Fuck. Now I’m the one who needs one.
Chapter Ten
Amber
“You know there’s a solution to this,” Quinn says in the truck on the way back to Devil’s Horn Ranch.
“To what?”
“The sexual tension. I know you feel it too.”
“I know there is. I’m about to go take care of it.” I lean closer and add, “Alone.” I know I’m egging him on further, but it’s so fun.
“Jesus, Amber.”
Just to add insult to injury, I lift my shirt and let the air conditioning blow on my chest. “It’s really hot today. I didn’t know it got so hot down here.”
He tries not to look, but I see him peeking out of the corner of his eye. He blows out a long, frustrated breath.
“Out of curiosity, what was your solution?” I ask.
“We’re obviously compatible that way. The other night was…” He shakes his head as if he can’t come up with the words. “And you’re only here until your ankle heals—ten more days. Why not enjoy each other during that time?”
“Because I don’t—”
“Do repeats. I don’t either. But this is different. You’re leaving. We’ll never have reason to see each other again.”
“I still don’t. Sorry, cowboy.”
“You can’t blame a guy for trying. So what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“I have a few calls. Other than that, nothing much. It’s kind of boring around here.”
He huffs in exasperation. “Boring? Then you ain’t doing it right, sister.”
We get out of the truck and walk toward the apartments. “Exactly how am I supposed to do it?”
“Get on a horse. Take in the scenery. Explore the property on an ATV. You saw it from the sky, the place is incredible.”
“It might prove difficult, given I’ve never been on a horse or driven an ATV.”
“Wow.”
“What?”
“There’s a big difference between city girls and country girls.”
“Was that meant to be a dig? It sure sounded like one.”
“I’m just saying, it’s not all brunches and pedicures down here. We do get our hands dirty.”
“I get my hands dirty. I have a” —I feel stupid saying it, but I do anyway— “garden.”
“Oh, a garden. Well, why didn’t you say so? Forget what I said. You should probably be the one teaching me how to cowboy.”
I poke him with a crutch. “Shut up.”
“Seriously. You’re here. You’ll probably never be on a ranch again. Might as well make the best of it.”
I watch the horses being trained in the arena. Devyn is still there. She’s riding one now. She makes it look so easy. “I’m not sure I could, with my leg and all.”
“So we’ll start with the ATV and leave the horse riding until next week, when your ankle feels better.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve got some work to do. Meet me in the barn in two hours, and we’ll take out some four-wheelers.”
I bite my lip and paste on a pensive look. “Two hours. That ought to be enough time for me to work out the tension.”
“Woman, you’re gonna fucking kill me.” He starts for the stables and turns. “Bring the hat. And for Christ’s sake, leave the linen slacks at home. Jeans are what you wear on a ranch.”
He walks away. I try not to stare but fail miserably. He removes his plaid rodeo shirt, revealing a tight blue T-shirt underneath. I can see the outline of his back muscles. I know what they feel like—all that hardness underneath his soft skin. Except his hands. His hands aren’t soft at all. They’re rough and calloused. Probably from all the bronc riding and whatever he does around the ranch. A shiver runs up my spine as I recall what those hands did to me the other night.
He turns to catch me staring and tips his hat. I pretend to look at Devyn and the horses, but I don’t miss his laughter. Yeah, I’m so busted.
I hobble my way to Maddox’s house, hoping to catch Andie at home. She answers the door with Vivian on her hip. “Hey, Amber. Boy, am I happy to see you. Come on in.”
There’s a baby crying inside. “Is that Casey?”
“They both decided to fuss at the same time. Can you get him for me?”
“Of course.” We go to the living room, and I pick up her nephew. “Hey, little guy. What’s the matter? You miss your mommy?”
Andie plops onto the couch looking exhausted. She places Vivian at her feet, giving her a plastic picture book. Vivian sucks on a corner of it. “What was I thinking wanting to do this?”
“Don’t you watch each other’s kids all the time?”
“I meant full time.” She touches her stomach. “We didn’t want to say anything at the wedding, but Maddox and I are expecting. Viv will have a little brother or sister in seven months.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks. We haven’t told anyone yet, so please keep this news to yourself.”
“Who would I tell?”
She raises a brow. “Quinn, for one.”
“Quinn and I don’t tell each other stuff.”
“Hmm. That’s not what he told us at dinner the other night. Said you guys had some heart-to-heart talks when you were waiting to be rescued.”
“That’s different. I thought I might starve to death.”
“Oh, gosh. I didn’t realize it was so bad.”
I retrieve a pacifier off the table and put it into Casey’s mouth. “I may be exaggerating a bit.”
“I saw the truck pull up. You went to the rodeo with him?”
“He’s really good.”
“Maddox and Aaron hate that he does it. Do you know how many cowboys get seriously injured each year from bronc riding? Broken backs, shoulder surgeries, even crushed skulls. They’re incredibly athletic but also monumentally stupid, if you ask me.”
I don’t tell her that I find it hot. A complete turn-on. That I had to hold myself back afterward because all I wanted to do was ride him there in the truck like he rode the horse.
Devyn comes through the front door. She sees me with Casey. “You’re good with him.”
“He’s a real cutie.”
“You ever think about having one yourself?” she asks.
“Having one, no. Adopting one someday isn’t out of the question.”
“Oh, right, because you’re adopted. It would be an amazing thing for you to do.”
My Apple watch dings, reminding me of a video appointment with a prospective client. I hand Casey to his mom. “Do either of you have a pair of jeans I can borrow? I wasn’t expecting to be here this long, and all I have are these slacks and yoga pants.”
“Come with me,” Andie says. “I have a ton of jeans I won’t be able to wear for a long time. You’re welcome to borrow any or all of them. Tops too. I know you’ll be here for a few weeks.”
Devyn squeals with excitement. “You’re pregnant?”