Page 30 of Bales and Brawn

“I’ll stick with my trucks, thanks.” He smiles, but I’m reminded that this is all temporary until he has his license back and gets back out onto the road. He’ll probably be more than ready to move on by then.

He locks the cabin door and makes to settle in the chair.

“There’s room on the bed for you.” I pat the bed.

“I don’t want to disturb you. You need to rest,” he says.

“And how much sleep did you get last night? I bet you sat in the chair all night. You need to rest too, so come over here and share the bed.”

“Yes boss,” he says, which somehow sends a shiver through me. He pulls off his boots and settles down beside me. I fall asleep easily, glad of his solidity next to me.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

DEVIN

“I think we can ride back home today,” Zane says as I pull the dressing of his wound off while he’s sitting at the table.

“That’s not looking too bad. It’s not infected anyway.” I peer at the cut, surprised he’s letting me tend to him. “I think you might end up with a small scar, but your hair will cover it.”

I make a new dressing and apply it. The swelling has reduced a lot too.

“Did you hear what I said?” He turns to look at me as soon as I’m finished.

“I did. I also saw you holding on to the porch railings and then the side of the cabin when you went out to pee. Tell me you’re not dizzy.”

“I’m not as dizzy,” he grumbles.

“Much as I’d like to get back, especially so you can get checked out, I think we should wait one more day. Until you’re stronger.”

“I didn’t know you cared so much,” he bites back.

“Oh, I’m purely thinking about myself.” I smirk. “I don’t want you keeling over and falling off Blackwing halfway back.”

“That’s fine. Just throw me over the saddle and rope me on. The horses know the way back.” He laughs, but I also see him wince.

“Do you have a headache?”

“No.” He wrinkles his nose slightly, which must be a tell.

“Zane.” My voice is low and he sighs.

“Okay. I feel like my head’s been steamrollered.”

“Which is why we’re waiting another day.”

“Who made you the boss?” he grumbles.

“Me. Since my last one took a tumble and doesn’t know which way is up right now.”

“I do,” he protests and then catches my eye. “It’s that way.” He points to the floor.

“Okay, now I know you really did hit your head, making jokes like that.”

“I don’t think that’s the bump on the head,” he says looking up at me. His hazel eyes are soft. “I think it’s you.”

The air is sucked out of my lungs and all I can do is stare at him. I don’t know what to say, and even if I did, I can’t speak. I watch as the seconds stretch and his throat bobs as he swallows. His lips part slightly, his plump, pink lips, which I . . .

“I need to let the horses out,” I say in a rush and make a dash for the door, not looking back as I walk quickly to the barn.