Page 35 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“Oh...okay.” She says tentatively, while I shoot off into the loo, and hop into the shower, blasting the cold water on me like a goddamn avalanche. My dick shrivels fast, and when I get back, she’s in her room. I breathe a sigh of relief that I dodged that bullet. I go into the kitchen and grab a quick coffee, sticking my head outside to make sure that the guys don’t need me for anything, but they’re busy unloading. The Paxton boys should be here soon, and as I glance out the window, while Piper is in the shower, I see my brother Cassidy pull up.

“Shit.” I mutter to myself.

But it gets worse.

...he’s with my brother, Blair.

Chapter 12

Piper

WhenIgetshoweredand dressed, Billy is standing in the doorway, watching a truck pull up. It looks like he’s been standing there for a while, since his coffee mug is empty in his hand. “Who is that with your brother?” I ask, almost startling him. He does a double-take, like he suddenly forgot that I’m here, and now I’m standing in front of him. The smile is unavoidable. I smile back, waiting for his answer.

“Oh, shoot...yeah, that’s my other brother. That’s Blair. I haven’t seen him for a while, and I was just...distracted.”

The look on his face says that he’s mesmerized by something. He’s looking at me like I’m a unicorn. And suddenly...“Thanks for last night.” He says to me, and he kisses me tenderly on the mouth. It’s not sexual, even though it gives me a delicious shiver. It’s like a warm stamp of approval.

...Just as his brother walks in the door.

He catches the kiss just as Billy is pulling back.

“Well, what have we got here?” Cassidy says, cocky as hell. Billy looks like he wants to punch him.

“Blair, this is Piper. Piper, this is our other brother, Blair.” Cassidy says, tone still cocky, making Billy’s fist ball up.

“Don’t you know how to call first, asshole?” Billy says through gritted teeth. “And what are you doing here, Blair? Last time I saw you, you were giving me the finger.”

Blair is slightly taller than Cassidy, with the same eyes, but he’s chewing a piece of gum like it’s his last meal. “Cassidy here told me that the house went up. I was just curious how it’s going.”

“So, being nosey, hm? Well, ain’t that a shock. Mama and daddy send you over here?”

“Nope.” He answers, popping the ‘p’. He extends his hand to me. “Pleasure.”

“Nice to meet you.” I say.

“No, it ain’t. Trust me.” Billy says. Blair chuckles just as another truck pulls up. I’ll assume this is the Paxton boys. “Jesus Christ.” Billy swears under his breath.

“Take it easy, Billy.” Cassidy says. “Blair here came to help.”

“And I’m the fuckin’ Pope.” Billy mutters snidely, as he walks out the door, towards the Paxton boys. I stand there with Blair and Cassidy, while Billy shakes hands with the boys, and shows them to the pile of building materials.

“So, you want to come and work on the ranch?” I ask Blair, not knowing what else to say.

“If he doesn’t give me too much grief about it, yes. So far, it ain’t looking too good.” He says, and I think he’s now swallowed his gum. I’m a little worried about that.

“How come? I thought you worked at your folks’ factory.” I ask conversationally, not expecting him to answer me as honestly as he does.

“I am. I was. I...um...I got fired.”

My eyes bulge. “You got fired? By your folks?”

Cassidy interjects. “By the COO, actually. He had a falling out with him and he told mama and daddy it was him or Blair here.”

“And your folks chose him?” I ask, in shock, and starting to understand why Billy doesn’t speak highly of his parents.

“Well, you don’t understand.” Cassidy clarifies. “The COO is our uncle. And he’s got a large stake in the company.”

Okay, this family really is a piece of work. “So, your uncle is the COO, and he’s regarded higher than their own son, because he’s invested more in the company?”

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