Tempting the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 8)

Not when I'm falling hard and fast.

It’s why I’m bribing my little sister to meet me at the bar tonight. It'd be suspicious if I showed up alone, so I need a wingman. Or rather, wingwoman.

I told her to invite Payton too, so now it looks like we're just three people getting together for an after-work drink.

In reality, I'm keeping my eyes on this fucking guy. If he even touches her fingernail, I'm going to lose my goddamn mind.

Of course, I didn't warn Ivy I'd be there. I knew she'd try to talk me out of it or even make me promise I wouldn't, and since I don't want to lie, I didn't fill her in. She'll soon find out anyway.

“Why are you so tense?” Kaitlyn asks as I drive us into town. “You look like you're ready to murder someone.”

I try to relax my shoulders, not wanting to give myself away, especially to my gossipy loud-mouth sister.

“Just a long week at work, I guess.”

“Hopefully, a few beers will relax you, geez. Your face says you're ready to fuck someone up.”

Well, she's not wrong.

I force a smile. “Nah, I'm good. Just had a rough day. How was your week?” I change the subject.

She goes on for ten minutes about anything and everything. The horse shows she's preparing for, the drama between two customers competing against each other, and how she had to call Payton to separate them. I'm actually surprised I didn't hear about that from the ranch hands, but I've kept myself occupied. Ivy comes over after work, we eat dinner and fool around, and then she either sleeps over or leaves late at night.

Once we arrive at the saloon, Kaitlyn finds Payton at the bar. He smiles as soon as she approaches, and I shake my head. It's obvious to everyone—but her—how much he likes her. Only God knows why he doesn't say anything, but I'm not one to talk. I hid my crush on Hadleigh for a decade.

Before I order a beer, I find the table of six where Ivy’s sitting with everyone—Hadleigh and Knox, Harper and Ethan, and her date, Rhett. My heart hammers as I briefly watch them. She's laughing and smiling as they chat and drink, except she doesn't have alcohol. Since the saloon is also considered a restaurant, she's allowed to be here.

I walk discreetly to the office that I know is empty since both bartenders are serving drinks. It's the evening rush, so they'll be occupied by chaos for a while.

Once I'm inside with the door shut, I pull out my phone to text Ivy but see she’s already sent me a message.

Ivy: What’re you doing here?

Kane: Tell them you have to use the bathroom and meet me in the office.

Ivy: Are you crazy?

Kane: Only for you.

Ivy: They'll know something is up if I'm gone too long.

Kane: I'll be fast. Now get your sexy ass in here.

Ivy: Give me a minute.

A few moments pass, and when the door finally opens, I scoop Ivy into my arms and pull her to my chest.

“Fuck, you look too damn good tonight.”

“What’re you doing, Kane?” she whisper-hisses as I cage her against the door, then lock it.

I press my face into her neck and kiss her soft skin. “I came to make sure that bastard was keeping his hands to himself. Is he?”

She finally relaxes and wraps her arms around me. “Yes. He's been a perfect gentleman, so stop worrying.”

“Not happenin'. Tell ’em you aren't feeling well and come home with me.”

“Kane...” She whimpers as I suck on her collarbone. “I can't bail after twenty minutes of being here. You're just gonna have to trust me.”

“I don't like the idea of another man being on a date with my girlfriend,” I say harshly. “I'll go out there right now and tell Hadleigh.”

She freezes. “Really? You're going to admit we've been sneaking around?”

“Is that what you want?” I ask.

She swallows hard. “I don't know. As much as I hate being deceptive, I don't want the interrogations and judgments right now. Blindsiding everyone in public isn’t right. I don't want her to be mad at you or hate me. You two have a history, and I'm not sure how she'll take us being together.”

I cup her cheek, softly bringing my lips to hers. “I won't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. But just know, tomorrow night, you're mine. Tonight is the last time I'll ever share you.”

“You aren't sharing me because nothing’s happening with him,” she assures me. “If he so much as wraps his arm around me, I will scream bloody murder. Happy?”

I lower my arm and smack her ass. “Sassy girl.”

She smirks, then grabs my face and meets my gaze. “Stop worrying. Rhett does nothing for me. You're all I think about, okay? Like annoyingly so. Thoughts of you consume me. Day and night. Sometimes I just beg for a break so I can focus at work.”