“Good mornin’, darling.” I let out a whistle as she climbs out of her SUV. “Lookin’ sexy as hell.”
She gives me a side-eye as she walks toward the B&B. “Keep your dick in your pants, Cowboy. Just because I’m tolerating you doesn’t mean I want you near me.”
“Ya know, for someone who claims to hate me so much, you sure talk a lot about my cock,” I say.
“Only in the ways I plan to castrate you if you don’t stay away from me,” she retorts over her shoulder. It’s not even eight in the morning, and she’s already threatened my balls.
“Alright, wait…” I grab her elbow and pull her toward me. “We’re supposed to be gettin’ along. My family will never believe we’re friends if we can’t even be in the same room together. The fewer questions from them, the better.” The fewer anything from them, the better. The last thing I need or want is their interrogations into my personal life.
She crosses her arms, the movement lifting her breasts higher. Since it’s Wednesday, she’s dressed in one of her hot teacher outfits, complete with black heels that bring her closer to my height. She’s hot as fuck.
“Eyes up here.” She playfully kicks my shin, making me blink back up at her. “So what do you suggest?”
“We need to practice gettin’ along. That means no more name-calling, threatening my most prized possessions…” I lower my eyes to my groin, and she shakes her head in annoyance. “And at least being cordial.”
She releases a deep groan, but I find it adorable. “I guess you’re right. But it won’t be easy, considering you’ve been the enemy all this time.”
“Enemy?” I scoff. “I’m insulted since I’ve been nothing but a perfect gentleman toward you. I should be the one angry for the way you’ve treated me all these years.”
She opens her mouth, then quickly closes it. I wish she’d just tell me what I did to piss her off for so long, but it’s a losing battle. Whatever it is, I need to help her get over it so we can cross the boundaries she’s been so hell-bent on creating.
“Okay, so we’ll be pleasant to each other?” I confirm, waiting for her to agree.
She sucks in a breath, dropping her arms and momentarily closing her eyes. When she opens them, she nods. “Sure.”
“Great, let’s eat breakfast together then.” I open the B&B door and motion for her to go inside.
When we walk into the dining room, almost all the ranch hands are already sitting and eating. I say hello to a few of the guys I work with, then move to the coffee bar where I pour a to-go cup, then add cream and sugar just how Kenzie likes it. After grabbing one for myself, I bring them back to the table and set both down. Kenzie gets a muffin, then takes a seat next to me. She’s not a big breakfast eater, but since I’ve been up working for almost two hours, I’m starving. I stack pancakes, bacon, and sausage on my plate. When I return to the table, I take a sip of my coffee, then realize all eyes are on us, including Maize’s.
“What?” I ask, cutting into my food and taking a huge bite.
“What’s goin’ on with you two?” Maize asks, waving a finger between us as she stands behind the guys.
“Yeah, y’all are bein’ civil for once. What’s up with that?” Diesel adds.
“You’re even sittin’ close.” Riley furrows his brows. “One of you lose a bet?”
I chuckle, trying to ease the awkward tension and wrap an arm around Kenzie’s shoulders. “We’re friends now.”
Maize snorts with her brows raised. “Come again?”
Kenzie finally speaks up. “Acquaintances,” she states, pushing my arm off her. “We came to an agreement to stop fighting. That’s it.”
Everyone continues to silently stare.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard it so quiet over here.” John walks up. “What’s goin’ on?” he asks Maize, crossing his arms as if he’s ready to break up a fight.
“Kenzie and Grayson are sitting together and acting…friendly,” she explains in shock.
“Oh my gosh, y’all are being so dramatic. We’re scolded for arguing, and now y’all freaking out that we’re not,” Kenzie blurts out.
“Maybe give us a warning next time,” Diesel muses.
“Ha-ha.” Kenzie sips her coffee, then takes a bite of her muffin.
“Leave them alone,” John says.
They listen and go back to eating and talking amongst themselves. I eat my bacon and watch as Kenzie chews her food.
“Why are you watching me like a creep?” She narrows her eyes.
“Not used to you being so close.” I smirk, waggling my brows. “Just gettin’ used to it.”
“Well don’t. It’s only temporary,” she says matter-of-factly.
I ignore that and keep talking. “Maybe we can make this a tradition, eating breakfast together, then eventually, move to dinner. Then dessert.” I flash her a wink.