Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 3)

She smiles wide. “Of course.”

I reach for the remote, but she pulls back before I can. “We’re not done talking about this. I have to know what you’re going to do about this now that he’s here.”

A small grin forms on my lips. “Pretend I didn’t have the best sex of my life with him.”

“And that’s it?”

I nod.

Her eyes widen in shock. “Do you have brain damage?”

“No! It’s just another heartbreak waiting to happen. Pretending lets me move on with my life. The right man will come when I least expect it.”

Kenzie snorts and rolls her eyes. “But what if he is the one, and you’re just being stubborn as hell?”

“Doubtful,” I huff.

“People have sex with no attachments. You don’t have to get married or anything. It’s called having fun.”

“Not for me, Kenzie. I’m good. Also please don’t tell anyone. And I mean anyone. Rowan knows, but no one else.”

She makes a zipper motion across her lips. “Secret’s safe with me, but you gotta tell me why you called me to pick your ass up if the sex was so great.”

I hesitate. “I was embarrassed that we slept together so soon after meeting. I’d never done that before. I knew I couldn’t face him and didn’t reach out because I wasn’t sure what to say.”

“You were living on the edge.” Kenzie snickers.

I throw another pillow, but this time, it catches her off guard and smacks her. I snag the remote and flick on the show. Being preoccupied by Cameron, she kicks off her shoes and lies on the bed. We watch and laugh at the same things. Randomly, I’ll think about Gavin and the way his lips felt on my skin. His strong hands on my body is something I wish I could feel again. Just the way his tongue twisted with mine makes heat rush through me. When the episode ends, I yawn.

“I’m leaving tomorrow to go back to school,” she tells me.

I stick out my lower lip. “I know. I’m gonna be sad.”

“Aw, I already promised Mom I would come back as much as I could.” She hugs me.

“Good,” I say. “Drive safe. Text me when you get to your dorm.” I sound like Mom with the reminder.

“I will! Night. Love you,” Kenzie says with a grin

“Love you too.”

She shuts the door, and I let out a long sigh.

What Gavin and I had was special, but it can never happen again. Sex without some sort of attachment doesn’t exist.

Chapter Four

GAVIN

ONE MONTH LATER

“C’mon, Racer. Don’t gimme a hard time today,” I plead with the colt who’s giving me hell about wearing a bridle. He’s a quarter horse, and they are usually the easiest breed to train, but it’s hot as hell, so we’re both agitated. He’s not as wild as the others, which is why I start my days with him.

Maybe it’s not just the heat that’s annoying me.

It’s been a month since I moved to the ranch, and though I’ve settled in comfortably, Maize’s still trying to convince me she doesn’t remember who I am. When we’re in the same place, she actively dodges me as though I have a contagious disease.

And perhaps it pisses me off more than it should, but I’ve never had a woman who wasn’t eager for my attention. She claims to have no memory of our night together, but I don’t believe her, considering she screamed my name and begged me to fuck her hard. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since it happened almost two months ago.

With working on the ranch and training Cooper advanced bull riding skills a few times a week, one would assume I’d be too damn exhausted to think about her, but every morning I see her at the B&B, and it’s impossible not to. Maize barely glances my way as she walks in and out of the kitchen, refilling the buffet with her delicious pancakes and sausage patties. When I speak, she acts as if I’m wasting her time, and her responses are short. I’d be amused if she weren’t lying to me. Regardless, I always smile at her, and though she tries to remain unfazed, the blush on her cheeks gives her away.

“That’s a good boy,” I tell Racer once I secure the bit in his mouth and put the bridle over his head. I slowly pet him and give positive reinforcements until he’s used to the sensation. We’ve been working together for a couple of weeks, and he’s already making good progress.

I train him for another hour—setting the saddle on his back and adding some weight so he can get used to it. Eventually, Racer will be used on guided tours.

After we’re done, I put Racer in the main pasture to graze, and I get a text from Grayson.

Grayson: Meeting for brunch in ten.