Connor: A Cowboy Stepbrother Romance Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

I responded.
    Connor slowly reached over, placing his hand on my lower back.
    “You really are beautiful, Emily,” he said. “I’m pretty lucky to have come home from the rodeo tour at just the right time so that I could meet you.”
    I blushed at the compliment. I felt like turning and kissing him right then. His seductive voice and beautiful blue eyes were enough to get me to do whatever he wanted. But I knew that wasn’t a possibility. He was Richard’s son. If anything happened beyond friendship, it could only lead to trouble.
    I have to remind myself that I’m here for Mom, not for me, I thought.
    So I placed my hand on Connor’s arm and gently pushed him away.
    “I’m sorry, but we shouldn’t,” I said. “Our parents are dating and well...anything between us would likely end up being awkward. I don’t want to do anything that could hurt our parent’s relationship.”
    A disappointed look crossed Connor’s face. I assumed that I must have been the first girl in history to turn him down. But it’s not like I wanted to. I had to.
    “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said, slowly.
    He then pulled his hand away from my back, placing it on his knee. I watched as he turned to face the lake.
    “You know, it’s kind of strange how things work out sometimes,” he said. “I know that I hardly know you, but I’ll be damned if I don’t feel attracted to you. It’s too bad that I couldn’t have met you a different way, though. Maybe then you and I could have explored this attraction.”
    My face continued to blush as he spoke. He was so direct and unashamed of his feelings.
    “But I guess you’re right,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to do anything to screw up my dad and Mary’s relationship. I’ve never seen him this happy before.”
    As he spoke, I suddenly wished I hadn’t said anything. Here was the most amazing guy. He was a sweet, gorgeous and muscular cowboy. What more could a young girl want? And I shot him down.
    At least I denied him for good reason, though... I thought. I can’t imagine what my mom would have thought if she had known that I kissed Richard’s son...or worse...if I ended up sleeping with him.
    “Well,” Connor said, as he slowly stood. “What do you say we go back to the house and see what my dad has made for supper?”
    “That sounds really good,” I responded.
    I then stood up and began walking next to him. We only made it a few steps, though, before I grabbed his arm and stopped him in his tracks.
    “Wait, Connor,” I said. “I don’t want you to think that I’m not attracted to you. Because I am. Which is crazy for me to say because we’ve only been talking for less than an hour, but I can feel it. I just want you to know that the only reason I’m hesitant to be more than just friends, is because of the situation with our parents. It has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
    Connor smiled, flashing his bright white teeth. Once again, I began to melt.
    “Of course, darlin’,” he said, as he reached his hand out and grabbed mine. “We can be friends. Do you mind if I hold your hand, though? It would just feel weird for me if I didn’t.”
    I shrugged and squeezed his hand as he led me out of the wooded area near the lake and back onto the dusty trail that led to his home.
    “Just make sure our parents don’t see,” I said.
    Connor chuckled as we walked. The sun was setting behind us and it was quickly getting dark. Normally, I would have been freaked out if I had been walking in the middle of nowhere with the sun going down. But somehow, with Connor’s hand in mine, I felt completely safe.

Chapter 7
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    W hen I woke up the next morning, I was nestled in the guest bed, wrapped up comfortably in a down blanket. The morning sun came in through the window, covering my face and slowly pulling me out of my sleep. I breathed in deep and reached my hands above my head, letting out a yawn.
    After a moment, I slowly opened my