Page 16 of Bedroom Rodeo

He tapped his boot on the floor. “Just did. She’s with us this week. Take her off the list.”

She sputtered. “The guys are going into the auditorium right now. The ladies are lining up for them to fight over!”

“I know that. Piers and I won’t be there to push our buttons. We already have our girl. Thanks, Maggie. Knew you’d be a big help.”

He left her with her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide with shock. As he strode out the door, he heard her on the walkie-talkie with the Master of Games in charge of the ceremony.

As he quickly walked to Sylvee’s bungalow, it hit him that the big bosses, Hugh and Riggs, would be attending the ceremony. Hell, Hugh might even be acting as Master of Games while he was here, directing the Boot Knockers in “selecting” their women. It was a bit of a farce, letting the clients believe the guys were fighting over them. Of course, that happened for real sometimes, but for the most part, the ladies were paired with a cowboy selected as the very best to suit their needs.

If Sylvee stepped onto that stage, Ash would bet his healthy investment portfolio that every Boot Knocker would be vying for her. Those sweet lips…the curve of her hips…

Fuck, his boner made walking difficult.

At the bungalow, he nudged his stiff cock into a more comfortable place, leaped the steps and opened the door.

Sylvee stood in the wreath of Piers’s arms, her face tilted up to his. She was giggling over something he’d said, but stepped away as Ash entered.

Piers dropped his arms to his sides. “You’re back. Good. I’m going to book the horses.”

Ash looked between them. “Who made the call to ride horses?”

“I did.” Sylvee smiled.

“Can you still ride?”

She gave him exactly what he’d been expecting from her—something he’d missed so damn much. Her haughty look of outrage spread over her lovely features.

“Of course I can ride! You never forget how!”

He chuckled and marched across the room to her. “You still get the same expression when you’re mad. You even do that thing where you tap one foot.”

She looked down at her feet and abruptly stopped tapping it on the hardwood floor.

Piers caught her gaze. “I’ll go grab those horses before everyone else does. You know, first day and all.”

He was right. When the new clients arrived, they didn’t often jump straight into bed with their Boot Knocker. They eased into things via recreational activities. But Piers was acting funny.

Ash and Sylvee watched Piers leave. After the door shut, he turned to her.

Reaching for her waist felt like the most natural thing he’d ever done. As soon as his hands closed on her, he moved in to nuzzle her temple. “We’re finally alone.”

“Uh…”

He set a knuckle under her chin and drew her face up to his. Diving into the deep pools of her eyes for a long heartbeat, he took in all the changes in her. Then he slowly lowered his mouth to hers.

She settled a hand on his chest. “Wait. Ash.”

“Yes, Peachy?”

“I…”

“You don’t want me to kiss you? Properly?”

“It’s not that. I mean, we’ve never kissed on the lips before. It’s just that…I kissed Piers.”

A thrill hit his stomach. Damn, he was sorry he missed it. Seeing Piers and Sylvee making out would make him bust a nut in record time.

She stared up at him, a tiny crease between her dark brows as she waited for his response. “Is that okay?”

---