Lone Star Burn: Broncos & Bouquets (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free

gonna leave me alone?” she asked.
    “Nope.” He stepped to the counter and looked up at the beverage menu, which he never did. “I think I’ll try one of those cappuccino things.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yep. I figure it’s time I try something new. Give it a chance. Don’t you think that’s good advice?”
    She stepped behind the counter and tied on an apron. “For coffee, sure.”
    “For everything.” He put his hands on the counter and leaned toward her. The scent of him, of soap and hay, swirled around her. “Come on. Have dinner with me. What’s the worst that could happen?”
    Oh, I don’t know. Fall helplessly in lust—again—and let it fuck up every plan I have for my life, my business, my future.
    “How about this,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “We won’t even call it a date. Just two new friends getting some food and drinks. We’ve done it here a bunch of times already.”
    “That is true,” Jane said and winked at Laney as she walked past. Now her boss was in on it?
    “I don’t know.”
    “What’s not to know? You need to eat. I need to eat. Why not do it together?”
    It seemed as if she was out of excuses. “ If I say yes, and that’s a huge if, I pay my own share.”
    “Sure. If that’s what friends do.”
    “And no hanky panky.”
    He stepped back, hands up in surrender. “I swear it will be a hanky panky-free evening.” But then those gorgeous ocean-blue eyes turned seductive. “Even if you beg me.”
    “I don’t ever beg for anything.” The words left her lips, but they were a lie. She knew then that it wouldn’t take much for her to beg Sawyer for a lot of things. Things her body wanted that her brain said no to.
    “Then it’s a deal?”
    “I guess so.”
    “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
    Seven o’clock was more than twelve hours away. Laney had a feeling they were going to be the longest twelve hours of her life.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Sawyer parked the Double C Ranch pickup truck in front of the barn. He grabbed the cardboard carrier holding four large coffees and his ridiculously sweet cappuccino. It was awful, but he’d refused to let Laney know that.
    Thinking about her made him smile again. It was uncontrollable. This must be how normal people felt in normal relationships. Like Tony and Sarah. And it felt damn good.
    He noticed the light on in the house and saw Sarah through the kitchen window. He headed up the front steps of the house.
    “Anyone need a cup of coffee?” he asked through the screen.
    “Yes!” she yelled.
    He stepped into the house and handed her a cup.
    “You’re a lifesaver,” she said. “The coffee maker’s on the fritz.”
    “Again?” Tony had joined them. “I guess I’ll have to break down and buy a new one.”
    Sawyer handed him a cup from his holder. “Have this for now.”
    “Thanks, man.” He sipped. “Hey. I was hoping for an extra pair of hands tonight. I have a possible buyer stopping by.”
    “I can’t.” He felt like he owed his boss a reason. His cheeks warmed as he continued. “I have a date.”
    “With Laney?” Sarah was practically jumping out of her fluffy pink slippers.
    “Yeah.”
    “I knew it! I knew you two would be perfect for each other!”
    Tony shook his head. “I don’t want to know anything about this matchmaking thing.” He leaned and kissed his fiancée on the cheek then headed out the door.
    “Tell me everything!” She yanked Sawyer toward the kitchen table and made him sit.
    He wasn’t the kind of guy who gushed about anything, but it all spilled out of him. He was just so damn happy.
    “Awww! I’m so excited for you. It’s going to be amazing.”
    He dropped his gaze and fidgeted with a hangnail. “I don’t know. I’m starting to get really nervous.” He’d begged Laney for a week to go out with him and now that she’d finally said yes, now that it was actually happening, the fear was creeping in.
    “Why?”
    Sarah hadn’t been living at the ranch long, but