Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
It takes everything inside me not to take her up on her offer. I step out of her reach and walk to the door of the stall. “If I let Carl come in here, will you promise me you’ll keep your shirt on?”
She shrugs. “You’re the only man I want to see me without a shirt.”
I shake my head. “I’m trying to be strong here, Faith.”
She shrugs. “I know, but I’m here to stay, Dixon. How long exactly do you think you’re going to be able to resist what is happening between us?” I open my mouth to deny it, but she stops me. “And don’t say there’s nothing between us. Hell, I felt it from across the bar last night when you had your buckle bunny on your lap.”
I don’t know why it’s important, but I rush to tell her, “She isn’t my buckle bunny.”
She tilts her head to the side. “So you just let random chicks sit on your lap then?”
I think back on my past, and yes, I was that man but not anymore. I can’t imagine letting another woman touch me now. “Not anymore.”
With that, I walk away. It’s either that or confess everything I want to do to her and end up making her mine.
CHAPTER 6
FAITH
It’s been a week since I walked back into Whiskey Run. A week of my dad asking me every day when I’m leaving and a week of Dixon doing everything he possibly can to avoid me. He’s nice enough, but if he’s left alone in a room with me, he’s walking away. If my dad tells him to let me ride into town with him, then Dixon is having a ranch hand ride with us like he’s some damn chaperone or something.
It’s gotten ridiculous, and it’s going to end now.
My dad is already stowed in his room watching his television shows, so I walk out of the house, right out the front door and down to the barn. I found out a few nights ago that Dixon has been sleeping on the couch in the office instead of the bunkhouse, and I refuse to run him out of his bed one more night. If he refuses to come inside the house while I’m there, then I’ll stay in the office so he can finally get some sleep.
I walk to the barn, shotgun in hand. As soon as I get inside the barn, I set the gun against the wall next to the office door and then knock. I don’t have to wait long before it’s jerked open and Dixon is standing in front of me shirtless with the button of his jeans undone. He’s so handsome that I stutter over the words. “Hey, can I talk to you?”
He leans against the open door. “What do you want, Faith?”
I roll my eyes and tuck my arms over my chest. Mostly because I don’t have a bra on and I don’t need to embarrass myself with him seeing me aroused just by looking at him. “I feel bad that you’re sleeping in the barn when your room is at the main house.”
He just stares at me, so I continue. “Anyway, I’m going to stay out here so you can at least get one good night’s sleep.” I hold my hand up to stop him and push past him into the office, pointing at the couch. “And don’t act like you’re not hurting. I’ve seen you holding your back. Heck, you’re taller than the dang couch, Dixon. There’s no way it’s comfortable.”
He twirls his finger around the room. “And what? You think I’m going to leave you out here to sleep in the barn where there is no central heat and air and no lock on the door? If you think that, you don’t know me very well.”
I sit down on the edge of the couch. “Well, then come inside. This is ridiculous, and you know it.”
He just stares at me. I should have known he’s not going to give in. “So this is how it’s going to be then?”
He grits his teeth but says nothing.
I stand and take a step toward him. “Dixon…”
He puts his hands up and backs away from me. I laugh because he’s being ridiculous. He’s twice my size, and he’s acting as if he’s scared of me. “What is your problem? Why are you backing away from me?”
He nods toward the door. “Go back to the house, Faith.”
I stand my ground. “No.”
His breath shudders as his body trembles. “I’m telling you, go back up to the house.”
I tilt my head. I was prepared for an argument, but I wasn’t prepared for this. He’s acting crazy, and he thinks he can just push me away and I’ll go, but I’m done doing things his way. My father may not want me around, but he sure has taught me a lot through the years, and one of those things is that if I want something, I have to go after it. Well, I want Dixon, and even though I’ll probably only get one night out of it, hell, it would be worth it.