Page 23 of Brands

Crap.

“That night is a haze.” Kinda. “Nothing happened. I don’t even remember getting home. I just woke up in Dad’s recliner feeling like absolute shit.”

Her lips purse and she tilts her head. “Well, you could do worse than him. His mustache is cute.”

“Just because you have a thing for hairy guys doesn’t mean I do.” Okay, I might, too.

Her grin grows before her finger points at the smile creeping up my own cheeks. “See? I knew it.” With a sigh, she leans against a pillow behind her. “Why not just have some fun? But take precautions.” Her thumb juts from her fist to poke herself lightly in her baby bump. “You don’t need a situation likethisany time soon.”

“My dad would kill us both,” I admit.

Char folds herself over her protruding stomach and drops her voice. “Maybe your dad doesn’t need to know?”

“You’ve been hanging out with me too long. I’ve corrupted you.” I frame her cheeks with my hands and drop a sloppy kiss on her forehead. “I fucking love it.”

My stomach flip flops when I push open the door to the office and catch the scent of his aftershave.

It’s been nearly three weeks since my birthday. I’ve been both nervous and excited, with every emotion in between for him to come back to the farm.

And there he is, all tight Wranglers and sleeves rolled up showing off those guitar strumming muscles in his forearms.

I thought I was so drunk I imagined the whole thing.

“I was starting to wonder if you’d backed out on our deal.” My arms cross over my chest and I lean my hip against the desk where he’s sitting.

Blue pushes his broad cowboy hat up on his head and squints at me. “Well, a promise is a promise. I had some work in Helena last week.” The silver whiskers of his mustache twitch. “Expected to see you at the McCullough’s for Christmas. Were you still recovering from your party?”

His blue eyes twinkle in thinly veiled amusement.

“Aww, it wasn’t that bad. I felt totally fine the next day.” I try to look sincere.

He stretches out his lean torso and threads his hands behind his neck. “You lie like a dog.”

God, his damn dimples.

His lips purse and the side of his square jaw tightens. “I bet you don’t even remember half the night.”

It feels like he’s studying me.

“Vaguely?” My pulse spikes and rushes in my ears. “I remember you jumping off the stage to run that guy off.” I let my palm find my side and cock my hip. “Some bits are fuzzy after that.” I’ll never forget the dancing. The whirling was the highlight of the night.

And the feel of his body pressed against mine.

A flush of heat courses through me.

“So, you gonna show me your system?” I need a distraction.

Without the alcohol, I don’t feel quite as brave around him.

I bet if I’d actually been with a guybeforeI’d have a better idea what to do.

Instead I’m awkward as hell.

“Huh,” he coughs, then clears his throat. “I wouldn’t call it that quite yet. More like trying to weed out the garbage first.” His long fingers wrap around the worn seat of his chair and he hikes it sideways. “Pull up a stool.”

After a quick glance, I figure the closest one is in the prep room outside.

While I’m out there I take a much needed long breath. I have to focus on learning the recordkeeping.

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