Page 171 of Lost Trust

“Royce, don’t go causing anyone to lose their jobs.”

“Who the hell sends a stranger to a woman’s cabin at four in the morning?”

“He told them he was Ryder’s father.”

I pull my boots on. “Anybody could say that.”

“Maybe, but not everyone can say they’re Blaze Cassel unless they’re wearing his face.”

Once I’m dressed, I stand and turn toward her.

She steps into me without a word.

Her arms wrap around my waist, and she tips her face up to mine.

“I’m sorry,” she says softly. “We can’t seem to get this morning thing right.”

My chest tightens.

I smile down at her. “That’s okay. Practice makes perfect.”

She rises onto her toes and brushes a kiss against my jaw.

I slide my hand into hers. “Come on.”

We walk toward the front door together.

Blaze’s voice carries from the living room, but I don’t look at him.

I stop Marina just before we reach the door. I pull her into my chest. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss the hell out of her. Her fingers curl into my shirt, and her body softens against mine.

When I finally lift my head, she’s breathless. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes wide and dazed.

I grin.

Then I look over her shoulder.

Blaze is staring at us. Seething.

Good.

I take Marina’s hand again and open the door. “Have a good day, baby.”

Her fingers tighten around mine, and she shakes her head. “You too.”

I’m restless all damn day.

And it has nothing to do with Blaze.

Fuck that guy.

If he tries to drag Marina back to Texas, he’s going to have the entire damn rodeo community breathing down his neck before he gets halfway there.

No.

Blaze isn’t what’s eating at me.

It’s something Ginger said.