I didn't notice when the sun set. I didn't hear when the truck pulled in. However, when the tractor chugged its way back into the barn, I heard that. I quickly put everything away, glancing out the window to see the sky turning red. I could never keep track of where the day went, but it sure sounded like the guys were back, and I wanted to make sure the hay was really going to happen.
I reached the front door in time to see Luke and Cy walking out of the barn. My hand was on the knob, but I didn't open it. Instead, watching through the window beside it, I saw Luke throw a fake punch into Cy's gut, and the bigger man shove him away. They were both laughing, looking like old friends. In truth, they reminded me of Ash and Cy when they were boys.
As soon as it was clear the guys were on their way to the house, I stepped out. "Hey," I called over. "How'd it go?"
"Cy mowed the lawn," Luke teased.
"Cut the hay," Cy corrected, clearly having been told that already. "And my ass is fucking numb."
Luke ducked his head and laughed. "Common problem."
"Fuck off," Cy said, reaching up to adjust his new straw hat. "Hey, Luke? I got a question, and don't give me shit."
"Shoot."
"How the fuck do you kiss someone with one of these on, or do you just have to pull it off? And when you do..." He lifted the hat to prove how bad his hair looked underneath. "Is sexy just a thing of the past?"
"Shit," Luke said, stepping up to wrap an arm around my back. "Tilt your head, lean in. If you have to, push it back a bit, but don't fucking take it off. You'll have a permanent hat band until you get a shower."
"Demonstration!" Cy demanded.
"Mhm!" I agreed.
So Luke leaned in and kissed me. I could feel the brim of his hat against my cheek, but it wasn't in the way. I also had to tilt my head a little more, but it was so natural that I didn't even think about it. At least, not until Cy had asked.
Then Luke stepped back and gestured to me. "Try it."
Cy shot him a surprised look. "Oh, just kiss Violet like she won't rip my dick off and hand it to me?"
"Kiss on the cheek or peck on the lips," Luke told him. "I just figured that after I caught you two all cuddling up in bed the other day, it wasn't a big deal."
Cy looked at me. "You cool, Vi?"
I flopped my hands up. "Sure. I'm not about to complain if a group of hot cowboys want to take turns kissing me."
"Andshe'sthe one who kissedyouyesterday," Luke pointed out. "Pretty sure she can take it."
Cy adjusted his hat again, then leaned in slowly. His eyes flicked between my lips and the brim of the hat, until he gave me a little peck on the lips. But before he pulled away, he smiled.
"Guess it does work," he said, stepping back to look at Luke. "And don't tell me that your jealousy just went away."
"No," Luke assured him. "It's not about you touching her, hugging her, or any of that. My problem is knowing where I stand, and I've kinda come to terms with the fact that so long as someone's named after a color, well, then there's history I can't compete with, right?"
Cy grinned. "How's it work with two hats?"
"Don't even think about it," Luke told him. "If my hat wasn't soaked, I'd put it on her head and let you see, but she looks too good to mess up."
"Starting to think that you're getting off on me kissing your girl," Cy teased.
"Says the man who just pointed out that she might rip off your dick?" Luke lifted a brow. "Try harder, Cy."
"Nah, just trying to get another demonstration." Cy gestured between me and Luke. "Show me how it's done, cowboy. I wanna see the little lady melt in your arms."
"Doesn't work like that," I told him, grabbing a handful of Luke's shirt so I could push him against the door.
Then I stepped in and kissed him the way I wanted. Luke didn't try to resist. Instead, he moaned softly, his hands finding my waist to pull me a little closer. But when Cy groaned behind me, I had to look away before I burst out laughing.
"Not helping," I told him.
