Something shifts in his expression. “It really was you last night,” he says softly. “I remember pieces. Your eyes. Your voice. The way you smelled.”
My heart stutters.
“Fragments. Like looking through frosted glass.” His jaw tightens with frustration.
“You should get out of here,” I say, stepping back before I do something stupid. Like reach for him. Like let myself want things I can’t have. “Carter is waiting in the lobby. He’ll be worried.”
Seth’s eyes search my face for a moment longer. Then he nods, something like disappointment flickering across his features.
“Yeah. Okay.”
We head out together, down the hall toward the lobby, where Carter is leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. He glances up as we approach, relief washing over his features.
“There he is.” He claps Seth on the shoulder. “You good?”
“I’m good.” Seth’s voice is rough. “Thanks to June.”
Carter’s gaze finds mine, warm with gratitude. “We owe you one. Seriously.”
“It’s all good.” I shift my weight, suddenly aware of how close they both are. How their scents are mingling in the air, and how my body is burning up, buzzing, responding in ways I desperately need to get under control. “Anyway, I should get going. I’ve got things to do. Work stuff.”
“Let me give you a lift,” Carter offers. “Home, or wherever you need to be.”
“Nah, really. I’m fine.” I take another step back, putting distance between us. “I’ve got some errands to run in town, and I should probably check in at the office. See if any new listings came in.”
It’s a weak excuse, seeing as the whole town is booked solid with rodeo tourists; I personally made sure of it. But they don’t call me on it.
“Thanks again,” Seth says.
I force a grin. “Just try to stay out of jail from now on, yeah? I’m not making a habit of two a.m. rescue missions.”
His lips twitch. Almost a smile. “I’ll do my best.”
I turn and walk out before I can change my mind. Before I can let myself get pulled deeper into whatever this is. Outside, the cold air hits my face. I take a deep breath, then another, trying to clear the cocktail of Alpha scents from my lungs.
My phone buzzes. I pull it out to find Pete’s name on the screen.
“Hello, Pete.”
“June! Good, I caught you.” He sounds harried. Stressed. “Listen, I just got off the phone with the head of the rodeo circuit, John Benton, and he’s… not happy.”
“I can imagine.”
“He says we’re painting them in a bad light by pressing charges against his son when Seth maintains he wasn’t drunk voluntarily. Says if we want to keep their support for future circuits—which we do, June, because the town depends on that revenue, and half our businesses survive on rodeo season, including yours—we need to sort this mess out.”
I close my eyes. “Well, I did my part and got Seth out of being arrested.”
“We need more,” he says. “I convinced John that what would help is having a local liaison. Someone to keep an eye on the rodeo stars while they’re in town. Show good faith. Make sure there are no more incidents.” Pete clears his throat. “The circuit needs a chaperone, June. And I want you to do it.”
My eyes open wide. “Are you insane?”
“The job pays really well. And it comes with accommodation at the ranch if you want it.”
“I have a house.”
“Then it’s extra income. Lord knows real estate is slow right now, what with you booking out every available room in town.” He sighs. “Look, I know it’s a big ask. But you’ve already met them, you handled Seth last night, and frankly, you’re the only person I trust not to make things worse. I was going to ask Norm’s nephew, but he got completely plastered at the Spur last night and I can’t rely on him.”
“Pete—”
