Page 5 of The Heat of Intensity

“Cosima and I will make a list,” I state and bob my head in Rourke’s direction for him to agree.

At this moment I’m taking advantage of the fact that Cosima can’t see me.

“You two have shit to do at the ranch,” I remind my prez of something that’s complete bullshit. His raised eyebrow causes me to add, “Cosima and I agreed I should stay here and keep an eye out in case something like this morning happens again.”

Eastlynne frowns and I shoot her a glare to keep her from blabbering out shit. I know they don’t believe her ’cause there wasn’t any evidence of someone being in the house. There’s no way of telling if there was, but I’m not taking any chances.

Rourke wraps his arm around Eastlynne’s waist and pulls her close when he states, “I assume you’ll be staying here for a few days to get the horse settled and all. I’ll take the trailer back to the ranch and have a prospect bring your bike on a flatback. Call if you need anything.”

“Will do,” I reply and ask to clarify, “So, the men working on the stable will be done later today?”

Rourke shrugs. “They should be. The contractor mentioned he, or one of his guys, could swing by tomorrow or the day after to check and finish working on the new fire sprinkler system.”

“Good,” I grunt. “At least the random folks showing up around the house will end in a few days.”

“And then you’ll be gone as well,” Cosima says in a determined tone.

With a sly grin on my face I rumble, “We’ll see.”

Cosima flips me off, at least she tries. I’m standing on her right and with her mentioning the left eye being the one that has partial vision, she doesn’t see me and flips off my horse instead.

“I’m gonna put Bluebell in the pasture. Talk later, Prez.” I nod at his old lady. “Later, Eastlynne. I’ll text you with an update later tonight and will reach out if something is up, okay?”

“Nothing will be up, especially not your cock,” Cosima snarls. “I can manage by myself just fine. I’ve been doing it for years, and even blind for the past few weeks. This is utter bullshit.”

Eastlynne shakes her head at her sister’s outburst and stalks toward me.

Leaning in, she whispers, “I don’t like you forcing your way into her life, but I can see your point. Please don’t hurt her.”

“I can’t bear to see her hurt, it was gut-wrenching the first time I laid eyes on her. She can push me away all she likes but I’m not going anywhere. I’m determined to stay and help her see she’s ready to grab life by the balls again, and it doesn’t have anything to do with having a hundred percent visibility or not.”

Eastlynne swallows hard and gives me a nod along with “thank you.”

“Don’t thank him,” Cosima grumbles. “He’s an asshole who won’t stop butting in on other people’s lives. Go put my horse in the pasture, Parker. We all have better things to do than just standing here.”

I chuckle when I watch the sassy woman stomp off in the direction of the house. Eastlynne gasps and is about to rush after her sister when I grab her elbow.

“Leave her,” I grunt. “She regained partial vision in her left eye when she yelled at me earlier. I’m sure she can find her way safely inside the house.”

Eastlynne’s eyes widen and bounce back to her sister. We watch how she flawlessly enters the house.

Her sister’s gaze lands back on me. “Really? She can see again?”

I hate being the one to talk about Cosima, but on the other hand, this is her sister. “Cosima mentioned that her right eye is still blind. She’s been experiencing some blurry vision with her left eye and like I said, when she yelled at me earlier in the kitchen right after you two left, she could see me clearly with that eye.”

Eastlynne surprises the fuck out of me when she collides with my chest to wrap me in a hug.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Rourke grumbles and pulls her back against him.

I grin at my prez, knowing how damn special it is to receive a hug from his old lady. Eastlynne has a long medical history due to a combination of triggers involving sensitivities, autism, social anxieties, and fuck knows what else.

The point is, Eastlynne doesn’t open up easily and doesn’t let people into her personal space. It’s why Cosima handled everything and why it’s been hard on both sisters since her injuries required Eastlynne to step up and Cosima to step down.

Cosima stepping down won’t hold forever, I’ll make sure of it. That woman belongs on the top of the world. And I’ll move heaven and earth to mentally get her back up there.

CHAPTER THREE

Two days later

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