The Cowboy's Bride Bet - Holly Rayner Page 0,52
only just finally stopped ringing. When Connor handed me earplugs and a set of noise-canceling headphones, I smiled.
“Now, keep in mind you probably won’t have time to put in earplugs if you have to fire a gun to defend yourself. But while you’re learning, I don’t want you to be afraid to pull the trigger.”
“Got it.” I nodded.
He showed me how to load rounds into the revolver, then set up a few cans on the wooden fence that bordered his property's outer edge. The other side of the fence was miles of vacant land, so we could be sure we wouldn’t hurt anyone with a stray bullet.
I missed the first shot, as well as the second. But then Connor stood behind me, adjusting my grip, my stance. I held it steady and pulled the trigger, striking the wooden fence post just under the can.
“I suck at this,” I shouted.
“Don’t get discouraged.” My ear protection muted Connor’s voice, but I read his lips. “Clear your head, take a breath, and try again.”
I did as he said. As I exhaled, I stopped trying to picture the man in the trench coat charging at me. I needed to focus on the present moment without fear.
The bullet found its target, and the can disappeared from the fence, then another. I missed the third, and the next time I pulled the trigger, the gun clicked. It was empty.
I reloaded and tried again, but I missed more than I hit.
“Here.” Connor handed me the shotgun, which I had been excited to try. “You have to be close to hit something, but if we fill this full of buckshot, accuracy won’t matter. It’s important—”
I didn’t hear the next thing he said as I raised the gun barrel and fired at the cans. The force of the kick threw the butt of the gun hard into my shoulder and I flew backward, hitting the ground flat of my back.
Sucking in a painful breath, I rubbed my shoulder.
Connor knelt over me, pulling off the headphones and removing the earplugs. “I was trying to tell you, you have to keep the stock tight against your shoulder.” He cupped my face with his hands. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” I groaned, laughing in spite of myself. “I guess I didn’t hear that part.”
He shook his head and smiled, raking his fingers through his hair. I just lay there looking up at him, the perfume of the grass mingling with the smell of gun oil.
“You sure you’re not hurt?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know.” I folded one arm under the back of my head. “If I was, would you kiss it better?”
The dimple in his cheek betrayed a hidden smile.
“If you want me to kiss you, all you have to do is ask.” He lay down next to me, brushing my hair behind my ear as I gripped the collar of his jacket.
“Then this is me asking,” I whispered, pulling him close.
He brushed his nose against mine, before meeting me halfway. He nudged my lips open and I welcomed him in, his tongue swirling and dancing as the kiss set my body on fire.
As afraid as I was that this could never be, there was no longer any denial in my mind. I wanted to live a full life, not one spent on the run and filled with fear. Life out here with Connor, working the land and raising animals, made me happy. Maybe even happier than I’d ever been.
Peeling his jacket back over his shoulder, I broke the kiss. His eyes opened to meet my gaze as I glanced away, then swallowed hard, pulling his jacket further down his bicep.
God, I want him…
He sat up, taking off the coat, then rolled it up before placing it under my head.
I sat up, turning toward him as I got to my knees. He cradled the back of my neck with one hand and pulled me in, kissing me softly but firmly. His fingers played at the bottom of my sweater as his eyes searched mine for permission. I smiled, lifting my arms and closing my eyes as he gently pulled it over my head.
Spreading out the clothes we’d taken off, he kissed me again, guiding me to lean back. I laid on the soft fleece lining of his coat and he kissed my bare collarbone.
“I want you, Connor,” I breathed. “I want all of you.”
“You have me.” His warm breath caressed my skin. “I’m yours… for as long as you’ll have me.”
His torso