Page 24 of Untamed

Locking all my muscles down, I shift my features into my usual blank mask as my eyes automatically shift to Brandon. His brown eyes are narrowed, filled with a mix of accusation and suspicion. He’s seen something between Mila and I, yet he either doesn’t want to believe it or doesn’t want to confront it.

Pussy.

Without thinking, I spit the toothpick out and run my tongue across my bottom lip as if I can still taste her. A smirk tugs at my lips, challenging. His face turns beet red, and I can almost hear the thoughts in his head. His eyes narrow in on me, and I practically see steam coming out of his ears.

The little fuck probably thinks he’s in love with Mila, but I know better. He sees her as a trophy; someone he wants to claim ownership over. He doesn’t deserve her. And I damn well know he can’t give her what she deserves.

Not that I’m any better. I don’t have anything to offer her, nothing but a broken shell of a man whose past is full of darkness. And God knows she deserves so much more than that. But when I kissed her, something inside me shifted. Something deep and primal. Her innocence called to my deepest, darkest parts—begging me to teach her everything I know. Everything I’ve been hiding. It’s a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Because I know, without a doubt, that giving her my everything would stitch myself back together, but in the process of doing that, I would destroy her.

“Right, let’s get on with it,” Maverick commands, his voice cutting through my thoughts. “Let’s have three of you take up the left, three of you the right and three at the back. Everyone else spread out and keep an eye out for escapees.” At Maverick’s orders Brandon finally looks away from me. I follow his line of sight, catching the proud look in Lincoln’s eyes as he watches hisson. It’s clear that Maverick’s been groomed for his role on the ranch from a young age.

And though Maverick can be an annoying, smug asshole, there’s no denying it. He’s good at his job.

Tightening my grip on the reins, I pull Morris to the right, digging my heels in and urging him into a trot before kicking him into a canter.

We race across the wide expanse of pasture, the horse strong and steady beneath me, as we take up the right side of the herd, just as Maverick ordered.

After getting cleaned up, I find myself in the backyard of the main ranch house. The smell of cooked meat wafts from the BBQ, while a band plays country music from a small makeshift stage set up underneath an old oak tree. Bales of straw are set out for us to sit on, with wooden tables laid out with bowls and plates of foods.

Mila stands with Nova, Brandon and her brother, laughing softly at something the asshole just said. My jaw tightens, annoyance and a slither of possession snaking through my veins. The asshole isn’t funny. I should know, I’ve spent enough time with him over the last couple of days.

Grabbing the burger on my plate, I bite down on it, chewing hard and taking my frustrations out on the poor beef wrapped in a bun. I shouldn’t let it get to me, should fucking ignore them completely. But when her soft laugh floats my way, I feel murderous.

“Alright, man?” Leroy asks, taking a seat beside me.

“Fine,” I mutter, gnawing on a particularly tough bit of meat.

He chuckles, “Then why do you look like you’re two seconds from exploding.”

My gaze snaps to his as my eyes narrow to slits. “Give it a fuckin rest, old man. I’m not in the mood for your bullshit.”

His hands come up in surrender, the smile on his face turning contrite. “Sorry Grady. I’m just trying to lighten your mood. Fuck, there’s a dark cloud hanging over you right now.”

“I’m fine. Just had a long couple of days,” I bite out, turning my attention back to Mila. Though, she isn’t where I left her. My gaze flickers across the backyard, and a rush of heat hits me in the chest when I spot her dancing with Nova and a couple of the ranch hands. What the fuck? Is this allowed?

My eyes shift to Lincoln, brows dipping when I see him talking to Skylar, his posture relaxed and a smile on his face as his gaze flicks to the group dancing by the stage. Hmm. Maybe his threat doesn’t extend to these kinds of interactions. It looks innocent enough. But when my eyes move over the ranch hands, the lust written all over their faces is clear. Anger claws at my skin. I want to go over there, rip them away from her. But that would be reckless. It would give me away. So I stay put, focusing my gaze on my plate so I don’t do something stupid.

“Surprised that Linc is allowing that,” Leroy muses knowingly beside me.

I grit my teeth, holding myself from snapping something that will give me away.

Minutes pass. The song ends and another one begins. Laughter floats around the yard, everyone happy and feeling accomplished at a job well done. I ignore it all. Only when a pair of tan cowboy boots appear in my vision do I finally look up.

Mila smiles down at me with a cautious, yet shy smile. She wrings her hands together, the pulse in her neck jumping, and I’ve never wanted to sink my teeth into anything as bad as I do now.

My gaze is lazy as I watch her, waiting for her to say whatever it is she came over here for. She sucks in a breath, steadying herself. “Dance with me?” she blurts, holding out a hand for me to take.

I hear Leroy choke beside me, but I keep my attention firmly on the girl in front of me, as I swallow down a mouthful of my burger. Placing my plate down on the straw beside me, I run a thumb across my bottom lip. Mila’s eyes track the movement, that pulse beating faster against the delicate flesh of her neck as she awaits my answer.

I don’t let her wait long. “I don’t dance.”

My voice is cold, detached, leaving no room for confusion. I’m being an asshole, but it’s the only way—and anyway. I don’t dance. For anyone.

The smile falls from her face, the same rejection and hurt as I witnessed after our kiss flashing in her blue-grey eyes. She nibbles her pouty bottom lip, shifting on her feet nervously. “Oh. Okay. I’ll leave you to it then.”

She turns to leave, pausing when Leroy speaks up. “I’ll dance with you Mila. That’s if you don’t mind dancing with an old man like me?”

She smiles, but I can tell it’s forced. “Not at all, Leroy. Come on.”

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