Page 3 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

She takes a few steps towards me and holds out her hand for me to shake, as she pulls her sunglasses up onto her crown. “I’m Piper Charlton. I sent my resume to you?”

Her soft voice and long eyelashes make my dick wake up. I clear my throat. “That’s right. I was just reviewing it a few minutes ago, actually. I’m interviewing someone this afternoon and then I was going to call you in for one.”

The smile is apologetic. “Oh. Well, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, but I wanted to pay you a visit, to introduce myself. I was hoping that that might make a difference.” She swallows. “I need a job. I need a job very badly.”

I recall what Cassidy said about Piper, and suddenly I chide myself for the primal reaction. With a quick nod, I say. “I appreciate that, Piper, but as I said, I’ve got an interview and then you’re welcome to come in.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly giving her the cold shoulder. A moment ago, I wanted to bang her against my shabby kitchen wall. But then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that I don’t need any more troubles. And it looks like she’s got trouble written all over her. Don’t matter how gorgeous she is. I don’t need more drama.

“Oh, I understand.” Piper says kindly. “Can I...can I make an appointment to come back? Say tomorrow morning?”

“Sure, that sounds fair.” I nod.

Suddenly, Cassidy interrupts. “Why don’t you tell us a thing or two about yourself?”

I give him a look through the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t take the hint, as usual.

Her face lights up, and my heart sinks. “Absolutely.” A short sigh. “I’m a straight A student, I’ve been working part-time with an accountant, and I have a lot of energy, so I don’t mind cleaning and cooking, or doing anything else if you need it. Plus, I love horses, so I’d love to work on a ranch.”

God. Damn. Give me a reason not to hire you.I find myself looking. “Cassidy here says that you quit school.”

He glares at me.

She’s visibly stung. Her neck cranes back some. “Um, well, I did quit full-time school, but I’m finishing my program online and at night.”

Cassidy’s nostrils flare at me.

“You mentioned that you work part-time with an accountant. How’s this job going to fit in there?” I add, unscathed, like I’m digging for reasons to get this chick off my property.

“Well, I work there at night, on the nights when I’m not doing schoolwork.” She volleys back.

“Don’t you think you’ll be awful tired with two jobsandschool?” I ask, almost telling her that she can’t handle it.

“Not at all. I...I don’t have any family, and no other responsibilities. Working is how I keep myself company and stay busy. My mama always said that time on your hands means yourself on your mind.”

I can see Cassidy regarding me like he’s going to beat the shit out of me the second that she turns her back, and I don’t doubt it. He’s done it before. So have all my siblings. Inside my head echoes Cassidy’s earlier words, when he told me that the kids in town are afraid of me. That I’m some kind of ogre to them. Mean, nasty, biting, and he’s right. It’s in my blood. I’m a highly defensive person, and when I feel threatened, I don’t hold back. The last thing I need is some woman with dinner plate eyes, as gorgeous as they are, looking at me like that. Hell, I ain’t been with a woman in so long, I’ve forgotten how to behave around them.

The last time I was near a female was on the military base. Fucked her brains out one night when my buddies got me so hammered I couldn’t see straight. I barely remember screwing her it was so un-noteworthy. Then she goes and tells everyone that I took advantage of her. That woman was so the opposite of this one, though. She was rugged and tough, a military chick. Not dainty and feminine like this one. Like anyone would believe that I’d take advantage of that savage. They’d sooner believe I did something with Piper. Which is why I don’t want her on my doorstep. No ma’am. No siree.

“Well, like I said, I’ve got an interview this afternoon, but I’ll be in touch.” I tell her, voice icy cold.

“But I thought you said that I could make an appointment to come back tomorrow.” She says, and I distinctly hear her voice crack.

My gaze goes to her quickly, but then I look away, at my brother, who is giving me a look that could kill.

“I’ll call you if I change my mind. Your number’s on your resume?” I ask snidely.

“Yes.” She says, her voice quivering.

My skin crawls, even though I’ve got a strange, nauseous feeling at the pit of my stomach.

“Thank you for your time.” She manages on exhale, as she walks away quickly. Her car chugs to life as I walk to my truck, which is parked right behind her car, on the street, since I made room in the driveway for the crew.

“What the fuck’s gotten into you, Billy?” Cassidy hisses, as if Piper might be able to hear from inside her car.

“What do you mean what’s gotten into me?” I ask, going for un-sheepish, but failing miserably, so I try for cocky. “It’s the truth. I’ve got an interview this afternoon.”

“Yeah, but you could have hired her on the fucking spot, and you know it. Aside from a reference, she’s exactly what you’re looking for, Billy.”

“And what makes you say that, hm? She’s already working part-time, and she’s in school, she said so herself. I’m not up for someone with split focus.”

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