Page 17 of Wrangled

I coughed. “Fraternizing with the guests… is that allowed?”

“I’mnot gonna tell anyone.” He grinned. “Are you?”

“No, but I’ll pass. Not that it isn’t a tempting offer.”

Walt chuckled. “Hey, no harm, no foul. Pity though. I’d have liked to get up close and personal with some of your… equipment.” He kept scrolling, and his eyes widened. “Jesus. You really are gonna fit right in around here.” Before I could ask what he meant, Butch came back inside, and he clammed up.

“Come on, guys. Bed.” He glared at Zeeb. “Because if I have to dig your ass outta bed in the morning, you’ll be sorry.”

Zeeb grumbled and switched off the TV. “Fine.”

I pulled up my Scruff profile, curious to see what had brought about such a reaction. There were my usual torso shots, thinly disguised dick pics… and a lot of images of me in leather at the club.

Now I really was curious.Who else around here is into similar… activities?

As I shucked off my clothes, I went over some of the evening’s conversation. There’d been more than a few cryptic remarks, and I had to admit, I was intrigued.

This could prove interesting.

I had no idea what time it was, but something had awoken me. Then I realized the room wasn’t dark. I leaned out of my narrow bunk and scanned my surroundings, my eyes adjusting to the dim light that came from Butch’s lower bunk.

It was a night light.

Then I realized I could hear sounds too. Butch was clearly in the throes of a bad dream. He tossed and turned, moaning. I was debating getting out of bed and walking over there to wake him up, when he sat upright with a speed that made me jump. I froze.

Butch put his feet on the worn rug, rubbing his head. Then he got up and padded toward the bathroom. I caught the splash of water in the sink. When he came out, he squirmed into jeans and boots, and grabbed his jacket and hat. With a stealth I couldn’t help but admire, he crept out of the bunkhouse.

A smoke? At this hour?

“You saw nothing, okay?” Zeeb’s whisper from above startled me.

“What’s with the night light?” I whispered back.

“I don’t know, and I don’t ask.No onementions it, not since a former ranch hand teased Butch about it about nine years ago. He ended up in the hospital. All I know is, it helps Butch ward off whatever comes in his nightmares.” He peered over the edge of the bed at me. “And he gets those a lot.”

“Where’s he gone?”

Zeeb shrugged. “Where he always goes when he wakes up from a bad dream. To Teague’s cabin. Not that he needs an excuse, but yeah…”

I arched my eyebrows.

He rolled his eyes. “They fuck, all right? And you don’t know that either.” He narrowed his gaze. “And don’t go reading more into it than that, okay? It’s—what does the boss call it?—a symbiotic relationship. They both get what they want—what they need—and no questions asked.”

The boss knows?That was one hell of an understanding, broadminded boss.

Zeeb glanced at me. “I hear you’re from that side of the church yourself.”

I bit back a smile. “News sure travels fast.”

Zeeb snorted. “Around here? You bet your ass. Now get some sleep.” He grinned. “You’re gonna need it.” Then he disappeared from view.

I lay down, my fingers laced under my head.

The springs above me squeaked, a noise that settled into a rhythm, and I knew exactly what Zeeb was doing.

You havegotto be kidding me.

“Cut it out and go to sleep,” I whispered.

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