Page 53 of Dark Horse

“I don’t know if I’m doing anyone but you a favor.”

“Maybe not. But I’m your favorite, remember?” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes.

“Fine. When is this all going down?”

“I’ll snatch her when they start the scavenger hunt.”

“All right. Good luck.” She nods her agreement, and I hurry off to fill Levi in on the plan. No fucking way can I tell Ramsey because he’ll blurt something to Hazel and ruin it all, but someone else needs to know what’s going on to help keep things going.

TWENTY

DAKOTA

I hearthe sound of hooves as I make my way across the pasture to the patch of woods where the creek runs through. I’m lagging behind everyone else, trying to make sure the last event is cleaned up and the next one is ready with the rest of the staff. Kit, Grace, Kellan, and Elliot, the full-time ranch and inn staff, all bowed out of the competition portion of the day to help with the events but still planned to join us later for dinner and the campfire portion of the evening. Hazel lamented that they didn’t want to participate, but I’m grateful for any and all help I can get keeping things running smoothly.

I turn to see who’s riding out, wondering if Kell is trying to catch up to tell us we forgot something. My phone only works intermittently depending on where we are on the ranch. Whoever’s riding looks the part, cowboy hat and Wranglers, ashe bears down on me. No sooner I squint and cover my eyes against the sun, I realize it’s not Kell at all. It’s Grant. The broad shoulders and the signature black hat are a dead giveaway. I’ve rarely seen him ride, even though he’s probably better than most of the people on this ranch, so I stop to take in the sight.

It’s a mistake because as he gets close, I see him reach for something at his side—rope. It’s a blur of motion then. He pulls it out and winds it up in the air as he races toward me. I’m a clueless ball of confusion as he ropes me, pulling it tight and circling me as he draws it even tighter. He yanks on the rope, and I’m forced to walk toward him as a devilish smirk forms on his lips under the shade of his hat.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap as I feel the rope rub against my arms through my shirt, bits of fray coming loose and floating through the air.

I might find the man attractive. He might provide a lot of entertainment and orgasms, but I still feel like throttling him on occasion. One of them being now.

“Kidnapping you.”

“This isn’t a good time. I’m already behind and have to catch up with the rest of them.”

“They’ll be all right without you for a little bit.”

“Hayden won’t be. I’m his partner. And if anyone needs anything…” I give him an impatient look, struggling against the rope to try to shake it loose off my arms.

He tugs, and I stumble forward, my eyes snapping up to meet his, and a sardonic chuckle rumbles from his chest.

“Before I was anything else, I was one of the best ropers in the state of Colorado, Hellfire. Levi and I used to spend several days a week out here practicing with the cattle when we still had ‘em. I wouldn’t fight it.”

My eyes drift over him as I try to decide whetherhe’s telling the truth or not, and he looks even more amused when he realizes what I’m doing.

“Don’t make me prove it.” He tugs on the rope again, slow and steady, and I’m forced to walk toward him.

“Is your goal to irritate me?” I glare up at him. I’ve barely slept or eaten today. I probably need water, too, given the headache I’m starting to develop. So needless to say, I’m cranky and not as amused as I might be under other circumstances.

“Nah. My goal is to kidnap you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Whatever I said about orgasms and entertainment, I take back. The man’s timing sucks. “I told you. I have things to do.”

“And I told you, as long as you’re in debt to me, you follow my rules.” He says it in a low tone, leaning over and glancing back at the woods to make sure no one’s near the tree line to see or hear us.

“This isn’t cute.” I glare at him.

“Neither is this attitude you’ve got going on.” He hops down off his horse and approaches me.

“Hurry up and take it off,” I grouch, wiggling my shoulders under the rope, trying to crane my arms enough to pull at it.

He yanks it hard, pulling me to his chest, and puts his hand under my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“You don’t tell me what to do, Hellfire. You listen, and you obey. Got it?”

My eyebrows slam down, and I open my mouth to let him have it, but his thumb presses to my lips.

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