Lib Novel Page 36
We both laugh, then he motions for me to go first.
“I’m going to head out,” I say, nodding my head toward me car, as if the car has some say in this.
“This was fun,” he says. “But don’t think every day is going to be all fun and games.” His eyes narrow, and there’s a smile in them.
“Right, because you’re such a hard ass and will probably work me to the bone.” The words are out of my mouth before I can catch the double meaning, the sexual undertones. I bite my lip, looking at his expression to see if he caught that too.
The way his blue eyes darken, hell yes, he caught that. But then he smiles and pulls me into a hug. I inhale his scent, completely aware of how long and inappropriate this hug is, but how much I don’t want to let him go. But eventually, he releases me and I step back, trying my damnedest to pretend I’m not affected by him.
“Get some rest, because tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
And as I drive away, I can’t help but think, God, I hope so.
Chapter Thirteen
Brayden
I watch Nina go, realizing the mistake I nearly made. I almost kissed her. It happened multiple times throughout the day, but this time in front of all the guys. It had felt so effortless too, like I could just lean down and taste her. Like her lips were home, and I didn’t belong to someone else.
I shake the thought from my head, refusing to go there. I also ignore the side glances from the guys as Nina’s car pulls down the gravel road before heading out on the highway.
It’s maintenance day, which we hold every week before the guests arrive for the weekend. The guys are here to help repair anything in the cabins, check fence lines, fill holes in the ground, and oversee anything else that needs attention.
“That’s Jordy’s cousin, right?” Jake asks as we lead the horses to the barn. “The one with that huge Victorian in town?”
I nod, removing Sara’s saddle. “I just hired her,” I say. “She’ll work in the house with my mom. She starts tomorrow, so I thought I’d give her a tour of the ranch.”
“A tour, huh?”
I hear the laugh in Jake’s voice, though I act as if I don’t hear it.
“Yup.” I grab a brush and start on Sara’s coat, smoothing the dust from her terracotta fur.
“Does Jordy know?”
“That I hired her cousin?” I shoot him a look. “She lives with her now, of course she knows. It was her idea.”
“No, that her cousin is living rent free in your head,” Jake says as he brushes down Meredith. “Come on man, I haven’t seen you look at a girl like that since…” He pauses is brushing, his head tilted as he thinks. “Naw, I’ve never seen you like that, not even with Jordy.”
“What are you talking about? I’m always good to Jordy.”
“It’s not about being good,” Jake says. “You’re good to everyone, to the guests, your mom, all of us, and definitely your girlfriend. But you don’t look at Jordy like that, or hug her for that long, or watch her leave when she drives away, even when she was leaving for weeks at a time.”
I shake my head, even as Jake’s words sink in my belly. “You’re reaching,” I say, running the brush over Sara’s coat. “I love Jordy. We’ve just been together for so long, things have gotten comfortable. If it looks like I’m treating Nina any different, it’s only because I’m grateful she let my fiancé live with her so we could be closer. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” Jake asks. I shoot him a look, and he laughs. “Okay fine. Then can I ask if there’s a rule against dating coworkers here? Because that girl is good food.”
“What?”
“She’s so delicious, I could eat her up.”
I grip the horse brush, fighting the urge to throw it at him. “She’s not a snack,” I say, but through clenched teeth.
“Oh, she’s chips and salsa, man. Just one taste, and I know I’d eat the whole bag.”
I slam the brush down on the table, and this time I don’t even try to hide how badly I want to throw him down too. Even more when I see how funny he apparently thinks this is.
“Fuck dude, you’re so smitten. You should see your face.” Jake slaps me on the back, even as my fist remains clenched. “I’m not going after her, but you’re playing a dangerous game in hiring her.”