Montana Cowboy Daddy (Wyatt Brothers of Montana #3) - Jane Porter Page 0,68

to her academic advisor. He wouldn’t like it, and she worried he might blame himself, but she hadn’t done it for him. She’d done it for herself.

At the same time, Billy was healing remarkably well. He’d gone to Cedar City twice to be seen by doctors, and on the last visit, he’d had an appointment with a physical therapist who’d sent him home with stretches and gentle exercises. But Billy didn’t do anything gently, and within days was back to working out, and the active life he’d led.

Boom still came over to assist with certain chores, but Erika suspected Billy just liked Boom’s company, and wanted to shoot the breeze with him. Billy seemed most comfortable outside, or in the barn.

She said as much one day, early in May. “You’re recovering fast. Even faster than the doctors expected.”

“It’s good. I don’t like feeling helpless. I hated adding to your worries when you’ve had so much pressure on you with your dissertation.”

This was probably the time to tell him she wasn’t feeling pressure, not anymore, and wouldn’t feel pressure for quite some time since she’d asked for an extension and had been granted it.

But she didn’t say it, because her mind was on other things, like Billy, and that kiss from a few weeks ago, and how she wished every day he’d kiss her again. How she wished right now he’d kiss her again. He was standing so close, smelling of hay and sunshine, looking even more gorgeous, if such a thing was possible. Faint creases fanned at his eyes, and there was a little groove next to his mouth that deepened when he smiled. She’d come to know his face so well, and it was a face she loved to study when he wasn’t paying attention to her.

“It was never a hardship,” she said, fingers itching to reach out and grab his belt, and pull him toward her. She’d loved those weeks where he’d needed her help with bandages and slings. It had been too long since he’d needed her help and she could feel his warmth, and the press of that impressive chest. “You never complained, and you always did try to help me, despite your limitations.”

Suddenly he reached out and brushed a long tendril of her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. “You’ve gotten pretty good at eggs. Scrambled and fried. I’m impressed.”

She pursed her lips, trying not to smile. He was so lovely and awful at the same time. She never knew if she wanted to punch him or kiss him—

Okay, not true.

She was desperate to kiss him again. Her body hummed with tension all day long, her skin so sensitive, lips tingling. If only he’d kiss her and maybe it wouldn’t be as good as the first time. Maybe she’d realize that had been a fluke, and she’d not want his mouth on hers, or kissing his way down her neck, or covering her nipple—

“Nipple?” he said. “What?”

Erika threw her head back, horrified, her gaze locking with his. “What did you say?”

“What did you say? Nipple?”

Heat burned her cheeks, her face blisteringly hot. “No. Why would I say that?”

“I don’t know.” His gaze dropped and lingered on her breasts. “But now that you mention it—”

“I didn’t mention it. You did. I don’t even know what’s going on.” Flustered, she marched to the sink, checking for dirty dishes. There were none. She looked at the coffeepot. It was empty. Maybe she should make a fresh pot. “Do you want some coffee?” she asked, tone brisk.

He laughed softly behind her. “No.”

“Lunch?”

“Had lunch already.”

“Snack?”

He didn’t answer, and the silence wasn’t quiet, but a taut, listening awareness that made her insides do a funny flip, and the hair rise on her nape. Even without looking at him, she knew he was looking at her, and she could feel the heat in his eyes, feel the sizzling energy between them. It had been like this for weeks now. No physical contact, just endless sparks and tingling awareness, an awareness that made her chest tight and her body ache.

She glanced at him over her shoulder and her gaze met his, his intense blue gaze smoldering, filled with unspoken desire. “No Cheez-Its?” she murmured, hot and shivery at the same time.

“No.”

His voice was deep and hard, his jaw equally hard, his mouth firm, uncompromising. She couldn’t even imagine being his woman. Couldn’t imagine the heat or passion. She’d had sex before, but it wasn’t with anyone like Billy. But honestly, was there