Page 13 of Stirring Up Trouble
Yeah, I’d definitely need to avoid Robin while he was here.
Five
Robin
On the firstmorning at the Anders Ranch, I woke up perplexed. I couldn't remember where I was for like five whole minutes. By the time it hit me, I was damn near panicking. Thankfully, I did some deep breathing and was able to calm down enough to get up and get ready for the day.
I had set an alarm super early after Leslie warned me that Blaze preferred to get on the road as soon as possible. As I was brushing my teeth, I could hear people down the hall moving about and footsteps tromping on the stairs. I wrapped up quickly, not wanting to miss anything going on.
In the kitchen, Ms. Connie bustled about setting out plates covered in pancakes, French toast, sausage, and bacon. There was a huge bowl of scrambled eggs too. Men moved around the room loading their plates high. My stomach growled loudly at all the options.Food options. Not men.
Stomping from behind me stole any embarrassment I felt at the noise. I turned to see who it was. I thought everyone was already down here.
When I looked back, I saw Blaze marching towards me. My heart skittered at the sight of him, just like it had the day before. I really didn't know what that was about. Or rather, I did, and it didn't make much sense. I had been around the men of the Coleman Ranch for years. Not once did I want to sink my teeth into them.
And yet, five seconds around Blaze Anders had me ready to pledge my allegiance to whatever he wanted me to sign up for.
My gaze traveled up his body, noticing those well-worn boots, perfectly fitted jeans, and the flannel he had on top. It was opened a little bit around his neck, revealing a white undershirt and skin that made me want to lick that exposed area. His face was clean-shaven, which only furthered my vampire-like thoughts.
Why did I want to lick and bite and suck every inch of his deep umber skin? How did he make such basic clothing look like fucking temptation?
It had to be some form of magic. I couldn’t ever recall having a reaction like this with anyone else in my life. No woman had elicited anything close to this. At least none that I could remember.
I could feel myself hardening, and I had to clear my throat while also forcing myself to look the man in the eye. Did he know I was just ogling him? Could he tell that my body was a few seconds away from begging?
His gaze didn't allude to any of that. Instead, he was scowling at me.
My brows rose. The question was on the tip of my tongue begging to come out.What did I do? Why are you angry?
“Are you gonna move?” he asked when I didn't voice my inner thoughts.
I startled, realizing I was blocking the doorway into the kitchen. I shifted to the side, pressing my back against the wall. He huffed and continued storming past.
“Motherfucking visitors,”he mumbled.
It was barely audible, but I heard it clear his day.
So that's what had him upset. Having people in his home, in his sanctuary. I could understand the reasoning. While my place was small, I didn't often invite anyone over. Griffin had been by because he was a friend and so had some of the others at the ranch. It wasn't like I hosted parties though or had several people like Blaze did.
Even though I knew that Bobby Allen, Elton, and I were harmless, Blaze didn't. It would do me well to remember that this man was a stranger and that we were guests at his home for a short period of time to help him with his rodeo.
Locking the thought in place and forcing myself to take one more deep breath, I moved into the kitchen to get my own plate. Everyone ate as they chatted about the day, excited to see how the rodeo's opening would go. The sun wasn't even out yet, but you would have thought these people had been at it for hours with how energized they were.
There were several ranch hands and a few small kids running around. It was a controlled type of chaos that I appreciated.
I smiled as one little girl walked up to me and handed me a flower crown. Where the heck did she get flowers at this hour?
"You wear this," she told me. "You pretty."
I thanked her and dipped my head down low enough for her to put it on me. When I rose back up, I found Elton and Bobby Allen grinning at me. Leslie gave a clap as if to say she liked it, and Ms. Connie even patted my cheek telling me I looked precious.
When I searched out Blaze's reaction, I was disappointed to find him still frowning in my direction. The man wasn't happyat all. The night before, he had been open and kind, almost welcoming for the most part. Now it was like he had flipped a switch.
I couldn't figure out what I had done, and I didn't know how to fix it. It would just be my luck that the first man I was ever attracted to would hate my guts. Or maybe it's not hate. Like he said, I am amotherfucking visitoron his ranch. It could just be the inconvenience and not me as a whole.
Maybe when this is all said and done, we'll even keep in touch and be friendly.
Maybe he'll put me out of my misery and take me to bed.
