Page 14 of Knot Your Problem, Cowboy
The silence stretches out like taffy.
“So what do you think?” She’s twisting her fingers together. “I really didn’t plan this, but I guess when life hands you lemons, you… move to Montana and pretend you know anything about horses?”
“Yep. When life bucks you off, from the saddle,” I say automatically, “you dust off your ass and climb back on.”
Walker snorts. Ridge rolls his eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t fall out.
“Really?” Walker grins. “That’s what you’re going with?”
“It’s wisdom,” I defend.
“It’s a bumper sticker,” Ridge counters.
Sophia’s fighting a smile; I can tell. “So… three months of bumper sticker wisdom? This should be interesting.”
“Anyway,” Ridge says, settling back in his chair. “We’re happy to have you here. Ranch could use a fresh perspective.”
“Plus, Cookie will be thrilled,” Walker adds. “He’s been complaining that we don’t appreciate his cooking enough. Says we eat like bears.”
“We do!” I point out.
“Exactly. You’ll class up the place.”
“Oh!” Walker suddenly jumps up, heading to the corner of the room. “Almost forgot. We had your car towed to Murphy’s Garage in town earlier. Grabbed your duffel bag from the back.” He holds up the bag.
“You did? Oh my God, thank you! I didn’t even think… Crap, I still need to call the rental company.” She’s already pulling out her phone. “Let me just… I’ll step outside for a minute. Excuse me.”
The second the patio door closes behind her, we all exhale like we’ve been holding our breath underwater.
“Well?” I look between them. “What do you think?”
“I think,” Walker says slowly, “that we’re in trouble.”
“Big fucking trouble,” Ridge agrees, but he’s almost smiling. “Did you see how she didn’t even flinch at your philosophy? Most people run.”
“She gave it right back,” I say, probably sounding too pleased about it. “She’s an Omega, and I swear to God she’s doing something to me that no female everhas.” I adjust my thick cock through my jeans, not even trying to be subtle about it.
Walker grins like a beast. “Her scent is fucking hypnotic. Like sinking into warm honey. Makes me want to roll around in it until it’s all over me.”
“Makes me want to bend her over that chair and find out what other sweet sounds she makes,” I admit.
“Fuck,” Ridge mutters, but he’s shifting in his seat. “You two need a cold shower.”
“You’re telling me you don’t feel anything?” Walker challenges. “Not even a little?”
“I’m broken, remember?” Ridge cuts him off, but there’s something in his eyes that says different.
“Bullshit,” I call. “I saw you lean in when she walked past.”
“I was being polite.”
“You were sniffing her like a bloodhound,” Walker accuses, grinning.
“Like a dog who found bacon,” I add.
“You know my sense of smell doesn’t work, assholes,” Ridge mutters, but his lips are twitching.
The patio door opens and Sophia returns. We all pull back into our seats. I catch the worry on her face before she even speaks, the way she’s nibbling on her bottom lip between her teeth.
