Like how his body shuddered when I touched him, and how he tasted on my lips. Probably thought about all that far too much, if I’m honest. Hunter knew right away, of course. I was still cleaning up the puddles and mud tracks we’d left through the house when he got home. There must have been something on my face that confirmed it. Hunter laughed and left his boots by the door before saying he was glad he wasn’t around when we dragged all the mud inside.
It wasn’t a green light, but it was enough for me to know he was okay knowing about Diamond and me. Which is enough for now.
I want to go out with Diamond again. I want to know about the belt buckle and how he learned to ride so well, and so many other things that it hurts my head just thinking about it.
He returns with two plates of food from the dinner buffet and hands one to me. “You probably haven’t stopped all day to eat or take care of yourself, have you?” He passes me cutlery from his pocket and then settles next to me on the sofa with his plate.
“Not really. I had a coffee and a donut this morning. It’s a lot to get used to. Our first group of students, you know? It’s exciting, and you lose track of time.”
He smiles like he knows exactly what I mean. “Yeah, it’s a rush. I remember when I opened The Thirsty Cow. I never wanted to leave. It was so intoxicating just being in a space I created and doing something I loved.”
He forks some food into his mouth, and that jolts me into remembering I have a plate on my lap, too. The pasta salad is amazing, and I devour more, suddenly famished.
“How long have you owned the place?”
Diamond grins. “It’s been six years already. Sometimes it’s hard to believe. When your dreams come true, it never ends. You just keep living in this fog of disbelief that you did it. It’s wild.”
“I know what you mean. I felt like that when I won my first championship. I started as a starry-eyed teenager with a chip on his shoulder, but I knew I’d win, eventually. When that first big cheque came to me, and I held that belt buckle, it was…” It was a long time ago, but I’ve never forgotten how I felt that first time, and I’ve been fortunate to feel it a few more times after that.
“Surreal,” Diamond supplies, and I nod in agreement.
“Yeah.”
“You wear the buckle well, though. Nothing sexier than a cowboy with something to show off outside his pants.” He winks at me, and I know I don’t respond how he probably hoped I would. It’s just us, and his comment is meant for me, but after tasting him and being with him, his flirtatious ways feel like a too-large jacket. They don’t fit our new dynamic, and I don’t know how to say that.
Diamond sighs and sets his plate aside.
“Rhett, can I be real with you right now?”
“Yes. Always.”
With a shaky huff, he leans forward, twisting his hands together.
“I flirt because it’s a defence mechanism. My armour, I suppose. You probably figured that out already.” He forces a short laugh. “I’ve done it for so long it’s hard to stop. But I like to see other people smile even on days I can’t. My customers…they like it. They come sometimes just for that.”
He bites his lip and finally raises his gaze to meet mine.
This isn’t just information. No, he’s telling me this because we might be on the same wavelength. One that’s so similar we’re having a hard time connecting the way we should.
I know that look because I’ve seen it in the mirror a time or two.
“I like to push most people away before they know me. That’s my defence. Hurts less when you’re not attached to someone when they leave.”
Diamond’s eyes widen, and I duck my head. This isn’t the place for us to have this conversation, but maybe it’s the time.
“I like you, Rhett. If I could build a perfect man on the outside—and I did, I could show you my Pinterest board.” He smiles, and the sparkle flashes in his eyes. “It would be you.” He puffs a breath, and his fingertips tap on his thigh. “You make me think of things I’ve ignored for years. Things I want.”
His honesty shouldn’t come as a surprise. Diamond always says what’s on his mind. Whether it’s telling me I look good in plaid or admitting I wrung him out after one quick orgasm at my hand.
“You’re hard to say no to.” I laugh.
“That’s true.” He smiles again, but then faces me with those bluest of blue eyes. A determination so bold that I understand how he fought cancer and won.
He picks up his plate of food and pointedly looks at my plate, which is only half finished despite my hunger.
“You should eat more, Rhett. You still need food to get through the day.”
Diamond shoves a forkful of pasta salad in his mouth, and he’s right. I should. So I do, and that simple action seems to lift his spirits. We turn to talking about the bronc riders waiting for me, and he offers to call Griff and look into a sports psychologist for the school.
