Page 76 of Cowboy of Convenience
"Don't know." He whisked the eggs around, mixing them together before seasoning them with salt-and-pepper. "I just use the cheap shit in a can."
Evelyn pushed her lower lip out. "Me too, but mine never tastes this good. Yours is so much richer." She took another sip before peering at the liquid. "It’s a little darker too."
"How much do you use when you make it?" Grady added a splash of milk to the eggs before pouring them into a skillet.
Evelyn shrugged. "I just followed the directions on the back."
Grady chuckled. "That's your problem. The instructions on the back are for beginners." He mixed around the eggs with a spatula. "I use twice as many grounds as they say you’re supposed to."
Evelyn snuck another peek at her coffee. "So does that mean it has more caffeine in it?"
"I sure as hell hope so. We’re gonna need the extra boost." He lifted the lid on another pan to reveal a handful of sausage links sizzling. "We've got a lot to do today."
Evelyn set her coffee down on the counter and raked both hands through her hair, trying to smooth out the sexed-in snarls. "Are you still wanting to go to the ranch?"
Grady went back to the eggs, stirring them around as they started to form curds. "It’s not about wanting to, Ihaveto go to the ranch today. I haven't been there in too long already."
"But Larry's been there. He's the one who runs it, right?” She was trying to fit together all the moving parts of Grady's life so she could figure out how she could be most helpful to him. Most of her classes at the studio were early in the morning or in the evening since nearly everyone in Moss Creek worked a more traditional schedule. That left most of her day available to help him tackle whatever needed tackling.
As long as it didn’t involve riding a horse.
"Larry’s the head ranch hand and has been since I was a kid, but my dad was always the one who managed everything. Grady shifted around the sausages. “I took over when he died, so I try to be there as much as I can."
She had a hard enough time keeping up with the demands of her little business. She couldn’t imagine trying to juggle the strange schedule he worked as a police officerandrunning a ranch. "So we definitely need to go to the ranch today." She took another gulp of coffee, feeding more caffeine into her system. "And I have a couple classes to teach this morning."
Grady collected two plates from the same open shelving that held the coffee cups, stacking them down the counter before dropping on eggs and sausage. "I'll need to go to the hospital too. Spend some time there.” He snagged a sausage that jumped ship and dropped it into place. “And we could sure use a trip to the grocery store since it’s a lot farther of a drive to pick something up."
Evelyn lifted her cup to hide the smile on her lips. "I could go to the grocery store for you."
Grady's eyes jumped to hers and the look of fear in them was hilarious. Funny enough that she immediately started laughing.
"I'm just kidding. You already said you were unimpressed by my pantry stocking abilities." She slid off her stool, rounding the island to where the toaster was sitting on the counter. She unwrapped the loaf of bread beside it and dropped a couple pieces in.
Grady turned her way, coming close and bracing his hands at each side of the counter around her. "You don't have to do that, Ev."
She peeked at him over one shoulder. "Are you worried I’ll ruin toast?"
He nipped at the line of her neck. "A little."
She brought one elbow back to gently jab him in the gut. "Jerk."
Grady moved closer, the front of his body pressing into the back of hers. "But I'm your jerk, Mrs. Haynes."
She turned to face him as the slices toasted. "I guess it's too late to return you now, husband." Her eyes moved down his front, following the long line of his body. "Not that I’m considering it. After last night, I'm relatively satisfied with my purchase."
Grady moved in a little closer, bringing his body flush against hers. "I like hearing that, but I remember wanting a do over." He gripped her around the waist and lifted her onto the counter, pushing up the hem of the T-shirt she’d slept in to reveal it was the only thing she had on.
"No panties, Ev?" Grady leaned in to catch her mouth with his in a lingering kiss that sent all her nerve endings firing. "This can't be a panty-free zone, Sweetheart. I won’t be able to get anything done if I know you're walking around here with nothing to stop me from taking you whenever I want."
Evelyn leaned into him, looping her arms around his neck. "You act like panties are some sort of Grady-proof barricade." She wrapped both legs around his waist, pulling him in until the fabric of his pajama pants pressed against her. "And maybe I want you to be able to take me whenever you feel like it."
After a good night’s sleep, the tenderness caused by her unexpectedly aggressive horseback ride the day before was all but gone, and she fully intended to make the most of it. Especially now that she knew how much fun it was to press Grady's buttons. "Maybe one day I want to be minding my own business, washing the dishes, and suddenly feel your mouth on me."
Grady groaned, his hands gripping her ass as he pulled her closer. "Careful, Ev. You're playing with fire."
"Then just call me a pyromaniac." She snaked her hand down the front of his pajama pants, wrapping her fingers around the rigid line of his cock.
Grady hissed, his jaw clenching tight as she pumped him with her palm. "If you’re not careful, I might never let you leave this cabin, wife."
