Cooper follows the motion and shifts forward. His nose rubs the side of mine, and I shiver. “Are you?”

“What if I am?”

He leans back, giving me an open look into his heart. “Then you’d get a pass to the front of the line.”

“I’ll let you know tomorrow if I want that pass or not.”

Cooper grins and sits back. “Challenge accepted.”

Chapter Three

“Good morning,” Cooper’s deep voice grumbles against my neck.

“Hi there, cowboy,” I reply, nestling into his body a little deeper. “Sleep good?”

I did. We passed out at some point during the night—fully dressed. I’ve never had so much fun doing nothing before. All we did was talk about everything and anything, and of course, I kissed him—a lot. How could I not? Kissing Cooper feels like coming home. It was full of anticipation, joy, and a feeling of safety that I could just fall if I had to. Cooper was there to catch me all night.

His nose rubs up and down the back of my neck. “I did,” he replies.

His arm snakes around me, tightening and holding me secure. I try to remember that I need to keep myself in check. Yes, this is Cooper Townsend, but at the same time, we live worlds apart. It isn’t smart to get caught up in something that won’t ever be anything more than just this.

Feelings lead to heartbreak. Heartbreak isn’t something I can afford right now.

“What time does the bus leave?”

I flip over to my other side so I can look at him. “Not until tonight. Luke likes to travel at night and see the city we’re in during the day. So, I have all day. Why?”

He smiles while resting his hand on my hip. “Spend the day with me.”

“Coop.” I sigh. We had talked about this last night. That we’d say goodbye in the morning and keep things light. No complications. No promises. Not until the tour was over and I was back in Tennessee. Then, who knows, but I’m all too aware of how easy it would be for me.

“It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Just a day of us hanging out,” he presses.

My eyes narrow slightly, and I pull my lips to the side. “I don’t know. We agreed…”

“Emmy, we have a very looming expiration date. I’m just askin’ my friend to hang out. Besides, what other options do you have?”

I roll onto my back and put my elbow over my eyes. In all honesty, I want to spend the day with him. I want to spend as much time as I can with him. Maybe this will quench a little of my thirst for the man next to me.

Maybe.

“All right, fine. We’ll go see Dallas together.”

He climbs on top of me, giving me a sweet kiss on my lips. “I knew you’d cave. You can’t resist me. I’m wearin’ you down.”

My hand slaps his arm, and I shove him off me. “Yeah, right.” I laugh. “I need to shower. Go get yourself ready, and I’ll meet you in an hour.” I hop off the bed and open the door to the bathroom.

“Need help?” he offers.

I turn my head quickly, tossing my blonde hair over my shoulder and grinning. “You wish, Cooper Townsend. You wish. You best be goin’, time is tickin’.”

* * * *

An hour later, I’m outside Cooper’s hotel with a roadie’s car that I borrowed. I know exactly where I’m taking him today.

Cooper comes out, wearing a tight pair of jeans and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Dear Lord, he looks good. His wet hair looks almost black, and the green from the shirt makes his eyes look even more emerald. It should be illegal to look so sinful.

“Darlin’, you need to go back and change,” Cooper says as he looks me up and down.

“What?” I glance at my outfit, completely baffled by what the issue is. I’m wearing a jean skirt, white tank top, and an off the shoulder floral cover. I look cute.

“I’m not lookin’ to fight anyone while I’m here.”

He walks straight to me and pulls me into his arms. “Fight?”

“Every single man is going to try to get to you, Emily. I’m goin’ to be a busy man fending them off.”

My hand touches his chest, and I smile. “I think you’re big enough to take them all.”

“You think so?” he teases.

“Well, if you aren’t, it’ll be fun to watch you try.”

He laughs and leans in for a kiss. To any passerby, we probably look like a real couple, and a small part of me wants to run. I know the real way this will turn out. It won’t be smiles and hugs. It’ll be yelling and disappointment because I won’t give up my life and neither should he.

I’m getting so far ahead of myself.

For all I know, Cooper just wants to get laid and be done with whatever this is between us. That would be great to delude myself with, but I don’t believe that’s the case.

“What’s on the agenda?” Cooper asks, pulling me away from my doom and gloom thoughts.

“Oh, you’re going to love it.”

He laughs. “I’m sure I will, but I’m a little scared.”

I hook my arm in his, and we head down the street. It’s only a few blocks away. Neither of us says much as we stroll along. It’s a beautiful day. The sun shines through the clouds providing a shadow.

“Scared of me?”

“Weren’t you the one who organized putting food dye in the shower heads?”

I’d almost forgotten about that. Each year, the boys would prank the girls right before homecoming. It was always something lame and never actually did any damage, but there was no way I was letting them get the edge on us. Presley, Grace, and I snuck into the boys’ locker room with medicine capsules filled with food dye. Once they were in there, it was like a ticking time bomb.

Whoever turned the shower on when the capsule melted enough was going to get a surprise.

Of course, the poor kid who turned red wasn’t our target, but it stopped them from even attempting anything that year.

“Whatever do you mean?” I feign innocence.

Cooper laughs and jerks his arm out, causing me to sway. “I know better. Presley got double the barn duties that month. I know you all were behind that mess.”

I grip his thick arm a little tighter. “It was meant for Zach and Wyatt. Those bastards always got us. I did feel bad for Mason. He didn’t deserve to be red for a week.”

“His mama was mad.”

I giggle. “Oh, I know.”

We walk a little farther, and I start to get excited. I’ve never been here, but I thought the irony was just too perfect to pass up.

We make it to the entrance of Pioneer Plaza, and Cooper bursts out laughing.

In front of us are hundreds of cattle sculptures. They line the park and walkways, cutting through the water and grass as we enter.

“This is incredible.”

I look up and smile. “A little of you is right here in Texas. Cows and all.”

Cooper throws his arm around my shoulders, tucking me against his side. “Look!” He points over to the sculpture of the cowboy riding alongside the roaming cow.

“It’s you!”

He kisses the top of my head. “I don’t wear chaps.”

“You could totally pull them off.” I joke, sort of.

“Not since my rodeo days.”

My hand runs down from his chest over the hard planes of his abs. “I think you should try them on the next time you move the cattle. I bet your ass would look mighty fine in some chaps.”

His eyes glimmer with amusement. “Only if you agree to ride with me.”

“Do you remember me ever riding a horse?”

So not my thing. My parents weren’t in the same crowd as the Townsends, Henningtons, and Rooneys. My father was the town drunk, and Mama was always making excuses for him and doing God knows what with other men. Daddy tried to quit once, but then he lost his job at the stables. Instead of going out and finding another job, he decided to drink more and sleep all day. My childhood was the opposite of my friends.

I didn’t have nights at the creek or long horseback rides. I had driving to the bar, helping Daddy in the car, and then going to pick up Mama from waitressing three towns over. Not to mention the fact that Rhett Hennington gave me a job at night cleaning stables so we could afford to eat. There was never any money for a horse in my life.

Sad little poor girl with the crumbling house and a drunk for a father.

No one ever said it to me, but I was side eyed a lot.

“You know, I don’t remember all that much about you as a kid.” Cooper looks off and rubs his chin. “I know you were around, and we talked, but you never spent the night at the house, did you?”

“There were never many sleepovers in my childhood. I didn’t spend all that much time around your house especially. Grace and I hung out here and there, but it wasn’t until after my daddy passed away that I started hanging out with Presley more.”

A frown forms on his lips, and I have a feeling he’s remembering why now. “I forgot about that. I’m real sorry ’bout your dad.”

“I’m not,” I say with no hesitation. “Good riddance.”

Cooper looks down with surprise.

“Don’t get me wrong, I loved my daddy just fine, but he didn’t make life easy on me or my mama. I didn’t enjoy workin’ at night on the farms just so we didn’t have the electric shut off.”