More importantly, he needs to find a way to keep her.
CATCHING THE COWGIRL
Cotton Creek #3
Jennie Marts
Releasing July 3, 2017
Entangled Lovestruck
California
video game designer Adam Clark knows that, in his business, authenticity is the
key. So, for their newest Western adventure game, he and his partners decide to
try out Cowboy Camp. Only Adam’s friends never arrive, leaving him a bit—okay,
a lot—preoccupied, trying to resist the gorgeous cowgirl who owns the ranch.
Single mom
Skye Hawkins is too busy trying to keep her family’s dude ranch out of the red
to even think about romance. But she’s having trouble avoiding Adam. He’s
smart, he’s sweet, he’s funny…and he’s hot! Maybe it’s the mountain air, but
she finds herself letting down her guard. And the fireworks are definitely
worth it.
The only
problem—they live in totally different worlds. Still, Adam is nothing if not
resourceful. Sure, he wants to catch the cowgirl. But more importantly, he
needs to find a way to keep her.
Excerpt
“This
ledge is crazy. I’ve died ten times trying to make this jump. I can’t make it
across the river,” she said, passing him her controller. “Can you just get me
past this part so I can move on?”
Normally
he wouldn’t even consider it. It would take away from the game play and the
integrity of the puzzle. But nothing about this was normal. And he was quickly
realizing that he would do just about anything for Skye Hawkins—wear cowboy
boots, muck out disgusting horse stalls, even attempt to country dance.
Whatever she wanted.
He
took the controller and easily maneuvered her character over the ledge and into
the river.
“Oh
no, be careful.” She tapped his leg anxiously. “This is the part where my
character usually drowns.”
“I
got this,” he assured her with a laugh. But her enthusiasm was so contagious,
he played up the drama for her benefit. “I don’t remember this being so tough,
though. I might not make it after all.”
But
he knew he would. He’d designed this part and replayed every feature of it a
hundred times. But he couldn’t resist the way she clutched his arm and hopped
up and down in her seat with anxiousness.
“Watch
out for the crocodile,” she shouted, pointing at the screen. “You’re almost
there.”
He
worked to manipulate the character so it swam past the crocodile and crawled
out on the other bank, almost losing his concentration when she buried her head
against his shoulder, laughing as she claimed she couldn’t watch.
When
she saw that he’d made it across the river to the other side, she let out a
sigh of relief. “You did it.” She gave him a hug. “Thank you for sharing this
with me.”
Adam
caught his breath as her cheek pressed to his.
As if it had a mind of its own, his hand slid around
her waist, pulling her to him as he hugged her back.
She
drew back, but just slightly—just enough for him to see her face and take in
her wide-eyed look of surprise.
His
gaze dipped to her mouth—to her slightly parted rose-colored lips—and she
inhaled a quick sharp pull of breath.
Not
him. He couldn’t breathe at all, couldn’t move.
He
was frozen in place, even though every synapse in his body was firing on all
cylinders sending sparks of heat surging through his veins.
He looked back up, into her eyes, searching for a sign, anything that would tell him she was feeling the same thing, the same swirling sense of dizziness that had his own stomach in knots and his mouth going dry. Anything that would give him a glimpse of permission.
He looked back up, into her eyes, searching for a sign, anything that would tell him she was feeling the same thing, the same swirling sense of dizziness that had his own stomach in knots and his mouth going dry. Anything that would give him a glimpse of permission.
But
she seemed to be frozen as well, suspended in the moment, as if she were
waiting, afraid to move.
He
leaned in—just a fraction of an inch—but close enough that his mouth was a
whisper away from hers. She didn’t pull back, and he moved the smallest bit
closer and brushed her lips softly with his.
She
sucked in a soft gasp, the tiniest sound but full of gigantic meaning. A sound
that was a cross between pleasure and pain. It pierced his heart.
He
stopped, not pressing, but not pulling away, as he felt the slight tremble of
her lips against his. He waited, his heart pounding hard against his chest,
somehow knowing that this moment could change everything.
Jennie
Marts is
the USA Today Best-selling author of award-winning books
filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her
books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and
steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading
in years.”
She is
living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her
husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s
addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many
books, shoes, or friends.
Jennie
loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her Website and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with
the latest news and releases.
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