Page 69 of Unguarded

“Uh, I couldn’t tell. Looked pretty solid to me.”

“You know a thing or two about bull riding, Princess?”

“It was graceful. You, uh, you looked like a pro.”

He studies me for a few long seconds before replacing his hat on his head. “Well, I was distracted.”

“Distracted by what?” I tilt my head.

He spits into the dirt, his skin damp with sweat and layered with a thin film of dust from the arena.

“You,” he finally says, an intense gaze focused on my lips.

My throat constricts. I don’t have a response. My limbs feel like Jell-O, melting in the Texas sun.

“You’re my responsibility. It’s hard to focus on anything else.”

I nod, pretending like I believe him. “Well, I’m glad you weren’t so distracted that you got trampled.”

He smirks. “Didn’t Dolly tell you? I’m a natural.”

Dolly chirps up from behind me, “I did tell her! You haven’t lost it yet, Cash. I need to go in and check on Rosie.” She shuffles behind me.

Once the sound of her retreating steps has faded, I turn back to him.

“So, you’re going to be an uncle.”

His jaw tics. “Looks that way.”

“You excited?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t know much about your family,” I blurt out.

He pushes himself back off the fence. “Well, if you wanted to learn, you should’ve said something.”

I shrug, turning to walk down the steps. Once I reach the second one from the bottom, he’s walked around to face me, our eyes level.

“Do you mind if I’m here—in your space—getting to know them?”

“I don’t see the harm in it.”

“I don’t want to intrude. I’m not … I’m just a temporary guest here.” I chew the side of my lip.

He stretches out his hand. I grab it, letting him support me as I step down to the ground. Once my feet are steady, he still doesn’t let go.

“You’re not a problem. Stop talking like you are.”

26

CASH

She is a problem. Monroe Blue is a big fucking problem in my life.

The problem isn’t her fault.

The problem is, she’s so aware and overly considerate about not being an imposition.

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