Page 81 of Wild Sanctuary

Through the office window, the light is already on the upper pasture and the day is moving whether I’m ready for it or not.

My phone vibrates on the desk.

JUNE

Kitchen. Coffee. Now. Be back later.

I pocket it and head down the hall, only to find the kitchen already occupied, which is not what I need.

Maggie is at the counter in yesterday’s scrubs with what looks like dried iodine on her forearm, eating toast directly over the sink.

“Mornin’, sunshine.” Colt tips his mug in my direction from his place at the table. “You look well-rested.”

“I’m fine.”

“Sure you are.” He takes a slow sip, watching me over the rim the way he watches everything, like the world is a card game and he’s already counted what’s in your hand. “Coffee’s fresh. June made it before she left to check on the Henderson setup. She said, and I’m quoting here, that if you leave this house before she gets back she’s cancelin’ Sunday dinner indefinitely, and telling everyone it’s your fault.”

I pour a mug and lean against the counter beside Maggie, who gives me a look that says she’s clocked the dark circles under my eyes and elected not to comment.

Small mercies.

“Daisy’s been on her own all week, by the way.” Colt throws it out there, casual as anything, his eyes cutting sideways to gauge the landing. “In case you were wonderin’.”

My hand pauses on the mug. “Meanin’ what?”

“Meaning her ex left Saturday morning. West had a word.”

He lets that settle for exactly long enough, then takes another sip.

“Oh, and she slept in your room Friday night. June put her there when she turned up, bags backed. Guest room wasn’t ready.” His eyes find mine over the rim, the very picture of innocence. “How’d you sleep last night, by the way? You look a little flushed, brother.”

The pillow. The sheets. Five in the morning with my face buried in her scent and my cock so hard I could barely think straight.

I take a very deliberate sip and give him absolutely nothing.

Colt grins anyway because the bastard knows exactly what he just did.

“Wasn’t aware it was my business.”

“It’s not,” Colt agrees easily. Then the corner of his mouth lifts. “And yet.”

“And yet nothin’.” I carry my mug to the table and sit down like the conversation has already ended. “She came here for an article. The article’s done.”

“Heard that too.” Colt stretches his legs out, crossing his boots at the ankle. “Also heard she’s been workin’ from your office all week. Sitting at our dinner table. Riding into town with June. Makin’ herself comfortable.”

He lets that sit.

“But what do I know? I’m just the pretty one.”

Maggie snorts from the counter.

I don’t answer him. The coffee is hot and strong and exactly what I need, and I drink it while Colt watches me over the rim of his mug and waits for something I’m not giving him.

Only it’s already there.

The ex was an ex all along.

Should make a difference. But it doesn’t.