Page 11 of Buckled in Barbwire

Veins bulge in his neck as he seems to fight with himself to take the bait. “Nah, you’ll choose to leave on your own. I’m just showing you the fastest exit.”

The urge to flee almost quakes my knees, but I won’t let him intimidate me. “How considerate.”

His eyes blaze when I add more fuel to the fire. Brody crosses his arms and widens his stance, towering over me like a thunder cloud. “Is this how you speak to your boss?”

“Not usually, but I’ll let you know after I talk to her later.”

Steam very well might be spewing from his ears. “You’re being insubordinate. That’s grounds for termination.”

“Do you have the power to make that decision?” I paste on a demure grin that’s suitable for chapping his ass. “Besides, you said I’d be the one to quit.”

His jaw clenches until a joint twerks in his cheek. “Might not be fast enough if you keep testing my patience.”

“Well, too bad. I’m not going anywhere. Your sister is relying on me and I won’t let her down. Until she returns, you’re stuck with me.”

“I won’t make it easy on you.”

Just to prove my lady balls are swinging for the challenge, I give Brody a slow once-over. “Fine by me.”

My shrill whistle alerts the dogs to go after a lone calf skipping away from the herd. Almost immediately, another one trails off in the opposite direction. Frustration bubbles to the surface as I steer my horse toward the straggler. What a clusterfuck. This interruption puts me behind schedule, and I can’t afford to waste a second.

My glare whips across the pasture as the cattle finally begin backtracking on their escape attempt. Somebody forgot to close the south gate. All signs point to Paisley. I wouldn’t put it past her after I deleted her access code for the driveway entrance. It didn’t delay her for more than a minute. That flashy cowgirl rang the bell incessantly until Dad came to her rescue. But this hassle is next level.

I’d love nothing more than to send her packing. Too bad Bianca refuses to consider the idea, or my opinion on the matter. My sister only makes the situation worse—insisting I stay out of Paisley’s path. As if it’s that simple.

The twinkly bundle of sunshine appears everywhere I go, whether she’s directly in front of me or plaguing my memories. Bianca has been friends with Paisley for years but suddenly I can’t escape her. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume the universe was conspiring against me and shoving us together. That nonsense gets my blood boiling hotter.

“C’mon,” I beckon to the livestock version of a traffic jam. “Hurry up.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Keep your chaps on.”

My ass swivels in the saddle to watch Paisley’s uninvited entrance. Her blonde hair is mostly hidden under a baseball cap, but she still manages to glow. She smiles at me like we’re friends. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We’ve been flinging shit at each other since she started her job a week ago. Although, her insults tend to be dipped in sugar and sprinkles, which is even more aggravating. She makes me feel like the bad guy.

If I’m being honest, she makes me feel a lot more than that. I’ve managed to keep a lid on my bottled emotions until she showed up to shatter my composure. I’m not capable of smothering my temper when she’s nearby. There’s something deeply unsettling about that woman. She rattles me to the core.

And right now is no different. She rides my mother’s favorite buckskin mare like the horse now belongs to her. The pair moves fluidly as one, approaching at a leisurely lope. Paisley’s tits sway to the beat of the smooth gait. Whoever designed her sports bra should be fired. That gentle jiggle is obscene, and I can’t quit looking.

I tip the brim of my hat at her. “Twinkles.”

“Boss.” She flutters her lashes.

My jaw ticks but I swallow the barbed retort ready to spank her. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Your dad sent me. He figured you could use a hand corralling the cows.”

“Did he now?” I almost smile.

What can I say? The notion is comical. Last I saw, my father was holed up in his den and having an intimate chat with Johnny Walker. He shouldn’t know about the cattle getting loose. I didn’t want to burden him, which means he found out from someone else or this debacle is a different sort of mess entirely. Maybe Paisley deserves more credit. Not that I’ll willingly give it to her.

Paisley is staring at me like I’ve sprouted horns. “Is that funny?”

“Hilarious,” I rasp. The start of a headache throbs at my temples. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t need your help.”

“Ohh-kayyyy,” she exhales. “Well, I’m already out here.”

“Good for you. Feel free to show yourself back to the barn.”

“After I’m done securing the herd.” She nudges her horse forward, easing into a trot that bounces her breasts again.

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