Read My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance for Free Online

Bruce decided it was best to
leave after a few hours of socializing.
    “I have an idea. Are you hungry?” Bruce asked.
    “Actually, I am. There was no way I could fill up on the finger
foods there.”
    “Perfect. Why don’t we go back to my place? I would love
to cook for you.”
    Kate shook her head and laughed.
    “What’s so funny? You don’t think I can cook?”
    “No. That’s not it. I just,” she paused. “It’s
just that you seem too good to be true.”
    “Kate, you said that like it’s a bad thing.”
    “Trust me. It’s not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.
Just having so much so soon from you. It’s been a definite
whirlwind type romance. Like the kind you see on the soap operas.”
    Bruce laughed a hearty laugh that came from somewhere deep.
    “Like the soap operas, huh?”
    “As a kid, I grew up watching those with my mother. There is
love and passion, money and status.”
    “All of that is true. But those people on there also hop from
bed to bed.”
    “So, you watch the soap operas?” she teased.
    “Not hardly. But I know my mother watched a lot as well. She
fell in love with them for the same reasons. But this is real life,
Kate. And in real life, you can have the love, the passion, and the
romance as long as you know that there will be times when things
don’t seem so easy.”
    Kate let the words sink in before she spoke. “Do you want to
know something?
    “Shoot.”
    “The fact that love is not all fairy tales can be pretty
scary.”
    Bruce turned to her. “Nothing worth having comes without risk.”
    “Agreed. It’s just that love can be so unpredictable.”
    Bruce squeezed her hand as they pulled up to his condo.
    “That’s what makes life fun. Come on. I’m hungry.”
    He held her hand the entire time they exited the limo, in the
elevator, and right up to his door.
    As soon as they were inside, Kate kicked off her shoes, wanting to
feel more comfortable.
    Bruce began to come out of his tuxedo jacket. “Why don’t
we get a bit more comfortable? Feel free to use the room across the
hall to change.”
    Kate was happy she brought a bag of extra clothing. She had learned
to always be prepared with Bruce.
    She slipped out of her dress into a pair of comfortable jeans and a
tank top. She padded across to the kitchen, taking a seat on one of
the bar stools. A bottle of wine sat there, waiting to be opened.
Popping the cork, she searched the kitchen cabinets for two glasses.
    When she found them, she poured a glass for herself and one for
Bruce. The liquid was delightful, but her stomach was growling.
    “I see you found the glasses and the wine. Perfect. Are you
ready to eat?”
    “You really don’t know how much. I’m starving.”
    Bruce looked comfortable in the kitchen. Pulling out a pan and a few
things from the pantry and the refrigerator, he started cooking.
    “I hope you like shrimp. I have a little dish that I like to
make.”
    “Whatever you make is fine by me.” She swirled the wine
around in her glass and continued sipping as she watched him cook
risotto, chop fresh parsley, and then toss the fresh shrimp around in
the heated pan.
    “Everything smells so delicious.”
    Bruce seasoned the food, and then served them each a plate. He took a
seat next to her at the counter.
    “So I can add chef to your list of awesome qualities I see.”
    “If that’s what you want to call it. I can make a few
things, enough dishes to save my life and not starve to death. But
it’s nothing to write home about.”
    Their playful banter over dinner was in a steady groove. Bruce
suggested that they take their wine over to the living room.
    She sat and watched as he lit a fire, which quickly came to a
crackling roar.
    “Why don’t you come and sit with me over here?” he
beckoned.
    Kate joined him on the plush rug in front of the hearth. “This
is actually quite cozy.” She took a seat next to him.
    “I had a good time this evening, Bruce. Thank you for inviting
me.”
    “I