One Fake Fiance - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,39

has been wonderful.” Her eyes softened.

“Yes, it has,” he uttered, soaking in her exquisite features. He marveled at the glow in her countenance, how her eyes reflected such light and hope.

“I just don’t want anything to change what’s developing between us. My grandfather and Eric Stanford will be looking for any chink in our armor. I dread being put under the microscope … I dread it for the both of us.” She squared her jaw, a fierce light shining in her eyes. “We have to stand together. We have to show them that we care about each other.”

His hand went out to cup her jaw. He stroked his thumb over her smooth, milky skin. “That shouldn’t be too hard to do.”

She gave him a questioning look. “No?”

“No,” he affirmed, a smile moving over his lips. “Because it’s the truth. I’m falling for you, princess. Fast and hard.” This was new for him, laying out his heart. It was hers to do with as she pleased.

Her face lit with such pleasure that it warmed him through to his toes. “About time.”

An amused chuckle rose in his throat. “I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I eventually come around.”

“The cowboy can be taught,” she teased, a brilliant smile breaking over her face.

He pursed his lips. “You know, this situation reminds me a little of bronc riding.” It was cute how quickly her eyebrow shot up.

“Please don’t tell me you’re comparing me to a bronco,” she clipped indignantly.

“Never,” he laughed. “Hear me out. When my cousin Jaxson and I were teenagers, he always wanted to ride broncos. He talked about it incessantly. It was like this annoying song that he got in his head and wouldn’t let go of. Finally, to shut him up, I agreed to go with him and give it a try.” He grinned remembering. “I got bucked off, nearly from the minute I got on the bronco. I got a nice face-full of dust.”

She grimaced. “That sounds awful.”

“Yeah, one would think. But then I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and mustered up the courage to get on again. This time, I rode for four seconds.” A grin slid over his lips. “From that point on, I was hooked.” His eyes moved over her face. “You see,” he murmured, “bronc riding was the sport that I never knew I would come to love.” Her eyes flicked with understanding before glowing with delight. He continued, “You’re the song that I can’t get out of my head—the song I don’t want to let go of.”

Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. “An annoying song?”

A crooked grin slipped over his lips. “I’ll opt to plead the fifth on that one,” he winked. The pull to her was too great. He couldn’t resist kissing her. He traced the outline of her lips with his finger. A contented sigh rose in her throat as her lips parted, causing his blood to run faster. “You know,” he drawled, “I was wrong earlier.”

“Oh?”

“When I said we didn’t need any practice.” He leaned in, his hands encircling her back. Her hair swished in the process, and he caught a whiff of her fruity shampoo. It drove him to distraction. She was intoxicating, mesmerizing. How had he not realized it before?

Her eyes danced with anticipation. “I’m always up for practice,” she whispered, as his lips took hers.

9

For seven thirty a.m. the inn was surprisingly busy. Magnolia hadn’t realized there were so many guests staying here. The inn had a remarkable way of feeling cozy and secluded. Then again, it made sense that there were lots of people here. After all, the tacky honeymoon suite was the only room open.

Apprehension pulled a tight cord inside Magnolia. The roads were clear enough to drive on, which was a miracle. Magnolia was super grateful that she and Lucas could get on the road shortly. However, that also meant that in a few short hours, they would face her grandfather and Eric Stanford. Magnolia couldn’t pinpoint why she felt such impending dread over the visit. She and Lucas were fast becoming a real couple. Tingles traipsed down her spine as she thought of those amazing kisses they’d shared the night before. Surely anyone seeing her would be able to tell that she was crazy about Lucas.

Lucas placed his hand on the small of her back, navigating her into the crowded dining room. Magnolia liked the protective feel of Lucas’s hand. It was both thrilling and comforting. She’d watched the