“Didn’t ask you what you thought.” The words came out sharper than intended. “Sorry, man. That’s not what I meant.”
“I know what you meant. “He nods slowly. “But you know as well as I do, this place ain’t just land. You know what it meant to your mama. If you?—”
“I know.”
And I don’t want to hear it.
Fortunately, the crunch of tires on gravel interrupts us before I need to shut things down further.
We both look up to see the shiny white truck pulling into the yard.
Travis grins and rubs his chin. “Well, if it isn’t that hot little vet that moved into town. A massive upgrade from old Doc McKinney.”
I glare at him. “Don’t start.”
“What?” He chuckles. “She’s a hot little piece of?—”
“Enough,” I growl. My teeth are clenched. I know Travis’s reputation as well as anyone. As one of the major players onthe rodeo circuit, he’s had his fair share of buckle bunnies. And Anna Milligan doesn’t have any place on his conquest list.
“Oh, I see how it is.”
“You don’t see anything.”
He only grins and lets out a low laugh. “Well, if there’s nothing to see, you won’t mind me asking her out for a?—”
“Travis.” My tone drops low enough to cut through the air. “Back. Off.”
He freezes, his grin still in place. There’s a beat of silence before he laughs under his breath. “Well, damn. Grumpy ol’ Wyatt Thorne has a thing for the cute little vet.”
“Not a thing.” I push off the fence. “I just don’t need you bothering the girl while she’s here to work. Doc McKinney refuses to come out anymore, and if I’m going to make sure the animals are worth anything at all, I’m going to need her.”
My own choice of words stops me. Based on the dream that’s been waking me up at night, my hard cock fisted in my hand, I need her for more than that.
But before I can dwell on that particular thought any longer, the truck door swings open, and Anna steps out into the sunlight, that same bright smile that’s been featuring in my dreams, shining bright.
I clench my fists and draw in a sharp breath. Whatever this woman stirs up in me, it has no place here.
Still, when she waves and starts walking toward me, all sunshine and easy confidence, her sweater hugging her perfect, perky tits, her jeans wrapped around the luscious ass that I’ve pictured bending over the fence rail every time I close my eyes, I know it’s not just Travis that needs to back off.
But Lord help me, I don’t know if I can.
ANNA
The second I step out of the truck, the crisp air hits me. Even with the warm afternoon sun, it’s easy to feel that winter is on the way. I’ve spent most of my life in the city, only visiting Uncle Randy in the summer months. I’m not a stranger to winter, but something tells me that winter in the mountains will be a little different.
Wyatt Thorne’s already striding toward me, all broad shoulders, thick thighs and the kind of muscle that wasn’t made in the gym but out working on the land.
Like a man.
Arealman.
My body trembles thinking about exactly what those muscles would look like without the cover of denim and flannel, but I immediately dismiss the thought and force myself to focus. I have no business thinking of this rough cowboy that way.
He’s at least twenty years older than me. Never mind the fact that he’s currently a client.
And he clearly has a chip on his shoulder about, well…everything from what I can tell.
I give my head a quick shake and focus on the task at hand. “Afternoon,” I call out with a wave, forcing an extra dose of brightness in my voice.
