Killian (The Sons of Dusty Walker Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

you. It doesn’t matter that we just met. I like what I see, and I want to know you better. Nothing more than that. I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea.”
    Embarrassment surged through her. “I didn’t get any idea, Killian. If you think—”
    He held up a hand. “I didn’t think anything. Except, as I said, I’d enjoy spending time with you. Can we do that? Just enjoy the evening? No pressure?”
    At his words, she suddenly found herself relaxing. She wanted that, too, didn’t she? Maybe a fling for a week to prove to herself she was still a desirable woman? Especially to a man as hot and sexy as Killian Walker. She had never been a fling sort of person, but hadn’t she told herself just tonight it was time to break out of her shell? And who better to do it with than a man who would only be around for a week?
    She looked across at Killian and saw him watching her carefully.
    “Um, yes, we can do that. I’d like that. Absolutely.”
    The smile he gave her curled her toes. “Great.”
    The atmosphere for the rest of the dinner was much more relaxed. Killian told her about growing up in Montana, how he’d been in love with ranching all his life, and how his love for it had continued to grow. She talked about Red Creek, about her parents who owned a wheat farm outside of town, and her brother who was a Marine stationed in Afghanistan.
    “And you run Heart Starter,” he commented. “Did you always want to be a shopkeeper? A barista?”
    Now it was her turn to laugh. “Barista,” she repeated. “That’s a fancy word for Red Creek. Maybe not my childhood dream, but I enjoy it.”
    “So what was your dream growing up?”
    She hesitated. Should she tell him about that dream, the one she was still chasing? No, not yet. Most people who knew about it chalked it up to a hobby, and unless something spectacular happened, that was probably what it would remain. Especially after her one disastrous relationship had tanked partly because of it and sent her back to Red Creek. She didn’t like to dwell on either and was grateful people didn’t ask her questions.
    “Oh, just this and that,” she said as casually as she could. “I’m not very interesting. I’d rather hear about you.”
    “And I’d rather her about you,” he insisted.
    “I told you. I’m really very boring.”
    He had finished eating his dinner. Now, he reached across the table and took one of her hands in his. “I don’t think there’s a boring bone in your body, darlin’.”
    She was determined to bring the focus back to him. “Tell me about those scars on your face.” To soften the remark, she added, “They’re very sexy.” Damn! She shouldn’t have said that, either.
    “Sexy? Really?” He winked. “Glad to hear it.”
    “So, where did you get them?” she repeated, determined to keep their conversation out of dangerous territory.
    He shrugged. “Paying more attention to myself than the horse. We had a little battle over which one of us was boss.”
    She laughed. “And the horse won?”
    One corner of his mouth, the one with the scar, kicked up in a tiny grin. “Only one time.”
    “Tell me more about your work on the ranch. I want to know everything about you.”
    His face sobered. “One thing you should know, Lexie, is when my week is over, I don’t intend to hang around. I have plans.”
    One week and he’d be gone. Didn’t that make him a safe bet for her little fling, or whatever she chose to call it? So, why the sudden pang of disappointment?
    “I’m a big girl, Killian. Right now, I’m out for dinner with a very hot cowboy. Let’s do this one day at a time. No promises, no commitments.”
    “I have plans,” he persisted, as if he wanted to be positive she understood where he was coming from. “Dusty’s money will let me follow them.”
    “That’s good. So, let’s just spend some time together.” A thought stabbed at her. “Unless this is your way of telling me we’re done after tonight.”
    His