Page 127 of Sunrise & Serenity

She laughs, and over her head, I catch Gage Ashland watching us from the pool table. Should’ve known. If an Ashland ranch hand is here, at least one of the Ashlands probably is too. Now that I’ve seen him, it doesn’t take long to spot Levi and Tessa in the crowd nearby.

I narrow my eyes. But as long as they keep to themselves, there won’t be any trouble. It doesn’t always turn out that way, but it’s how we’ve been handling things for years.

After pinning Gage with a look until he turns away, I refocus on Sage, turning my back to anyone watching from the sidelines, including my family. Then I slip my thumbs under her top, brushing back and forth over her warm skin.

Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips. “What are you doing?”

Need coils in my gut, tight and hot. “Imagining how I’m gonna undo the laces on this flimsy little top later.”

She hums, eyes sweeping my face. “And what will you do after that?”

Fuck if she isn’t playing with me now. I dip my head and lower my voice. “I’ll strip those shorts off you, pull your panties to the side, and fuck you with my tongue.”

Pupils flaring, she breathes out a laugh. “I can get on board with that.”

By the time the song ends, Sage is flushed and smiling, and I’m one bad decision away from dragging her out to the truck and taking her home.

Might not even make it home.

Back at the booth, she slides in beside me. Close. Too close for me to think clearly. When she presses her thigh against mine under the table, it takes all my willpower not to lean in. The way her attention cuts to me, her lips twitching with mischief, suggests she knows it.

A cheer across the bar draws my attention to where Levi Ashland is sinking a shot at the pool table. Gage is nearby, flirting with a couple of women while he waits for his turn. Tessa stands near the jukebox, auburn hair falling over one shoulder and a beer bottle dangling loosely from her fingers.

My siblings spot them too and go quiet. As if sensing the sudden scrutiny, Tessa looks our way, her gaze sliding dismissively over us before she turns back to her brothers.

Quinn mutters something under his breath.

River grins. “Guess she still hates us.”

Chance stretches his legs out. “I’m pretty sure she keyed my truck after the auction.”

Taryn gasps, eyes lit up with delight. “Seriously?”

“She denied it.”

Head tilted forward, River arches a brow. “You mean you actually asked her?”

Chance shrugs lazily. “Cornered her at the feed store a couple of days later.”

River smirks. “What did she say?”

“That I shouldn’t throw around accusations without proof.”

“Can you prove it?” I ask.

“She wasn’t happy we outbid them for Trouble’s dam. She wanted her for the Ashland breeding program,” he says flatly. “Who else’d have a reason to key an already banged-up truck?”

He has a point.

The bar door opens again, letting in a gust of fresh air along with two ranch hands from another property. Allie calls out from behind the bar, and the group near the back wall starts another game of darts.

The whole place is getting louder, the temperature ratcheting up by the minute, and I’m having a hard time concentrating on anything but Sage. With her glass in one hand as she talks to Taryn, she shifts in her seat, her other hand landing on my knee under the table for balance. Completely casual. Completely fucking distracting.

My gaze drops before I can stop it.

Bare thigh next to mine. Tiny shorts. Slender fingers spread over the denim covering my leg. I exhale harshly.

Her eyes find mine, and she smiles over the rim of her drink, a knowing glimmer in her eyes. I lean in before I can think better of it, keeping my voice low. “You’re enjoying this too much.”