“Right. And I’m sure you’re wearing your good cologne for the feed store too.”
“I don’t wear cologne, asshole.”
I climb into the driver’s seat, but catch myself checking my reflection in the rearview mirror. Christ, when did I become that guy?
The store parking lot is busy, which is normal for a Tuesday morning with ranchers, farmers, and the rest of the usual crowd milling around, picking up supplies. Iscan the lot, my pulse kicking up when I spot a familiar truck.
Thompson’s truck.
With the goat in the back.
My body reacts instantly, blood running hot, every nerve ending hyperaware.
“Well, well,” Jesse murmurs, following my gaze. “Look what the cat drug in.”
I should suggest we come back later. Should find an excuse to leave.
Instead, I park three spaces away and tell myself I’m being practical. Tell myself my hands aren’t itching to touch her.
We’re walking into the store when I hear it. A low, appreciative whistle from Jesse that makes my jaw clench and something possessive rise in my chest.
“Morning, pretty girl,” he calls out.
I look over to see Callie loading feed bags onto a cart, her hair pulled back in a ponytail that exposes the curve of her neck, her jeans fitting in a way that makes my mouth go dry. She’s bent over slightly, and the view is enough to make me stumble.
She looks up at Jesse’s call, and I catch the flash of irritation in her eyes. But there’s something else too. Her gaze sweeps over all three of us, lingering on my chest in the fitted shirt before snapping back to Jesse’s face.
“The name’s Callie,” she calls back, but her voice is slightly breathless.
“I know what it is,” Jesse says.
He starts walking toward her with that predatory grace he has when he’s hunting, and I follow, tellingmyself I’m just keeping an eye on him. Making sure he doesn’t do anything dumb.
Not admitting I need to be closer to her.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Jesse says when we reach her, standing close enough that she has to tilt her head back to look up at him.
“It’s a feed store. People buy feed here, for their ranch animals. We both have ranches. So, not much of a coincidence if you ask me.”
“True. But seeing you here makes it more fun.”
I watch her roll her eyes, watch the way color creeps up her neck despite her sarcastic response. Watch the way her pulse flutters at the base of her throat.
“Does that line actually work on women?” she asks, but she’s leaning slightly toward him, drawn in despite herself.
“You tell me.” Jesse’s voice drops to that bedroom tone that usually makes women melt.
“It doesn’t.”
“Your body says otherwise.”
The words hang in the air, charged and electric. Callie’s breath catches, her lips parting slightly, and I see her nipples harden under her T-shirt. Fuck. I have to look away before I do something stupid like push Jesse aside to find out if she responds the same way to me.
“My body says I need more coffee,” she manages in a shaky voice.
“I could fix that problem for you,” Jesse offers, stepping closer. Close enough that I can see her chest rising and falling.
“By leaving me alone?”
