Borrowed Cowboy (Shadow Maverick Ranch) Read Free

his hand through the hair that fell over his forehead, smoothing the wet strands out of his face. Up close, it was easier to see how the years had changed him. His boyish frame had been replaced with strapping muscle and hard lines. His nose was slightly crooked as though it had been broken before. His dark toffee eyes and shadowed jaw made him look almost dangerous. And entirely too sexy.
    He’d grown from cute to ruggedly handsome with a side of overt masculinity that threatened to weaken her knees.
    “Hi, Paxton.” Nerves attacked her stomach as she waited for him to recognize her.
    Oh God, please let him recognize me.
    No matter how many times she’d imagined this moment, she’d never considered what she’d do if he didn’t remember her.
    Lids narrowed, he took a step toward her. “Reese? Reese Jameson? That was you I saw outside.”
    Reese stood still as he looked her over, from hair to sandaled feet and back. She hadn’t seen him since her twenty-first birthday. The same day his best friend had been killed in a freak riding accident.
    Hurt filled her chest. She fought back tears that should’ve been long dried up.
    Was he remembering that moment? Of learning Patrick was gone just minutes after being inside her?
    The most glorious night of her life, shattered by tragedy and loss. Paxton had shoved her away, overwhelmed by his anger and grief. In a fit of youthful stupidity, she’d let him, thinking it better to leave than be a constant reminder of where he was supposed to have been that night.
    It was her greatest regret.
    Paxton folded his arms. “What’re you doin’ here?”
    She suddenly wasn’t so sure. “I’m helping Lauren and Gavin plan their wedding.”
    “Ah, right. The event planner. So, is busting into my shower part of the plan?”
    Her cheeks heated as the visual of him in the shower hit her. There were worse things to bust into, but that was irrelevant at the moment. “Obviously not.”
    His jaw hardened. “After all these years, how would I know what’s obvious about what you’re doing?”
    Okay, she probably deserved that. But, still…
    “I don’t recall my phone ringing either, buddy.” Did he realize he was only wearing a towel? Good lord.
    “I heard you got married,” she blurted. The news had left a permanent scar on her heart. She hadn’t meant to throw that out there, but she needed a reality check in the face of all that muscle. The reminder of his marital status was as good as throwing cold water on her libido. And at the rate her heart was racing, she’d need buckets full.
    He shrugged. “Got divorced too. But, since you seem to be keeping tabs, I’m sure you heard about that.”
    “I’m not—” Reese trailed off as she saw the corner of his lip twitch.
    Snarky bastard.
    This was not the way she’d envisioned their reunion. Not that she hadn’t expected him to be mad at her, but she’d imagined he’d at least be wearing clothes. Then again, she never could predict how things would happen when Paxton was involved. Last time she thought she had him figured out, he’d taken her to bed and given her more pleasure than she’d ever known. Then or since.
    “I hadn’t heard you’d gotten divorced. I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. Some things aren’t meant to be.”
    “I guess…” She didn’t know what else to say. Her gaze drifted. The towel draped his hips and thighs, but that didn’t stop her from remembering what was underneath. Her heart beat so hard she could feel it in her throat.
    “Did you and Lauren get things hashed out?”
    “What?” He really needed to put on some clothes.
    “You’re planning the wedding, right? That’s why you’re here?”
    “Yeah.” She shook her head, hoping the stupid that had taken possession of her brain would dissipate, and met his gaze. “I mean, yes. Lauren wanted me to help her decide on the best spot to hold the ceremony.”
    “And you found a place?” he asked, as though he conversed half naked on a