When their laughter faded away, they leaned their heads against the stall wall and stared at each other again. But this time it wasn’t as if they were having a stare-off. This time, they regarded each other fondly.
Hayden broke the silence first.
“There’s got to be another reason why you don’t want to kiss me. Am I a bad kisser?” His tone was serious, but there was a glint of mischief in his dark as midnight eyes. “Do I have bad breath? Was I too aggressive a kisser? Too passive? Too much tongue? Not enough?” When she didn’t answer, he smiled ruefully. “For someone who has an opinion on everything, you’re going to stay silent? Give me nothing?”
Tell you I love you? Not a chance.
“You know you’re a fine kisser.” Eve rolled her eyes. She could give him that much.
Hayden grinned. “But it’s always good to have confirmation.”
Eve shook her head. “You. Are. Trouble.”
“The good kind, Evie.”
Not where my heart is concerned.
“I’m not dating you…Hay-Hay.” Eve smiled at the flash of annoyance in his eyes at her use of his nickname. “We shouldn’t be kissing because we’re not dating.”
“But…” His brow furrowed. “We’re married.”
“It’s a friendly marriage, as you well know, one without a forever kind of future.”
Mike heaved a heavy sigh, eyes firmly shut.
With her free hand, Eve stroked his broad little head, waiting for Hayden to say something. His fingers were still entwined with hers. His thumb was caressing the back of her hand. His touch was tempting, romantic, and heartbreaking…all at the same time.
Because he’s vowed not to let his heart become involved with me.
Technically, not with anyone.
Eve sighed, gathering her resolve. “All right. I’ll say it since you won’t. Kissing leads to feelings. Feelings you don’t want to have.”
Feelings I already have and don’t want to reveal.
Hayden opened his mouth to say something. Closed it again. And opened it—
Only to have Eve place her hand over his mouth the way Katie had their first morning on the ranch. “I can’t kiss you and not have feelings.” There. That was as close to the truth as she was willing to reveal.
Hayden took her hand from his mouth and clasped it over his heart.
Eve’s breath hitched. Talk about romantic gestures. More actions like that and she wouldn’t need kisses to fall harder for him.
“If it was going to be anyone, it would be you,” Hayden said quietly.
And that was that.
I’m such a fool.
Eve left. Fast. But no matter how far her feet took her away from Hayden, his rejection clung to her like iodine on a fresh wound—meant to protect, but all it did was burn.
*
“This is just like old times.” Roddy’s voice startled Hayden awake, along with his four-legged charge.
The calf sat up. And then lurched to his feet, walking slowly over to greet Roddy.
Hayden blinked at the sunlight streaming through the open barn door. Its golden beams sliced through the dusty air. He didn’t remember falling asleep in the stall last night, only the hollow thud of the barn door closing behind Evie and the silence he’d been left with.