Page 26 of Colt

He’d never be playful either. But that’s neither here nor there.

I did make some dirty jokes of my own with Colton, to be fair. What can I say? I like to give as good as I get.

Really, why not be honest? I held it together so well for my interview at Prestige. I was well-mannered, well-prepared, well-versed in the firm’s history and mission. I kept my feelings in check and did everything perfectly, but I still didn’t get the job.

So I guess part of me had a “fuck it” moment when confronted with Colton’s shitty attitude. This is a job I did get. Even if I didn’t, I’m learning that dotting all your i’s and crossing all your t’s just might be a gigantic waste of time.

I can show up without having to be perfect. I can show up as I am and still knock this assignment out of the park.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself. I have no idea if Colton would be able to actually get me fired. Dale seems to really like me, and he’s clearly the one who calls the shots on Wallace Ranch.

Speaking of. I definitely need to come up with a new name for the property, because I’d bet my bottom dollar that this isn’t the only “Wallace Ranch” in Texas.

The new name needs to be something unique and fresh, but it also needs to be a callback to the family name and their history.

I’m ready to do some digging.

“You only need protection if you’re getting some action,” I reply breezily, tapping my pen against my notebook. “Considering how grumpy you are, Colton, I’m pretty sure you haven’t had an opportunity to use those gloves all that much.”

Now two cowboys—well, one cowboy and one cowgirl—are laughing.

“Who’s she?” one of them asks. “I’m Ava, by the way. I think we’re gonna be friends.”

The other adds, “Can we keep her? I’m Mack. I’d come shake your hand, but I am literally covered in shit, so…”

I wave to them. “Nice to meet y’all.”

Colton put out his cigar in the car, but it’s still clamped between his teeth. I watch him chew on it as he stares me down. More like squints at me, his gaze shimmering with annoyance.

“You think I don’t get action?” He chuckles. “How about you do some observin’, Dallas, and then let me know what you think, yeah?”

“I was asking about the chaps.” I nod to his legs. “I imagine those protect your legs?”

He tilts his head, making the sinews in his neck pop against his tanned skin. “Look at you, already learning.”

“But why do your legs need to be protected?”

“Observe, Dallas. That’s why you’re here, ain’t it?”

He turns around so that his back is facing me. Then he bends down, literally showing me his ass as he lifts a bale of hay off the floor and starts walking away from me.

Colton is doing this on purpose. Doesn’t he know he already got a rise out of me with the chaps and the gloves?

Maybe that’s why he’s giving me a front row seat to the perfectly delectable, perfectly juicy shape of his thick, well-muscled ass.

I roll my eyes when I notice there’s a round canister tucked into his back left pocket. All the guys I went to college with were obsessed with chewing tobacco. It’s a disgusting habit—the smell, the spitting, the black debris it leaves behind on everyone’s teeth—but I’m not at all surprised Marlboro Man here sticks a wad of dip in his lip on the regular.

Gross.

Only it’s not gross when he drops the bale to finally greet his employees. He shakes each and every one of his employees’ hands. He even says a gruff “Mornin’” to a few of them, doling out instructions in a way that’s authoritative but also…gentle somehow? There’s a worn-in quality to his style of leadership, like he’s been doing this since, well, forever.

Colton is a prick to me. But he might actually be a good boss to these people.

“Bryce, Tanner, y’all put out some hay bags in the paddocks. Ava and Beck and I will turn out the horses in a bit here. Then we gotta get this place in tip-top shape. Remember that buyer’s coming in from Kansas City around noon, so I’d greatly appreciate it if y’all could do what you do best and make everything shine. Ava, meet you at the arena at noon to talk about that race?”

Ava nods. “You think he’s gonna take Starlight too? She’s fast.”

“That’s the hope. We’ll let you work your magic.”