Page 10 of Rough Cowboy
Chapter Two
SILVER
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“CHECK OUT THE COWGIRLat three-o’clock.” I nod at the brunette, busy eyeing me up rather than paying attention to setting her gift at the present table.
Who wears short-shorts and a revealing tartan shirt knotted between the breasts to a baby reveal? A woman looking to fuck, that’s who.
Dean grabs the hammer from me and gives the tent peg a good whack into the ground. “I’m with Harper.”
My older brother has been my idol for as long as I can remember. The brother who taught me how easy and fun it is to sexit and exit. No strings attached. Wham-bam-thank-you-mam.
Has he gotten soft on me?
“It doesn’t mean you can’t still look.” I wink a promise to the brunette for a quickie later. She licks her lips in anticipation.
Of course, she does.
Who wouldn’t want a piece of this rough rodeo cowboy?
Elsie, that’s who. Or at least that’s the vibe I’ve been getting since my return home. I expected our eyes to connect after all these months, and in a matter of minutes, we’d both be naked, banging somewhere we shouldn’t.
I even googled pregnancy sex. It’s a go. Encouraged even. I was very devoted to a quick romp in any which place on this ranch. Her bedroom, shower, secret library, pantry, a closet—and that’s only the house. I can list fantastic spots, from the barn to the brush. The options are endless, and I’m not fussy. I’d even been willing to give them all a shot. However, Elsie’s been giving me the cold shoulder like she’s turned into a block of ice.
What the hell did I do wrong?
I haven’t been laid since my return home, and I’m sporting some serious blue balls.
Dean strolls to the next tent peg that some asshole didn’t drive deep enough into the ground the first time. Still kneeling, he points the hammer across our folk’s property at the market girl. “She’s the only woman I have eyes for. Being with Harper means I don’t want to look at other women.”
I can see the appeal, even if she’s always lost in bulky overalls that don’t flaunt curves I suspect are hiding beneath. She’s not the part that confuses me regarding my brother. It’s the part where he’s decided to settle down with one woman that has me lost like a ball in high weeds.
“I call bullshit.”
“You still haven’t met the one who makes you better.” He wipes the back of his neck before hammering again. “The one you want to take to bed every single night and wake up beside every single morning.”
I blink at my brother. “What the fuck happened to you, man?”
“I fell in love.” He stands and flips the hammer, sticking the handle in his back pocket.
“Gross.”
“What’s gross is you banging Sammy’s girl.” His shoulder slams into mine as he stalks past me.
“Els is not Sammy’s girl.” I catch up to my brother in a couple of giant strides. “They wouldn’t have even hooked up if it hadn’t been for me.”
“I don’t want to know.” He’s shaking his head, but I call bullshit again.
“Yes, you do.” I ram his side with my shoulder. “Everyone wants to know.”
Dean slows his pace toward his new true love. “You’re right. Lay it on me.”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Fuckin’ tease.” Dean picks up his pace.
My laughter booms around us and collides with another sound.
