Winning the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 6)

“Hurry up.” I grin.

She flashes a wink and backs out of my room. My body buzzes with anticipation.

After all these years, it’s finally happening. Kenzie’s going to be mine.

Twenty minutes pass, and I call out for her. No response. Then I shout louder. “Kenzie!”

I flail against my hold, the ropes not budging no matter how much I try. She fucking tied them tight as hell. After ten solid minutes of shouting her name, I come to the conclusion she’s bailed.

More time passes, and I realize she’s not coming back. The anger viciously floods through me as I recall her earlier words.

I want revenge. And maybe then we’ll be even.

Revenge for what, though? I still have no clue what her issue with me is.

My phone’s still in the pocket of my pants and out of reach. It’s gotta be almost three in the morning, and if the guys haven’t barged into my house by now, they’re already passed out and won’t be coming. Usually, one of the Bishops or other ranch hands hangs out here on the weekends but no such luck tonight.

I’m fuckin’ screwed.

When I wake up some time later, arms are numb, and my thighs are burning.

“Alexa, what time is it?” I call out to the little black box on my nightstand.

“It’s six ten a.m.,” she responds.

Surely, someone has to be up by now to start morning chores. But who the hell can I call who won’t humiliate me more than I already am?

“Alexa, call Diesel.”

Though he’ll laugh his head off at me, at least he’ll keep his mouth shut.

However, it goes to voicemail. Fuck.

“Alexa, call Riley.”

Voicemail again.

Son of a bitch.

Then I call Gavin and a few more of the ranch hands. No one answers.

The last person I want to bother is Ethan, but I have to try.

I breathe a sigh of relief when he picks up.

“Dude, I’m sorry to call so early, but it’s an emergency,” I plead so he doesn’t hang up.

“It better be. It’s my wedding night,” he says roughly like he just woke up.

“Kenzie tied me to my bed with rope, then left. I’m stuck,” I say embarrassingly. “I had Alexa call everyone, and you were my last resort.”

“I’m sorry, whaddya just say?” he asks with a soft laugh. “She tied you up?”

“Yeah, man. I’m buck-ass naked too. Can you please help me? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent. My limbs are going blue.”

“Holy shit.” He bursts out laughing. “How the hell did that happen?”

I explain the evening and how it went from amazing to bad in minutes.

“Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, I owe ya one.”

He hangs up, and while I wait for him, I plot my own revenge against Mackenzie Bishop.

Chapter Two

MACKENZIE

Knowing that Grayson’s tied to his bed, unable to move or reach his phone, gives me the biggest smile.

Sure, it was a bitch move. But trust me, it’s well deserved.

We have a history, even if he pretends we don’t, and this payback was years in the making.

I hadn’t fully thought it through, especially not the part where I left without my bridesmaid dress. Driving home in my bra and panties was a nice surprise for me too. Since I stole Grayson’s truck and didn’t want anyone to see it, I parked behind one of the barns close to my house and ran inside undetected. I was scared as hell I’d run into my parents, but luckily, I didn’t.

By nine in the morning, I’m wide-awake. My internal clock doesn’t let me sleep in since I’m usually up at six thirty for work. The drive into town only takes fifteen minutes, but if I stop by the B&B for my daily coffee, I have to leave by seven forty-five to get to the school on time. I don’t mind the early hours, though. I love my students and my job as a first-grade teacher at the private school my mom started before I was born. Over the years, she expanded and added a daycare center—where most of my nieces and nephews attend.

Since it’s Sunday and I have off, I go to the B&B for Maize’s sundae crepes and some hot coffee. Though I imagine some of the ranch hands are already working, I cross my fingers Grayson hasn’t managed to get loose yet. There’s a chance someone’s already saved him, and he’s there waiting to unleash on me.

“Hey y’all,” I greet when I enter and see my parents in the common room with Maize and Gavin on one of the couches. Their twin girls, Mila Rose and Madison, are crawling over Dad’s lap and giggling. They just turned two last month and are full of energy. “No love for your favorite auntie?” I kneel and open my arms.

Maddy immediately crashes into my chest, wrapping her little arms around me. “Aunt Kenzie!”