Page 38 of Mountain Time
So much for fulfilling my own needs.
Chapter 17
Knox
Iback my truck up to the barn and drop the tailgate so I can unload my tools.
We’re trimming more broodmares today and I think Kacey is avoiding me. I haven’t seen her for two days. She texted me two lame excuses for why she couldn’t help with Buck, and I probably shouldn’t find it funny, but I do. I don’t know what went on behind that front door the other night, but I have a pretty damn good idea. She was adorable answering the door, hair messed, cheeks red, and clearly flustered.
I’m not playing games with her. I didn’t leave her standing on her porch clenching her thighs, eyes burning with desire for fun. I want her to admit she wants me as badly as I want her. I could feel the tension as I walked her home. We’ve spent a lot of time together, and I feel like I’ve gotten to know her better over the last few weeks. I don’t know if she could handle the rodeo season, but I like her enough to see where this goes.
As I walk around my truck, I hear the crunching of gravel and look up to see Kacey walking in my direction. A red flash comes out of nowhere and flies past her, headed right for me.
I crouch. “Hi, Rein.” I pat my palms on my knees as the red dog barrels toward me and jumps in my lap, almost knocking me over as I rock on my heels.
“I don’t know why, but she seems to like you.”
“I mean, what’s not to like? I think I’m great.” I smirk up at her, noticing the glare she’s already directing at me and her dog.
“You sure don’t lack confidence, do you?”
“Nah, confidence is key. You know, being a bull rider and all.” I give Rein one last pet before turning to face her owner.
“Buck switched leads smoothly in a figure eight yesterday. You’ll have to ride him later; he’s really coming along. How was hauling cattle with Carson? Everything go smoothly?” That was one of the excuses I got. And I bought it. Until Carson walked by the arena, heading to work on one of the ranch trucks. Kacey was nowhere in sight.
“It was fine.”
“That’s good. Hope he got that truck fixed he was working on all afternoon, too. Busy guy.” I raise a brow at her.
She shuffles on her feet before looking up to see the grin split across my face.
She scoffs and hits my upper arm, shoving me to the side. “You’re an asshole.”
I can’t help but laugh, which seems to only irritate her more. “What did I do?”
“You know what you did.” She glares at me, crossing her arms.
“I am completely innocent. I’m practically an angel.”
“So was Lucifer,” she grumbles under her breath. “Pull a stunt like that again, and you’ll regret it.”
She’s cute when she’s mad. Her nose is scrunched up, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and determination.
“Oh, is that so, sweetheart?” I cross my arms back at her and step into her space.
“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me,” she huffs, but leans into me, our arms touching now. “You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?”
I say nothing, only giving her a crooked grin and a wink. She sidesteps to walk around me, but I grab her waist and pull her in until we’re chest to chest. “Sweetheart, I never think about myself when I’m around you. There’s no time with all the thoughts of you running through my mind.”
I can see the heat flare in her eyes when she looks up at me. Right before they flick to my lips.
Then, she jerks away from me. “Ugh! Why do you always smell so good?” she yells as she stomps toward the barn.
I throw my head back and let out a roar of a laugh.
This is going to be a fun afternoon.
Kacey gets the first mare out to trim.
