Page 31 of For Fillies and Monsters

“Well, you better. Because, as you said, I am theboss. And last time I checked, the boss makes the rules. Are you really going to start our working relationship like this?” My voice is shaky and breathless, but I refuse to cry. I refuse to back down. I’ve had enough men walk over me in this life.

I have to stand up for myself, even if I don’t feel worthy of it.

He turns in the saddle, his large hand gripping the cantle with the motion, and looks at me. He smirks, and I swear if I wasn’t sitting, I’d fall over. The small twist of his lips is more erotic than any look he has given me so far, and I hate him more for it.

How many different, and hot, movements can this man do with his mouth? Scratch that—I can’t think about his mouth.

“What can I say? I’m a monster.” Without another look, he kicks his horse gently, and she lurches forward toward the fields. I stare after him, my chest heaving with anger.And arousal, who am I kidding?He’s so fucking hot, and the way he said monster?

I fucking wish.

“Who is the new guy?” Dale asks the question between smacking her lips and popping a bubble with her gum. I roll my eyes; I’ve been expecting this question. Dale has about as much aversion to trouble as I do.

None.

“Well?”

Impatient brat.

I shake my head, the braid down my back swaying with the motion. I’m exhausted, and the day has only just begun. The argument with Gus and trying to keep up with his growly attitude is quickly tiring me out. I feel like I’m coming off a bad trip, and my body is just, so, tired.

After bickering over how to sort the heifers off, Gus ignored every single one of my suggestions and did it his own way. He probably does know better, and the way he brought all the pairs in, and then sorted off the babies in the corral versus the wide-open pasture, did work more effectively. But I would never admit that out loud, and never to him.

Gus has blown onto this ranch and burned into my life in a way that chafesworsethan riding a day without underwear—which I replaced yesterday while running errands, thank you very much.He is just so angry, so hateful, and so fucking hot. My body and mind seem to be running on heat and desperation alone.

And I think he can smell it on me or something.

On the other hand, Nathan also showed up, his creased jeans, polo—yellow today—and tan hat all perfectly in place, and did little for me besides piss me off in a way that makes me want to gouge my eyeballs out. He smiled when he first saw me and then paled nearly instantly. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize Gus was behind me, probably with a miserable scowl painted on his face, his demon pony from Hell glowing in the sunshine.

If I thought his scowl was vicious when directed toward me, it didn’t hold a torch for the one he gave Nathan. At first, I was half tempted to step between them to shield Nathan and then remembered I can’t stand the guy even on a good day; I’m not willing toburn aliveto save him.

Nathan quickly withered on his own and scurried away like the beat puppy he was.

As the entire scene unfolded, I wanted to yell at Gus again, sling a few more choice words at him. But I’ve been so messed up since he showed up this morning that I felt safer keeping my mouth shut. Which only pisses me off more.

No one makes me feel like this in my own home.Right?

“Gus.” I am not sure how much time has passed since Dale asked. She laughs, her hand pressed to her plum-colored lips.

“This one definitely has a penis you can make use of.”

I whirl on Dale, ready to pinch her, but she has her horse backed up just out of reach. A shit-eating grin consumes her rounded face, her hands stretched apart, mimicking twelve inches, lolling her tongue to the side and rolling her eyes back into their sockets.

Unable to contain myself, I bark a laugh; I do think he is sexy as fuck, and I can’t hide that fact from Dale, even if I want to.

“Woof!” Dale’s eyes round with surprise at my playful banter. She cackles, slapping her knee as she doubles over.

“Don’t you guys have anything you could be doing? It’s already getting hot as shit.” Gus’s raspy voice fills the space behind my back, his signature irritated vibe ever-present. I cringe.How much of that conversation did he hear?

Dale mockingly kicks her heels into the side of her horse and raises her hand to her forehead in a mock salute.

“Yes, sir!”

A growl fills the air and then he trots off toward the bawling heifers. Dale fans her face, and I note the stain of blush across her cheeks.

“Fuck, if you don’t, I will. He’s hot as fuck.”

I offer Dale a feeble smile, my playful mood fading faster than I want to admit. Heishot as fuck; you’d have to be blind to not notice it.And he has that pornographic voice.

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