Page 61 of Toxic

“Why do you all know how…big…he is?” I teased.

“When you’re slinging a log like that, you make it a point to show the world,” Lock said with a chuckle. “It’s just how it is.”

Idaho let out another curse and shifted in the saddle again. “I’m going to walk with the dog.”

We all glanced over to where Eris was trotting along, her intelligent brown eyes watching the cattle like she couldn’t waitfor one to get belligerent so she could correct it. She was a cattle dog through and through. She snapped at a hoof, then darted out of the way when the cow kicked toward her, its eyes rolling in its head as it watched her.

“Keep your hands lighter on the reins,” I told Idaho, leaning over and tapping on his hand nearest me. “And stop gripping Arwen’s sides with your legs so hard. That’s why she keeps going into a trot for you.”

“Okay,” Idaho muttered, trying visibly to relax all his limbs. “Hard not to want to hold on for your fucking life.”

“What happens if you manhandle a pistol?” Toxic asked, his eyes scanning the herd.

“You throw the round off to the side away from the target,” Idaho answered.

“Same with the horse. Let her do the work,” Toxic told him. He glanced over at Lock and shook his head. “Looks like you’ve been riding your whole life, Lock.”

The man grinned then squeezed his legs against Durotan’s sides and took off like a shot toward the front of the group.

“At least he’s enjoying this,” Idaho grumbled as he shifted in the saddle, discomfort written all over his face.

“He needs a goddamn break,” Butcher said as he and Baloo merged back up with the group. The cow they’d chased back gave a hoarse bellow and integrated back in with the herd.

“Heneedsto get fucking laid,” Toxic muttered.

I looked over at him and rolled my eyes. “Having sex doesn’t fix everything,” I told him.

Toxic gave me a heated look and I had to look away because I could all but see the filthy thoughts happening behind those gorgeous brown eyes. I knew he was thinking about me. “Trust me, it’d fix what’s going on with him,” he finally said.

“What’s going on with him?” I challenged. The men laughed and as a group moved ahead of me without answering. Shakingmy head, I urged Hank forward. Hellfire was off Moose up ahead and had opened up the gates we’d need to drive the cattle through.

My expression turned grim as I watched some of the cattle stream through the gates like they should while others shot off left and right, trying to avoid the fencing. This was the fun part. I could put away my worries for my ranch and just meld with my horse as we chased down cantankerous cows. It was pure freedom.

CHAPTER 22

Toxic

“What’s your problem?”

Glancing over at Butcher, I shook my head. “Nothing.”

“You’ve been…quiet.”

“So?”

“You’re never quiet,” he pointed out.

“That should tell you I don’t want to talk about it,” I replied, leaning forward to see around him to check for oncoming vehicles. We’d made a quick run into town, stopped at the clubhouse to check in with Lock, and were heading back out to the ranch. Static was out there keeping an eye on things while I made a run into the hardware store.

His gaze settled on my face.

“Knock it off, asshole,” I muttered.

“Why you in such a pissy mood?” He paused, then grinned. “Is it because of your girl?”

“What else would it be?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Honestly, you have a lot of shit going on in your life.”

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