The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,10
not trying to trap you into anything, but I’m telling you the honest to God truth. I like you. I would very much like to get to know you better. If you don’t think I’m a terrible bet, this would solve things on all sorts of levels. My friends won’t think anything of us dating, and your sisters won’t freak out as long as we’re upfront and honest from the beginning.”
“Finn saw us,” she confessed. “When we were getting ready to leave the pub. I think he saw us kiss, and he definitely saw us slip out the door.”
Which was something that could play in his favour. Still, Zach took the cautious route. “And if you absolutely want this to be nothing but pretend, then we will deal with the four of them. But I’d be honoured if you’d consider dating me for real.”
Her expression grew bemused. “I don’t think I’d be a very good girlfriend,” she cautioned.
“Maybe you need some practice,” he offered dryly. “We’ll grade on a curve.”
Her gaze snapped to his, a whole lot of what-the-hell attitude back in that moment, and something inside him clicked.
This was the real Julia. This was the intriguing woman he’d seen glimpses of off and on. He wanted to get to know her better, wanted to spend time with her.
And while it sounded as if she had some pretty major events in her background, he was a patient man. He’d be able to help if she needed him to. Otherwise, having a good time together would not be a hardship.
Julia rubbed her eyes as a huge yawn escaped. “I’m sorry. I can’t think about this anymore tonight.”
“Sleep on it. We’ll talk more in the morning when I take you to breakfast.”
Her glare could’ve cut diamonds. He winked in approval.
They stood at the same time.
He gestured toward the back of the cottage. “You take the bed. I’ve got an air mattress somewhere I’ll toss in the second room.”
“I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
He turned her by the shoulders and pushed her toward his room. “You’re too tired to argue with me. Save it. We can have a really good, knock-down verbal spat about who sleeps where. Tomorrow.”
She held on to the door for a moment, staring back with eyes that were exhausted and slightly haunted, but a smile twisted her lips. A real smile instead of the awkward fake one that had shown up before. “Zach?”
“Yeah?” He deliberately walked past her, heading into the chaos of the room he’d used to toss his shit.
“Good night.” A gentle whisper that slipped over his skin like a caress.
He found a spot to place the air mattress, stretching out in the middle of a mishmash of boxes and other possessions. Her voice continued to drift through his ears as he fell asleep.
He was awakened by strange sounds coming from his bedroom. Zach rose, caution tossed aside as he cracked open the bedroom door.
In the middle of his king-size bed, Julia’s head flipped back and forth on the pillow, the sheets tangled around her.
A moan of fear slipped from her lips, and her hands scrambled at the covers. That’s when he noticed that the quilt was pinned under her body, trapping her in place.
Poor girl. “Julia. Wake up, sweetheart. You’re having a bad dream.”
She continued to move frantically. He spoke again, sliding closer to the bed. Her eyes were squeezed shut as her fingers plucked at the material pinning her in place.
Hell if he wanted to scare her more, but the sounds escaping her lips were breaking his heart.
Zach spoke louder. “Julia. Wake up. Everything’s going to be okay.”
When she kept rocking in place, Zach took a chance. He laid a hand on her shoulder then quickly removed it. “Julia.”
The third time he made contact, her eyes popped open, gaze snapping to meet his. The fear on her face was stark, and something went brittle inside him.
She opened her mouth. He expected to be screamed at, but what escaped was his name.
“Zach?” A hushed whisper. Barely there and very much a plea.
“You’re all tangled up. Okay if I give you a hand?”
Her chin quivered as she nodded. He rearranged the blankets until she had full range of motion once again. “There you go. That should be better.”
Before he could pull back from the bed, her fingers wrapped around his wrist. Her big eyes locked on him, and she looked uncommonly like a deer caught in bright headlights. “Thank you.”