Read Online Can't Resist a Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto - Free Book Online Page A

freeze.” His breath came out in a puff, the temperature having dropped with the rain and wind. In a short-sleeved Henley, the cold air assaulted his bare arms, making him shiver. If he was this chilly dry, she had to be downright frozen. Gently, he gripped her shoulder. “Come on, Sunshine. Do as I say.”
    Her back stiffened but she didn’t protest, just unzipped her coat and shrugged it off into a wet, heavy lump on the ground. A thin blue shirt molded the feminine structure of her back and into the dip of her spine. Levi traced her curves with his gaze. She unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it back, but it clung to her shoulders. With one hand, he grasped the neckline and pulled it down…slowly, the tip of his middle finger making a trail over her damp skin as he slid the shirt off.
    Stepping closer, Levi was torn over wanting to pull her cold body into the warmth of his chest. The rain beat staccato on the rocks above, the patter splashing into the wet ground. Tracing her white satiny bra across her back, he grinned as a violent shudder went through her. How easy would it be to rekindle the fire between them? Not just this—though her form was something he wanted to explore slowly, intimately—but her heart, her mind. To know her again, all of her—how sweet would it be?
    Letting her shirt drop, Levi used both hands to unhook the bra and toss it aside. Her arms came across her chest, the quick glance she tossed over her shoulder cautious. Levi settled his flannel shirt over her shoulders, held it in place as she shakily slid into it. He could tell that she was fumbling with the buttons, so he turned her to help. Slowly closing each button, thanks to his cold hands, he tried not to focus on the rise of her breasts beneath the fabric. Her chest went still and he swore she was holding her breath.
    The chemistry was still there. Holy shit, was it still there, and he wanted to grab hold of it and see how far it went. How would he ever keep his shit together as she walked out of his life? Levi ran his palms over the tops of her shoulders, down her arms. What if he asked her for a second chance? What would she say?
    Could he ask her to consider it…to give it a try?
    Hell, he was being selfish. Look at her, shivering her beautiful ass off, pale face, blue-tinged lips. This environment wasn’t safe for her—she’d left the ranch for a reason. Her diabetes was too unpredictable and he’d been a fool to endanger her today. Disgusted with himself, Levi helped her slide into his jacket, pulling it closed a little rougher than he needed to. Her hands clasped over his and he realized just then how quiet she’d been.
    “God, Carrie, I’m sorry.” He pulled her into his arms, encouraging her face to find his chest. “Let’s get you warmed up.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “No, you’re stubborn. There’s a difference.” He rubbed her back with his hands. “You know,” he said, “there were so many times I wished for cold like this. Out there, in the desert…it got so hot you could have fried a steak on the ground.”
    She huffed a small laugh and it warmed him. Good. Not only would Darren kill him if anything happened to her, he’d kick his own ass. He should do it anyway for not being more prepared in case the weather turned. So much for a simple, quick ride to fix a fence.
    “I’m glad you’re home, Levi.” The words touched him like a caress. Emotion lodged in his chest. He’d put her through a lot, and not a day had gone by that he didn’t think about how to make it up to her somehow. Freezing her to death wasn’t the way. This was just a reminder why he had to keep his hands to himself.
    No more kissing—kissing might lead to more, and there couldn’t be more. Friends only. No more putting her in harm’s way, even if it was just rain. He held her more tightly, rolling around the sweet scent of her hair and the feel of her pressed against him. Long minutes passed in which her shivering stopped and she