Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 2)

“So…how was it?” Elle asks.

“Yes, do tell.”

She rolls her eyes, but I see a half-smile on her face, which is enough for me to know she had a good night.

“Even drunk, he was good. Like really good.”

“Did you get his number?” I ask.

“No! I didn’t even get his last name. And to make matters worse, I left before he woke up.”

“What?” I screech. “You didn’t!”

She buries her head in her hands. “I was embarrassed! I didn’t want to be the one he bailed on, so I got dressed and got the fuck out.”

Her face is so red, I’m tempted to ask if she’s running a fever, but then I think better of it when she smacks her forehead against the window.

“I can’t believe you left…” I chuckle to myself.

“I wanna meet this guy,” Elle adds. “He’s got you all kinds of flustered.”

Maize turns and glares.

“Do you remember anything else about him?” I ask as Elle turns into a gravel driveway.

“I think he mentioned something about bull riding…like he used to or something.”

I snap my fingers. “I bet that’s why he’s just passing through town. Probably on the way to a competition or something.”

“Wait, where did y’all hook up?” Elle asks.

“At some apartment but he said it wasn’t his.”

“So he must be visiting a friend,” I say, trying to put the pieces together. “Did you see anyone else there?”

“No, but it was like two in the morning, and I was on the tipsy side,” she states dryly. “This is humiliating. What was I thinking?”

“You were thinking you needed some dick.” I snort.

“I hate you. If you’d been working, you could’ve stopped me from making a fool out of myself.”

“Oh, this is my fault?” I ask, amused.

“Yes,” she states firmly. “Where were you anyway?”

“Visiting my friend, Camila,” I tell her, the guilt immediately creeping in as I lie right to her face.

“Alright, we’re here. Think you two can manage to help me so I don’t fuck this up?”

“You’ve done this dozens of times. Why are you so nervous now?” I ask as we all get out of the truck, and she grabs her bag of supplies.

“Connor made it very clear these were very close friends of his and to treat them well.” She shrugs when I pop a brow at her, not buying it. “I don’t want to disappoint him, okay?”

“Because you love him,” Maize teases. “I wouldn’t mind having one night with him.”

“Alright, drunky, you stay in the truck,” Elle orders.

“Oh c’mon, I’m fine! I just know you have a thing for your boss, and you’re too chicken to tell him.”

“How could you not, though? He’s ridiculously sexy!” I fan my face when Elle glowers at me.

“You two are hopeless.” Elle starts walking toward the barn, and Maize and I follow. “Y’all gonna get me fired.”

Chapter Thirteen

DIESEL

I’ve had a permanent smile on my face ever since I got back from San Angelo with Rowan. Being with her has been a dream come true and something I’ve always fantasized about but never imagined would happen. After I got home, I almost told her we needed to just tell her family. I’m tired of hiding the way I feel, and considering the way she looked at me when we last saw each other, I know she is too. Riley would get over it, and then she could move in with me. Every night and morning, I’d make sure to pleasure her in all the right ways. I’d treat her like the queen she is and prove to her I was the right choice.

“What the hell are you smiling about now?” Riley looks at me as he stuffs his face with sausage. I actually didn’t realize I was cheesing so much. It’s hard to hide happiness like this.

“Just thinkin’ about your sister,” I tease, but I’m being truthful, which is even more funny to me. If only he knew I wasn’t joking this time. Rowan. Damn, just thinking about her causes my temperature to rise as memories of this weekend cause heat to shoot through my veins.

A biscuit flies toward my head, and I quickly move out of the way only for it to swiftly hit one of the guests. Riley immediately stands and goes to her.

“I am so sorry, ma’am. I was just horseplayin’ and didn’t mean to hit ya,” he tells her.

She smiles. “It’s okay, honey. I have grandkids your age, so I understand.”

A clearing of a throat comes from the doorway, and I see John looking at us incredulously. “Riley!” he snaps, curling his finger. “Come over here, boy.”

I snicker and pull my phone out of my pocket to see a text from Rowan.

Rowan: I miss sitting on your face in the mornings.

I swallow hard.

Diesel: And I miss having you for breakfast. I mean, Maize’s cooking is great, but it’s nothing compared to eating you.