Page 68 of Drifter’s Heart

“Yeah. Close enough.” West takes his hat off and scratches the back of his neck, looking at me warily.

“And you’re West?” I frown at him, unsure whether I should laugh or not.

Probably keep that one on the inside.

“Is there a problem with this?” West closes his hand on my hip and squeezes.

“No. No problem at all.” My squeak comes out to play, like it always does when he’s around.

“Good.” West’s voice drips with desire as he pulls me in closer. “Because once we’re back tonight, you and me? We’re having a different kind of talk about the future.”

“Oh.” I’m out of words. Nothing comes out when he looks at me like that, like I’m the only person who matters to him.

West consumes the world and everything in it. All the breathable air, all the sound from the rodeo. All the people. His arms slide around me and his mouth grazes mine in a barely there kiss that’s just meant for us. A shiver starts low in me as I tip my head back, giving him what he wants.

Everything.

The low sound of approval that emanates from the back of his throat sends a different wave of need coursing through me. I grip the front of his shirt, wrinkling the starched cotton, but neither of us seem to care.

“Good to see you two have kissed and made up,” my brother says, snickering from somewhere behind us.

West draws back, the moment ruined.

I sigh. “Only you would have the balls to do that, big boy.” I turn in West’s embrace and pat Cord’s arm. “I’m sure I’ll make it up to you at some point. Lanie’s fine, by the way.”

Cord flashes me a grin, waving the phone clutched in his hand. “I know.”

My smile turns genuine. “She’ll be okay, Cord.” I know my brother, but seeing his concern matters. Sometimes he can be the genius version of himself, and all he knows is numbers and processes. That side forgets people while he’s busy being the other part that turned him into the business mogul. This version, the man before me, will make a wonderful father and be the person Lanie needs, who adores her so vibrantly.

“Your boy’s up!” Slade hollers at West from the top of the rail nearest the chute.

West squeezes me again. “I’ll be back soon.” He plants me next to Cord, an unspoken agreement passing between them. Then he’s loping away, climbing the fence like a monkey.

I laugh softly, watching him go.

“What?” Cord elbows me.

I snort. “If I tried to do that, I’d rip the seam of my jeans right down the middle for everyone to see my panties.”

Cord groans. “Yeah, I can visualize that all too well. So thank you for that fabulous image. You wanna go see West’s rider?”

“Hell, yes. You’ll love him. Dustan is sparkly,” I tell my brother as he hoists me up onto the fence, albeit not quite as high as West went and not as close to the chute in the crew area.

Levi runs through Dustan’s intro and I listen with interest to the boy’s history. He’s been around, riding in rodeos longer than I expected. It’s good to know his training isn’t an ego trip and West didn’t just pluck him out of the dust.

“West’s a good trainer. He’ll do great,” Cord encourages.

I raise both eyebrows. “Aren’t you supposed to be jealous, or something?” I’ve never said it out loud before, but I figured that was the beef between the two men the whole time.

Cord cants his head to one side. “He’s a trainer, li’l sis.” He smirks when I glare at him. “That’s what he does. He builds. And nurtures.”

“You make him sound like a mother hen.” Now I’m the grumpy one.

“Valiant Peak has always been about bringing in new talent. West finding me new blood keeps this place going.”

“And here I thought it was another bragging point for you.” I nudge my brother gently.

“Nah. West’s doing us all a favor.” Cord gets that thoughtful look on his face that means he’s concocting a plan I know I’ll hate.