Page 26 of Toxic

Butcher was standing at the back of the crowd, his arms crossed over his chest with a knowing smug smile on his face.

“Don’t mind these assholes,” Toxic said, elbowing Idaho when the man tried to jostle him to the side. “They’re just here to help paint.”

My eyes widened even more when I realized my old weathered porch had a brand new stain on it. I turned, gasping when I saw the house was a brand new bright white. Swallowing hard, I tried to hold back the tears.

I’d been trying to get to the painting for a while now—a while being years. Even when we had the crew here, I’d been too damn busy working to take the couple weeks it would take to paint both the house and the barn. And here these men were, done with the house and already starting on the barn.

“This is too much.” My voice was a bit hoarse. I wasn’t sure if it was from disuse or emotion. “I’m so grateful,” I added. “I never expected you would…” I broke off, unsure I could keep speaking without breaking down. I wasn’t going to cry in front of this group of men.

They were all smiling at me. And not one of them seemed irritated to be here in the heat of the late morning. They’d all been friendly and had been painting my house while I slept. What kind of people helped a stranger this way?

Toxic and his brothers were going to end up turning me into the kind of person who trusted people. Who believed that they did nice things for people just because they wanted to.

“Keeps ‘em busy,” Hush said. “Men like this get bored, and then shit gets interestin’.”

“Thank you,” I said, meeting each of their eyes. I needed them to know how grateful I was for their kindness. This was so far beyond what I expected when Keely said she had some friends who could help me out. So far beyond what I could really understand.

“No need to thank us, Billie,” Toxic said. He turned his head and gave the men behind him a look that made them all head back to the barn. “You heading out to see your grandpa?”

I sucked in a breath when he reached out and cupped my cheek. I recognized that he was checking my temperature, which is what he’d been doing for the last two days, but this time I wasn’t delirious with fever. And wow it was nice to have his big hand on me. I liked it too much.

Stumbling back a step, I nodded. “If it’s okay, I’m going to head out now.” I glanced back to the barn. “I don’t want to leave while you’re doing my work for me…”

Toxic chuckled and the deep rumble made my system respond in a way it hadn’t in a long time. “That’s what we’re here for, Billie. Do you want me to drive you?”

I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’m feeling so much better. I can drive myself.”

“Okay, then I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”

How did a girl respond to that? He’d been making me soup over the last couple days, but he was planning on having dinnerready for me when I got home? Instead of responding, I escaped to my truck.

Shutting the door, I took a deep breath, gripping the steering wheel tight. Why did I feel this way? I hardly knew the man. There were five other men who were just as handsome as Toxic was out there, and while I’d admired them, I’d felt nothing out of the ordinary when they spoke to me. Yet, every time Toxic opened his mouth I risked melting into a puddle of turned on girl.

It was bad. So bad. I couldn’t afford to let a man into my life. Not right now. I was too busy. And with this company possibly coming after me and my ranch it could be dangerous. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Especially not Toxic.

Growling in frustration at my inner voice, I started the truck. A knock on the window made me jump. I rolled it down and stared as Toxic’s muscular veiny forearms appeared.

He leaned down so that he could see me, folding his arms on the open window sill. “Had a question for you.”

I wondered what he would do if I just leaned forward and licked along one of those veins? I didn’t care that he was sweaty. In fact, he smelled so good I tried to be discreet about inhaling a little deeper. I suddenly understood why Eris liked to roll in scents she found delightful.

Of course, those were things like shit. And dead rotting animal. Certainly not the enticing scent of a hard-working man. “Yeah?” I managed to make myself respond normally instead of squeaking out the word. I really needed to make sure he didn’t know he was tying me up in knots.

If a man like him knew what he was doing to me he’d press the advantage for sure. I hadn’t even needed Keely’s warning to know he was a ladies’ man. He just had that vibe. It was the confident walk, and the sexy smile. He just radiated charisma.

“One of my brothers has a couple little girls. They’re huge fans of horses,” he explained.

My smile was fast and wide. “Every little girl loves horses,” I said as if that was just a given.

“Wanted to see if you wouldn’t mind if we brought them and some of the other little kids out here? And their mothers, these guys’,” he jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the other men, “old ladies. The kids would sure get a kick out of all the animals.”

“That would be wonderful,” I told him, meaning it wholeheartedly. I loved children. And the lord knew it wouldn’t hurt for me to socialize with some other women occasionally. “If you let me know which day, I’ll make sure to be here for a bit. If Gramps is doing okay.”

“Sure. That would be great. The women will be thrilled to meet you. It’s no rush,” he added. “We’ll wait until your grandfather is doing a bit better, then make a plan.”

It was like I didn’t even need to explain to him how important it was for me to sit with Gramps, but that I also sort of wanted to meet everyone. It was so much fun to watch kids interacting with my animals for the first time. This place needed the sound of giggling children, and right now my ovaries were screaming at me.

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