Tempting the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 8)

“What?” I ask stupidly.

“You're actin' like either a jealous lover or an overbearing older brother. So which one is it?”

“An obnoxious and annoying older brother,” Ivy blurts out. “So glad Mom only had us girls. That behavior is too much.”

“Protective,” I counter. “There's a difference. We don't know this guy, and she looked like she was going home with him. He could be a serial killer for all we know.”

“Um...I could sleep with every guy in this bar if I wanted, and it wouldn't be any of your damn business,” Ivy hisses, narrowing her eyes at me, and now I'm wondering if she's putting on a show or if she's really mad at me for interjecting.

“Okay, maybe y'all should give each other some space. Kane, you go back to the bar with Payton, and Ivy, you stay at the pool table. As much as I appreciate you lookin' out for her…” She pauses and studies my face. “I'm watching them, so you don't have to worry.”

“I'm nineteen!” Ivy states. “Y'all don't need to babysit me. Jesus. In case you forgot, I'm not twelve anymore.” She shifts her gaze to mine and glares.

Yep, she's definitely mad at me.

“You could be thirty, and I'll still wanna protect you,” Hadleigh tells her. “Kane knows how important you are to me, so he's just makin' sure you're safe.”

“Maybe Kane should worry about his own sister.” Ivy juts her chin, and we turn to see Kaitlyn giving Andrea a mouthful.

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, shaking my head and pinching the bridge of my nose. “This is why I don't go out anymore. Y'all start trouble.”

I walk away before Ivy can rip me a new one.

“Stay away. Payton doesn't do one-night stands, so go find someone else,” Kaitlyn shouts in her face.

I grab my sister's arm, pulling her back before I have to physically remove her. “Have you lost your mind? We're in the saloon,” I remind her. It's one thing to start a fight in a random bar, but one in our family's establishment would be a bad look for us.

“Then tell this chick to quit touching Payton inappropriately. He's already told her no three times. He's not interested, sweetie.”

“Only because you're tellin' him to say that. Who are you, his wife?” Andrea mocks.

“It's time you leave,” I explain, already at my max level of annoyance for one night. “Pay your tab and go.”

“You can't kick me out,” she argues.

“My family owns this bar, so yes, I can. You can either walk out on your feet, or I can escort you out over my shoulder. I'll let you decide.”

The bartender brings Andrea her receipt and card. With an eye roll, she signs it and storms off with a huff.

“I could've taken care of her,” Payton finally speaks up.

“Who? Andrea or Kaitlyn?” I ask with a laugh, then grab my beer.

“She asked Payton to take her home several times, and he specifically said, no thank you. Like...was she hard of hearing or just didn't like what he was saying? Either way, I had enough of it.” Kaitlyn shrugs, then chugs the last of her drink.

Once my beer is empty, I set it down, then look around for Ivy. She's sitting at the table without Rhett, so hopefully, he took the hint and left.

Just as those thoughts surface, I turn and see the asshole at my side ordering more drinks.

“You like her, don't you?” Rhett asks only loud enough for me to hear. “You weren't just being overprotective as a brother. You're in love with her.”

“What the fuck are you talkin' about, man?” I scowl, ready to haul this guy out on his ass.

“She's a nice girl, but I'm not interested in her that way, so don't worry. My mom's friends with Harper's mom, and I didn't want to be rude and say no when they fixed us up. Truthfully, I'm already seeing someone, but I know my parents wouldn't approve, so I haven't told them.”

“You're serious?”

“Yeah. I just thought you should know. I have no intentions with Ivy.”

“Alright, I believe ya.”

He blows out a breath and smiles.

“So who's this girl you're sneaking around with?” I ask, making conversation while he waits for his order.

“The one you just kicked outta here.” He smirks and shrugs. “She wasn't happy when I told her about tonight and showed up unannounced. I didn't want to make a scene with the group I'm with, so I didn't pay her any attention. That's why she was trying so hard. She wanted to make me jealous, and hell, I was. I'm gonna pay for this later.”

I blow out a breath and laugh. “Holy shit. The plot thickens. Not gonna lie, she sounds like a handful, bro.”

“Yeah, she is, but I'm crazy about her.” He shakes his head, then adds, “I'm sorry about the trouble, man.”