Tackling Tobias (Big Sky Universe)

“Actually, it was Louisa’s sister who gave me her address if I was looking for somewhere to lay low.”

Instead of the chair, he sits on the swing, patting the spot next to him. “The sun’s about to rise.” As soon as I sit, he passes my cup to me. My heart jumps in my chest when his eyes meet mine. “I love the sunrises more than the sunsets. It’s beautiful.”

“It is. It’s the first thing I noticed when I woke up on Christmas Eve. It’s truly breathtaking.”

“It is.” I turn to look and see that his eyes aren’t on the sky but on me instead. I wet my lips and then take a drink of my coffee. I can’t do this. I can’t fall for my boss. It’s only three months.

I swear I hear him whisper, “Three months.”

I bring the warm cup to my lips again, loving the steam on my face as the morning chill envelops me. I create a little more space between us. “Here it comes.” The sun peeks over the trees, and a gasp escapes my lips. I might never get used to the beauty. We sit there until his phone goes off.

“Excuse me. It seems like my day’s starting.” I stand up and follow him inside. He ends the call after we get in the door. “That’s John, making sure I didn’t scare you away yet.”

“Not yet,” I say, smiling up at him. “Do you want me to take that?” I point to his mug. He finishes it off then hands it to me.

“Thanks, Ava. See ya around six.” His mouth brushes my cheek. He starts and turns as quick as he can and leaves.

“Bye,” I whisper, standing with the two mugs in my hands, completely dumbfounded. It takes me a few seconds to finally get myself out of the trance that Tobias put me in with just a gentle press of his lips on my skin.

Chapter 5

Tobias

What is wrong with me? She’s got to think I’m some sick pervert. I’m going on a day full of giving this woman the wrong impression. Technically it’s not the wrong one, but more like it’s not the right time to tell her how much I want her in my bed. It’s lust for sure. She’s sexy as fuck, but there’s more than that. So far, I’ve watched her handle some of the most embarrassing moments with grace and composure. I’ve seen her perfect tits. God, I stroked my cock to that vision at least twice since she left my room. I ached to paint my name on her chest with my load, letting every asshole know that she belonged to me. This is a first. I’ve never been territorial. As a teen, it was because I knew I had priorities. In college, I had dreams, and no girl was going to get in the way of them. I had a couple of lovers during my first year on the team, but that had been it. Women saw dollar signs and the opportunity to get pregnant. The last straw was when I overheard a girl I wanted to take out for drinks tell her friend that she planned to break the condom and she was ovulating. I skipped out, running as if a cornerback and safety were on my ass inches from the end zone.

I walk into the barn where the guys are congregating. They’ve started their daily routine, but at this time, we have a staff meeting to make sure there’s nothing else we need to tackle and how to get it all done by five. This isn’t the largest farm in town or in the state, but I do make a nice profit every year to keep it functioning.

I reach the guys at the back of the sixth horse stall when Dillon says, “Hey, Tobias. How was last night?”

“What do you mean?” I doubt John would spill what he witnessed and what I said about Ava, so he’s got to be talking about something else.

“Your new cook. Did you fire her already?” Dillon’s brows go up expectantly.

“No. I didn’t.” I do my best to act casual about it. They’re used to my temper when things don’t go according to my request.

“So John’s warning is serious? Are we not allowed into the main house anymore?” Jessie asks, coming out dressed to saddle up today.

The thought of any of these young men around her sets my teeth on edge. “Not unless invited by me. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. Do you all hear the boss man? We’re not allowed in the main house unless invited strictly by him.” They smirk and laugh.

“Well, I saw her. Her car isn’t the only pretty thing. She’s gorgeous.”

“Keep your eyes on your job, Mike.” I’ve had enough of ranch hands bedding my cooks. Anyone puts their hands on my Ava, and I’ll fucking bury them alive. Every single one of them is younger than me except Big John, and like he reminded me yesterday, he belongs to Louisa and only her. “I do have a request, though. No mentioning anything about her to anyone for the time being. Understood? Someone knocked her around before she got here and she’s afraid of them. She’s jumpy, and I don’t want you fucks freaking her out.”