Page 43 of Saddle and Bound

Me: Guys, it's not what you think...

Diego: Oh yes it is! There was more sexual tension in that barn than in a porn movie! ????

Me: I hate you all. ??

Chris: wtf?? Do I need to remind you that I'm your boss and that all of this violates every possible hygiene code? Get rid of that milk and don't make me take disciplinary action!

Me: sorry boss... it was kind of an accident

Chris: I'll turn a blind eye this time... if you tell us all about this "accident"

Fran: Alex, just remember one thing for the camping trip: butter makes great lubricant! ????

Me: ... I'm blocking all of you. ??‍??

Diego: Aww, our little Alex is growing up! ??????

Alex: Goodbye. ??

Diego: DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE THIS CHAT! We need all the juicy details!

Me: ... I hate you all. Deeply. ??

I close the chat with an exasperated sigh, tossing the phone onto the bed. The guys will never stop teasing me about this. As if the situation with Rosie wasn't complicated enough already.

I make a mental note to apologize to Chris... I know I haven't maintained a professional attitude and I need to get back in line. I've never behaved like this before and I've always been very serious at work...

What the hell is that little redhead doing to me?

"Little redhead"

Have I started using nicknames now?

Princess...

Shit!

Apparently, I've been using nicknames for a while...

Have I mentioned that I'm screwed?

I run a hand through my hair, still damp with milk, thinking back to what happened in the barn. We were so close... for a moment I really thought I was going to kiss her. And, damn it, I wanted to. I wanted it more than anything else.

With a grunt, I head towards the bathroom. I need a shower and to clear my head. As the cold water runs over me, I try to focus on the work ahead. The horses need to be taken care of, there are fences to repair, a thousand other things to do.

But my thoughts keep going back to Rosie. To the weekend camping trip. To how it will be to have her all to myself under the stars.

"Focus, idiot," I mutter to myself, turning off the water. I can't afford distractions, not with all the work that needs to be done at the ranch.

I get dressed quickly, my mind still a whirlwind of confused thoughts about Rosie. Damn it, I really don't know anything about her. What's going through her head? Is she just playing with me? Is there someone else in her life?

And what if it's all in my head? If this... thing, whatever it is, was just one-sided?

I shake my head, trying to free myself from these thoughts. I have work to do, I can't afford to be so distracted.

I go down the stairs, determined to get to work and not think about Rosie for at least five minutes. But fate, apparently, has other plans.

As soon as I set foot in the entrance, I see her. And she's not alone.

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