Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Rogue shook his head. “That’s not my story to tell.”
“And I suppose no one else is going to tell me either.”
“Not unless Blade decides to.”
I narrowed my eyes. “But you just told me to stay away from him.”
“I told you what most people would say is best.”
“Best for me or best for him?”
Rogue smiled. “That’s an excellent question.”
I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, and I was sure he wasn’t going to tell me. “Are you saying Blade is a danger to me?”
He shrugged. “We’re all dangerous here.”
“You don’t strike me as particularly threatening.”
“You do know I used to ride on angry bulls, right? Very little intimidates me.”
I smiled. “I looked you up when I found out. You were damn good.”
“I was.”
“Why did you quit?”
“Because it’s not something you can keep doing forever, and I wanted to quit while I was ahead. Then my brothers came home, and I wanted to spend time with them. Family’s always been important to me.”
I could tell by his tone there was more behind that statement, but I didn’t think he wanted to talk about it. “What happened to all the guys here? Is this ranch like a haven for people who’ve been fucked over by the world?”
Rogue seemed to ponder that for a moment. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
“Maybe I do belong here then.”
“I don’t know about that, city boy. So far, all you’ve done is pet a few horses. How about I put you to work, then you can see what you really think about staying?”
I frowned as I imagined what that might entail. “Maybe I could learn to cook and help Jacob.”
“Jacob can handle the kitchen, but if you wanted to help me move some bales of hay…” He gestured toward a loaded truck bed.
“Do I get gloves and a long-sleeve shirt? Those things have to be itchy.”
Rogue laughed. “Nothing wrong with wearing work gloves, especially with your delicate little hands.”
“I’ve killed men with these delicate little hands.”
“I’m sure you have, but killing men and working a ranch don’t use the same skill set. Ask TJ.”
I glanced toward the large man who was talking to Rhys near the tack room. “I don’t think I will.”
“I wouldn’t have expected you to be afraid of him since you’re in the same line of business.”
“I’m not afraid of him. I’m wary.”
“Call it whatever you like.”
I tilted my head his way. “Look at him. He looks like he would enjoy killing me.”
Rogue grinned. “He probably would.”
“Great. That makes me feel a lot better.”
“TJ is a good guy as long as you’re on his side.”
“I’m not sure how he’d define that.”
“Come on.” Rogue took my arm and led me to the hay-filled truck. I looked at the bales and hoped this was as straightforward as it seemed. No way would I let Rogue think I didn’t have the strength to do whatever he could do. Despite what my brother thought, I was totally capable, except when I had to find my way in the Texas wilderness. Things would have been different if I’d had a GPS.
Rogue gave me work gloves and took some himself. He used the bindings to lift one of the bales, and I did the same. It was heavier than I expected. My arms were going to hurt like hell the next day, but I wasn’t backing down.
Rogue looked over his shoulder and chuckled. I hadn’t been quick enough to hide the distress on my face. “Not that easy, is it?”
“It’ll be a good workout.”
“Yeah, there’s a reason I don’t need to go to the gym.”
When I was lifting a fifth or maybe sixth bale of hay and wishing I’d not been so quick to agree to this, I heard someone call out to Rogue. My breath caught when I realized it was Blade.
I’d been longing for a chance to see him again, but hearing him talk, feeling the shivers his voice sent through my body made me unsure. Maybe Rogue was right. Maybe for once I should actually do the sensible thing. Before I could run, Rogue and Blade circled around the truck. Blade froze when he saw me.
His gaze slid down my body, and I felt heat sizzling between us. I kept a firm grip on the hay, even though my arm muscles were straining. I didn’t want Blade to think I couldn’t hold my own here, which was ridiculous. I didn’t even know how to feed horses.
Rogue looked between the two of us, then focused on Blade. “Are you here to see the foals?”
“Yes.” Blade stared at me for a few more seconds, not saying anything else.
“Grant is in there. I know he’s been wanting to show them off.”
“Right,” Blade said. He gave me one more hungry glance before walking away without another word.
Rogue grinned. “If I didn’t know already, I’d have no question now that there’s something going on with you two.”