One Night with a Cowboy (Paint River Ranch) (Entangled Indulgence) Read Free Page B

drive and the emotional flurry of the day. Whatever was going on between her and Tucker was alluring and warm and she needed that, too.
    “I know my way. I’ll walk home later.” She’d been visiting this neighborhood three times a year for the past two years. Navigating her way back to Carla’s wasn’t a problem. Sophie squared her shoulders and faced Carla down. Her sister’s lips went rigid.
    “Its fine, Carla.” She insisted. “Go ahead and take Ethan home.” Her sister shuffled a foot, maybe she stomped it. Sophie frowned in distaste. Despite being nearly forty, Carla was great at acting like a child.
    “So -phie , you can’t go wandering around a strange city. You have no idea what might…”
    Tucker cleared his throat and slid an arm around Sophie’s waist. She jumped at the unexpected contact, but found herself leaning into him. “I’ll make sure she gets home.” His voice was low and steady, the tone shocking in its finality. The protective edge to his tone unleashed a sensual longing deep in Sophie’s middle. Her shoulder pressed more firmly against Tucker’s side. Carla eyed them both, and then glanced at Ethan.
    “Fine. But I’m locking the door. Keep your cell handy in case you need it.” She eyed Tucker pointedly before stomping off. Ethan glanced over his shoulder and waved. Sophie watched them disappear behind a row of tents.
    Tucker let out a low whistle, tipping his hat back a little. “Your sister?” Sophie nodded.
    Tucker gently gripped the fabric at her lower back. If her brain gave off any warning signals at all, Sophie didn’t hear them. A boon of danger sirens probably wouldn’t have done a thing. He had a comfortable ease that made him seem like a long-time friend.
    “For your sake, I hope that’s your only sib—”
    Sophie reached up on tiptoe, pulled the toothpick from his mouth and tossed it. “Shut up and kiss me.”

Chapter Three
    Her lips were cool, but her mouth was hot, and the wicked opposites uncurled the little demon inside Tucker that demanded to be let out. The demon that wanted control, to gather her hard and steady in his arms, and trail his mouth all over her body. Sophie’s soft kiss and the light caress of her fingers over his neck called to Tucker in a way he couldn’t explain. Like two halves coming together. She was an out-of-towner, no doubt about it. Chances were, he’d never see her again, which meant he didn’t have to worry about either of them wanting more than one night.
    He let her claim his mouth, momentarily forgetting they were standing in the middle of a crowded carnival. She fingered the nape of his neck, raising scorching tingles where she touched. When her teeth nipped his lower lip with the whisper of a touch, Tucker pulled back. If his jeans fit any smaller, he’d have a hell of a time walking out of here.
    “Sophie.”
    “I’m sorry.” Her voice wasn’t very convincing, leading him to believe she wasn’t sorry one bit. Sophie touched her lower lip with her fingers and, for a moment, he thought she was going to wipe his kiss away. He was ridiculously glad when she didn’t. Tucker gripped her upper arms, smoothing his palms down the length to her elbows. Her bare flesh quivered under his hands.
    “That’s too bad, because I’m not.”
    That independent streak she’d displayed earlier seemed to have slipped away, leaving behind a softer, vulnerable version of her. He paused, hoping she wasn’t about to get regretful over one little kiss. He’d spent the majority of his life keeping other people’s emotions at arm’s length and he wasn’t about to embrace them now, no matter how alluring Sophie might be. When she glanced up with a radiant smile, relief flooded him with the shocking realization that he hadn’t wanted to end their time together so soon.
    “I don’t usually go around kissing strange cowboys.” Her voice was thick with a chuckle that warmed him. He brushed her hair over one shoulder, so tempted to