Tempting the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 8)

We’ve met at my house every day since we started fooling around. Spending all of my free time with her has been the highlight of my summer.

"See ya later," I call out to Knox as I walk to my truck. He responds with his middle finger, and I chuckle as I start the engine.

Mom and Dad expect us in an hour, which means I need to shower and quickly get ready. She only gave us a two-day notice that all three of her children were to show up, no excuses. Now that Knox’s married with a baby and Kaitlyn’s swamped with horse training, it’s hard for the three of us to get together.

Ivy: Hadleigh invited me to come to the family dinner tonight. You gonna be able to keep your hands off me?

I read her message as soon as I'm out of the shower and smile.

Kane: Fuck, that's gonna be hard.

Ivy: I bet it is...

Kane: Behave. Unless you want everyone to see what you do to me.

Ivy: I wouldn't mind you showing me later.

Kane: Be a good girl, and I will when you come over tonight.

Ivy: Hmm...very tempting.

Kane: See you soon, trouble.

Once I'm dressed, I head to my truck. I can barely contain my excitement as I drive to my parents'. I know I need to keep my cool but seeing Ivy always makes me stupidly happy.

Mom hugs me as soon as I enter the kitchen.

"Smells great," I tell her, inhaling the hearty aromas.

"Can you help your sister set the table, please?" She points at the fancy china on the counter. "Remember, forks are on the right."

I chuckle. "I know, Ma. You taught me that when I was five."

"Just remindin' ya." She smirks, then takes the pot holders and grabs something out of the oven.

"No date tonight?" I tease Kaitlyn.

"You're one to talk," she throws back, setting the cups above the plates. "Before Raelyn, you spent Friday nights with Payton on stable duty."

"You spent Friday nights with Payton on stable duty," I mimic.

She rolls her eyes. "Dating is pointless."

"And why's that?" I ask.

"Because men ain't shit," she replies just as Mom walks in.

"Language," Mom scolds. "And don't say that. There are plenty of nice gentlemen out there for you to settle down with and make me grandchildren."

"Yeah, plenty of gentlemen to fill your womb," I mock in a feminine voice.

"Kane Jackson!" Mom hisses just as Dad struts in and smacks me upside the head.

"That's not appropriate dinner talk," he says as Kaitlyn laughs.

"Technically, we're not eatin' yet," I argue.

Moments later, Knox and Hadleigh enter with Ivy. I fight the urge to glance at her, but then she stands across the table from me, and I know it's going to be impossible to keep my eyes off her.

"Hi, Kane," she greets me in a sweet drawl.

"Hey, how's it goin'?" I ask in my best friendly voice. We take our seats and wait for the food to be put on the table.

"Pretty good. How 'bout you?"

"No complaints," I say, hoping no one else can feel the electricity streaming between us. We're both trying hard as fuck not to be obvious, but I'm worried we will be.

My eyes linger down her chest as her breasts swell against the fabric of her shirt. Her breathing increases, and I know she's caught me gawking. After she licks her lips, Ivy pulls them into a sultry smile.

Once we're all seated, and Mom says grace, we dig in. Dad and Knox make small talk while Kaitlyn and Hadleigh gossip about only God knows what. That leaves Ivy and my mother to chat.

"Are you lookin' forward to school starting up again next month?" Mom asks her.

Ivy is indifferent as if she's not really certain. "Kinda. I like being able to work every day, though, and being on the ranch. My school schedule keeps me busy usually."

That was the reason I hardly saw her last year. She helped Harper on the weekends, and those were usually my half days, so we barely crossed paths.

Hadleigh immediately chimes in like a gossip queen. "Speaking of school, a little birdie told me you're seeing some guy you met in class?" Hadleigh's question has my eyes bugging wide.

What the fuck is she talking about?

I don't want to look too enraged, so instead, I pretend I'm disinterested and pick at my food.

"Yeah, kinda," Ivy responds quietly.

My heart pounds as I eavesdrop on their conversation. We haven't had the exclusive talk yet, but I was under the assumption we were. Outside of work and spending time with me, there’s no way she has time to see someone else. Or does she?

"Ivy! I can't believe you didn't tell me. You never dated in high school or talked about boys, so I was shocked when I heard. I'm just happy for you!"

Knox snort-laughs at Hadleigh's rambling, but I'm still stuck on the fact that she could possibly be seeing someone else.