Page 76 of Wild Rose
She sighs. “Can I at least have my coffee first before you start with me, cowboy?”
I press the mug back between her palms. “Fine.” I pull the door open, glance around like I’m afraid of my own shadow, and shut it behind us.
Rose is at the Lockup, our storage barn, doing inventory, and I’m thankful for the alone time in my office. Usually, it’s the otherway around. I’m out on the field while she’s here doing what I hired her to do.
Part of me feels guilty for sending her away. The Lockup is not exactly air-conditioned and she’s damn insistent on those long sleeves.
It’s been two hours since I sent her over and she’s been on my mind ninety-eight percent of it.
I want her.
There’s no reason in denying it.
Friday night I thought I only wanted her the same way I wanted any woman since Bonnie.
One night. One time.
Zero expectations.
But it’s not just her body that’s got me out of my mind.
Her laugh. Her curiosity. The light that pours out of her despite the darkness she keeps hiding behind.
Ever since I had a taste of that pretty little mouth, I haven’t been the same. Nothing sits right with me anymore.
Like Wesley’s relationship with his sister.
There’s being protective .?.?. and then there’s calling someone you love stupid when she already feels it.
Hell, I know he doesn’t mean it, but it’s not a word you throw around lightly.
I growl out loud. Enough of this. I’ve got work to do.
She’s got work to do.
I’ve got to focus on the ranch—make sure we stay on top of our game with one owner down. And stop thinking with the wrong organ.
A few minutes into my efforts, I fail miserably. Thinking about her meeting Dad.
And he bought her a pair of boots? He doesn’t do shit like that.
He despised Bonnie. Said she was a flight risk and hadheartbreaker written all over her.
Dad and I had a solid relationship rooted in work, respect, and family values. And I valued his advice more than anything. After everything he’d built, I’d be a fool not to. But I was convinced he was wrong about her—everyone was. When I nearly left, that foundation cracked.
But not deep enough.
Because it didn’t take long for us to build most of that back.
Till this day, the man cracks jokes about how I’m “as hardworking and reliable as they come—unless a pretty face shows up.”
But I can see what he was thinking when he met Rose. One look at that radiant, easy smile she spreads, that wholesomeness about her, and he was sold.
There’s a knock on my door and I all but jump off my seat. Immediately, I think it’s Wes here to ask why he—or someone—saw me coming out of his sister’s cottage this morning.
“It’s open.”
Jeff walks in, carrying a bag from the hardware store. “Hey, boss.” He empties the contents on my desk. “This was all they got. Want me to put them in?”
