Forbidden Cowboy (Rocky Ridge Creek #1)

Chapter Six

HOPE

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“I CAN HAVE the wood delivered to the ranch Friday.” Wyatt leans his hip on the side of a wood pile.

His family has been dropping off firewood at Fox Lodge for as long as I can remember. He’s handsome enough—built like a logger, thick and all muscles. Blonde hair. Blue eyes.

But he isn’t Levi.

My womanly parts warm at the thought of Levi. Is this how it’s going to be now? Heating up like a fool for a man who chose a family feud over me?

“Thanks for all your help, Wyatt. I’m sure between me and my sisters; we’ll be able to build this bad boy.”

“My offer stands. I'm a call away if you need help or find yourself in a jam.” Wyatt would use any reason to pop by the ranch. He fancies my middle sister Hannah, but she’s too busy chasing her twin five-year-olds to notice.

“What the hell’s going on here?” Levi’s voice sends my heart racing.

I turn to face him, my insides giddy like Christmas morning.

The sight of the man’s dirt-stained T-shirt and the torn knee in his dark denim pants floods my body with warmth and all kinds of pulsating reminders of last night.

“Levi.” Wyatt straightens. “Did you have an issue with your order?”

Levi doesn’t even give Wyatt a glance. He stops in my personal space, which I enjoy more than I’d like to admit. Soap and the woodsy outdoors mix with his distinct primal smell.

“I told you we were working on the kissing booth together.” Is the jealous lion coming out to play? I’d never pegged Levi as the jealous type.

“There were some mixed signals yesterday.”

“Mixed signals? Care to elaborate?” I want to kiss his pinched lips until they relax.

“It’s not that simple.” I throw his words back at him. Nothing has changed between us just because we had sex. Our families still loathe one another. This public interlude is the most a Wilde and Fox have ever been seen together. Besides, I doubt he’s ready to stand up to his family. No matter what happened between us yesterday, he’s a family guy through and through. It’s one of the things I’ve always loved about him. Even if I hadn’t known it was love back in the day.

“You’re funny.” His sarcastic stoic tone plunks a grin on my lips.

“I get it from my mama, who your family still has it in for. Something about a cow.”

I catch Wyatt’s wary expression as he circles us, eyeing the situation.

“Wyatt, when can you drop off the wood at the rear of the town hall?” Levi still doesn’t look at him.

“Friday.”

“Perfect. It’s a mutual place where Foxes and Wildes are both welcome. We’ll build the booth in the back shop where no one will see us.”

There it is. Hide me away from the town. And then what does he think is going to happen? Another play date on the worktable? I don’t think so. I’m so angry I can’t put out a word.

“See you Friday, Miss. Fox. Sharp after lunch.” Levi nods his Stetson before walking away and leaving me more confused than I was this morning. And how on this grassy earth am I supposed to work with Levi now?

“Are you okay with the change of location, Hope?” Wyatt steps into my sight.

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“You alright?”

I force a smile. “Of course. The kissing booth has a sentiment toward the Wilde family. Something about their great—”

“Great-great grandparents sharing a kiss before tying the knot.”

My smile is genuine. “I guess everyone in town knows the story.”

“The Wilde and Fox history is common knowledge.”

“Right. Thanks again, Wyatt. And pop into the ranch on Friday night. Hannah’s planned a campfire scavenger hunt.”

“Sounds like a good time.”

“Always a good time at the Fox Lodge.”

“That’s what the tourists tell me.” Our all-inclusive ranch resort brings bounds of tourists to town.

Wyatt waves me goodbye.

My jeep is parked in the shade under a row of oak trees. It’s lunch hour, but it’s already booming busy, and my vehicle is wedged between two pickups.

When I reach the side of my truck, someone spins me around and pins my back against the metal frame.

Familiar moves.

Familiar hands.

Familiar scent.

Levi’s eyes bore me with a storm of emotions. Our mouths collide like lightning and thunder. He threads his fingers through my hair. His arms circle my waist, pulling me flush against him. The kiss is hard, hot, and heavy, just like our rocky relationship. When we part, we’re panting and breathless.

I press my hand against his chest to put distance between us. He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles.

“Are you trying to get caught kissing a Fox?” I try to wiggle out of my trapped position between Levi and the truck. Levi doesn’t budge. The truck isn’t forgiving, either.

“Levi?”

He slides a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Yes, darlin’.”

“Last night was a one-time thing. Nothing’s changed between us. You’re hiding us inside the town hall to work on the kissing booth so no one sees us working together.”

“Only until we talk.”

“Talk about what? How it’s not that simple?”

“How to make it simple.”

I shove him with both hands. He takes a step back. His eyebrows etch together.

“You’re too late. You’re twelve years too late. We can’t just pick up where we left off. You have a life. I have a life. It’s more complicated now than the day we kissed in the kissing booth.”

“I’m seeing clearer now than in my entire life. I’ve missed you. I’ve missed us. I didn’t realize how much until—”

“Until you got into my pants.” I smooth my hands over my grey eyelet top and distressed boyfriend jeans.

His lips form a thin line, and he takes another step back. “You know that’s not true.”

I do.

“I don’t know you at all. The guy I once knew has grown into a man I don’t recognize.”

He takes a single step forward, and my body presses flush against his. “Hope, Fox, I am going to marry you.”

My mouth gapes open. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. The only real friend I’ve ever had. One night with you and I wake up feeling like the weight of the world has lifted from my shoulders. You bring out the best in me. You always have. Come hell or high water, I’m going to make you my wife.”

“You sound like you’ve fallen off your rocker.” I scan our surrounding for bystanders.

“And if you think I’m scared to be seen with you, you have another thing coming. I made arrangements to work with you behind closed doors out of respect for your feelings on the situation.”

“I was done hiding twelve years ago, but you didn’t give me a second to tell you.” I yank open my Jeep door and haul myself into the seat. “I’ll see you Friday behind town hall promptly after lunch to hide from the town.”