Page 43 of Auctioned to the Cowboys

Jesus. She really went there.

“I think we all need to calm down,” Mitch says. “We should eat this food that Taylor’s prepared and then take this conversation somewhere private.”

As the oldest person here, coupled with the gravitas of his job, Mitch commands a lot of respect.

Beth settles down into her chair and cuts her meat, forking a piece into her mouth and chewing. We all follow suit, the air charged and strained as no one can think of anything to say that won’t inflame the situation. Taylor pushes her food around her plate, and Clint’s cheeks are red. Jesse can barely chew, his jaw is so tight. It’s the most uncomfortable meal of all time, and that’s saying something.

With the food sitting in my stomach like a block of granite, I check everyone has finished before rising and gathering plates. Whatever needs to be discussed, I’m staying out of it. Confrontation is something I avoid, and Jesse is acutely aware of it. He dug this crater. He can deal with climbing out of it alone.

“You guys can go to the back room,” I say. “I’ll stay here with the kids and help Taylor.”

With stiff posture and uneasy expressions, Jesse, Beth, Duncan, Mitch, and Barb leave the kitchen. Clint hangs back, too, but I urge him to follow.

I give Katherine and Holt a big slice of chocolate cake each to keep them distracted and pull Taylor into a warm embrace. “Don’t worry about what’s happening over there,” I say. “It’s Jesse’s problem to deal with.”

“I don’t want to cause any upset,” she says, snuggling into me.

“I know.” Stroking her hair, I wait until she’s relaxed. “This was always going to be an issue that had to be dealt with. Better it’s done early.”

“Not at a birthday party, though.”

“Better now than later,” I say. “Trust me.”

14

JESSE

AN OUTSIDE THREAT

“How many?” I bark into the phone.

“Three,” Clint says, exhaling in frustration.

“Mauled?”

“They tore out their throats.”

I wince at the image. “We need to get them out of the field.”

“Already on it. I’ve moved the rest of the herd away. They were standing around gawping at the corpses.”

Jesus. That’s a horrible image. “Will you and Maverick be able to handle this? I’m waiting for Mitch.”

“If we have to.” I grimace as I hang up the call. Things have been strained since my birthday dinner, which turned into a disaster. Beth kicked up a load of dirt and left everyone choking. Mitch and Barb are frankly disgusted. Beth thinks I’m gambling away our inheritance. Duncan is unhappy that his wife is unhappy. Clint and Maverick don’t appreciate the drama or stress, and Taylor is mortified. Hardly the recipe for happy families.

I dismount, securing Bristol to the nearest post. The bunkhouse door is open, and the scent of cleaning supplies wafts from inside.

“Taylor. You in there?”

“Yeah,” she calls. I make my way inside, finding everything looking great. The beds all have fresh blue bedding. The place has been dusted, swept, and mopped. The bathroom is practically sparkling.

Taylor’s wearing cut-off shorts and a green tank, and her hair is in a ponytail that swishes as she cleans a mirror. My cock thickens at the sight of her thighs and the memory of her sweet pussy.

Last night, she slept in Maverick’s bed.

Tonight, it’s my turn. If I tread carefully, that is.

Things are difficult between us all. Taylor feels responsible for the blowout on my birthday, even though I assured her it’s all on me. I should have been honest with my sister, but I didn’t want to hear all the reasons why what I want isn’t a good idea.

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