But he isn’t. His eyes pin me in place, the usual amber glow replaced with something raw and possessive, like the rest of the world has fallen away and it’s just the two of us in this charged, dangerous silence.
My skin tingles where he touched me, my body betraying me even as my brain screams at him to back off.
Before he can answer, Emmett materializes at my side. “Whoa, hey.” He raises his hands in the air, eyes flicking between us, like he’s approaching a wild animal—because he kind of is. “Chill the fuck out in front of the guests, man. What’s going on?”
“Do I look like I’m fucking kidding?” Wesley growls, eyes still locked on me. Accusing.
Unbelievable.
“I was being polite,” I snap, heat crawling up my neck. “Not that it’sanyof your business. That was professional. I’mworking.”
“Itismy fucking business.”
Emmett glances between us, then over at Aric. “I heard the whole thing. She was fine. Everyone knows the rules, man. Relax.”
Wesley does not relax. He glares at me like he wants to say more—too much more. His jaw works, throat bobbing, fury and want simmering just beneath the surface.
Then, like he knows he’ll go off the deep end if he stays another second, he spins on his heel and stalks toward the barn.
I force a shaky breath into my lungs, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. My palms are itchy, my pulse racing, but I plaster on a smile like everything is fine.
Pretend. Pretend. Pretend.
“You good?” Emmett murmurs under his breath.
“Yeah.” I shove my foot back into the stirrup, hoisting myself into the saddle. “I’m fine.”
The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Because I’m not fine. Not even close.
I can still feel Wesley’s hands on my waist. The heat of his glare burning through me. The way his anger looked an awful lot like something else.
My hands shake but I tighten them around the reins until the tremors still, my nails biting into my palms.
I don’t know what that was. Or what it means. But I can’t let it get in my head. Not now. Not when the whole group is waiting for me to lead them.
In perfect timing, Aric waves at me, signaling the rest of his group is ready. So I straighten my spine, fix my smile, and lead my first group on their ride.
Mywethairistwisted up in a towel when I hear the special knock on my door. Our special knock.
Three sharp taps, a two-second pause, then one solid thump.
For the past few days, that rhythm has been a promise. A secret. Usually it’s me sneaking into his room, but not tonight.
Tonight I’m still fuming, still replaying the way he yanked me down in front of an entire group of guests like I was some wayward child.
Part of me wants to pretend I didn’t hear him knock, to make him stew all alone in his jealous sea. But I hesitate, and Wesley slips into the room, pushing the door shut with his back.
His eyes sweep over me—bare legs, damp skin, towel knotted at my chest—and something dark flickers there, hungry and unrepentant. He doesn’t hesitate. Doesn’t give me space. He crosses the room in two strides, cupping my jaw and crushing his mouth to mine.
For a half second, my body betrays me—heat rushing up my spine, lips parting, opening for him, softening under his weight. Then fury surges back and I shove at his chest, hard.
He staggers half a step, brows knitting in confusion likeI’mthe one who’s lost my mind.
“What the fuck was that today?”
His jaw flexes. “What do you mean?”
I bark out a bitter laugh, snatching an oversized T-shirt and shorts from my dresser. “Don’t play dumb, Wesley. Youhumiliatedme. You were completely irrational, and if Emmett didn’t suspect anything before, he sure as fuck does now.”
