Page 7 of Wrangled Up

Heather’s glowing face rose up in his mind’s eye, and he fought the sudden emotion that flared to life. She should be here now, standing beside him, maybe with a little one on her hip.

Swallowing hard, he shook his head. “Bradley Coal can dig their escape access on that two-hundred then. Or dig it on your land.”

Leon leaned over on his horse’s neck, putting his face close to Tucker’s. Gritting his teeth, Tucker held his ground.

“Theyaredigging on my ground, in case you don’t remember that I’m doing what’s best for this family.”

As Tucker had inherited a portion of all mineral rights on his grandfather’s property,he got royalties off everything that his family did to their portion of the ground.

“That portal needs to go in, Tucker, or Bradley Coal can’t dig the new mine. Which means they’re pretty much done with us.”

Tucker bobbed his head. “Seems as if we all have enough money.”

Dale made a hissing noise.

“What’s that, Dale? You in need of more custom-made saddles? More sports cars?”

The kid smiled but before he could speak, Leon turned his horse and gave a “yaw” to order it across the pasture, away from Tucker.

Dale and Tucker stared at each other for a long moment. Still holding his gaze, Dale wheeled his mare around and sent her after Uncle Leon.

“Well, that went well.” Tucker kicked his heel into the turf, creating a divot. Striding for the far end of the field, he drew deep breaths to regain his precious control. The whole time he’d spoken with his relatives, his stomach had quivered with nerves. In the past two days, he’d been agitated, annoyed.

Ever since Claire.

No. Ever since Heather.

He stared at the big pine cluster where several of his horses gathered in the shade, but all he could imagine was the look on Claire’s face as she beat in his truck. He’d hurt her, and she had reason to do that damage. But she’d caused some destruction of her own—she was the first person to nearly slip into his damaged heart since Heather.

Tearing off his hat, he shoved his long hair off his face. The first time he’d set eyes on Claire at the summer festival, he’d been drawn to her. And not only for the way his body responded—his cock standing at attention in seconds. But for the sweetness of her tone when she offered him lemonade from a big glass punchbowl. And from her eyes—two deep pools that made a man fall in headfirst.

Heart and all.

He never should have asked her out, knowing that flurry of excitement in his chest was too close to what he felt for Heather. He should have run like hell. Instead, he’d dated Claire for two months, and what an adventure those months had been.

She’d made him laugh with her carefree view of the world. Set him on fire between thesheets with her hot little mouth and tight, wet pussy.

But as soon as he realized the blaze was getting too close to his heart, he went out and did the only thing he could think of—he grabbed Allie at The Hellion and took her home to share with Christian.

Except Tucker hadn’t laid a hand on the blonde beauty. Instead, he’d gotten off on watching his friend fuck her seven ways to church day. And if he was honest, he loved looking at Christian’s body more than the woman’s.

Tucker veered away from the horses and headed down the dirt path leading to the house. His dented pickup stood in the drive, reminding him too much of Claire.

He’d never had a woman react so strongly to him. When she gave herself, it was wholeheartedly. In bed, in the barn or in the field. And how often had she given him that searing look that melted his very bones as well as the wall he’d erected after Heather died? A you’re-my-entire-universe-I-want-us-forever look.

He threw open his truck door and slid in. Twisting the key in the ignition, he barelywaited for the engine to start before slamming the Ram into reverse. He backed out in a cloud of dust and floored it for the main road, narrowly missing the massive pot holes at the end of the drive.

He bumped up and down but locked his boot on the gas pedal. He had to get off the ranch and clear his head. Claire, Heather…even Christian. They were all part of this property. Tucker could barely look in any direction without memories haunting him.

Christian had stormed off last night and Tucker hadn’t heard from him since. Probably just as well. Their jack-off sessions were growing more frequent. What had started as some innocent fun on a Saturday night with too much beer had morphed into a craving.

Tucker loved to see Christian’s thick cock in his hand, his strong fingers pumping to a rhythm Tucker practically needed now to climax solo. His shaft swelled just thinking about it.

But last night when Christian had said Claire’s name, it came with a peal of alarm bells in Tucker’s mind. The fevered light in Christian’s eyes indicated his interest in the curly-haired cowgirl.

Which would not do at all.

Pressure mounted in Tucker’s chest. If his so-called friend came within a country mile of Claire…

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