The breath is stolen from my lungs by the way her amber eyes glimmer in the evening sunlight. Her hair, which I’ve only seen in a ponytail or braids, flows in glossy waves over her shoulders. Gone are the T-shirts and well-worn wranglers she wears when she’s working; they’re replaced by a black crop top that shows a sliver of her toned stomach and dark wash jeans clinging to the muscles of her thighs.
“Hi,” I finally manage to say.
“Hey. We’re getting ready to head out, and we wanted to know if you wanted to ride with us in Briggs’s truck?”
“Oh, yeah. Thank you. Let me just slip on my boots.” I leave the door cracked as I step into my favorite boots: brown leather with little white flowers embroidered up the sides. I wear them any chance I get.
Addison stands halfway inside, her eyes roaming around my small space. I have arts supplies scattered everywhere, and my diary is surrounded by pens on the small coffee table in the living room. Luckily, everywhere else is neat and tidy since I only come here to sleep.
“Nice place,” she murmurs.
I can’t tell if the words are sarcastic, but I decide to take it as a compliment.
“Thank you. Daddy insisted I have my own place when I graduated from college and surprised me with it for my birthday. It’s nice to have a place away from the hustle and bustle of the ranch. Wait, how did you know where I was?”
Addison lifts one dainty shoulder in a shrug. “Your mommentioned you had your own place when I asked why you never joined us for breakfast.”
My pulse picks up speed. She asked about me. What did Mama say? Oh Jesus. Did she tell her I used to eat breakfast at the big house every day before Addison started working here? That would be embarrassing as hell.
“Right. Well, now you know my secret.”
Addison’s face remains impassive despite my teasing.Okay then.
“We can go now,” I say.
We step out onto the small porch, and before I can step down, she grabs my elbow. Pesky lightning bolts shoot up my arm, causing the hair on them to raise and goose bumps to scatter across my skin.
“I know more than just one secret of yours, Juniper,” she whispers. “But I promise I’ll keep them for myself.”
What the hell was that?
I have so many questions, but she’s practically running away, and by the time I catch up to her, we’re at Briggs’ truck.
“Ladies, you’ll have to squeeze into the backseat,” Rusty says, opening the back door.
“Russet Bartholomew, surely you’re not suggestin’ that because we’re women we’re meant to be cramped in the back like sardines,” Oakley says, crossing her arms over her chest.
Rusty’s cheeks flush. One thing I’ve learned about Oakley is that she’ll tell you exactly what she’s thinking with no hesitation.
I want to be like her.
“My name isn’t Russet Bartholomew,” he grumbles. “How many times do I have to tell you that? I was suggesting that you sit in the back because you two are shorter than everyone else, not because you’re women. But I’ll sit in the back. Addison, you can sit in the front.”
“I’m good,” Addison says. “Oakley can sit in the front if she wants.”
“Thank you.” Oakley smiles proudly. “Rusty, I might need a hand getting into this behemoth of a truck. Why is it so goddamned tall? You compensating for somethin’ Briggs?”
Briggs scoffs and shakes his head, but there’s a small tug of his lips that tells me he’s not bothered by Oakley’s teasing. Rusty assists Oakley with getting in before he enters on one side, and Addison opens the door to the other, sliding into the middle seat.
When I buckle my seatbelt, I accidentally graze her hip, muttering an apology as I do.
Rusty’s a big guy, and his long legs need room to spread. I may be short, but I’ve got some curves on me, so my thigh squishes up against Addison’s, even though I’m trying to stay closer to the door. Addison shifts closer to me, pressing her thigh more firmly into mine, and I get a little lightheaded.
Is she doing this on purpose? Or is she trying to give Rusty more room?
Either way, the casual, thoughtless motion sends my head spinning, and I have to stifle a whimper.
Yeah, I really need to get laid if her thigh is affecting me this much.
