Page 28 of Westin

“I kinda like you,” I whisper.

His lids flicker as his throat bobs. “I more than kinda like you.”

I bite my lip. “Too much, too soon, Mr. Quinn,” I say, trying to make it into a joke. I mean it a little bit, though.

“I don’t care,” he says, voice hoarse. “What kind of flowers do you like, darling?”

My brows rise. Is he trying to get romantic with me?

“My favorite? The yellow lilies that grow in the spring,” I say. “They’re pretty, but they don’t last long, so it’s a waste to pick them.”

He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth crooked. Then, his hand slides around the back of my neck, and he pulls me down to his mouth. I swear, I’m getting used to the taste of Westin Quinn. It’s feeling familiar.

He makes me burn between my thighs when his tongue brushes mine. We break apart before he kisses my palms and gets to his feet.

“Goodbye, Diane Carter,” he says. “I’ll be back soon.”

He leaves me sitting on the bed, stained sheets surrounding me. The front door slams, and I go to the window, holding the curtain over my body. He’s leaving, heading down the driveway.

I know it’s risky for him to be here, but it’ll break my heart if he never comes back.

CHAPTER TEN

WESTIN

I’ve gotten a taste of that little blonde Carter girl, and now, I’m hungry.

God, no. I’m starving.

It’s agony pretending nothing has changed. Sovereign Mountain turns with the rest of the world. I get up and head to the barn to saddle up Rocky and rotate the southernmost pasture to the east. Sovereign is already in the driveway, astride his bay gelding, Shadow. Jensen Childress sits beside him on a dappled gray mare.

“What are you doing up on Sovereign Mountain?” I ask, leading Rocky out.

“Came to help for the day,” he says.

He gives me a look. Sovereign stares out over the eastern field, his eyes narrowed. He’s a quiet man, but I’ve known him long enough to let him ruminate in his own world. He’ll be back when he chooses.

I swing onto Rocky and stretch out in my stirrups to get adjusted. “What’s the face for, Childress?”

“How’s it going with the Carter girl?” he asks.

Wishing he hadn’t brought it up here and now, I shrug. “Nothing to report.”

“Nothing at all?” His brow arches.

“Nothing. Shut up, motherfucker,” I say, shaking my head. “Next time, I’ll make sure to read you the gossip column over breakfast before we’re out trying to get work done.”

Jensen laughs. “So I take it she’s got you down bad,” he says with relish.

He digs his heels into his mare, and they start moving. Sovereign swings Shadow around, and I’m right on their heels, heading out of the yard and down the valley to the southern field.

“Are you talking about David Carter’s sister?” Sovereign asks.

“Yeah,” Jensen says.

Sovereign glances at me. “Is she the one you used to go out with?”

“No,” I say firmly. “She’s a good bit younger than me, about the same age as your girl.”

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