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“What’d you tell him?”
“We’d be in touch.”
The sun is already high in the sky, nearing noon. It’s still hot as shit in Texas, but it should start cooling off in the evenings in the next few weeks. Sweat drips down the center of my back.
“Buddy of mine in Idaho would probably know something about it if we went up there and asked him. He was one of those science geniuses who got locked up for being way too fucking smart for the government’s comfort.”
Cash squints at me. “Might be worth a visit. Sure you wanna go back there?”
I look out across the ranch at the leaves on the oak trees blowing in the breeze. The idea of walking back into prison, even as a free man, makes my empty stomach churn. I don’t know if I could physically do it.
“It’s either that or we risk calling him. Don’t think this is some shit we should talk about on a recorded line.”
Cash nods. We both turn at the sound of an ATV approaching. The girls are pulling up to the pen, a large picnic basket sitting in Rosie’s lap. Her eyes find mine immediately. She doesn’t smile as she climbs out of the ATV as Dolly puts it into park.
We’re out in the back pasture, two miles from the house. They’re both wearing sundresses that hit mid-thigh on the unseasonably sunny day. Texas weather has no rhyme or reason. Rosie’s dress is a pale green with little white flowers on it. Her sun-kissed shoulders are exposed. Copper strands of hair are lying in messy waves around her shoulders, loose pieces drifting in the gentle breeze.
My eyes take in the rest of her as my mouth waters at more than just the thought of the lunch she’s carrying.
She’s going to be sleeping in my bed tonight, but I can’t lay a hand on her.
I’m not used to having self-control with women. I’ve never had to. I’m not worried that I won’t be able to resist touching her. I’d never do that without her consent. I killed a man for doing that to a woman.
I’m worried I’m going to have another wet dream about her with her sleeping so close to me.
Better than the alternative of not sleeping at all.
I hope.
“You ladies sure are a sight for sore eyes! Damn, I’m starving.” Jensen hops off the fence, grinning widely as he practically skips toward them.
“Get the table off the back of the mule, Jensen,” I order.
He nods, walking toward the back of the ATV to grab the fold-up picnic table. The four other ranch hands start following the girls as they head toward a large tree to serve lunch under the canopy of leaves. The wind picks up, nearly blowing Rosie’s dress all the way up and revealing her ass. She reaches down to grab it, but she can’t do it well while still holding the basket. I curse under my breath, waiting on edge for her to flash the entire group of men. I quicken my steps to catch up to her.
“The fuck are you wearing?” I grab the basket from her so she can properly hold the hem down.
She throws a glare up at me. “Oh, is my outfit an issue now too? Can’t do anything right around here, can I?” Her eyes are bright blue-green in the sunlight. She flips the hem up to reveal tiny white spandex underneath.
“Relax, Rosie. Holden’s been barking at us all morning. You’re just fresh meat.” Cash takes the small ice chest from Dolly.
My sister takes a step toward me. “What’s wrong?”
I open the top of the picnic basket to see what it is. “Starving. What’s for lunch?”
“Nothing for the grouchy, ungrateful asshole,” Rosie snaps.
My eyes slowly rise to meet hers.
Someone needs a good, hard spanking.
Whoa … the fuck did that thought come from?
“Okay, wow. How about I serve lunch? Rosie, will you please get the plates and cups from the mule?” Dolly asks.
Rosie spins around and marches toward where the ATV is parked. Five pairs of hungry eyes follow her, hoping for another gust of wind to pick up.
The thought of firing each and every single one of them all at once filters through my brain, but I close my eyes instead, exhaling slowly. Rosie returns with the plates and cups, depositing them on the table before opening up one compartment on the veggie tray and extracting a handful of baby carrots. She turns toward the horses and makes her way over to them.
