Page 81 of The Rogue

Her warm body stretches into me again. I breathe her in, my cock jerking to life instantly.

How the fuck does she have this effect on me after what I just saw?

Tessa jolts, wrapping the sheet around her waist. “Oh no. You have work.Ihave work.” She sits up. “Breakfast. I can make you something before you go.”

Grabbing her clothes from various sides of the bed, she clutches the sheet that’s bound around her like a mummy and moves to the door, opening it softly. “I’ll wash this and bring it back later,” she whispers.

I open my mouth to assure her it’s not necessary, but she’s gone.

I feel like a jackass being angry with Tessa. Hell I’m as angry now as I’ve been every time I’d walked into a room and she’d be there. Every time I heard about the town outlaw or the town rogue causing trouble again.

I drag my hand down my face. If I’m honest, I’m probably angrier with myself for being so goddamn attracted to the wrong person.

Again.

But nothing about Tessa feels wrong. Not since the day I met her and certainly not what we did last night.

What the fuck happened to you, Whiskey?

I spend the morning doing mindless work in the field just to keep from walking back to the house to check on her.

Then when I see her in the barn, bringing over fresh iced tea and biscuits for the cowboys, I ride back to the Wrangler Room and lock the door.

The ranch website needs updating with available products and livestock. And the Barley family sent a friendly reminder to confirm the ranch is closed for their daughter’s wedding reception.

It’s an uncommon event for Hideaway Ranch, but certainly profitable.

Out of town folks typically rent the space for engagement photos. It’s been happening more and more lately. Maybe cowboy romance is a thing, and I missed the memo.

Gritting my teeth, I push off my desk where a pile of vendor invoices still wait to be paid.

Shit. I need to clear my head and take care of those.

It’s not that I don’t have the money. Hideaway Ranch is the most profitable establishment in town. I’ve just never been a paper and computer guy.

That’s all Noah.

And Noah certainly does his part in sending me reminders. When he gets calls asking him to write a legal letter to the ranch.

I review each bill and send the front office a note of approval to get these paid asap.

I still feel off. Like I’m missing something. Like I’m not doing enough.

Tessa’s been on my mind all day. Last night was fucking perfect. We were in sync more than just physically. We fit.Shefits.

I promised her a repeat because I knew before I touched her one night wasn’t going to be enough. But I can’t just ignore what I saw. And I won’t scare her by asking more questions.

Not yet.

Stalking out of the Wrangler Room, I jog around to the stables. I need to go for a ride.

“Howdy, Cowboy,” a familiar voice calls as I bring Willow back to her stall.

I pat her twice and whisper, “Thanks, girl.”

I hang the saddle and turn to one of my closest friends. And a woman who drove me bonkers for nearly a year when we were dating.

“Hey, Lon.”

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