Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [74]
“Age don’t matter. I’d still be the boss of you even if we were the same age.”
“I remember saying that to my older brother. You’re not the boss of me.” She shot him a sideways glance. “That totally takes on a different meaning now.”
He laughed. He seemed to laugh a lot with her.
The first edge of the moon peeped up over the top of Devil’s Tower. “Look.”
“It’s breathtaking. Now I understand the phrase moon glow.”
“Just wait. In another hour you’ll barely see the stars because the sky will be lit up.”
Once again silence fell between them, allowing Ben to study her covertly. He was captivated by the play of moonbeams highlighting her face. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Ainsley looked at him and then away.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Not at all. It’s just…disconcerting. You’ve given me more compliments in a week than…I deserve.”
“That wasn’t what you were gonna say.” He tugged her closer by the collar on her coat and got right in her face. “Tell me.”
“There’s Bennett. I wondered if he’d make an appearance.”
“He gets pissy when you rip on yourself. So tell me.”
Her exhalations puffed against his lips. “You see me in a different way than I see myself. You can make me feel sexy and pretty.”
“You are sexy and pretty.” He pressed smooches to her lips.
“And when you give me such awesome compliments? They’re sincere. Not toss off comments because you want to get laid.” She rubbed her mouth over his. “You know I’m a sure thing. So I appreciate them even more.”
“The only sure thing about you, angel, is you keep me on my toes. I don’t take for granted that you’re a sure thing because you can stop this at any time. And after last night…I was really afraid you would.”
“Ben.” Ainsley placed a kiss on his chin. “I can’t promise you that this won’t end, but I want to see it through until the end date we agreed on. Okay?”
That was more than he’d hoped for, but not nearly enough, and it’d have to do for now. He said, “Okay.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ainsley had expected a decent turnout for the community event National West and Settler’s First had co-sponsored for Chase McKay and his foundation. But she hadn’t expected standing room only. She’d had to restock her bank information brochures and giveaway items within the first fifteen minutes. The fishbowl overflowed into a cardboard box with entries for the five hundred dollar drawing.
Forty-five minutes remained until the golden boy himself, Chase McKay, made an appearance.
She’d seen Ben, not that he’d sought her out. He couldn’t—being surrounded by a bevy of beauties limited his movement. Really, it was ridiculous. He was good looking. And he did have that sexy dimpled chin. And those expressive blue eyes. And a great body. And that deep, commanding voice. Those women were enticed by the pretty packaging. But those women didn’t know him, the real him, not like she did.
Jealous much?
Truthfully, she hadn’t expected to see him, with his brother being the guest of honor. Several tables had been reserved for the McKay family near the stage. Kids of varying ages, with the same black hair and blue eyes as Ben, pawed through the freebie bin until they all came up with matching whistles.
Leslie brought her a soda and an oatmeal raisin cookie during a lull. Turton had volunteered to make the presentation, but Ainsley feared his monotone would put the audience to sleep. She wasn’t a nervous speaker. She’d given many presentations in her career, so it bothered her she had the heart pounding, stomach-churning attack of nerves today. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this jittery.
Yes, you can. That second night with Bennett in the club. And the first night with Bennett in the club. And every night since.
Not exactly the best timing for those reminders to pop up.
Steve Talbot, the bank president from Settler’s First, wandered over, holding his fishbowl full of entry slips. “Shall we get this started?”
“You bet.” Ainsley grabbed her cardboard box and followed Steve up to the stage.
“Ladies first.”
“You the