Page 11 of Sophia & Cameron

Mateo got up on a picnic table and held his hands to either side of his mouth. “Let’s get this party started.”

Somewhere, someone started music on a speaker. Hollers and whoops filled the air. This man knew how to bring people together. He was charismatic, and the way he talked about his dreams was infectious. That attitude was the biggest reason for Cameron agreeing to such a long contractual period. Normally, he’d sign on for a breeding season, but he’d never stay long enough to see the fruits of his labor. Mateo demanded more, and Cameron had been swept up with Mateo’s flowery words and expectations for the future.

The universe had finally answered his prayers, and he’d die before he didn’t take this new opportunity by the horns.

At some point, Roman slipped off to chat with others at this event. Sophia glanced in his direction a few times, her eyes narrowed each time.

And whenever he caught her stare, he winked at her.

The motion seemed to set her off like a firecracker because she immediately tore her attention away from him. But the last time he winked, she deliberately moved over to a different cowboy.

Cameron had seen the guy around. He didn’t look like Roman or Mateo, so he probably wasn’t family.

Sophia reached for his upper arm and squeezed as she leaned in to say something to him. The cowboy laughed.

Definitely not family.

Something like a growl reverberated in his chest, and he strode forward with no thought to the consequences of his actions. It took no time at all to reach Sophia’s side and less time to decide what he was going to do with her.

He grasped her elbow gently but firmly at the same time as he tugged her away from the guy she was shamelessly flirting with.

Her gasp was quickly followed by sounds of indignation as she attempted to pull away from him—only, he wasn’t going to let that happen. Cameron escorted her across the yard to a quieter space beneath a tree where they could be shaded by the boughs overhead. Only then did he allow her to yank her arm free of him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she snarled.

Whatwashe doing?

Right now, he had no claim on her. They weren’t together. She’d made that clear five years ago. Fury licked at his insides, growing with more force. He deserved an explanation. She owed him that much. “What areyoudoing, Red?” His question burst from his throat in a heated breath. “You were all over that guy.”

Her brows shot up, and she laughed.

She actually laughed.

It wasn’t the sweet sound he’d grown accustomed to when she’d flirted with him in Texas. This one was poisoned with bitterness that almost made him feel as though she’d slapped him.

“I can’t believe you right now. Seriously?”

He ground his jaw tight, waiting for an explanation, however unreasonable it was for him to want it.

Her eyes flicked between his, studying him before she shook her head with what could only be called disdain. She moved far too quickly for him to be able to catch her from darting away from him. He’d lost his chance to ask her what had happened. This had been his chance to demand answers, and he’d squandered it because of his own jealousy.

Cameron watched her go, his stomach sinking. He dragged a hand down his face. This was going to be harder than he thought. She clearly despised him.

5

Sophia

“What have you done?” Sophia demanded.

Mateo turned from his conversation with Daniel, confusion marring his happy face. He glanced over at Daniel, who chuckled and withdrew, leaving them alone.

Sophia popped her hip, her arms crossed, an expectant glower drilling into the side of her brother’s head.

“You’re going to have to be a little more clear. I thought you wanted me to propose to Nikki. You said yourself that she’s not?—”

Tossing her head back with a groan, Sophia shut her eyes and focused on her breathing. “This has nothing to do with the engagement.” She brought her focus to her brother, heat searing her whole body. She could feel Cameron’s eyes on her.

The worst part was that he still affected her the same way he had five years ago. The prickling of the hair on the back of herneck. The way her body reacted to his touch. She could sense him even if he was yards away.

---