The Chef Chases his Cowboy Dream (Silverstone Ranch Book 3)

by April Murdock

  Pleasure radiated from him. “It’s why I love you.” He sucked in a breath.

  Lily stilled, her features sobering, those clear amber eyes no longer readable. Shoot. She blinked a few times. “Wh—what did you say?”

  He straightened his shoulders. He could blame the witching hour for his candor. Or he could laugh it off and tell her he loved her like a friend. But if he were honest with himself, the Freudian slip was exactly how he felt. Being in her company for the last few days had only confirmed it. The jealousy, the longing… the way her touch affected him.

  Lifting his chin, he met her solemn gaze with a steady one of his own. “I care about you, Lily. A lot.”

  She blinked rapidly again. “I care about you too, Wes.”

  He shook his head vehemently. “No, not like that. I’d be lying to myself if I pretended I didn’t have these feelings.”

  Lily looked away, the amusement sucked from the air around them, making it hard to breathe.

  Wesley hooked his finger under her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “I can’t remember a time when we weren’t there for each other. When your mom died—then my dad—” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry. I know it isn’t fair to admit this stuff to you when you don’t feel the same way.”

  Her breath hitched and she closed her eyes tight. He was hurting her. He could see it, feel it emanating from her. When her eyes opened, they were glassy. Was she crying?

  “Wes—”

  “Just give me a chance, Lily. This could work. We could work.” Sheer desperation overcame him. He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.

  Her body stiffened. Lily was going to pull away. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want him. Here was his answer. Wesley relaxed his hold on her. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t breathe. Lily mattered and she wanted something else.

  Wesley shifted, about to pull away, when her hands slipped around the back of his neck and pulled him in close. Her lips roved over his, searching and hungry. He took a step forward and rested his palm against the wall of the shed, while his other arm slipped around her waist. Their kiss deepened as she opened up to him, letting him see her vulnerabilities for just a moment before she let out a quiet moan.

  Her hands came up and she pushed against his chest, hard. Wesley stumbled back a few steps, his vision somewhat clouded over. Did he do something wrong? She wouldn’t look at him. Lily twirled her hair around her finger and bit on her lower lip. “I shouldn’t have done that,” she mumbled.

  Wesley stepped toward her again but she held up her hands.

  “No. Don’t.”

  He raked both hands through his hair and tugged at the length. “Lily—”

  She took a deep breath and finally made eye contact. “Mia.”

  Wesley shook his head. “There’s nothing there.”

  Lily snorted.

  “I’m serious. She could tell there was something off about me.” He considered telling her about Mia’s crush. But he didn’t even know who that was. Mentioning it could make him look like a liar since Mia hadn’t confided in her. His hands dropped to his sides and his shoulders drooped. “She thought we might pick up where we left off, but there wasn’t anything there.” He edged closer to her. “There wasn’t any spark, not like the one between us. Please tell me you feel it too.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lily hugged herself. She’d been miserable for the better part of the last few days. Her stomach hadn’t settled since Wesley had shown up. She couldn’t place a finger on why, not until he insisted there wasn’t anything between him and Mia.

  But then, why wouldn’t Mia share this tidbit with her? Was she embarrassed? She couldn’t possibly know Wesley was interested in Lily. If she had, this night would have been drastically different. Rather than being an accessory to this childish prank, Lily would have been staying up late talking with Mia.

  She breathed in deeply, then let it out slowly through pursed lips. Something wasn’t quite right. Wesley’s confession was too good to be true. Lily shook her head. “I still don’t think—”

  “Cut it out,” he snapped.

  Her eyes widened. “What?” The word came out in a half-laughing, half-shocked tone.

  “Stop thinking about it. What could it hurt?”

  “But—”

  He let out a cute little growl. “You know what I think? You’re scared. You don’t think this could work or you’re too worried what other people might think. You have nothing to lose, Lily. I’m not asking you to marry me. Heck, I’m only here for the next few weeks. All I’m asking is that you spend time with me—give me a chance. Then maybe…”

  Her bare skin tingled, but that could be the chill in the air. She rubbed her arms feverishly. “Why?”

  “Why?” he choked on the word. “Why what, Lily?”

  “Why me? Why now?”

  He dragged his hands down his face. She bit back a smile. His patience had worn thin, but it was cute the way he couldn’t contain himself any further. She’d seen this side of him when they were in high school. There were just certain things he lost his temper with. Not that he was losing his temper, but he was visibly frustrated over this whole conversation.

  Wesley turned intense eyes on her and released a single word in a harsh breath. “This.”

  Her eyes widened as he strode toward her and pulled her close. Her hands landed on his chest as one of his arms tightened around her waist and the other forced her to lift her chin. He captured her mouth with his as his fingers dug into her hair. A chill ran down her spine. The contrast of his warm touch with the air around her created a concoction that wasn’t unpleasant at all. She gave in to the kiss, reveling in his soft lips and firm hold on her.

  Too soon, Wesley stepped back, releasing her. She shoved down the stab of disappointment. A triumphant smile stole across his face. His voice turned husky. “Tell me you don’t feel it, and I’ll leave you alone.” He waited for a few seconds that seemed to drag on for what felt like an eternity. Lifting her chin with his index finger, he grew serious again. “I knew it,” he whispered.

  Heat crawled up her neck and spread across her chest and her cheeks. “Just because we have chemistry doesn’t mean—”

  He let out a bark of laughter. “You’ve got to be the most stubborn woman I know, Lily, and I’ve lived back east long enough to meet one or two stubborn women. I’m going to take you home. I’ll come by tomorrow and we can talk about this some more.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her in for a hug—one she didn’t have the energy to pull away from. This had been what she’d wanted during her teen years. Apparently, she still wanted it. Just because she never got what she wanted didn’t mean this would fail. At least it better not.

  Lily leaned into him. “Okay.”

  He grabbed her hand and they started toward his rental car. His hand was slightly larger. It didn’t have all the callouses she was used to feeling from other men around town—signs they labored. His thumb rubbed over her knuckle, the gesture foreign and familiar all at once. It was like they were two pieces of the same puzzle.

  Wesley stopped in the middle of the property. His gaze was fixed on the front porch, covered with all the cups they’d planted. A smile touched his lips as he turned to her. “Christian is gonna hate that.”

  “Yeah. Maybe we should clean it up.”

  He shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll be cleaning it up tomorrow. It’s just a shame you won’t be able to see how it all plays out.” His brows pulled together. “Unless…” Wesley turned to her. “Go hide by the car. I’m going to call him. Maybe we can lure him out here.”

  Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “Wes… he has to get up early.”

  “One night won’t kill him. Besides, he kinda deserves it.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her in the direction of the car. “Don’t worry about it. Just go hide.”

  Lily shuffled
off, glancing over her shoulder as Wesley grabbed his phone. His finger tapped on the screen, then he lifted the phone to his ear. She quickened her pace and ducked behind the car in time to see Wesley sprinting toward her.

  “He’s coming,” he gasped.

  “What?”

  Wesley laughed. “Just watch.”

  The lights on the front porch flicked on, the door swung open, and Christian darted from the house. Cups splattered and spilled in all directions. He stumbled to a stop and stared at the mess he’d created. Christian’s head popped up and stared into the darkness. Light and shadows cast his face in angry angles. “Dagnabbit, Wesley! You’re cleaning this up right now!”

  Wesley snickered and covered his mouth. Lily bit back a smile. This shouldn’t be funny. She knew more than anyone that an interrupted night could mess with a productive day’s work. But Christian looked like he could have been pulled from a comedy on TV.

  Christian folded his arms and kicked a few more cups out of the way to get to the edge of the porch. His eyes narrowed. “I see your car, Wesley. Get your behind over here and clean this up!”

  “He sounds mad,” Lily whispered. “Maybe we shouldn’t—”

  “If you don’t get over here, I’m coming to get you.”

  Lily gasped as Wesley grabbed her arm and ran around the front of the car. “Get in!” He clambered around the car and got behind the wheel. His tires kicked up dirt and debris as he turned the vehicle around and drove it down the dirt road.

  Lily glanced out the back window and squealed as Christian charged down the front porch steps and chased after them. “Do you think he knows I helped?”

  Wesley grinned as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “I don’t know. But I won’t tell him if you’re worried about it.”

  “Why would I be worried about something like that?”

  His focus returned to the road. “No reason.”

  Something told her that wasn’t the whole truth. Had Wesley figured out she’d practically decided to be open to something more with Christian? Was he upset about it? She nibbled on her lower lip and looked out the window. That was the kind of awkward conversation she didn’t want to have. Not after what had transpired.

  He reached across the armrest and grabbed her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he smiled at her. “This was fun.”

  Those familiar tingles filled her again. He didn’t release her; instead, he pulled her hand to his midsection. Her breath hitched in her chest. This wasn’t happening. She had to be dreaming. Wesley was hers, and she was his.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Wesley tossed his keys on the table in the hall. The house was dark again. The cups were still on the porch, and he’d have to deal with more than the mess in the morning. At least he didn’t have to deal with a grumpy Christian. Not that it wasn’t completely worth it, but he had more important things to do now that Lily had accepted his request.

  He wandered down the dark hallway. After living in the city, the old ranch house was more eerie than he remembered. The dark crooks and crevices could hide all manner of creepy things. Growing up, he’d envisioned his home to be haunted. Especially after his father had passed.

  Moving away and becoming a chef had been the right plan. He most definitely didn’t want to spend the rest of his life here.

  “Forgetting something?”

  Wesley yelped, held up his fists, and jumped back as Christian’s shadowy figure emerged from around the corner leading to Wesley’s room.

  Christian let out a derisive chuckle. He pushed aside Wesley’s arm and leaned against the wall. “That porch better be cleaned up.”

  “I’ll get to it.”

  His brother frowned. “Wes. You’re not a child anymore. You can’t just do stuff like that and expect other people to take care of it for you.”

  Wesley bristled. “I’m aware that I’m not a kid, Christian. In fact, I’ve done more with my life than you could even dream of doing. I have the dream job, I’ll get the girl, and you’ll still be here.” He gestured to the house.

  Christian didn’t react. His features were still partially hidden in shadow. “I’m happy with how my life has turned out. I have no regrets—unlike someone I know.” He folded his arms. “Why exactly are you here, little brother? If your life is so great up in Jersey, why did you come back home?”

  The question hit him in the gut, nearly knocking the air out of him. Christian was right. Wesley was miserable. Something was missing in his life and he’d come back because of it. He’d come back because this was where he was happiest.

  His jaw hardened. “It’s none of your business why I’m here. All you need to know is you can stay away from Lily now.”

  Christian shifted. “You don’t have any say in the matter. If I want to spend time with Lily Greene, I have every right to. Besides, you’re with Mia. What would she think of your interest in her friend?”

  The statement hit him in the stomach like a bag of bricks. Would this be a repeat of his experience with Charlotte? Was he doomed to compete with his brother for the woman he was realizing he’d loved all this time?

  Wesley folded his arms. “Mia knows we’re not exclusive. I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  Christian chuckled again. “Sneaking around isn’t exactly right either, is it?”

  Heat crawled up his neck, then settled at his ears. He wasn’t sneaking around. Mia knew he wasn’t interested in her. Heck, she was mooning after someone else. If anything, she was the one being childish. She should just ask the fool on a date. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it. “Mia’s a big girl. There’s only one thing that matters. Lily knows how I feel, and she’s willing to give me a chance.”

  Christian let out a low whistle. “Wow. So you finally admitted you love her? Does that mean you’re moving home?”

  His stomach dropped. Love? Move home? Neither of those things came up tonight. Maybe he hadn’t thought this plan through.

  “Because you’re crazy if you think Lily Greene—of the Henessy Greenes—is going to move across the country for you. Her family is the most important thing in her life, even I know that.”

  His brother was right. But then, people did crazy things when they were in love. Maybe Lily would be willing to move if she discovered she loved him.

  Christian shook his head. “Don’t do it, Wes.”

  “Do what?”

  “Ask her to make that kind of sacrifice.”

  “I wasn’t—”

  “I’m going to bed. Just think about it. She might be willing to leave, but in the end it could break her.” Christian turned around and headed down the hall. “And if those cups aren’t cleaned up by the time I’m up in the morning, I guarantee you’ll regret it.”

  Wesley let out a guffaw. There was nothing Christian could do to him that would make him want to clean up the mess tonight. He had been in a great mood, and despite his brother’s attempts at bringing him down, he would continue to stay there. He was determined to make up for all the time he’d lost over the years. Time he could have spent with Lily.

  Ice-cold water dragged Wesley from his sleep. He bolted up in bed, gasping as chunks of ice fell from his chest. Christian stood at the side of his bed, a triumphant smile on his face, a bucket in hand.

  “What in the blue blazes—”

  Christian laughed. “You’re right. This kind of thing is fun. I’ve got another bucket waiting for me in the hall. You gonna take care of those cups before Mom gets up or do I need to get my reinforcements?”

  Water dripped from Wesley’s hair, over the scowl on his face, and to his lap. His body was covered in goosebumps and the chill was setting in. His shallow breaths were hard to drag into his body as his chest raised and lowered with even motions. “Don’t you dare.”

  Christian shrugged. “I’ll give you two minutes.” He walked out of the room.

  Wesley groaned and fell back on his bed. Christian had never been the type to play pranks on anyone. He was always the leve
l-headed one who valued hard work. Girls were his only weakness.

  Christian entered and tossed the contents of the second bucket on Wesley.

  Wesley scrambled from his bed and cursed. “That wasn’t two minutes.”

  “Did I say two minutes? Oh. I meant seconds.” He smirked and walked out.

  Wesley pulled at the sopping wet shirt that clung to his torso. He glanced at the sodden bed. There was no way that would dry anytime soon. Good thing they had a few guest rooms. He changed, wadded up all the wet articles, and deposited them in the laundry room.

  He’d clean up the mess he’d made with Lily and head straight over there. He was on his way out the door when he glanced out the window, seeing only darkness. Backing up, he took one look at the clock on the wall.

  Another quiet curse escaped his lips. It was a little after four. Why in heaven’s name would Christian be getting up this early? A change of plans was well in order. He’d clean up, then go back to bed. He wouldn’t rob Lily of her sleep. Then again, he might be able to get into her house and make breakfast for the Greene family. Who could say no to a free meal cooked by a talented chef?

  Chapter Seventeen

  The smell of bacon and sausage dragged Lily from her subconscious state. Someone was making breakfast. She shot up in bed and winced. Nothing like staying up late and getting up early to make everything pound.

  Six in the morning. She’d only fallen asleep an hour ago. Spending time with Wesley last night was magical. His kiss, his touch, the way he looked at her—it had been everything she’d dreamed it could be.

  She rubbed her temples with her fingers. Now, in the light of day, she had to wonder if she’d made the right choice. There was still so much on the table. What would Mia say? And what about Christian? He’d hinted there might be more brewing between them.

  The smells grew stronger. Lily blinked. Who could be making breakfast? It was her job. Everyone knew it. She tossed the blankets aside and swung her legs over the bed. The cool morning air teased her skin, reminding her of the time she spent sprawled out on the grass. A smile filled her face. Even if things didn’t work out with Wesley, she was content. It was like she finally had a place she belonged, and it was in Wesley’s arms.