Page 3 of Ride Me

And speaking of unfinished business, let’s talk about this so-called ranch rebranding. The Kingridge Ranch is now Family-Friendly… Y’all, I can’t even say it with a straight face.

Look, I get it. Image matters, especially when the oldest brother settles down with a sweet single mom. But let’s not pretend the Kingridge boys are about to start hosting storybook hayrides.

This is the same ranch where a bachelorette party went viral for turning a mechanical bull ride into a full-contact sport. Y’all know the one. And if you don’t, bless your heart—you ain’t from here.

But it gets better, rumor has it the city girl they hired to clean up their image isn’t telling the full truth. Word on the street is, her daddy’s got deeper pockets than the Kingridge family vault. And get this—she’s out here trying to hide her last name like that’s gonna work in a town where the mailman knows what kind of cereal you buy.

Let me help you out, sweetheart—there are no secrets in Sagebrush Creek. It’s only a matter of time before someone spills all your tea. And I’ll be right here, microphone on, waiting to see how it plays out.

In the meantime, little miss no-last-name better be ready to work, because this weekend is VIP time. That’s right—the big boys are coming to town for one night only. Private horseback rides, gourmet meals, and five-star service better be ready at the ranch, because nothing says rugged cowboy lifestyle like truffle mac and cheese with imported bourbon.

And who are these high-rollers? I’m so glad you asked.

Get ready, ladies—the Southern Knights of the NFL are on their way to Sagebrush. If you’re wondering whether that’s the same football team that cut Fallon Kingridge from their roster and shipped his ass to Europe… You’d be correct.

Oof. Can you imagine? The team that benched you now sipping cocktails in your childhood backyard while you’re halfway across the world? Y’all, I don’t know how I’d handle that, but I sure as hell know I’d need more than a stiff drink.

And as if things weren’t spicy enough, Findlay Farms is coming in hot. That’s right—just down the road, the Findlay boys are adding more guest cottages to their operation.

Hey farmers, trying to get in on the Kingridge action, huh? Bold move. But let’s be real—cute little cottages aren’t gonna be enough to take the Kingridge brothers down. You’ll need something bigger than that to compete with our small-town royal ranch out here in Sagebrush Creek. While I’m on it, someone tell Travis to head back to his own tavern next time he feels like starting a fight.

Now, before I sign off, I keep getting the same question in my inbox— "Why do you use a voice disguise? Who are you even??"

Well, honey, let me answer that real simply. Who would trust me if they knew I held all the cards? I can’t tell you. But I have some friendly advice, quit worrying about me and keep yourself out of the gossip in the first place. I don’t make the news, honey… I just call it like I see it.

And on that note—this has been another episode of Boots & Bitching Podcast. I am your bitch with boots on the ground. Y’all act right with them football boys in town. I’ll be watching.

CHAPTER 3

BOWEN

“Ahhh, damn you, stupid thing…”Priya mutters, yanking one corner of the fitted sheet over the overstuffed mattress.

The moment she gets it in place, the opposite corner pops free. With a frustrated huff, she stomps around the bed and tugs it back down only for the whole cycle to repeat. Again. The way she jerks the thing back toward herself, I feel sorry for the sheet. Priya isn’t herself today. Hell, she hasn’t been for the last few days, but I can’t figure out what’s changed.

I’ve only known her for two weeks, but she’s made my world a hell of a lot more interesting. I lean against the doorway of the Pillow Plow Palace suite, watching her in silence, mentally running through all the reasons I shouldn’t pin her curvy body against the wall right now.

The list is getting shorter by the second.

Everything about Priya drives me fucking wild. She’s the kind of beautiful that stops you in your tracks and demands your full attention. She’s poised and collected. Smart as hell, that’s for sure. I can’t stop thinking about what’s underneath her perfectly pressed, high-buttoned, shirts. She isn’t the type I normally go for, that’s for damn sure.

It’s like she doesn’t know how to let loose. She’s worried about maintaining some kind of picture-perfect image. She dresses like she’s here for some kind of interview every day. But the fact that her long glossy black hair never has a strand out of place is the least interesting thing about her. It’s the cracks that surface every now and then that draw me to her like a magnet.

But even with all of that pent-up need to claim her, I’m keeping my distance. Not that I have much of a choice in the matter. My track record with women isn’t what you’d call stellar. Even though I’m thirty-five now my older brother Alex has made it real clear… don’t fuck this up for us.

I don’t know where she came from, but Priya’s the kind of talent we don’t often see way out here in Sagebrush Creek. With Pa getting older, it’s up to my brothers and me to keep this ranch growing in the right direction. There isn’t any doubt that Priya’s the person who will get us there.

The last thing I need to do is sleep with her and have her leave when I inevitably fuck it up afterward. None of us Kingridge men are good at love. My brother Alex finally settled down, but one out of six isn’t great odds. I’ve found that it’s easier to get into things if I know how I’m going to get out of them.

But watching the fire in her as she wrestles with the sheet makes me think that one night together might be worth risking everything. The way the sparks fly back and forth between us tells me that she’d agree. Maybe.

The thought is driving me fucking wild. Priya climbs onto the mattress on all fours giving me a sight I’m not planning on forgetting anytime soon. I take in the round curve of her ass and blow out a deep breath.Bending her over the bed and wrapping my hands in a fistful of her hair… not an option.

I clear my throat. “Oh, come on now, darlin’. What’d that sweet little bedsheet ever do to you?”

Priya’s head snaps toward me, her face flushing as she crawls off the bed. “Bowen, announce yourself, please. I’m just trying to make sure everything is perfect for our guests of honor.”

I don’t miss the shift in her tone. “Is it really a bunch of meathead football players that’s got you all worked up?”

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