But he still has a thing for Keely. He invited her to the lake after I shattered on top of him.
He rubs the back of his neck, like the answer is difficult. “I just need you to understand that I’m doing this as a favor to Duke and your brothers. That’s all this is.”
Somehow, a fresh batch of mortification washes over me like a bucket of iced water. Establishing that he doesn’t actually want me here is a low blow. The incident on the boat slices into my memory.
I had an orgasm on his lap. I had anorgasmon hislap.He was clearly … disgusted, offended, mortified—God only knows.
My heart is pounding inside my chest like a drum as I manage a nod. My chest is crimson. “Got it.”
He dips his hat toward me before turning around and heading back out to the barn. My eyes drop back down to my phone, and the determination to get over Sam Seymour surges through me, stronger than ever before.
12
SAM
Dolly disappears inside my house for the next few days. I’m hyperaware of her presence, but I only glimpse a few sightings of her, along with evidence that she’s still around, like damp dishes in the clean rack beside the sink and her shoes being moved beside the back door. I spot her walking through the field in the distance in the morning, but she never nears where I’m working the cattle.
I don’t know how she spends her time until Friday afternoon rolls around. I walk up to my back porch an hour earlier than usual. She’s in a yoga pose, ass in the air. I stop a few feet short of the wooden porch so my boots don’t make a sound and alert her to my presence. I count to ten inside my head, allowing myself only that long to admire the curve of her backside, and then I continue on past her and into the house.
My chest is tight, but I try to ignore the emptiness that claws at me.
You really do need to get laid if you’re going to survive this.
The front door to my house opens. I look up to see Duke letting himself in with a case of beer, a bottle of wine, and two pizza boxes. He grins at me.
“Just came by to make sure you and Dolls aren’t getting too friendly over here.” He laughs at his own joke.
I stiffen, afraid my face will give my thoughts away. He kicks his boots off before making his way toward the living room coffee table. “There’s a fight tonight. You’re buying.” He grabs the remote.
The back door opens behind me.
Duke sets the pizzas down. “Hey, Dolls. Guess what. Sterling is gonna be home in a week.”
Dolly walks by me. I keep my eyes averted from her petite frame.
“Really? Oh my gosh, that’s awesome. Rosie and I have a girl we want to set him up with.”
I remove my hat, hanging it on the line of old brass hooks by the door before using the boot jack to remove my work boots.
Duke’s eyes narrow at her. “Why won’t you set me up with her? I’m single.”
Dolly scoffs, lifting up the lid to the pizza. “She’s a recently single mom. You’re not ready to settle down.”
“And Sterling is? Sam, are you hearing this?” He turns to me briefly and tosses me a beer. I catch it and pop open the top. “I could show a single mom a damn good time. I love moms.”
Dolly’s long, dark hair is tied up in a high ponytail. She’s wearing a black sports bra with black leggings that accentuate all the right curves of her ass and waist. A thin sheen of sweat coats her chest.
She levels her brother with a knowing look. “She’s not looking for a player. She has twin boys.”
He grabs his chest. “I’m a great uncle, am I not? I love kids.”
He looks to me for support. I lift my hands.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not doing that to her. After what I witnessed of you at the lake, I know you’re not looking for a serious relationship.”
Duke looks seriously offended. He collapses onto my leather sofa. “Who is it anyway? Do I know her?”
Dolly shakes her head. “She’s Rosie’s friend from the twins’ preschool. I think she’s newish to town.”
