Page 15 of Untamed

“We need to focus on finding Dolly,” Cash says. “Maybe she invited him over.”

My gaze cuts over to his, thoughts spinning. I’m the man of this house now. These decisions weigh on me, but whatever is happening tonight, I know it’s not good. My gut has never failed me, and tonight, something fucked up is going down.

7

ROSIE

PRESENT DAY

“What are you really doing here, Dixon?”

His voice is deep and intimidating, but the one thing I learned from my father is not to back down from a bulldog. Staring them down is the best defense.

I level him with half-lidded eyes. “I’m here to fix your ugly-ass face. You gonna let me do that or nah?”

The corner of his mouth twitches up, almost like he’s stopping himself from smiling. He leans back against the chair, but doesn’t close his eyes.

Trying to stop my hands from trembling, I lean forward with the needle and thread. He stares at my face as I stick the needle into his skin and doesn’t react to the pain.

I try to keep my breathing steady as I work on him, doing my best to make each stitch even and close to the cut to reduce the size of the inevitable scar.

“It’ll scar. You can use vitamin E oil on it while it’s healing to help the skin look smoother.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Somehow, the imaginary picture I conjure up in my head of Holden Redford’s already ruggedly handsome face with a scar on his jawline makes him impossibly—and annoyingly—hotter.

The walls in the bathroom are starting to feel like they’re shrinking around us. The temperature is growing warmer, and my tank top is sticking to my lower back. I stand up straight, unzip my hoodie, and shrug it off my shoulders. I toss it on the sink before leaning back down to continue working.

“Still trying to seduce me?”

I roll my eyes. “You wish.” I thread the needle through his face, leaning in closer to see. “Now that Madi’s whole scheme has come to light, Dolly will never forgive you if y’all hook up again.”

“I never had any intention of hooking up with her again.”

“Well then, should we alert the media to announce to the females of La Pradera that they’re free to start lining up outside your bedroom door?” My voice drips with sarcasm.

“Are you suggesting that I’m a man-whore?”

I snort, meeting his steely gaze for a moment before focusing on the wound again.

Yes.

“I’m suggesting you haven’t been with a woman in years, and judging by your habits before you went to prison, you’ll most likely be looking for a female companion to warm your bed again soon.”

“I’ve got more important things to do for the ranch. Why don’t you find me one? I prefer blondes and brunettes.”

I flip my copper-red hair over my shoulder, wishing someone would crank up the AC even though it’s in the forties outside.

“That’s not in my job description. Sorry for the inconvenience, sir.”

He pauses for a few beats before responding, “Too bad I love my little brother, or I’d just borrow you every once in a while. The convenience of your employment would be nice. You could strip the bed when we were done and wash my sheets.”

I clench my jaw, shoving the needle unnecessarily deeper into his face. He inhales a sharp gulp of oxygen.

So, since I dated Duke, I’m damaged goods now?

Not that I give a shit what Holden thinks either way, but still … rude.

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