Page 14

And there it is—that image of her. Dark eyes blazing, chin up in the air, her wet shirt showing off curves that should be fucking illegal. The contour of her hips, her waist, her nipples hard and pink and wetand—

Fuck.

No. I cannot be thinking about Addison Thatcher like this.

The way her ass had felt against my cock while bouncing on the horse …

I suck in a deep breath.

The way her feisty attitude makes me just wanna push her up against the nearest wall and shove my tongue down her throat. When she’d practically dared me to scoop her up over my shoulder, my head had been full to the brim of horrible, dirty things—all including Addison naked, me on top of her.

I slam the horse bridal I’m carrying onto its hook on the wall.

Shut up, Cruz, I snap at myself.

I glance at my phone. It’s a little after 6 p.m., and I’m about as done with the day as I’m going to be. I grab my hat and stride out of the barn and up to my truck.

The rain has finally stopped, which is nice. Although the entire ranch is just going to be one bigmud puddle for the next couple days. I hop into my truck and make my way to the mess hall.

It’s crowded and lively when I enter, and I make a beeline toward the buffet table to see what Hank has prepared for today. After the storm, I’m hoping for something warm. When I see a big pot of chili, my wish is granted.

I grab a large bowl, along with a side of chips, and turn around to find a seat.

My gaze immediately zeroes in on Addison. Sitting at a nearby table and chatting away with some ranch hands.

I swallow, suddenly feeling … nervous?

There’s an empty seat next to her, but I decide not to take it. She’s probably had enough of me today.

There is, however, an empty chair a few seats down from her. Next to some of my buddies too. So I take that one.

“So where were you during Armageddon today?” one of my ranch hands, Theo, asks. He’s tall—probablyaround six-five—but not in an imposing way. Probably one of the kindest guys on the ranch. Honestly, he would have been a better fit to watch over Addison than me. I probably should have tried to pass the buck, but it’s too late now.

I grunt. “You don’t wanna know.”

He chuckles. “Took me twenty minutes to herd the cattle out of it. Was drenched by the time I was done.”

One of the ranch’s vet techs, Cora, laughs from across the table. “Yeah, you looked like a wet rat at lunch.”

Theo rolls his eyes, but I happen to know that he likes when Cora teases him. He’s head over heels in love with her and he might be the only one who doesn’t know it. Well … besides Cora.

A round of laughter catches my attention, and my gaze slips down the table to Addison. She’slaughing. Actually laughing. I didn’t think she was capable of it.

I glance farther to see who she’s laughing with, and my gaze locks on Graham, another of the cowboys. He’stelling some sort of story, waving his hands in the air. Addison giggles.

I glare into my chili.

Theo and Cora continue to talk about their day, and I interject here and there. I eventually get up for a second bowl of chili, and by the time I come back, Theo has left. Cora sticks around for a few minutes, finishing up her meal, before leaving as well.

I keep glancing to Addison and Graham. They’re close enough that I can hear most of what they’re saying. She’s telling him about her “hike” from earlier, conveniently leaving out the part about her getting lost and rescued.

“There are some great trails up there,” Graham says. He’s leaning forward. Too far.

Addison bobs her head.

“You know, if you’re wanting a tour guide …”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.