Page 43 of Live, Ranch, Love

No, I’m not having this.

I down the rest of my drink, slamming the glass on the table, making the guys jump. I’m too far past the level of intoxication where I still care what people think now. Unless, of course, it’s Holly Slade. And there’s some weird protectiveness that’s rearing its head inside of me and wants to put an end to all this.

Because Wyatt is my friend… it’s what I’d do for any of my girl friends at home.

“Well, I wonder if Holly has heard that Wyatt’s bagged himself a hot British girlfriend?”

“Hmm,” Sawyer’s mouth hooks up on one side, “you know, I don’t think she has. Maybe someone should go tell her.”

“That is a great idea.” Wolfman holds his bottle up to me, grinning.

“Wish me luck,” I say as I climb out the booth and head towards Wyatt. On the way, I quickly adjust my dress, pulling the top down further so what little cleavage I have is more on show, and I ruffle up my wild waves. As I get closer, everything about Wyatt seems dimmed—there’s no glisten in his dark eyes, no cheeky smirk that makes you melt, no rich warmth that reminds me of an evening bonfire radiating off him.

For a heartbeat, I realise how deeply he’s entrenched in my new memories of the ranch, in my new home. How Holly’s presence here is threatening that.

It makes it a whole lot easier to fling myself at him once I reach them, not giving him a chance to react. My hands wrap around his neck, tugging him down to me, lips barrelling towards his. Our mouths meet in a crash, his crossed arms press against my chest whilst he’s frozen in understandable shock. I half expect him to push me away when I weave my fingers through his hair…

But he doesn’t.

His arms uncross, hands accidentally brushing my breasts in a way that sends a shock of heat pulsing between my legs, and then they slide around my waist. Being wrapped up in him again sends sparks along my skin, and his lips give, kissing me back. He lifts me up closer to him, and my head tips back, mouth opening for his tongue. Stubble rasps against my cheeks, sending shivers down me.

God, he tastes of whiskey, all smoke and vanilla, and it’s enough to make me groan a little. Even more when he grabs my hips, pinning them against his, where I swear he’s hard. There’s no gentleness now in how he’s taking me, and it makes me feral.

I’m shocked at how much I love it. How much my body seems to be screaming finally at the sensation. Despite denying it, I always knew I found Wyatt attractive, but this is so much more.

This doesn’t just feel hot.

This feels right.

I think I can hear cheering in the background, but the noises around us seem to drown out, all my senses too focused on the electricity skittering through my body. Deep down in my core. It’s enough to let myself get lost in it…

But I can’t.

This is Wyatt.

This is just an act… even if it feels scarily like more.

I rip away from him. Wyatt just stares at me, blinking hard, cheeks and neck all flushed. My eyes dip to his swollen red lips once, watching how his tongue darts out over them, and I’m hit with the reminder of how fucking good they felt. With thoughts of how good they’d feel all over the rest of my body…

Nope. Can’t go there.

Jesus, I must be drunker than I realised.

Quickly, I turn to where Holly and her fiancé are stood, gaping at us, and force out the poshest British accent possible. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to interrupt, I just couldn’t be away from him for another second.” I slip my arm around Wyatt’s waist and nuzzle into him. He’s rigid as a rock. “I’m Rory Jones, Wyatt’s girlfriend.”

Wyatt makes a strangled noise.

Because I feel like being an absolute bitch, I hold my hand out to the two of them, but turned over, as if I’m expecting them to kiss the back of it. Their faces are still twisted as they behold Wyatt and I, and I don’t miss how Holly’s mouth turns down. My plan is working.

The fiancé shakes my hand awkwardly but offers a soft smile still. “Easton Brooks.”

Holly’s face has completely soured—which makes me want to turn and give Sawyer and Wolfman a massive thumbs up—but she attempts to push a smile through it. “Holly… I didn’t realise you had a girlfriend, Wyatt.”

Before he can answer, I cut in, throwing out a fake laugh. “Oh, that’s probably my fault. He barely gets any time outside since we met, always in the bedroom, deep in that honeymoon stage, you know.” Wyatt stiffens even more when I reach up to caress his face. “I’m sure you and Easton had it the same, right, Polly?”

Fuck, I’m so mean. And I love it.

“It’s Holly.” She presses her lips together, giving me a shot of adrenaline.

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