Page 20 of Untamed

He knows that’s not what I was thinking about. I can see him visibly hesitate, like he wants to push me on this. But he decides against whatever it is he wanted to say and instead just gives me one of his panty-dropping grins.

“I’d never expect you to get out and push. I’m a gentleman.”

“A gentleman?” I scoff. “That must be a new development because I distinctly remember getting told only you knew how to drive the four-wheeler, so of course it had to be me that got out and pushed.”

“And we got out, if I recall correctly.”

“Once,” I tell him, flicking his bicep. “And you gunned it so hard that I face-planted headfirst into the mud.”

He throws his head back, laughing.

“Oh, shit. Yeah. I forgot about that.”

“Not funny.”

“Hilarious, actually.” He takes his hat off and sets it on his guitar. “You were steamin’ mad. You were so hot with anger that the rain just evaporated the second it hit your skin the whole way back.”

I shake my head and try not to give him the satisfaction of laughing.

“You’re such an ass, Hayes Black.”

“What’s that? I have a nice ass?”

“Lame joke.” I snort.

Our laughter dissipates, and we sit there in silence for a moment, just listening to the cicadas chirping outside. Hayes moves, scooting a little closer to me until I can feel the heat from his skin. That man is gonna need some aloe.

“River.” He reaches out and takes my hand in his. The palms are rough from hard work, and I like the way they make me feel small. He runs his thumb over my knuckles. “I missed you.”

When I look up and come face-to-face with him, my heart kicks up a gear, and I have to swallow against the panic. This feels too comfortable, too easy. I’m supposed to be keeping my distance and guarding my heart.

So instead of saying what I want to say, I just smile and then peel my hand from his. He tries not to let me go, but when I stand, he’s forced to drop my hand.

“I have to go get ready for work.” I walk over to the little work bench and grab my things. “See you tomorrow, yeah?”

His mouth opens and closes while he just watches me stand half in and half out of the barn. I guess part of me is waiting for him to make a move, to stop me from running again. I want him to. I really, really want him to.

But that’s not Hayes’ style.

So, instead, I just leave.

“Good night, Hayes.”

God dammit this woman. All she does is run.

It takes me a second after she disappears from the barn door to get me moving, but I jump to my feet and take off after her. She’s practically running back to her car, and I have to shout to get her attention before she slams the door shut.

“River Marie Larson!”

Her head whips around.

“Did you just full fucking name me?” she shouts back as she watches me run after her.

“Yes.” I’m out of breath by the time I get to her. Shit, you’d think workin’ on a ranch would have me in better shape. “Because you are fucking running again.”

“You didn’t stop me.”

“I am now!” I throw my hands up in the air. “Tell me what’s goin’ on up there.”

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