Rough (Wolf Ranch 1)

When I came out, I was relieved to see Becky nearby with no sign of Boyd. Well, relieved, but also disappointed. Not in myself or Boyd because it wasn’t his fault he was a player but that the chemistry was impossible to resist. I wanted to hang out with him, maybe even have a little fling, but I knew it was better to cut him out now than to be hurt later. I took a breath, headed toward Becky.

I didn’t make it to her side.

Jett Markle, Mr. Bad Date, stepped in my path, a smug grin on his face.

12

AUDREY

“Audrey, so great to see you.” Jett reached out and clasped my shoulder. He probably thought he was showing warmth, but it was everything I could do not to flinch. He and Boyd were of similar size, but while I felt protected by Boyd, Jett felt imposing. The fact that he hadn’t gotten the idea that the first date was also the only date creeped me out. Fortunately, we weren’t alone. The bar was now packed.

“I’ll buy you a drink.” His grip propelled me to the bar. Damn, could the guy be any pushier?

Seriously.

I assumed this was how he made it big in the hedge fund world.

Considering I just turned down a far more appealing drink offer, I found it hard to even be polite. I dug in my heels and resisted his hold on me, which made my arm tug in its socket. “No, Jett. I don’t want a drink with you.” My action and loud words attracted the attention of everyone around us. I usually didn’t want to be the center of attention, but now I was glad for it.

He stopped and turned to look down at me, but he didn’t let go of my shoulder.

“I’m here with a friend,” I said.

Before I finished speaking, I felt a hand on my lower back and knew instantly who it was.

“Everything okay here, darlin’?” Boyd’s voice was soft and slow, but there was no mistaking the danger in it. The menace to Jett if I said things weren’t okay.

I was one hundred and five percent sure Boyd would happily deck the guy if I wanted. What I wasn’t sure of was whether he’d hold back, even if I told him things were fine. I didn’t want to start a fight. I didn’t want Jett to think he was being interrupted. I’d told him we were one and done and that hadn’t worked. If I told Boyd I was fine and went about my night with Becky, I had a feeling Jett would keep sending flowers, keep texting. Or worse.

There was one, very big, very tall way to get my point across to Jett that I wasn’t interested.

I turned and placed my hand on Boyd’s hard chest. His arm instantly banded around my waist, drawing me closer. “There you are!” I purred, like we were together. As in together. I stared adoringly up into his face.

Boyd looked down at me, and his easy smile came immediately, but his gaze was shrewd. I’d just told him things weren’t going to work out, and now I was fawning all over him. He might be crazy enough to climb on the back of a bull and try to stay on, but he was no idiot. His gaze traveled between me and Jett. “Was this guy bothering you, darlin’?”

“No, just a misunderstanding. I was just telling him that it wasn’t necessary to text me or send me flowers at work. Our dinner last weekend was a one-time thing.”

“Is that so?” Boyd asked.

I nodded. “Yes, clearly Jett didn’t know you were my date.” I laid my cheek against his muscled chest like we were far more than dating—like we were an exclusive couple.

Too bad that wouldn’t be the case.

Jett’s eyes narrowed, and his cheeks flushed with anger. He stared at me, but the hatred was focused over my head at Boyd. Obviously, he wasn’t used to losing the girl to a rival.

“Aw, that right?” Boyd cradled the side of my head, his thumb lightly brushing over my ear. It was way too intimate a gesture—and I liked it way too much—but he was playing along with me, acting the part of my boyfriend. “I didn’t realize another man was sending my girl text messages. Especially ones she doesn’t want.”

Wow, he was protective. I liked the feeling of not being the responsible one, the one who had to take care of herself, and hell, everyone around her. It was my job to help people in life and death scenarios, and in this one thing, it felt amazing to hand it off to Boyd. Crazy, but amazing. I wanted to laugh at Jett, but that would only make things worse.

What if Boyd could be boyfriend material? some silly voice in my head whispered.