Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

She lasted two days.

Two days of sitting in her room, being bored out of her mind. She’d managed to find a few books to read in the smaller, second living room downstairs. In fact, she’d started to treat that like her own space once she’d figured out nobody else used it. When Alec wasn’t working out on the ranch, he holed up in his office. Often with West, his not-very-talkative brother. In fact, West took taciturn to a whole new level.

After showing her to her room when she’d first arrived, West had gone over her luggage with that little device again, then left. All without a word. At least he hadn’t pawed through her underwear. Mind you, he would have been pretty disappointed if he had. It was all plain cotton and there wasn’t much of it.

Jardin had left for New Orleans the day after she’d arrived. She’d figured if she just stayed out of everyone’s way, she’d been fine. But when she’d woken up this morning, she’d decided she couldn’t stand to live there for two more months like this. Sitting around, doing nothing just wasn’t who she was. So she’d headed into the kitchen and gotten to work. The Malone brothers all ate in the main house, even though they slept in a large bunkhouse.

They all ate in the larger living room at the front of the house. And left it in a pigsty each time. She’d spent most of this afternoon cleaning the kitchen. Those boys seemed to live on steak, sausages, and bacon. And nothing else.

She braced herself as she heard a door open. Right on time. It sounded like a runaway herd of cattle was headed towards her. If cattle could talk. And the majority of what came out of their mouths was profanity. She was blushing even before they hit the kitchen. The first brother came to a fast stop, the rest of them pushing against him as they tried to get through the door at the same time.

She resisted the urge to check that her hair was tidy or to wish she had something nicer to wear. The plain, whi

te T-shirt she wore was a bit baggy and wouldn’t have been her first choice. White didn’t really look good against her pale skin. And if she didn’t start eating better, the dark jeans she was wearing were going to slip right off. Malone had told her to make a list of what she needed, but it didn’t feel right to ask for anything.

Only she really needed to get her prescription for her anti-anxiety meds refilled. But she didn’t want Alec Malone to know how weak she was that she couldn’t cope without being medicated. Nope, not happening. She’d just figure that shit out later. Somehow.

“Well, hello there, darlin’,” the first rogue drawled at her. He looked her up then down and by the time he was finished a blush had engulfed her entire body. “I thought my brother had you locked up in your room. Now I can see why.”

“Beau, get out of the damn way,” one of the others growled. “I’m fucking hungry.”

The one at the front, Beau, didn’t answer but he did take a couple of steps forward and headed straight towards her. She backed up a step, she knew it was cowardly, but she couldn’t fight instinct.

His grin just widened. She looked behind him, to find the other brothers had entered the kitchen, all but two staring at her like she was a piece of prime beef steak.

Beau, who still had his hat on and wore dusty, ripped jeans and a faded checked shirt, leaned in close. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and his bright, blue eyes stood out against his deeply tanned skin.

He was gorgeous. And dangerous. Her heart raced.

She was trapped. Trapped. Trapped.

She could feel the scream inside her rising. Then he reached down and grabbed her hand, raising it to kiss the back. Her breath came in sharp pants even though he did nothing more than hold her hand and smile down at her.

“Beau!” A sharp voice barked from the doorway, and she jumped.

Beau didn’t look worried. He just turned slowly, letting her see past his wide chest to where Alec stood in the doorway. He stared at his brother then his gaze moved around to the rest of them.

“Having dinner with us tonight, brother?” one of the others asked. There was a note of something in his voice she couldn’t quite decipher.

Alec’s gaze settled on her. Shit. She had nowhere left to retreat to.

“What are you doing in here?” he barked.

“Jesus, Alec, she’s allowed to eat.” One of them glared at his brother. She wished she knew all their names, but she’d only met Tanner and West. Well, and now Beau.

“I just thought . . . I was bored . . . I cooked dinner,” she said lamely.

“You cooked dinner? Hot damn.” Another one rubbed his hands together.

“I know what I’d like for dinner,” Beau said slyly, giving her a long, hungry look.

Oh, shit. She was in such trouble.

“Beau!” Alec snapped again. “Give us a minute.”

It took her a few beats to realize he was speaking to her. She nodded quickly, feeling like a complete idiot.

“I’ll just go finish setting the dining table.”