Page 18 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"Miko hasn't been able to try a lot of different foods, Mrs. Gibbons," I explained. "I suspect tonight will be an eye opening experience for him."

"Oh." Mrs. Gibbons frowned. "I'd be happy to make him something more traditional if he wants."

"No, please," Miko quickly said. "I would very much like to try what you have made. I have never had American food before."

"Well, I'm not sure how American steak and potatoes are, but it's definitely ranch food. My boys work hard and they play hard. They need hardy food to fill them up."

Miko glanced at me. "Her boys?"

"She means Monty, me, and the rest of the ranch hands."

"Oh yes, of course."

"Normally," I explained, "whoever is home during dinner joins us, but today was special so they are all eating in the bunkhouse tonight. Tomorrow, this place will be filled with ranch hands. We try to eat breakfast and dinner together."

"Not lunch?"

I shook my head. "Most of us are out on the ranch during lunch. Every morning, Mrs. Gibbons makes up a bunch of sack lunches we can take with us so we don't have to ride all the way back to the main house to eat."

Miko's eyes widened as he looked across the table. "Do you sleep?"

Mrs. Gibbons laughed. "I do, sweet boy, but these old bones don't need as much sleep as I used to. I like cooking so it's no big deal to make food for my boys."

I grabbed my fork and reached over to spear one of the baked potatoes. I held it up. "You want to try a baked potato?"

"I want to try everything."

I set the potato on his plate and then got one for myself. Next was the platter of steaks, then salad, and finally homemade dinner rolls. As I started preparing my potato, I realized Miko was watching me and mirroring my actions. I made sure to slowdown with what I was doing so he had time to decide if he wanted to do the same or not.

I waited to cut into my food until Miko took his first bite of his food. He took just a small bite of the potato like I suggested then one with bacon bits and cheese on it. His smile grew as he took another bite.

"You like it?"

Miko nodded as he chewed.

I smiled back then cut into my own food. Things were kind of quiet as we all ate, which was a change from when the table was full of rough cattle wranglers. Quiet wasn't a term I'd use in reference to our normal meal times. Chaotic, deafening, boisterous...all good descriptions.

All accurate descriptions.

When I was done eating, I leaned back in my chair and rested my arm along the back of Miko's. Watching him eat wasn't like I expected. He savored each bite, letting it sit on his tongue for a moment before chewing.

It made me decidedly uncomfortable. I reached under the table and adjusted my growing erection, moving it away from my zipper before I had metal imprints.

When Miko finally laid his fork down, I blew out a breath of relief. I hadn't been sure how much more I could take before I'd be forced to walk away and find a dark room to relieve the ache in my jeans.

"You want dessert?"

I almost whimpered when he shook his head.

"I couldn't possibly." Miko rubbed his stomach. "I don't think I've ever eaten so much."

And just that quickly, my arousal deserted me. "Did they not feed you enough?"

I could tell from the flustered frown on Miko's face that he was choosing his words carefully. He seemed to do that a lot.

"I was on a very regimented diet."

"Not here." I tried not to snarl. "Here, you can eat whenever you want, whatever you want. Hell, you could eat everything in the house and no one would be upset with you."

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