I really hope that’s the case and I don’t actually know him—not that Jose Cuervo has made me forget him.
Speaking of Jose. I wonder whether I should do another round. Sounds like a good idea.
He clears his throat, and I glance back up. He smiles. “I’m CJ.”
Not ringing any bells. “Have we met before?”
“No.”
That’s a relief. He turns me slowly, our feet moving to the song in a steady rhythm.
“Then it’s nice to meet you. Are you from here?”
“No, I grew up in Nevada, came out here to work on the Caulier ranch.”
The Caulier ranch is huge. It’s by far the largest, and they have a ton of cattle, sheep, and other livestock. There is always a steady stream of ranch hands going in and out of there.
“Well, welcome to town.”
He smiles brightly, his hand moving up my back slowly. “Thank you.”
I shift slightly, not loving how close he’s pulled me to him. I try to step back a little to look into his eyes. “How long have you been here?”
“Just about a month.”
“And are you liking it?” I ask.
“Much more lately.” CJ moves his head to be against my ear. “Much more right now.”
An uncomfortable shiver runs through me, but CJ doesn’t seem to catch on, and his other hand moves lower, resting right above my ass.
I really, really want this damn song to end.
I’ve met a lot of guys like him. New in town, just wanting to sleep with a local girl and hopefully get a job on her family’s farm, then screw her over, leave town—and a mess in his wake. I’m not stupid, and I don’t play that game.
My hand on his chest gives me a little leverage, and I’m able to create some distance, but CJ forces us closer again.
“You’re beautiful. So much prettier than any girl here,” he says low, pulling me tighter to him, where I can’t break away without causing a scene.
I look over his shoulder and my eyes find Tristan’s. His gaze is intense, and I swear, even from this distance I can see his anger boiling.
We turn, causing me to lose the connection, and then a few seconds later I hear his voice.
“Can I cut in?”
CJ steps back, looking at Tristan, and chuckles. “Sorry, bro. You’ll have to wait.”
Tristan stares at me. “Lark?”
I nod. “Yes, that would be fine. Thank you, CJ.”
Tristan doesn’t wait another moment. He pushes between CJ and me, taking control, and then I have both hands on his chest.
There is a short stare-down between Tristan and CJ, but ultimately CJ takes the hint and leaves.
I exhale, feeling safe in the arms of a man I shouldn’t.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
