Second Chance Cowboy Read Online Free PDF

the way, we had sex two nights ago— not
once, but five times —and you were on fire, until you woke up
with claws bared and hellcat etched across your
forehead.”
    Yeah, that’d go over well. While he
was at it, he could drill the nail further into his coffin by
reminding her of the day she left him. Her exact words were, “Hell
will freeze over before I step foot on the Swift Wind
again.”
    He took off his hat and slid his
fingers into his hair.
    Hell hadn’t frozen over, but the devil
knocked at his door.
    * * * *
    Carly sat up in bed when she heard the
heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Time seemed to stand still
until the door creaked open. Anticipation slithered up her spine
when Chance walked through the doorway.
    He was a breath of fresh
air.
    Her chest tightened. Something wasn’t
right. He looked...different. Was it his eyes? They were deeper in
color. Could it be the lines of stress around his mouth?
    His gaze met hers. “I’m sorry,
Carly.”
    “ What can I say, Chance?
I’m a clumsy person. I knew the stairs mixed with three-inch heels
would eventually make me pay.” She laughed and pushed her hair
behind her ear.
    Whether Chance was different or not,
she’d never been happier to see him. She wanted to jump out of bed
and fall into his arms, but Doc Maxwell warned her to relax. She’d
heed the man’s words for now, not wanting another dizzy spell to
wash over her.
    “ It’s all so silly.” She
waved a hand through the air. “I wasn’t sure you’d come. You’ve
been so busy on the ranch, and you’ve been away on business and
after our argument... I’m sorry I left, Chance.” She bit her bottom
lip and played nervously with the edge of the sheet.
    “ I came when I
heard.”
    Carly narrowed her eyes when he shoved
his fists into his pockets and shuffled his feet. He acted like a
thief caught with stolen diamonds. This wasn’t like Chance. An
invisible barrier loomed like a dark cloud between them.
     
    “ You’re still angry about
our argument,” she whispered.
    “ Argument?”
    “ Over the pink
curtains.”
    “ Ah, right. The
curtains.”
    Clasping her hands tightly in her lap,
Carly suddenly had a feeling of wanting to hide under the covers.
She wasn’t sure why it seemed that she was at a standstill,
suspended in time, while the world passed by.
    “ No, I’m not angry. I
promise.”
    “ You seem
disconnected.”
    She shouldn’t be surprised. She’d left
him out of anger, disappeared to the McAllister to cool off and to
wait for his apology. How could she have been so
ridiculous?
    Their separation had only been two
days, and yet, it had felt like a lifetime of
loneliness.
    “ I’m not sure what I should
do.” Chance shrugged.
    “ You could start with a
proper hello.” She couldn’t hide her eagerness. She lifted the
corner of the blanket in invitation and her toes wiggled in
anticipation.
    “ Hello.”
    She dropped the cover in
rejection.
    “ I meant a kiss, Chance,
and some fondling would be nice.” She tucked her bottom lip between
her teeth. Was the man playing hard to get? Okay, she’d play along.
“I think make-up sex sounds great. How about you?”
    He made no move to act upon her
provocation.
    “ Fine, Chance.” She flung
the coverlet off her, not able to hide her irritation. Sure, he had
reason to be annoyed with her for leaving, but why hadn’t he come
to get her? Carly started to get up, but Chance stepped closer to
the edge of the bed and touched her shoulder lightly. The warmth
soaked into her skin. She wanted to pull him into bed and make up
for the last two days, but the concerned lines on his forehead
deepened, stilling her from following her desire.
    “ I’m sorry, Carly. I know
I’m not acting myself. You’re bruised up and I don’t want to hurt
you.”
    “ I’m hurt, but not an
invalid.” He blocked her from moving, cupping her elbows in his
palms. His expression changed. Was he frightened? Why? Had he
believed she wasn’t coming