Page 33 of Wildest Dreams

I lean against the bedroom door, head falling back and hitting the wood.

“Do you need help?” I hear Tripp’s voice, and my eyes lift to see him standing wrapped in just a towel. Skin all wet and shiny, brown chest hair damp. His muscles ripple under his skin as he walks towards me, arms strong and toned. Dark brown hairflopped against his forehead, water droplets running down his nose.Hot.

“Please,” my voice is barely audible as I pull my eyes from him. Ten years looks good on him. A little too good if I am being honest.

I step aside and ignore the want to inhale his scent.

He twists the knob and pushes the bedroom door open, revealing my room.

“Thank you,” I just about manage as I step into the room and lay Lainey in her cot, settling her down before I walk back out onto the landing, baby monitor in hand as I pull the door two.

Tripp has disappeared into his room and disappointment surges through me.

I make my way downstairs and into the kitchen to pour myself a coffee from the pot I brewed. Glancing up at the time, it's just past two. I have an hour until Lainey wakes and I feel a little lost on what to do.

Everyone goes about their day, their jobs, and then there is me who doesn't quite know what to do with herself.

I'm sitting back at the kitchen table, hot coffee in hand when Pacey walks through the door, a boyish grin on his face.

“Dixie,” he greets me as he moves towards the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water.

“Pacey,” I smile back as he plops himself on one of the barstools.

“What's new?” he asks, eyes flitting between mine.

“Not a lot, every day is pretty much the same to me at the moment,” I admit, taking a sip of coffee.

“We can find you something to do, there is always jobs to be done on the ranch,” he offers, and I place my coffee down on the coaster.

“Thanks.” My cheeks blush slightly, “I would take anything at the moment.”

A cough fills the room and both me and Pacey turn to look in that direction. Tripp is leaning against the door frame, beautiful arms folded across his chest.

“Am I interrupting something?” He asks, one brow raised.

Asshole.

“Yeah, me trying to find Dixie something to do around here to keep her from losing her mind.”

“What about Lainey?” he counters back.

“I'll watch her if Dixie wants to find a little job, I would love to have her, only if that's okay with you?” Orla’s voice floats from the boot room, as she places a hand on my shoulder, and I shrink in my chair a little.

“Only if you wouldn't mind? I mean, I still have to find something first but...”

“Like I said, plenty to do on the ranch. I'm back working here since I lost my job, so the more the merrier in my opinion,” Pacey gives me a slow wink and I don't miss the low rumble of Tripp from beside me.

“I would love to help out; Tripp, would you mind?”

His eyes are on his brother, and I know Tripp isn't happy about it.

“Whatever, just don't think we will go easy on you.”

“We?” Pacey pipes up.

“Yup, I'm back working for the family business too.”

And my insides knot.

---