Page 72 of Knot Her Cowboys
When we stopped at the crossing to let a bunch of trucks go by, I took advantage of Dakota not needing his eyes on the road, and drew his mouth to mine. Goddamn, the man knew how to kiss. I was going to melt into a puddle right there on the seat.
“Was that for a distraction or desire?” he asked when I pulled away.
“Both, but mostly option number two. You’re so pretty I couldn’t help myself.”
That got a laugh out of him. “I see we’re both struggling with the same thing, then?”
“No struggling. You don’t have to stop yourself if you wanna kiss me.”
Dakota’s mouth was on mine again in the next moment, sweet and delicious, enough of his scent filling the cab I knew he was probably thinking about sprawling me out for another round. Hell, I was thinking the same.
My life was fucking weird. If I hadn’t fallen in that river, maybe I’d be kissing a handsome German businessman instead of an unfairly beautiful indigenous equine therapist.
The divergence of my life path was impossible to ignore, and it brought into startling clarity just how much I could’ve missed out on. I’d almost settled into a life built on survival and compliance, almost lost the opportunity to know my scent matches. I’d learned stubbornness at Cooper’s side, and I was never going to let my mother take my future from me again. I had already lost out on so many years with Cash and Cooper, and that wasn’t a mistake I would make twice.
Darlene Fletcher could do her worst, but Montana was my home, and these alphas were mine.
Ialmost tripped running out of reception when Dakota and Riley returned. My omega spilled out of the passenger side and tumbled right into my arms, squeezing so hard I wheezed.
“Careful.” I laughed. “Gonna make me think you missed me.”
She planted her face against my chest, firmly scent marking me with each cheek. “Ididmiss you.”
“Do I get to know what caused all the chaos in the bond?”
“Her mom’s not dead,” Dakota announced. “Faked her own death to lure Riley home.”
“Jesus Christ. I knew Darlene was unhinged, but that’s next level. You doing okay, honey bun? You’ve felt a lot more stable since finding that out.”
She nodded, holding me like she was afraid to let go. “Dakota, get the fuck over here.”
His whole face brightened as he realized what she was asking, moving swiftly to sandwich our omega between us. “Better?”
Her purr was answer enough.
Dakota suggested the gate system to me while Riley chilled out in our arms.
“I’ll call some companies. Guests can be given a code to get through.”
“Won’t that be annoying, though?” Riley asked. “It’ll slow the staff down.”
“We can get them some fobs. If they have a decent range, the gate will open for them when they get close. Plus, even if it’s annoying, everyone is used to safety measures. This will be no different.”
“I guess.” She sighed, glancing around. “Where are Levi and Cooper?”
“Setting up a show for the guests,” I replied.
“What kind of show?”
“Cowboy tricks. Guests fucking love it. Coop does a bunch of fancy shit, and then we let the guests try it out. Everyone has a blast.”
“That’s so cute. I’ll come by and watch it.”
“Ten bucks says he fucks up just because Riley is watching,” I said to Dakota.
“I’ll take that bet. We’ll see if his need to impress overtakes his nerves.”
Riley laughed, somehow burrowing even harder against my chest. “Are you busy right now?”
