Page 75 of Wrangled Love

“That was a one-time thing. You’re working on the ranch again, so you need your own.”

Jensen rolls his eyes. “If it’s that important, I’ll get a damn cowboy hat.”

Walker claps him on the back. “Atta-boy.”

I’ve been thinking about getting Caleb a hat, and now I can’t stop picturing him and Jensen in matching ones. That would bedownright adorable and would mean something special to them both. I tuck it away on my mental to-do list.

Heath shakes the truck keys, nodding to Walker. “Come on. We have to put away the rest of the equipment before it gets dark. Jensen, you stay here with Briar. Once we’re finished, we’ll circle back to pick you up and drive over to the ranch house together. Shouldn’t take us more than twenty minutes.”

Jensen nods. “Sure thing.”

Heath and Walker head back to the truck.

Jensen glances around, his brow furrowed. “Where’s Caleb?”

“At the ranch house with Mama Julie, visiting the chicks. He’s smitten,” I say.

He clutches his chest dramatically. “Great. First, Ziggy and Petunia, now the chicks. At this rate, I’ll be lucky if he remembers I exist.”

“Outranked by a goat, cow and some puffballs.” I pat his chest with exaggerated sympathy, my lips curling into a playful grin. “You’ve got it rough. Poor thing.”

“I think you’re right. I definitely need some comforting.” He draws me into his arms, nuzzling my neck, and I giggle when his scruff tickles my skin.

“I hate that our morning was cut short,” I murmur.

“Me too. I missed you while I was gone.” We just saw each other at lunch, but I know how he feels.

“I missed you too,” I say softly.

More than I probably should after one night together.

After this morning, I half expected him to keep his distance. Sure, Caleb’s not around, but I figured he’d only show affection when we’re alone at night. Yet here he is, holding me, even with my brothers throwing not-so-subtle glances at us as they drive away.

“Heath said we had twenty minutes, right?”

Jensen nods. “Yeah, why?”

“Perfect. That should be plenty of time,” I mumble to myself.

“For what?”

I don’t respond, waiting until Heath’s truck is out of sight before taking Jensen’s hand and guiding him to the far end of the barn. I slide open the door and lead him into the closest empty stall, freshly lined with straw. The horses are all out to pasture, which means we’ve got the place to ourselves.

Jensen grunts when I back him against the wall hidden from the main aisle.

“What do you need, pretty girl?” His voice is strained.

“Something I’ve wanted to do for days,” I confess.

Last night might have been our first time, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had my fair share of fantasies since he arrived at the ranch.

I saunter closer, my fingers grazing Jensen’s chest as our lips meet, the kiss starting slow and teasing. I keep the pressure light at first, brushing my mouth against his in soft, lingering touches, pulling back when he tries to deepen it.

I manage to keep my composure—until he groans.

My fingers curl around his collar, tugging him against me, and the initial tenderness shifts into something urgent and hungry. His hand slides to the back of my neck as he nips at my lips, his tongue slipping inside my mouth. Every touch is like a spark, igniting the tension simmering between us.

Our lips remain locked as my palms slide down his chest, moving lower until I reach his waistband. I work his buckle loose and undo the button of his jeans, our kiss never faltering. Once the zipper is down, I push his pants down to his hips, my breath catching at the heat radiating off his skin.

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