Page 5 of Broken Rules

Then it was her turn, and all eyes focused on her.“I’m Becca.My best friend gifted me this trip to the ranch, and I’m looking forward to the experience.”

“Is your partner joining you later?”Jared asked.

“Partner?”Her gaze sought Tyler before returning to Jared.“I’m here alone.”

Silence descended.Becca drew a deep breath as she kept her gaze on Jared.

Why is he looking like there’s something wrong?Because, based on the confusion and concern in Jared’s expression, oh yes, there was definitely something wrong.

“This shouldn’t have happened,” Jared muttered.

She looked around the table, briefly studying each person, and each face held an element of shock or surprise.

Oh, no.Something was definitely wrong.The food in her stomach turned into a lead ball.Maybe coming here alone wasn’t such a good idea.

Angie hadn’t mentioned it was for couples only.She said it was a dude ranch, but now it seemed like it was more.Was this what the lady at check-in meant?I need to read that packet.

Becca swallowed, trying to stop the panic welling inside her.She really wanted to have this week away from the stress and tension of the city.And maybe to explore being reunited with Tyler, but now…

Not waiting to find out what she’d done wrong or why everyone was looking at her funny, Becca carefully slid her chair back.She hated being the odd man out.“Excuse me.”She turned and fled the room as she fought back tears.

Why does life keep throwing me curve balls?

Chapter Three

Tylerstartedtorisebefore he dropped back into his chair.He couldn’t go after her.Not until he and Jared talked.

A part of him was ecstatic she was alone on this trip.It meant he didn’t have any competition for her time, but complications remained.

The ranch was meant for couples; Becca was here alone.

His gut tightened.If Jared wanted her to leave, there wasn’t anything Tyler could do.

“Oh, my,” Emma, one of the guests, said.“The poor thing.”

“It’ll be okay.”Tyler forced a smile.“I’ll go talk with Becca in a bit, and we’ll get this straightened out.”

Still, Tyler barely held his impatience in check as dinner ended and dessert was consumed.Finally, the couples began to wander off.

“My office, Tyler,” Jared said before striding out of the room.

Tyler followed his business partner.Becca being here alone meant a long conversation with Jared.

How’d this slip through the cracks?Their website was exceptionally clear that the ranch was for couples only.

Even so, he wanted Becca to stay so they could pick up where they’d left off in college.

“This isn’t supposed to happen,” Jared said, closing the door behind Tyler and running his free hand through his brown hair.

“I know.”Tyler and Jared had safeguards in place, but somehow they failed.If Becca was here alone, would she be interested in pairing with him?His dick liked that thought.They’d played around a bit back in college, but was she even into what he’d grown to love?Tyler rubbed his chin.“I’ll go talk with Becca.It’s not like we can’t handle a single person wanting to take advantage of a regular dude ranch.”

“True, but we’re an adult ranch.What happens if she wanders upon another couple?Or into one of the special cabins?Or a classroom?”

“The special cabins are locked for a reason.The classrooms, we control them.”Tyler tried to make light of the situation because Jared had a right to be concerned.When they went into this business five years ago, they’d agreed the ranch was for couples only.

Fully consenting couples.

“As for seeing another couple, some might like it, but Becca might not.I’ll explain to her and let her make her decision.”

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