them. “Yes, Annie, I am. I don’t make love to a woman like it’s no big deal. When I do, it’s for one reason. And one reason only. To claim her as mine.”

The corners of her mouth trembled. Annie lifted her chin, clearly struggling for an air of cool challenge. “Is that what you think just happened?”

Reminded just how stubborn, single-minded and independent Annie could be, Travis shrugged. “What would you call it?”

That was just it, Annie didn’t know. Was she in love with Travis? She couldn’t be. He was her friend, her neighbor, her childhood rival for her father’s affection. She couldn’t afford to ruin things between them with any messy emotional involvement that ended as badly as her marriage had. She twisted her hands in front of her. “I’d call it inevitable.”

Travis did his best to swallow his disappointment. “Because you hadn’t been with anyone for a while?” he guessed.

The flush in Annie’s cheeks deepened. “How did you—”

“Because I know you,” Travis said gently, aware of an exultant sensation he had not felt in a long time. “And I know how much something like this means. Even—” he arched his eyebrow deliberately “—when you pretend it doesn’t.”

Annie’s lower lip thrust out truculently. “I get lonely, Travis.”

Loneliness was not what that had been about. Travis knew it, and he was betting, deep down, so did she. He shrugged. “So? I get lonely, too, sometimes. I’d wager everyone does.”

Annie picked up her sandals. Leaning against the bureau, she put one on, then the other. “I get—”

“Horny?” Travis said for her, amused at her continued attempts to downplay what had just happened between them.

Annie glared at him. “That’s not the word I would have chosen.”

Travis nodded smugly as he continued buttoning his shirt. “Exactly my point.”

Annie straightened, propped her hands on her hips and blew out an exasperated breath. “I don’t—”

Travis closed the distance between them. He put his hands on her shoulders, holding her in front of him when she would have run.

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