Page 6 of Titus

FOUR

Quinn

As usual, Rini has me waiting on her ass. The barbecue starts in an hour and I’m ready and waiting in the lobby of the Phoxes Den. The fairgrounds are only twenty minutes from here but everyone has warned me traffic is bad during rodeo and parking is even worse. Thankfully, the lodge provides transportation to the rodeo. The next Sprinter is leaving in fifteen and we need to be on that one.

We made it to the ranch right after four and impressed doesn’t even describe my feelings about this place. I’m in a country chic heaven for the next two weeks. Between the wood flooring, huge log beams across the large window walls and sloped high ceiling, and the grandeur of this great room, I’m still in awe.

In here are three large, curved, espresso leather couches that encircle a massive tree structure in the middle of the room.The huge branches of the three are the actual ceiling beams. The tables are even custom-made tree trunks. Not only is this creative as hell, it’s absolutely beautiful. Everything in this entire lodge is gorgeous, especially my suite.

The same beautiful hardwood flooring throughout the lodge also graces the floor in my suite. The opulence was evident as soon as I entered. It’s huge with an ensuite bath containing a huge Victorian tub in the middle of the floor, a large sitting area with two high-backed, plush reading chairs and two tree trunk designed tables. It’s early spring so I won’t need a fireplace but there’s also a stoned fireplace in the sitting area.

My favorite part of the suite is the bed area. On top of a beautiful, cowhide-textured, oddly-shaped rug is an obviously hand-crafted, magnificent, grand, weathered timber bed. Four massive wood beams tower high above the mattresses and the thick headboard is cushioned with deep brown leather. To match the gorgeous bed, there is also a weathered timber dresser and nightstand, both with marble tops. Rini’s suite across the hall mirrors mine.

As I wait on her, I flip through my files on my phone. For each possible recruit, I have a promo sheet with a photo, stats, rankings, background, and current stats. I’m looking at a strong ten with Destry as number one and sexy Titus as my number two. For me, he’s for sure number one but not for sponsorship. For every-damn-thing else though.Shit!

I cannot get this man out of my mind. His sexy ass smile, arrogant but cute demeanor, and those soul stirring, dark eyes. Every time he looked at me, I damn near melted. And God! His big, strong hands! When he grabbed my arm, a jolt went through my entire body and I was seconds from moaning. There’s nothing like a confident cowboy, especially a chocolate one. I’m ready to get to this barbecue so I can handle Jaxson Boots business and see Titus again.

Feeling anxious, I text Rini:I swear you better be coming down the stairs right now!

Rini:Bitch! Look up!

When I glance up, I see her walking down the grand staircase, looking cute as hell in our custom pink, snip toe cowgirl boots, distressed jeans, a pink, cropped, oversized long sleeved shirt, and our tan, vented straw cowgirl hat with a pink hatband. She’s repping our brand. All she’s missing is one of our belts. I opted for my chocolate short set with my matching cropped trucker jacket. I, of course, am wearing our cute, tall, brown embroidery boots. I can’t lie; Titus one hundred percent influenced my outfit choice this evening.

“Where’s your hat?” she asks as soon as her feet hit the great room floor.

“For the barbecue?”

“Yes. It’s the rodeo. We are cowgirls for the entire time we’re here.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll wear one but not tonight. I spent too much time flat ironing and laying this flat.”

“You’re going to feel left out,” she warns before walking toward the door. “Come on. I want to take pictures before we leave. We look too damn cute.” When I stand, she turns back and studies my outfit. “Okay, thighs!” she exclaims. “Is this director of branding attire?”

“It sure is. We are going to a barbecue outside with cowboys and cowgirls. I’m dressed perfectly in my opinion.”

“Titus is going to love it.”

Not only has he been stuck in my head, he was the topic of our conversation during our ride here, along with Lab. He looked familiar to her so she looked him up. He used to be a competitor, bull riding, but he got injured and gave it up.

“I’m not thinking about him,” I say and she laughs. Hell, we both do; there wasn’t an ounce of veracity in my words. While smirking, she continues to the door and I follow.

Darkness has fallen and it’s a cool and interestingly quiet night. Even with the lodge sold out to guests, there’s a peaceful silence out here. The sounds of the city are muted on this ranch, creating a tranquilness I’ve never experienced so I take a moment to soak it all in.

There’s nothing but miles of land, a clear sky, and parked vehicles. Although the lodge is located on thousands of acres of land, the actual animals, barns, and ranch life are miles from it. To fully immerse myself in the ranch, I plan on touring it while we are here.

We are barely out here for five minutes before a black Sprinter pulls into the long driveway. It stops in front of us and two women, clearly inebriated, are helped out by the driver. He nods to acknowledge us as he gingerly guides them inside the lodge.

“They’re drunk already. That’s wild as hell,” Rini says while shaking her head.

“Black Ops Bourbon and Backfire Barbeque are sponsoring tonight. Maybe they indulged in too much bourbon before the food. The invite said drinks and apps until dinner at eight.”

“I’m trying to balance both. Brisket and bourbon are my focuses anyway but more brisket than bourbon because we are hitting Forty Acres after this.”

“What’s Forty Acres?”

“The spot to be at. I told you we were going out tonight. I swear you don’t listen when I talk.”

“I listen,” I rebut but she’s right to a certain extent because I did tune her out during the first part of our drive. I was too busy running my notes of the competitors through my mind. She did mention something about going out but that’s all I heard.

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