Kissing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch Book 5) Read online

  He finally clears his throat. “Excuse me? As your what now?”

  I hadn’t intended to blurt it out, but he brought up the conference, and it felt like a good time. My nerves overcame me, and it just spilled out like word vomit.

  Setting my plate on the coffee table, I swallow hard and repeat myself. “I need you to come with me as my fiancé.”

  “Your…fiancé?”

  “Yes,” I confirm. “I need a fake fiancé.”

  He blinks again. “Why?”

  “Because I told everyone I was engaged, and now they’re expecting me to bring the man I’m marrying to the next conference.”

  Ethan scrubs both hands down his face as if he’s more confused than before. His reaction is warranted because I’m not giving him very much information. Honestly, this whole situation I’ve gotten myself into is humiliating, and I’d rather not have to relive it.

  “Alright, Harper. Walk me through what’s goin’ on.” He twirls his fingers around in a circle, and I know he’s not going to let me off the hook.

  Blowing out a breath, I start at the beginning. I explain how my video was flooded with negative comments, to the wine drinking, then the Facebook group, and the announcement that started it all.

  “So by the time I came to my senses and decided to delete my stupid comment, it was too late. People were already congratulating me, and there was no getting out of it. Especially once Shayla messaged and asked me for my fiancé’s name.”

  “Why’d she need that?”

  “For the dinner reservation…or so she said.” I roll my eyes because I don’t believe it. She could’ve easily written my name with a plus-one.

  “Why not just make up an excuse that he can’t come?”

  “Trust me, I’ve thought of that too. But I don’t trust her not to find out the truth if I come alone. She’s stalked my social media enough that I wouldn’t put it past her to actually stalk me in real life. Plus, I kinda gave her a name…” I say hesitantly. “Which is why I need you specifically to come.”

  He’s confused for a minute until it dawns on him. “You gave her my name?”

  “Yes…” I wince. “I’m sorry! I was super tipsy and wasn’t thinking. You’re the first person who came to mind.”

  “Not sure if that’s a compliment…” He flashes that devilish smirk that always gives me butterflies.

  “Shut up. Will you pretty please help me?”

  Ethan leans over and grabs my hand. “Of course I will.” He presses a soft kiss on my knuckles.

  Another wave of butterflies surface.

  Dammit. This won’t be as easy as I thought.

  “Plus, we already know everything about each other. It’s kinda perfect,” he states.

  “I agree, except she’s gonna ask questions we don’t have answers to yet.”

  “Like what?”

  “How long we’ve been dating, when we got engaged, how did you propose, when’s the wedding date...” I blurt out. “She’ll pry into every detail.”

  “Alright, well that shouldn’t be too hard. We can figure it out. It’s not like she can fact-check us.” He shrugs.

  “I wouldn’t underestimate her.” I groan. “Okay, well that’s the easy stuff.”

  “There’s more?” He arches a dark brow. His expression would make me laugh if I wasn’t so anxious about all of this.

  “Yes. They’re gonna expect us to act like we’re engaged. I told her it was recent, which means she’ll want to see pictures and proof. We’ll have to be close, holding hands and stuff.”

  “And stuff?” He licks his bottom lip, which almost distracts me enough to forget about this whole thing. “Like kissing?”

  I nearly choke on my tongue. “Yes. And share a room and bed. Also, it won’t just be at the conference. There’s a dinner Saturday night with a guest speaker, and everyone’s bringing their spouses.”

  “They won’t expect us to make out at dinner,” he states matter-of-factly. “I think you’re worrying way too much.”

  “I’m aware of that, but…” I shake my head at this ludicrous idea. “Never mind. This is stupid.”

  “Harper, hold on…” Ethan wiggles closer to me, tilting my chin and making me look in his dreamy hazel eyes. “Deep breaths. This is goin’ to work. I know you want to impress these people and all—”

  “It’s not just that,” I interrupt. “It’s Shayla. She’s unpredictable when it comes to how she’ll humiliate me. My business is at stake and so is my reputation.”

  Ethan rubs the pad of his thumb across my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. I wish he knew the effect he has on me when he touches me like that.

  “No matter what they think of you, your friends and family know the real you. You’re dedicated, hardworking, devoted, compassionate, and so much more. So while I understand why you want to do this, just remember it’s not gonna make or break you if they were to find out the truth.”

  I nod, too mesmerized by his intense gaze to do or say anything else.

  “Good. As long as you know.” He kisses my forehead, and the tenderness of his lips makes me die all over again.

  “So you’re okay with all of this? The PDA, the bed sharing, and the other stuff that goes along with faking a relationship?” I confirm.

  “Yeah. It’s just for a weekend, right?” he asks, and I smile. “Then we’ll figure out the details. It’ll be fine.”

  I’m glad he‘s so confident because I can’t stop thinking about how I’ll have to kiss my best friend and pretend it doesn’t affect me.

  “Alright, so I’ll figure out the engagement photos. We should probably practice kissing…just so we don’t look like newbs.”

  Ethan narrows his eyes, slightly arching a brow. “Has it been so long that you’ve forgotten how?”

  “Dammit, Ethan!” I push his chest as a blush covers my cheeks.

  He chuckles. “You’re just too easy to rile up.”

  I groan with an eye roll. “I’m gonna be nervous, okay?” I admit. “Kissing any guy would make me tense,” I add so he doesn’t read into it. “So yes, we need to practice ahead of time, so it seems like we’ve been doing it for ages.”

  “Wow, I’d say that’s quite the hardship, but…” He winks, and I swear to God, I don’t know if I want to strangle him for messing with me or jump him for making me ache between my legs.

  “Let’s do it Sunday. I’ll hopefully be caught up with my orders since I’ll have help, and we can do dinner, then chat about our made-up relationship.”

  “Sunday works.” He grins. “It’s a date.”

  “You what?”

  Hadleigh shrieks so loud I’m sure it was heard across the ranch.

  “Please tell me you’re kidding. Is this some kinda April Fool’s joke?”

  I suck in a breath and shake my head. Luckily, Kaitlyn had to run to the barn to help her mom with something, which gave me the opportunity to spill what’s going on to Hadleigh. The fewer people who know about this, the better, and the only reason I’m telling her is because I need a photographer for our fake engagement shoot.

  “Not a joke and I really need your help.” I fold my hands together and beg. “Please?”

  “Harper, it’s not that I don’t want to, I do, but is this a good idea? I know how you feel about him.”

  “The same way you feel about Kane,” I retort. “Or is it Knox this week?”

  She glares. “We’re just friends.”

  I smirk as if I’ve made my point, and she rolls her eyes. “Nice try. No deflecting.”

  “Look, if I don’t want to completely mortify myself, I have to do this. Shayla’s too involved in social media, and if she suspects I’m lying, she’ll spill the tea to the entire soap community. I can’t take any risks. Not when business is finally picking up, and Mom is no longer behind on the shop’s rent.”

  I mentioned to her once before how expensive it was to open the boutique. The business was in the red for a long time because of startup costs and in
ventory purchases. Once I graduated college and could contribute more, it finally gained some momentum. At that point, bills were months behind. It wasn’t until the goat milk products were added that it became profitable enough to pay the bills on time, and we began to pull a salary.

  “If you don’t want to be involved, I understand. Just please don’t tell anyone. The last thing I need is anyone from the family finding out,” I plead with a sigh.

  She thinks about it for a few seconds. “I’ll help. And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone until there’s an actual engagement between you two.” She waggles her brows, causing me to snort-laugh.

  “You might be waiting the rest of your life for that to happen.”

  “Doubtful. But anyway, let me know when. Make sure y’all coordinate outfits and whatever. I think that’s what couples in love do.”

  I snicker when she groans. Hadleigh hasn’t had the best luck with dating either. It’s what we bond over the most.

  Once Kaitlyn returns, the subject is changed. She’s almost three years younger than me but has quite the dating history, so she’s always fun to listen to. Though the conversation revolves around boys, neither of us brings up Ethan or our plan.

  Between working twelve-hour days and hustling all of Saturday and Sunday, I find my weekend flies by. For five days, I’ve been a wreck anticipating tonight. I’ve been mulling over the details our dating life and the engagement, but I can’t stop thinking about kissing Ethan. I mean, I’ve imagined it for years, but now that we’re actually going to do it, I’m on edge. Though it’s only for show, I have a hard time believing it won’t feel real.

  At least on my end.

  I can’t let my body get too lost in the moment, or he’ll know.

  And that’s the last thing I need right now.

  “Knock, knock. Coming in,” Ethan announces as he enters. “I come bearing food.”

  “Get in here, weirdo. I have the drinks!” I hold up a bottle of margarita mix. If my first time kissing him has to be under these circumstances, I’m not doing it sober.

  “Looks like you’ve already started.” He chuckles, walking into the kitchen.

  “It’s been a long week,” I admit. He seems completely relaxed as if this isn’t a big deal.

  Ethan sets two to-go boxes on the counter. “Lasagna and fresh garlic bread.”

  “Yum. I love when Maize cooks for our dates,” I blurt out without thinking. “No, not dates…” I say with a half-ass laugh. “Hangouts. Dinners. Friendly, platonic…get-togethers.”

  Ethan stares at me, his eyes pinning me in place. “Are you alright?”

  I swallow hard, knowing I can’t lie. Even if I did, he’d know.

  “I’m anxious.”

  “I can see that, but why?”

  I stare at him as if he’s lost his mind.

  Maybe he’s not nervous because, to him, it’s as simple as kissing his friend. Whereas for me, I’m kissing the guy I’ve crushed on for way too damn long.

  “I’m a little scared…no, worried…concerned? Yes, concerned I’ll be bad at it.”

  “I’m sorry, but you’re adorable when you’re flustered.” Ethan rounds the counter that separates us and grips my arms. “Stop overthinking this.”

  Before I can tell him that’s impossible, he closes the gap between us and presses his lips to mine. It’s soft and delicate. My mouth barely moves as he pecks me like he would a relative.

  Great, probably like kissing his sister.

  “There. Was that so scary?” he asks.

  I blink up at him. “No one is going to believe we’re engaged from that.”

  He tilts his head as if he’s studying me. “I didn’t think it’d be polite to just dive in. Perhaps you’re a bit more relaxed now.”

  No. “Yeah, kinda.”

  “Good.” He removes his hands, putting distance between us. “Then when you’re ready, you can kiss me.”

  Wait, what?

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  Ethan scoops our food onto plates. I watch as he puts a piece of bread on each one.

  “This whole thing was your idea, so you need to kiss me. Show me how you want me to pretend.”

  He’s gotta be kidding me.

  “Ethan.”

  “Hey, I’m just doin’ what you asked. You kiss me the way you want me to kiss you in front of everyone.”

  “Well, it’s gotta be better than that I’d rather be kissing my grandma peck.”

  He scoffs as if he’s offended. I know he can do better than that.

  Ethan takes his food, then walks toward the loveseat. “I’ll be over here when you’re ready to start.”

  Is it so bad to want him to kiss me like he’d kiss a person he’s in love with?

  Taking my plate, I meet him in the living room.

  “We’ve been dating for nine months. Since New Year’s,” I begin. “You finally kissed me at midnight. We’ve been inseparable since.”

  “Wow, nine months only? We move fast. When did I propose… Valentine’s Day?”

  I scowl when he laughs. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

  “I am! Tell me when I proposed.”

  “Fourth of July at your family’s big fireworks party.”

  He nods as if he thinks that’s a great idea. “And when is the wedding?”

  “Shayla’s getting married in the spring, so we’ll say June. That way she can’t make it a competition.” Because she freaking will.

  “Sounds good to me. You gonna get knocked up on the honeymoon?”

  “Ethan!” I scold. “I nearly choked on my bread.”

  “I just assume these are questions we might have to answer.” He shrugs.

  “Fine. I guess. We’re planning to get pregnant as soon as possible and have a big-ass family.”

  “I’m sure that could be arranged…” he taunts, waggling his brows. The urge to straddle his lap and make him put his money where his mouth is nearly overcomes me.

  Needing to breathe, I go to the kitchen to refill my margarita, then ask if he wants one.

  “I’ll take a beer if you have any.”

  Luckily, I keep it stocked for him and anyone who comes over. But mostly for Ethan.

  “Alright, so the next thing we’ll need to tackle is pictures,” I tell him once I return. “Hadleigh’s taking them for us in one of the pastures before sunset. It’ll give us a nice, romantic glow.”

  “I’m not great at pictures, so I’m gonna apologize in advance.”

  “As long as you wear your cowboy hat, Wranglers, and that nice navy button-up I bought you, we’ll figure out the poses later.”

  “You dressin’ me up as a cowboy?” He gives me a charming smirk.

  “As a matter of fact, I am. I’ll be in a navy sundress and boots.”

  “The one I like?”

  “Thought you liked all my dresses?”

  “Of course I do, but the navy one with the white buttons down the middle is my favorite.”

  I can’t tell if he’s being serious or not, considering Ethan’s acting so chill right now, but regardless, I love how he pays enough attention to have a favorite.

  We fill in every detail as we continue eating—the music we danced to on our first date, the food we ate the night we first exchanged I love yous, and all the way down to his proposal speech. We’ll have an answer for anything Shayla or any of them can ask. I’m much more confident than before…well, except for one thing.

  Since Ethan said I had to initiate our kiss, I’ve drunk two more margaritas to ensure I can actually do it. After we eat, I brush my teeth and put on some lip balm. When I finally make my move, I’m scared it might mean something more to me.

  I inhale a deep breath, hoping I don’t chicken out at the last second. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “Great. Lay it on me.”

  “Ethan!” I playfully smack his chest as we stand only inches apart. “That’s not something you’d say to your fiancée.”

  “Okay, you
’re right.” He takes off an imaginary hat. “Future wife, the love of my life, the one who will bear my children…please kiss me.”

  My head falls back as I roll my eyes.

  “What? That’s no good either?” He throws up his arms.

  “No, because it sounds phony.”

  “Well, nothing about this whole situation is real, so I don’t know what—”

  Before he can jabber on, I rise to my tiptoes and grab his face in my palms. I crash my mouth to his, and when his hands grip my waist, I inch closer until my chest presses against his. As I inhale his delicious manly scent, I move my lips against his, then slide my tongue between them. For a moment, I wonder if I crossed the line and went too far, but then he matches my strokes, and I moan. Heat spreads over my body and settles between my legs at the intense feelings that surface. I knew kissing Ethan would be unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The taste of him is almost too much. It’s driving me insane, and if he doesn’t pull away soon, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop.

  Ethan slows the pace until our mouths break apart. His tongue darts out and moistens his bottom lip. The very tongue I’ve fantasized doing very naughty things to me. I blink a few times as his touch still lingers.

  “Um…” I clear my throat and hate how frazzled I sound. “How, uh, how was that?”

  Ethan smiles as he looks at me. “Best damn fake kiss I’ve ever had.”

  I’m beyond grateful for the dim lighting, so he can’t see how his words make me blush.

  If only that were the case at the conference. The hall is big and bright. If Ethan has this effect on me there, I won’t be able to hide it.

  Chapter Nine

  ETHAN

  If there was a competition for faking being in love with the person they’re actually in love with, I’d win an award.

  Don’t ask how I did it because I’m not sure. Perhaps the years of hiding my true feelings have finally paid off. Everything Harper threw my way, I went along with and kept a straight face.

  From dating to engaged in nine months, sure.

  From engaged to the wedding date in eleven months, great.

  Whatever she asked for, I was willing to do. But kissing her the way I’ve always wanted?