Page 31 of Branded Betrayal

I lift an eyebrow, not giving him the satisfaction of taking a step backward and letting him know that my insides have erupted into an inferno at his proximity.

You are a strong and independent woman. You don’t need a man, especially him. You are capable, empowered, and fierce.

“I bet if I called the new town vet, he’d have come over to help.” I flash a toothy grin.

Blaze dips his head low, the brim of his sweat-stained Stetson casting a shadow that makes his gaze even darker. “Guys like him circle wounded animals. He’s preying on your desperation, Savvie.”

“Because you know him so well, right?” I snap. “You think you can run off every decent man who tries to help me?”

“The only thing he wants to help you do is get naked.” His jaw tightens.

“That’s not your concern anymore, is it?” I lift an eyebrow. “But then again, it never really was.”

“I’m here because you don’t see what’s coming. And you’re too damn stubborn to realize you can’t do everything on your own, as much as you may want to.”

I let out a huff and push past him toward the feed room, my pulse exploding against my throat because he’s right. I’m in over my head. But fuck him if he thinks I’ll admit it. “I have help. The ranch hands—”

“Are unreliable. They’re not tied to Red Rock, and they’re not here all the time.” He backs against the fence, hooking one scuffed boot onto the rung. His worn Wranglers hang low around his waist. A breeze rustles Blaze’s flannel shirt, and it falls open. I have to bite down on the inside of my mouth when my eyes latch onto the mess of black ink covering his pecs.

“Six months, Savvie. But don’t come crying to me when you lose this place because you were too damn proud to take my help.”

Anger beats hard in my blood. I open my mouth to lance him with a response when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I grab it, a slow smile lifting my lips when I see the caller ID on my screen.

Whiskey Creek Veterinary.

I answer the call and then hit the Speaker button. “This is Savannah.” My eyes float upward until they meet Blaze’s bone-melting stare.

“Hey, Savannah. It’s Tyler Burgess. How’s it going?”

I turn my back on Blaze and pace in front of the feed room, my body completely aware of the possessive alpha energy simmering a few feet away. “Great, thanks. I’m sorry our visit got cut off early the other day.”

I bite back a smile because I know that’s going to have his dick in a knot. Another man . . . an educated, successful, good-looking man . . . showing interest in me. I can almost choke on his ire, it’s so thick in the air.

“I’d love to get together again, and I wanted to see if you were up for a drink tonight.”

I slant Blaze a look over my shoulder. “That sounds great. Did you have a place in mind?”

“How about the Boot Barn? We can start there, maybe shoot some pool, and then grab a late dinner?”

I want to shout with glee right now, which I know is so sad and juvenile. But if Blaze thinks he can just waltz right back into my life just to shatter it again, he’s damn crazy.

“Sounds great. I’ll meet you there. Around seven?”

“Seven it is. See you later, Savannah.”

I click to end the call, a self-satisfied smile on my face as I turn to see Blaze’s face twist into a grimace.

“The Boot Barn’s no place for you. And any halfway-decent guy knows pool and beers at a honky-tonk ain’t gonna classify as a real date.” He pauses. “But it works right nice if he’s just fixing to get you in bed.”

“I’m not that kind of girl, or don’t you remember? And anyway, it’s a good thing I don’t give a damn about your opinion anymore. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.” I pull open the door to the feed room and start to walk inside when he grabs my arm. Electricity shoots up my arm, my heart stuttering like it’s been short-circuited. All of a sudden, I’m that starry-eyed eighteen-year-old girl again.

But I shove those past feelings deep into the recesses of my heart and mind.

“Why do you keep showing up here, Blaze? I really don’t know what the hell you want from me after all this time.” I grit my teeth, hand still on the door handle. “Why don’t you just leave?”

“Because if something happened to you . . .” His gruff voice trails off, and he stares into the distant mountains for a second before continuing. “. . . because you’re already in deeper shit than you know with this place, and I’m the only one who gives a damn about helping you out.”

I twist toward him, pulling free of his grip. “First of all, you’re clearly not the only one, since that phone call proves otherwise. And second of all, stop being so dramatic. I’m not some damsel. Yeah, I have a lot to learn, but I’ll get there. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve grown up a lot since you last saw me. I’m not the pathetic girl who was waiting for a white knight to sweep her off her feet. I’m my own white knight. I can take care of myself just fine. Way better than you ever did.”