Page 18 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Because you knew the screams were coming?’

She’d spotted Ash sneaking along the edges and could read what was going to happen next. ‘Not my first scary campfire story, cupcake. I bet you’d have some tales to share.’

Again, he shrugged.

‘You know what? You’re always telling me to talk to you, but you won’t talk either, which is annoying. It’s as annoying as that kiss.’

‘Excuse me?’ Sliding his hands into his jeans’ pockets, he rocked on his boot heels like Dex. ‘You liked that kiss.’

‘Pfft. Whatever gave you that impression?’ As if she’d tell him the truth!

‘Baby, you melted into me.’ The smugness of the guy, it was as if he’d conquered the Roman Empire.

Even if it was true, that kiss had been wrong on so many levels. ‘Let me be clear here…’ She tried to push him back from her personal space—but he was solid stone—so she took a step back, in need of cold air and distance. ‘You just did that because A, you're male.’ A darned fine-looking but broody specimen of a male. ‘And B, I just so happen to be the only single female around.’

‘Is that what you think?’

‘Duh. It’s pretty obvious it was just a convenience thing. Oh, and that I’m the only one you can’t boss around, because I’m not on your payroll, which must be some sort of game to you.’

His lip curled, and that sinful shine of amusement danced in his eyes. Which was rare and sexy all at the same time.

Nah-ah, cowboy. Not gonna happen.Bree narrowed her eyes as a warning for him to not push it.

‘So, you didn’t like the kiss?’

She snorted, tightening her grip on the shotgun. ‘Fine. It was a hot kiss.’ But the picture of her having hot hate sex with Ryder wasn’t exactly the best thing to have flash before her eyes while alone, in the dark, with this man, when she was trying to put out that scorching flame of heat that kept flaring up between them.

‘Want to see what a second kiss will be like?’

‘No.’ She even held her hand up like a traffic cop, hoping to stop the testosterone-loaded bull charging at her. ‘I’m here for Charlie, and not for your amusement. Good night, Ryder.’

Bree could feel his eyes following her when she’d never been this aware of any male. Not even her ex-husband had affected her like this.

She just couldn’t understand how—after being immune to him for so long—her body and mind were suddenly consumed with all things Ryder.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t going to happen.

They were so incompatible it was a joke.

Or was this part of some master plan of Ryder’s, or motive to his actions? There had to be a reason. Because Ryder wasn’t the type to sneak kisses in the dark for fun.

She wasn’t having a bar of that, and it only made her more determined to avoid being alone with Ryder for the rest of this muster—which might be harder than she realised.

Nine

The smell of sizzling bacon and fresh outback air had Ryder inhaling deeply as the stars dimmed above him in a deep, maroon-coloured sky, while on the distant horizon, a ribbon of red began to glow across the rugged landscape. Ryder sighed heavily, because nothing beat an outback sunrise. All he needed was a coffee and he’d be set.

He peered at the top of his swag that seemed heavier, only to discover his blanket. It was the green one he’d given to Bree.

He scowled at it, instantly engaging in a foul mood.

Not only had she snuck up on him while he was asleep, but she’d also given his gift back. And that was a big no in his book, especially when he knew how much she’d liked it.

Dragging on his boots, raking fingers through his thick hair, he grabbed his jacket.

‘Morning, Boss.’ Charlie poured him a cuppa. ‘Here, you look like you need one.’

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