“I’m glad I didn’t have to ride tonight because I’ve been completely distracted since I met you earlier. It’s completely ridiculous, I know. Trust me, I know. I didn’t expect to see you at the ranch, and I sure as hell didn’t expect to find you at the Thirsty Pony.”
I don’t give her a chance to respond before I climb out of my truck and make my way over to her door to open it, holding my good hand out for her to take. She finally does, and I swear I feel a jolt of electricity. I don’t miss her sharp intake of air. She felt it too.
“I’m sorry.” Her quiet apology slices through the silence as we step onto her small porch.
“What are you sorry for?”
She lets out an embarrassed laugh before looking up at me, shaking her head. “I have no idea. Just felt like I should be sorry for something.”
She’s too damn cute. I laugh quietly before tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. If anything, it’s me who should be saying sorry.”
“For?”
“For spending the entire night thinking about kissing you. And for being a grumpy asshole because of it.”
She reaches out and touches my hand again. The pain meds are beginning to wear off, and I wince slightly at her touch. She peeks up at me through her lashes and strokes my forearm instead, avoiding my battered hand.
“Fuck it,” I mumble to myself before closing the distance between us and covering her lips with mine.
She stiffens briefly before relaxing against me as I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. I take it slow, doing my best to feel her body’s reaction. I don’t want to be too forward, but I couldn’t go another minute without tasting her.
Melting into my kiss, she lets out a sigh and I take advantage, sliding my tongue along the seam of her lips, silently asking permission. Her tongue meets mine and I finally allow myself to get lost in the kiss. To get lost in her. She tastes like lemons and sunshine. Like something way too fucking good to be mine.
Chapter 6
Joy
IfIeverseeanother shot of vodka, it’ll be too soon. Not because I have a hangover, but because I’m so damn tired. I spent the evening with Tate Garrison. Tate Fucking Garrison. And he was nothing like the man I assumed he was based on our first meeting. He’s kind. Polite. Caring. He’s everything a cowboy should be. At least the cowboys in my mind, anyway.
The shower has done nothing to wake me up. I can’t even remember the last time I went out and danced like that. It was probably when I was in my twenties, in which case I’m certain it didn’t take this long to recover after staying up too late. But,oh my god,why did it have to be Tate Garrison who had occupied my time most of the night? There’s no doubt he picks up women all the time. Women who know what a man like Tate expects.
I’ve been working at Boulder Ranch for months and have never laid eyes on the man. I’m not sure why I’m allowing myself to get so stressed out this early in the morning. Stepping into my boots, I head outside to Rayna’s car. Mine is still at the Thirsty Pony, and even if I did have Tate’s number, there’s no way in hell I’d be calling him for a ride. I’m too old for any version of the walk of shame, so no matter what, I would be finding my own way to my car.
“So,” Rayna says, waggling her eyebrows as soon as I get in beside her. “Tate Garrison, huh?”
I let out a groan. It would be nice to ride to work in peace, but I know she’s dying for details. Especially since she has to drive me back to where I’m still parked. At the Thirsty Pony. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s suddenly taken an interest in roughstock events.
“What about him? We danced. He drove me home.”
“I know you’re lying.” She stops to laugh. “I watched the way you two were looking at each other. That’s why I was surprised you needed a ride to your car.”
I cross my arms and do my best to glare at her. “Really? Your horse is awfully high considering I only live here because of your vacation fling.”
Her laughter fills the car as she pulls out of the driveway. I’m looking forward to working at the ranch, and it’s not just because I love my job. It’s the anticipation of seeing Tate Garrison on the back of a bucking bronco. I nearly fan myself just thinking about it.
Rayna raises a sculpted brow when I finally snap out of my fantasy and look her way. “So, you’re telling me I was imagining all of that? The way he stared at you like you were the last slice of pizza?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. We had a good time. Talked. He told me what happened to his hand. He wasn’t looking at me like anything.”
“If you say so. I’ll see you later. Wyatt’s off in the woods and I want to see for myself what those Garrison boys can do,” she says as she pulls up beside my car.
I give her a quick thanks and then nod. Of course she wants to watch them ride. More like she wants to watch me. Boulder Ranch is only a mile or so down the road from the bar. Not nearly far enough away for me to get my head together before I have to face people.
By the time I get to work mucking stalls, I’ve finally stopped looking for Tate. I hadn’t seen him before last night so there’s no reason I should expect to see him now. Officially getting on my own nerves, I pop in my earbuds and start singing to myself as I work to drown out my stupid thoughts. I met a new person, danced, and had fun. The end. I’m not some thirteen-year-old girl who has a crush on every boy who’s nice to her.
A firm grip on my shoulder nearly causes me to shriek loud enough to spook the horses. With a death grip on my shovel, I whip around to see who’s trying to give me a heart attack. I find Tate Garrison smiling at me with his hands raised. His smile is—wow—it’s breathtaking.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says with a low chuckle. “I called your name, but you didn’t hear me.”
