Wishing for a Cowboy (Wishing River #3) - Victoria James Page 0,44

we go in, I just… I’m glad you had a good time tonight, Janie.”

She tilted her head, feeling like there was more there. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was that she just knew that she wanted a little more of that feeling…that feeling that he brought out in her that made her take a step closer to him. “I did. Thank you—I mean not thank you—for bringing me into your world here.” His eyes softened at that, and it encouraged her to go on. “Everyone had great things to say about you. Also, do you know the women in this town have all had a crush on you at some point? And the guys may be slightly miffed at that.”

He ducked his head, and she found that little bit of modesty quite attractive. “An exaggeration for sure,” he said, lifting his head and looking deep into her eyes like he was searching for something.

“I…I’m not exactly sure what the allure is, frankly.”

His eyes widened, and then he laughed. He took a step closer to her, close enough that she could see the darker flecks of blue in his eyes. “Really?”

She nodded, kind of giddy at having his undivided attention. “I was trying to think what it could be about you that everyone seems to find so appealing…”

The way his grin faltered almost made her stop teasing him. Like he might think she was being serious.

“And?” His deep voice seemed to curl around her heart and tug until she couldn’t help but drop the humor and tell him how she really felt.

“It’s that your insides are reflected on the outside. You see, the man I’m coming to know is hardworking and strong and noble. And that kind of character is reflected in your beautiful face,” she whispered. She held her breath, feeling silly when he just stood there.

But then he lifted his hand—his warm, work-roughened hand—and gently delved into the hair at the nape of her neck. “Janie…”

The way he said her name, as though it came from somewhere deep inside, made her feel like she was the most special woman in the world.

And then the front door swung open.

The porch lights bore over them, like lights in an interrogation room, and Aiden dropped his hand as quickly as if he’d been burned.

They both turned to see Will standing there. “’Sup, guys?”

Chapter Ten

A few days later, Aiden stood outside and watched Will slowly riding around the arena on the ranch. He leaned against the gate and pride swept through him as Will didn’t even bat an eye with fear, sitting balanced like a natural-born cowboy.

As they’d done all day, though, Aiden’s thoughts drifted back to Saturday night. He could have laughed. Almost. Except his kid answering the door like a forty-year-old father using slang, trying to catch them kissing or something, wasn’t funny. Because it was now very clear that Will didn’t trust him, and that was really starting to bother Aiden.

And then there was the fact that, yeah, what had Aiden been thinking? He had wanted to kiss Janie. All night. That was a problem. Even worse was that he’d felt that same pull from her.

No one in his entire life had ever spoken to him like that. No woman, with just a few sentences, had ever touched a part of him he thought irreparably damaged.

But Janie was off-limits. Will’s happiness was the priority. So, they’d walked in the house and hadn’t had a moment of privacy.

You ruin everything, Aiden. You ruined this family. You are worthless.

That voice… His dad’s voice just snuck in there without warning. Again. Stealing this moment. Stealing his focus from Will.

He tightened his hands around the cold metal bar and knew that he’d do better for Will than his father had done for him. Already, he would do better, because he didn’t believe in physical violence and intimidation and putting his kid down verbally. But he needed to do more than the basic bar to surpass. Aiden wanted a genuine relationship with Will. He liked spending time with him, he liked hearing about his interests, and he liked his personality. He was even happy that Will seemed like he belonged here.

But as he stood there watching him, he second-guessed giving Will pointers. He wouldn’t want Will thinking he didn’t think he was doing a great job. He knew it would get easier after he earned Will’s trust. There were still the long, evaluating stares he felt from Will. He didn’t know what