Page 52 of Since Day One

“Not until you tell us what happened up there,” Rob replied with a grin.

Carsen glanced at me and then rode right next to Rob and spoke. “He ain’t gonna say shit with her here.”

“Believe it or not, nothing like you’re thinking happened while we were stuck in that cabin,” Gunnar nonchalantly said, trotting around the edge of the arena.

“We don’t believe you. You spent four entire days all alone with that incredibly gorgeous specimen of a woman, and you’re going to tell us that nothing happened?“ Rob answered, and a blush rose up my neck to warm my cheeks as Gunnar’s eyes shot my way. The others wouldn’t have noticed as he’d barely moved his head, giving no indication of how intently he was staring at me from beneath the brim of his hat.

“Not even a kiss,” Gunnar answered truthfully. He was being honest. We hadn’t kissed… Not while snowed in any way.

“Seriously? You’re saying you didn’t kiss those lips? I call bullshit!” Rob continued, still in disbelief as Gunnar shook his head. The door opened to the arena, and I glanced over, noticing Ruger quietly making his way inside.

“Your lips did not meet her lips even once while snowed in, all cozying up to each other for warmth and comfort?” he pressed, and I shook my head along with Gunnar once more.

“Really, man? Your mouth never once caressed either set of lips of hers?“ Carsen blurted out.

A snort rumbled from my nose as Gunnar and Rob nearly fell off their horses laughing so hard. Even Ruger, who walked in halfway through the comment, tripped on his own feet as he was coming my way.

“If I hadn’t kissed her mouth how would I have remotely been able to kiss what’s between her legs? Dumbass,” Gunnar grumbled in reply, and Ruger hollered even louder, roaring along with Rob as Carsen shook his head.

“Disappointing, boss,” he mumbled in response, and a soft chuckle came from Gunnar as I shook my head, my cheeks burning a flaming red that could have heated the whole arena. The boys resumed their warm-ups and began working the flag as Ruger stopped beside me. He adjusted the collar of his black coat, situating his gray wild rag, and glanced down at me.

“Come on, something definitely happened between you two. I mean, I walked in, and you were in the bedroom together. He was shirtless,“ Ruger pressed, and I continued to watch the cowboys work. “And you appeared to be possibly pantless.”

“Like Gunnar said, his lips did not touch either set of mine,” I replied stiffly, and he snorted, shaking his head.

“But you two seem pretty close now. You were before, but more so now,” he continued.

“Well, obviously we are. We spent four days stuck together with no one else around. No electricity, no cell—“ I immediately stopped talking. My hand snaked into my pocket, and I snatched my phone out and turned to Ruger apologetically. “I’m sorry, I need to call a few people and let them know I’m okay.”

“Abi?” Ruger asked.

“She’s one.”

He nodded and then returned his attention to the arena as I quickly walked around the round pen and pushed open the door. The cold seared through my clothes as I pressed my phone to my ear and listened to it ring.

It rang only twice before the call connected and Abi shrieked into my ear. “Gah! You’re calling me! Does that mean you made it out safely?”

“I am back with cell service and electricity,” I replied happily, and she screeched joyfully once more. Then she sighed.

“But that means no more hot cowboy,” she said sadly, and I bit my bottom lip.

“Not exactly,” I answered hesitantly.

“No!” Excitement pierced the speaker from her voice.

“We didn’t like sleep, sleep together,” I quickly amended.

Abi squealed. “But stuff happened?”

“Hmmmm. Maybe,” I replied, and she screamed loudly enough I had to hold the phone away. I listened to Denny shush her in the background while her heavy breathing continued through the receiver.

“So, how much happened?” she pressed, her voice low and expectant. I quickly glanced around to make sure I was entirely alone. Tires crunched over gravel, nearing me, and I stepped farther away from the main road as an oddly familiar truck and trailer rounded toward our little escape.

Once I tucked myself around the back of the barn, I inhaled. “Like a lot of cuddling and um...we kissed last night,” I blurted out, and she squealed once more. “Don’t tell anyone, please, but I need someone to know, because I’m kind of freaking out.”

“My lips are sealed,” she quickly agreed. “But oh my gosh, I am so happy for you!“ She paused, and I waited for her to process everything else I said. “Wait, why are you freaking out? It’s a good thing and normal to kiss someone you’re attracted to.”

I let my thoughts collect for a moment before answering. “Because I’m only here for a couple more weeks and then it’s done. We’re done. And I want more than to just kiss him, like a lot more, but I’m absolutely terrified.”

---