Wrangling the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 3)

I pull up to the B&B and park. Though it’s only the end of April, it’s already hot as hell. Can’t even imagine how summer’s gonna be, but I’m not looking forward to it because I’ll be working outside. When I enter, I immediately smell the smoky meat wafting through the whole place. My mouth begins to water, and my stomach growls.

As soon as I sit at a table in the corner, Maize steps into view and looks around the room. When she spots me, she smiles, then holds up her index finger and walks away. I get up and pour myself some sweet tea, and when I return to my seat, I notice she’s carrying a tray full of food toward me.

“Whoa,” I say with a grin when she sets it down.

The laughter that releases from her sounds so sweet. Maize hands me a set of silverware and sits in front of me. Before I take a bite, I notice she’s fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She’s so nervous about me eating, not something I’ve witnessed since being here. I push the fork into the meat and watch the juices run from it. It’s tender as can be as I eat it. The taste isn’t like anything I’ve had before, and I swear it’s the best damn barbecue I’ve ever had.

I grab the dinner roll and dip it in the barbecue sauce, take a few bites of smoked sausage, and finish off the brisket like I haven’t eaten in a decade. Maize’s cheeks turn pink as she bites her bottom lip. “Okay, so what do you think?”

With the rest of the bread, I wipe it across the plate until it’s perfectly clean. “Do you have more?”

“You’re just saying that,” she chides, crossing her arms.

I place my hand over hers and lean forward, lowering my voice so no prying ears can hear. “You’re gonna win this, sweetheart. It’s the best I’ve ever had. Cross my heart.”

Her smile grows wider. “Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie. The texture. The flavor. It’s not dry at all like some briskets are. And the sauce, holy shit, woman. I’m tempted to get down on one knee and ask you to marry me right here, right now.”

She pulls her hand away, and I realize I crossed the line, but I don’t care. It’s the damn truth.

“So, about those seconds…?” I linger, not just referring to her food.

Standing and scooting in her chair, she grabs the tray, leaving my tea, then walks away. I almost thought she was pranking me until she returns with a heaping pile full of her soon-to-be award-winning barbecue. “I gotta go help my employees, so I’ll be right back. Okay?”

I give her a nod and dig in. It’s so delicious I eat every morsel, not wasting a crumb. About an hour passes before she comes back.

“There’s no way you ate all that,” she says, her eyes wide.

I lean back and suck in a deep breath. I might’ve gone overboard, but it was too good to pass up. “I did, and now I’m full as hell and have no idea how I’m going to work for the rest of the day. I can already feel the food coma coming. It was so good, and if I had any room, I’d eat more.” I throw her a wink.

“You’re not shitting me, right?” she asks again.

“Never. You’ll win, hands down. I’d even bet on it.” I hold out my hand, hoping she shakes, but she doesn’t do anything but smile wide.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “Means a lot to me. I’m just nervous about all this.”

“Shouldn’t be. You’re a pro, Maze. That prize is yours,” I stress, wishing she’d believe me. I look around and notice the B&B is empty. It’s just her and me. The place is a mess, so I stand and help her pick up the remaining dishes left on the tables. We grab as much as we can so we don’t have to make another trip, and I follow her to the kitchen area.

Maize sets the dishes in the sink and then steps slightly out of the way to give me more room to add what I’m carrying. Our arms touch, and electricity shoots through me. She must’ve felt it too because I notice goose bumps form on her arms. Though she denies anything between us, moments like this remind me there is something. Nothing she could say would make me think otherwise because her body gives her away every single time.

“Maze,” I whisper, watching her breasts rise and fall. I place my palm on her warm cheek and brush my thumb against her skin. She swallows, and I’m tempted to kiss her, but I don’t want to press my luck when I’m gaining ground.

My phone rings, and I glance down to see it’s Jackson. I’m sure he’s wondering where the hell I ran off to because I’ve been gone for a while. “I don’t want to go, but I have to,” I admit.