Page 84 of When the Smoke Clears

“It’s beautiful. How big will the herd be here?”

He pulls Johnny Walker to a stop. “We’ll move one of the established herds here. With them being farther out, we’ll need cattle that we know do well together. Know their temperament and health histories. The new herd will get started in the pasture closest to home after we isolate them for a bit.”

My eyes widen and hold as I consider the work of what he’s saying. I perk up. “Wait! Do I get to help with a cattle drive?”

He smirks. “Only if you wear a hat.”

“Your hat?” I bounce my eyebrows at him.

“No. Your hat. You wear my hat and we won’t get any cattle moved. We’ll just spend the day in your favorite deer blind.”

I grin wickedly. “Challenge accepted.”

“I have an idea.” I’m seated on the middle plank of the paddock fence, with my arms and torso draped over the top plank.

Sutton brushes Johnny Walker inside the corral. I’ve already brushed Veda and given her oats. I think Johnny is perfectly groomed as well, but Sutton is like a boy with his puppy sometimes and doesn’t want to stop interacting. It’s endearing, and I have no intention of telling him to hurry it along.

“Let’s hear it.” His voice is gruff, but a smirk plays at his lips. Johnny Walker seems to nod in agreement.

“I think we should shoot a calendar.”

Sutton stops moving and he shifts his head to look at me. “Come again?”

I grin. “You know, a calendar. Like they hang on walls in some places. It has the months and days of the year and people write important events in them, so they don’t forget.”

Like lighting, he reaches out with both hands and grips my boots, teasing that he’s going to tip me backward off the fence. I shriek and laugh.

“I know what a calendar is, smart ass. I need you to explain how that has anything to do with this ranch.”

“Well…” I lower my voice like I’m telling him a secret. “Some people, women I hear, tend to like when said calendars have sexy fucking men on them.”

He grins and continues brushing Johnny.

“Actually, I’d like to get a mix of photos. Stills from around the ranch, action shots of you and the ranch hands, a couple of candid pieces, and a few posed.”

The brush pauses again. “Posed.”

“Yes, posed. Without shirts, maybe.”

This time, he grabs my ankles and jerks me through the fence. I land on my feet, laughing hysterically as his hands hold firm to my waist. His hips press me into the fencing as he crowds over me, gripping the side of my neck with his gloved hand. The worn leather against my skin sends a shot of arousal straight to my core and my skin flushes. “You want me to take my shirt off, and you’re going to photograph me so the entire town can see.” His voice is incredibly low and quiet.

“I was thinking more like the county.”

One eyebrow quirks. “And you’re okay with the whole county ogling what’s yours?”

I lean up and brush my lips against his. “You’re feeling awfully proud of yourself right now, Cowboy.”

Without a word, he drops the brush and grips both of my thighs, lifting me off the ground and hoisting me up to his hips. I wrap my legs and arms around him.

“I don’t give a shit what any other woman in this county or the whole damn world thinks. As long as your heart calls to mine and your pussy aches for my cock.”

“Oh, it aches,” I whisper.

“Fucking hell. I’m about to take you in this stable like a wild animal.” Johnny Walker knickers behind him.

“Take me, Cowboy.”

His gaze darkens. “Last chance.”

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