Page 5 of Spirit on the Range

The cutest little pout formed on her own lips as she peeled back the foil, uncovering the sample and dipped her finger into the pot. When she raised her hand I expected her to put it to her own mouth, but instead she crooked a finger, beckoning me closer.

"What?" I floundered, looking to Trav for support.

The tall man smirked and said nothing.

"Right." I shook my head and leaned forward, putting on a pretty little display for her. The thought of those hands on my skin left me heady, and she was already too close for the way my jeans seemed to have shrunk overnight. Or maybe just this afternoon.

Her breath brushed against my lips as she rubbed her finger over the same spot, the silky gel gliding across it like so much lube. She smacked her lips in demonstration.

I stared at her.

Rolling her eyes, she huffed at me and repeated the motion, rolling her hands for me to replicate the action, encouraging me like I was a brand-new puppy being taught new tricks.

This puppy didn’t want to do any damn tricks, and certainly not in mixed company. Not that Zi could see a way out of it. I manned up and smacked my lips together, just for her

She nodded her approval, sending a zing along my spine. I still didn’t get the point of the demonstration, not until–

The zing up my spine duplicated along my lips, tingling them like the heat you’d get from a chilli pepper, or the buzz from a good whiskey. But it was her fingers touching her lips, and that small, secret smile there that made me drop my gaze, wondering what she tasted like. I actually took a step forward before Travis cleared his throat.

"I think her point is made."

I gave the girl who grinned smugly at me, a smile, and nodded. She hadn’t spoken through the whole demonstration, and I didn't see a reason to break her silence. We could communicate just fine.

I must have left my bartering hat in my truck, because I let her fleece me for thirty percent less profit than I usually pushed for.

Her hands went back on her hips, and her gaze slipped to the horizon beyond Red Hart as we worked on the pricing for everything else.

Travis chuckled. "I'll leave you to it, then." he glanced back at the door to the big house. “Food’ll be on the table in two hours. You’re welcome to stay, as always.”

Sienna didn't respond in any way, her gaze fixed only on me.

It was the sort of look a man could get used to, make him not want to leave.

I let out a heavy sign of nothing, knowing she would cost me a pretty penny the longer we negotiated. I also knew I didn't carehow much I paid for the price of her company, as long as she stayed for a little bit longer.

And we did end up staying for dinner, both of us. Sienna took a roll and stuffed meat on her plate, curling her feet under her sofa that sat near the unlit fireplace at the front of the house, looking out at the mountain through a large glass window. As usual, I joined Travis and the rest of the hands at the long table near the kitchen, telling stories and spinning shit until every plate was empty. I grabbed a few trays and carried them to the wooden island bench that was the focal point of Eve’s kitchen. "Let me help. "

"Sit down," she scolded me. "You know I'm going to say no. Besides, I've got a kitchen bitch for this month."

Jude walked into the kitchen hand-in-hand with his Canadian wife, Natalie. My brow crawled up my forehead as I realised he was wearing one of their pink aprons.

“What the hell did you do?" I leaned my back against the bench, folding my arms over my chest and watching him.

He opened the fridge and pulled out a cold beer. “You up for another?”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

"I bet Eve I’d find a mother and it’s fragile as fuck offspring before she did last month."

I smirked. "And now you’re kitchen bitch for four weeks?"

Jude shook his head as Natalie snuggled into his side, her dark eyes full of mischief. "No. It's eight weeks. Because he mouthed off at her afterwards. "

Eve shrugged. "I really didn't care," she protested.

"I did.'' Natalie propped her hands on her hips, and I was reminded of Sienna earlier in the day. "You shouldn't treat women that way, especiallyyou." She poked her husband in his ribs.

Jude doubled over, gritting his teeth. “Yes, ma’am.”

---