Page 81 of A Photo Finish
Violet laughs, her shoulders shaking as she buries her head in my armpit and whispers, “I’m sorry.”
What?“Did you know she was there?”
She nods, her forehead against me, her body still shaking.
I laugh too. It’s always contagious with her. I’m also relieved she doesn’t seem horrified by being caught kissing me, and I can’t help but let my amusement show. “Do you think that if we ignore her, she’ll go away?”
Her laugh turns into a loud snort as she wheezes out, “No. Definitely not.”
“I heard that,” Billie shouts. “Really cute. I came to bring you the farm financials.” I look up as she waves a folder over her head and then sets it down on the gravel driveway. “But I’m not getting any closer to that house. God knows what kind of filthy shit has been going on in there.”
“Billie,” I warn, knowing it won’t make a difference. The woman has no filter.
Violet chortles in the most unladylike way, squeezing in tighter like if she gets close enough, she can hide inside me entirely.
“I’m leaving them right there.” She points down before holding her hands over head and stepping away slowly, like this is some sort of hostage situation. “For what it’s worth, I’m just glad people will stop talking aboutmycabin being the love shack now. See you up at the barn, Pornstar Patty!”
She grins and winks at me as Violet melts down into my arms. Billie looks far too pleased with herself and, to my surprise, not upset at all. I don’t know why . . . but I expected her to be weird or protective or something. I expected a scolding for scooping up someone so young and normal. I expected Billie, of all people, to see how I don’t deserve the woman in my arms.
But she just looks amused.
When she finally pulls out of the driveway, Violet gasps out, “I’m . . . I’m sorry.” She looks up at me with tears of laughter pouring down her face. And I feel like I’m in some sort of upside-down world. Why is no one mad about this? “I shouldn’t have done that to you.”
“Let me get this straight.” I lean back to look down at her with a furrowed brow. “You kissed me on purpose. Because you knew Billie was there?”
She swipes at her face, trying to catch her breath. “Yes. I—I’m sorry. I wanted people to know about us but didn’t know how to bring it up, or ask you, or tell them. I saw her truck there out of the corner of my eye, and it seemed like the simplest solution. We are anus, right?” When she saysus,she peeks up at me from under thick lashes, shyly.
I blink at her, scanning her face for some sign that she might be joking. Because in what universe doesthis womanwantmeto be anuswithher. I literally shake my head and count my lucky fucking stars. And then I kiss her hard, hold her to me tight, and show her how badly I want to be an us.
“We are definitely an us.”
* * *
I pullup to the farmhouse and close my eyes, dropping my head against the seat. Work was shitty, and that’s saying something considering the mood I arrived in. Between hot morning sex and Violet staking her claim on me in front of her friend, I was in a great fucking mood.
I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere with the new acquisition. Which means I’ll be stuck out in Ruby Creek for longer, getting things organized and running smoothly before finding someone else to take it over. I wasn’t supposed to like it in Ruby Creek. I was supposed to hate it. But I’m not hating it at all.
I don’t want to leave because I know Violet won’t be leaving. And that agitates me. I spent all day working out the ways we’d see each other once I move back to the city. She can stay with me on the days she races at Bell Point Park, and maybe I can get out to the ranch on the weekends.
But I don’t like that option. I want Violet in my bed every night. Where I can see her. Hold her. Keep her safe. Not an hour and a half down a major highway doing a dangerous job and living alone.
No. I don’t like that at all. And what I like even less is the possibility I’m subconsciously making the new business out to be worse than it really is, all so I can stay here.I’m a fucking head case.
When I get out of the truck, I expect to hear Pippy whinny. Something that usually makes me smile. But today smiling feels like work. My muscles don’t fire right. I feel a cheek twitch, but my body doesn’t quite comply. The smile feels half-hearted. Even this horse deserves better.
And anyway, a whinny doesn’t come.
I look at her paddock, feeling blue to my bones, wishing I could nap. Sometimes these moods hit me for a day or two. Everything feels heavy, and I feel low—downtrodden. I know I haven’t been in touch with Trixie enough for my own well-being. One more thing I can beat myself up about.
I’ve been so high on Violet in the past weeks, I haven’t had time to wallow. She’s not here. I don’t see her car, which means she’s probably with Pippy up at the barn. I’d usually wait for her, but today I need to see her. I’d face Billie’s mocking, Vaughn’s smirk, and Hank’s knowing twinkle if it meant getting to see Violet.
I jump back in my truck and take the road up to the barn. When I pull into the parking lot, I can tick off who will be here by looking at the cars. Everyone is here. Something I’m dreading already. There’s a reason Vaughn took up the mantle as the face of the Gold Rush Resources. Partly because he’s pretty, and partly because I hate that shit. Too many people and too much attention makes me feel like I’m an actor up on stage. Fake. With a big, bright spotlight on me, highlighting every flaw while everyone stares, slack-jawed and horrified. A man who’s killed people, who’s watched people die, and who’s been handed a multinational company with no experience. That’s what I’m sure they must see.
I walk past the offices, not wanting to talk to Vaughn, and head down the vaulted barn alleyway. This facility is so ridiculous.Ranch.I snort.
A young man with a wheelbarrow full of dirty shavings gives me a friendly nod.
“Do you know where Violet is?” I ask.
