Page 97 of Buckled in Barbwire

“Didn’t I already tell you? Owning Benson Farmstead isn’t all that matters.” Brody clutches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting until our lips meet. “Work can wait. My wife cannot.”

Paisley peruses a rack of shirts, humming absently. “I thought Bianca was going to help me spend your money.”

“Changed my mind.” I’m shamelessly staring at her while she shimmies to the upbeat song playing in the store. “I’d much rather do the job myself.”

Especially after witnessing a nonstop slew of men slobber over her at the fairgrounds. They should’ve applied to be rodeo clowns considering their cheesy performance. Paisley’s obvious indifference is the only reason their kneecaps are intact. When she flashed her wedding ring and proudly pointed at me, I smirked at them like a smug jackass who has everything he wants. If they only knew the threat of bodily harm that was hidden behind the expression.

“Doing okay over there, husband?” Paisley’s voice clears the haze of violence from my vision. “You’re lookinga tad… tense.”

I stretch my arms along the back of this uncomfortable sofa. “Are you offering to sit on my face to take the edge off?”

Her complexion reddens into the shade of a tomato. “You did not just say that.”

“Need me to repeat myself?”

“No,” she rushes to silence me. “And I’m not doing that here.”

I lick my lips, getting half hard when she tracks the motion. “Who’s going to see, Twinkles?”

“Is that what makes this a hot date?” She gestures around the vacant shop.

“Go look in a mirror and find your answer.”

Her blush reignites and she ducks her chin. “You’d love to corner me in a dressing room.”

The thought drills a hot spike of arousal into me. “Take your pick. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Stay where you are. You’ve already chased everyone away. Again.” She sounds disgruntled, but her smile reveals the truth.

My gaze feasts on her. “Don’t want to share your attention more than I already do.”

And I made that perfectly clear when we stepped inside Cowgirl Charm. The sales-clerk was very willing to close the boutique to give us exclusive access and privacy. After locking the doors, she made herself scarce. It’s just the two of us, and Paisley is in her element.

Except she hasn’t picked a single thing in the hour we’ve been here. Her browsing is enthusiastic until she looks at the price. I watch as she grabs a pair of studded jeans, but then flinches at the cost. She moves on and the process repeats.

Little does she realize, I’m keeping track of every glittery thing she admires. And to think I first called her Twinkles as an insult. I snort at the long line of my mistakes where Paisley is concerned. This woman dazzles me with her sparkle—inside and out.

“It’s not that bad.” My wife pouts at the sequin dress she’s holding up. That bottom lip sucks in once she peeks at the tag. “You’re right. It’s too much.”

Just for that comment, she’s getting two in each color.

I sit forward, propping my elbows on my knees. “Should we go somewhere else? I’ll take you wherever you want to go. Just name it.”

“You’re becoming quite a smooth talker.”

“Does that make you happy?”

She hesitates before nodding. “But you make me happy when you’re surly and dirty too.”

“Since when?” My mouth is a firm line, but I’m beaming on the inside.

Paisley gestures wildly at our surroundings. “I usually avoid this store because it’s too expensive, but you rented it out so I can shop in peace without feeling judged.”

My ass is off the cushion in the next second. “Who makes you feel that way?”

She laughs a twinkly tune. “As if I’m going to tell you and your grumpy side. But see?” A pink polished nail points at her wide grin. “Happy.”

Another burst of need jets through my veins, pumping me with desires only she can fulfill. I rumble while taking a meaningful step toward her. If she’s not ready to leave, I’ll drag her behind the curtain for a quickie.

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