“Cold,” Jesse replied, hanging his coat by the door. “But we got it done.”
“Barely,” I muttered, avoiding eye contact with both of them as I washed my hands at the sink. “Goddamn blizzard nearly did us all in that first night.”
“Well, you’re home now, and that’s what matters,” Evelyn said, setting the bowls on the table. “Eat up before it gets cold.”
I sat as far from Jesse as the table would allow, focusing intently on my stew like it was the most fascinating thing I’d ever seen. I could feel his eyes on me though, watching, waiting. The weight of his gaze made my skin prickle with awareness.
“How’s the freezer coming along?” Evelyn asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“Should be finished tomorrow. They’re just coming by for one final check to make sure it’s all working properly,” Jesse replied, tearing off a chunk of bread. “Then we can start processing the cattle for direct sales.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Evelyn beamed. “Your daddy would be so proud to see you boys working together like this.”
I nearly choked on my stew. If Jack could see what had happened in that tent… I’m not sureproudwould be the word he’d use.
“Cole’s still not convinced it’s going to work,” Jesse said, a challenge in his voice.
I glanced up, meeting his eyes for the first time since we’d entered the house. “I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to,” he replied, holding my gaze. “It’s written all over your face.”
Evelyn looked between us, clearly sensing the tension. “Well, I think it’s a fine idea. Bringing the ranch into the modern age.”
“Thank you, Evelyn,” Jesse said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “At least someone around here isn’t resisting me.”
I bit my tongue, forcing another spoonful of stew into my mouth instead of saying something I’d regret. Jesse was doing this on purpose, taunting me openly when Evelyn didn’t know what he meant. The meal continued in uncomfortable silence, broken only by the scrape of spoons against bowls and Evelyn’s occasional attempts at conversation.
As soon as I finished eating, I stood up. “I’m going to shower.”
“I’ll get everything cleaned up before I head home,” Evelyn offered, already gathering the empty bowls.
I nodded my thanks and headed upstairs, desperate to put some distance between myself and Jesse. The hot water would help wash away the grime of the cattle drive, if not the memories that kept replaying in my head.
I turned the shower on as hot as I could stand it, stripping off my dirty clothes and stepping under the spray. The water pounded against my sore muscles, and I braced my hands against the tile wall, letting my head hang down as steam filled the bathroom.
For just a moment, I allowed myself to remember Jesse’s body pressed against mine, the sounds he made as I pushed into him, the way he begged for more. Heat pooled in my gut, my cock hardening despite my exhaustion.
“Fuck,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut.
I hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t expected him to push back, to challenge me, to make me a liar. I hadn’t expected him to get under my skin so easily. To make my body betray me.
I wrapped my hand around my cock, stroking slowly as I let the water cascade over me. It would be so easy to give in, to let myself have this one thing I’d wanted for so long. But I couldn’t. We couldn’t. Even if we weren’t blood related, even if no one ever found out, I’d know. And I couldn’t live with myself if I gave in again.
With a frustrated groan, I released my cock and turned the water to cold. The shock of it against my overheated skin made me gasp, but it did the job. My erection wilted, and I quickly finished washing before stepping out of the shower.
I hadn’t even grabbed my towel yet when the bathroom door opened. Jesse stood in the doorway, his eyes dark with hunger as they raked over my naked body.
“Get out,” I growled, snatching a towel and holding it over my cock.
“I need to shower too,” he said, making no move to leave. “We’ve been on the trail for days.”
“Wait your turn.”
Jesse leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “The hot water will be gone by then.”
“Not my problem,” I muttered, trying to edge past him without making contact.
He didn’t budge, forcing me to brush against him as I squeezed through the doorway. The brief touch of his body against mine sent electricity shooting up my spine.
