Page 94 of Buckled in Barbwire

“What? No way.” Her slack jaw snaps shut, a thick swallow bobbing her throat. “Gosh, that gets me emotional just hearing it. Mom wants you to love him.”

I blink at the sting in my eyes while she fans her watery ones. “Do you actually think so?”

“How can you not?”

The toe of my boot draws circles in the grass. “I dunno, but Brody kind of suggested that your mom brought us together.”

Bianca sighs, clasping her palms over her chest. “See? Meant to be.”

“He’d had entirely too much champagne at the time.”

“Truth serum.”

My lips twist to one side. “Our marriage is for hisconvenience. Whatever is forming between us was built on deception.”

She swats at the excuses. “Meh, it’s fine. Do you like him?”

“Maybe.” The flutters in my belly betray my feigned nonchalance. “He’s semi-sweet when he wants to be.”

“Mhmm, I bet. Did you make nice after he kicked us out of The Paddock?”

“That’s asking for entirely too much information, sister.”

Speaking of too much, a dull ache throbs from my inner muscles whenever I move. The reminder of just hownicewe made it constantly replays his kinky demands that I eagerly followed. That man ignited flames in my body while bending me to his will. It released this sensual craving that I didn’t comprehend previously. I rub at my wrist while a blush blazes across my cheeks, getting me feverish despite the cool wind. Need clenches my belly and taunts me for assuming I could escape his clutches.

Bianca shudders at whatever evidence is painted on my face. “No wonder you were walking funny this morning. But it doesn’t explain why you rushed out of the house like your ass was on fire.”

I squirm again, spreading another burst of soreness. “We agreed to one night and he didn’t let a second go to waste.”

She slaps a hand over her eyes. “Don’t mind me while I picture you with Riley Green instead of my brother.”

“Brody is better,” I muse. “Especially in a pair of gray sweats.”

“Good grief, don’t tell him that. His head will never fit through the barn door again.”

Laughter shakes through me. “You’re the one who thinks we’re meant to be.”

“Um, duh. My best friend married my much older brother after he conned her into the arrangement, and now the heavens are blessing your union with vigorous consummation.”

I bob my head, digging her summary. “Sounds like a book I’d read.”

“Based on your true story starring Riley Green.” She wags her brows.

“Fine, let’s turn the tables.” I’m more than willing to get evicted from the hot seat. “Have you and Colton messed around?”

“He wishes,” Bianca is quick to grumble. Her blush tells a different tale.

I poke her in the ribs. “Did you shag him silly?”

“Absolutely not. He’s the worst. Ever. I swear his sole purpose is to aggravate me. We’re better off as enemies.”

“That’s vaguely familiar,” I ponder. “You might be in trouble, Bee.”

“Pretty sure it’s the other way around.” Her attention snags on something across the field. “That mother trucker. Are we not allowed to have a moment’s peace?”

I jolt from her harsh tone, turning to see what’s causing the upset. Brody is stalking toward us at a fast clip. Surprise freezes me in place as I take in the state of his appearance. Shirt untucked and jeans half shoved in the tops of his boots, he looks like he got dressed in a hurry. There’s no sign of his hat or tightly leashed composure. This isn’t the broody billionaire who steps foot off the compound.

His gaze is a frantic beast stolen from the wild andtrapped behind bars with no escape. My pulse leaps when that crazed look burns into me. Am I the cage that confines him? Or the key to unlock the chains?

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