Her Christmas Cowboy (The Wyoming Cowboy #5) - Jessica Clare Page 0,69
my shirt before I introduce you to Jack,” he muttered.
“Then I’m the one that’s going to be all distracted,” Amy whispered. “By your six-pack.”
He blushed again. “It’s not a six-pack.”
“It’s at least five.”
He shot her another look. “Come on. Let’s go meet the family before I find a closet and drag you in there for some kissing.”
That made her all breathless. Finding a closet and doing some kissing sounded more fun than the party at the moment. “I’m game.”
Caleb bit back a groan and gave her another quick, hard kiss, his tongue barely flicking against her lips before he pulled back. “You’re a temptress.”
She felt like one. She felt like the most beautiful woman on earth tonight, the most sexy, the most desirable. It was a heady feeling. She was a schoolteacher, and an average woman all around. Why was it that when Caleb looked at her, she felt so darn special? It was addicting, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever get enough of it.
He took her hand and pulled her forward, and Amy supposed they weren’t going to find a nice private closet after all. Well, darn. She let him lead her to the kitchen, where the sound of voices was, and fought back the twinge of anxiety when they stepped inside and a half dozen people turned to stare at her.
“Hey there!” Becca said, pushing her way forward from the group. She held her arms out, beaming a smile at Amy. “I’m so glad you came! Libby will be thrilled!”
She hugged Becca, feeling relieved to see a familiar face. “I think I overdressed.”
“Nonsense. You look beautiful. Come and say hi to Hank. Libby’s in the barn with a few of the neighbors and their kids.” Becca pulled her forward, taking her hand, and Amy cast Caleb an apologetic look.
He just shook his head as if unsurprised and leaned against the counter.
Becca was a great hostess, at least. She introduced Amy to everyone, including Caleb’s younger brother, Jack. Jack looked a lot like Caleb, but his features were somehow sweeter. He was definitely the prettiest of the three brothers, and judging from the look on his face, he knew it. He eyed her up and down with a slow smile until Caleb gave him a shove.
“I know she’s yours. I’m just admiring the fact that you somehow managed to snare such a pretty woman. She must have a thing for silence.”
Caleb elbowed him again, glaring.
“All right, stop it, the two of you.” Doc Ennis—the elderly vet—stepped in between the two men and then scowled at Caleb. “Take your damned hat off, boy. Were you raised in a barn?”
“Yes,” Caleb said immediately, and Jack snickered.
Then the rest of the group came back from the barn, and the kitchen was suddenly crowded with strangers. They were neighbors from the Price Ranch down the road, Becca explained. It was several families with young children, and Amy recognized Sage—the town mayor—and her husband, too. It was awfully cramped, as if no one wanted to move out of the kitchen and into the living area, and Amy was acutely aware of just how open the back of her dress was. The other women were wearing party clothes, but they were a lot more sedate than Amy’s sparkling dress, and she stuck out like a sore thumb. Uncomfortable, she sidled through the crowd over to Caleb’s side. He immediately put his arm around her waist and drew her against him, and she felt better.
“Sorry about this,” Caleb murmured in her ear, his lips practically brushing against her plastic earring. “Didn’t know half the town would be showing up tonight.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered back, turning to look at him. Oh. A smear of her lipstick was on his mouth from their earlier kisses and she absently ran her thumb over his lips to get rid of it.
The scorching look he gave her immediately made her breath disappear. Suddenly the kitchen felt very tight and crowded after all. There were far too many people here, and she really just wanted to be alone with Caleb. To talk to him. To hear about his day.
To kiss the hell out of him.
“You two gonna need a room?” Jack appeared suddenly, propping an elbow on Caleb’s shoulder and leaning in.
“Fuck off,” Caleb growled at his brother.
Jack grinned, ignoring Caleb’s sour attitude. “I’m just saying that there are children present, you know. Might want to save all that touchy-feely stuff for when you’re alone.”