“Okay. It’s a...” Date wasn’t the right word. “Sleepover.”
His smile returned. “I’ll have movies and popcorn.”
“Whoa. Don’t get too wild,” I joked and his expression went somber. I’d said something wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what. My nerves were going to send that breakfast sandwich back up. I needed to leave. “See you then!”
I dove into the driver’s seat.
He put his hands on the frame and leaned in. “Everything okay?”
I scrambled for a way to keep things from getting more uncomfortable. “Just wondering if you’re a boxers guy too.”
Astonishment lifted his brows. Mission accomplished?
His chuckle was soft. “I’ll keep my shirt on. Don’t worry.”
“Then shirtless Fridays will be up to me.”
His pupils dilated and he leaned in closer. “Jesus, Goldilocks, don’t tease me like that. I’m only a man,” he said in a low voice and pressed a kiss to my lips.
Just as he was pulling back, an engine sounded behind us and tires crunched on gravel.
Alarm filled his eyes, but like before, he didn’t jerk away. His jaw flexed when his gaze landed on Teller’s pickup.
“Busted,” I said, not at all guilty. Surprise kisses from Tenor were now my favorite thing. So was making him break that calm composure.
He took a step back, and I pulled away. He never stopped watching me as I wound down the long drive to the main gravel road that led to the highway.
CHAPTER FOUR
Tenor
Teller was waiting in the Copper Summit conference room with his feet kicked up on the table. A smug look was on his face.
When I entered, I glared at him. “Didn’t you ask enough questions yesterday?”
He’d grilled me after Ruby pulled away.Was that Ruby? What was she doing here? Did I see you kiss her? What the fuck are you kissing her for? Do you know how old she is? Do you know how oldyouare?
I’d finally walked away and started on the to-do list I’d given Cruz and Lane. I’d been changing oil on one of the tractors when those two shitheads had walked by making kissing noises.
I knew why I never dated. Now I had more reasons.
I sat at the end of the long table opposite Teller in my normal spot and opened my laptop.
Tate walked in, scratching his short beard and looking like he’d been yanked from the middle of the pasture in his blue jeans, black T-shirt, and green plaid flannel. Our monthly meeting was today. All my siblings and I would meet and reviewthe month, last quarter, and the year to date and plan Copper Summit’s future.
Tate sat across from me. “How’s it going?”
Teller’s boots thumped down to the floor. “Maybe we need to ask Ruby.”
My stomach dropped. When I’d committed to the ruse with Ruby, I’d known dealing with my family would be an issue. They would have opinions, and Ruby was considerably younger than me. Would they be afraid I was taking advantage of her? I wouldn’t throw her under the bus for explanations. My family could deal.
Tate frowned, glancing between us. “Why Ruby?”
Teller folded his hands on the table. Like me, he was wearing a rust-colored polo with the company logo on the breast and blue jeans. Distilling was a science, but the work attire was casual. Teller and I had started wearing branded polos so tourists could tell us apart from the other employees, but even we didn’t wear them all the time. No one wore slacks. Mostly jeans.
Except Ruby liked to wear skirts. Not long, flowing ones. She wore flirty skirts that made her hourglass figure more of a roller coaster.
“You’ll want to ask Tenor why.” Teller smirked, but his gaze was ruthless.
