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She’d played with fire and she’d been badly burned.
A few minutes later, she pulled in front of Erwin’s Feed and Seed. As soon as she left her vehicle, she felt someone watching her. She glanced over her shoulder and cursed under her breath. Handsome did quite a number on her. It was broad daylight and she was worried about the shadows in the sunlight. She searched the parking lot one final time and hurried inside.
“Good mornin’, Brianna!”
“Mornin’, Mr. Sellers.” She patted his age-spotted hands in passing.
“Awful early for you to be out this mornin’. Need anything in particular?”
“I’ve been meaning to stop by for some new halters. Nothing fancy.”
Mr. Sellers, at least three hundred and fifty pounds, shifted his hips until he made it off the bar stool. Then he wobbled away from his post at the front counter. He led her down the first aisle as if she couldn’t find what she needed herself. “There you have it. Fifty or sixty of ’em.” He seemed just as proud as a peacock. “Had a new shipment day ’fore yesterday.”
“Looks like you have plenty,” she said, running her fingers across one of the dark leather choices.
The front door jingled several times and heavy boots thudded across the concrete floor. Brianna glanced up, but by the time she looked toward the door, Mr. Sellers’ customers had already traipsed off to the feed room.
“I’ll look around, Mr. Sellers. Feel free to help them.”
“I don’t rightly believe they’re here for my wares.”
Noting the laughter in his voice, Brianna looked around for signs of life. When she still didn’t see anyone, she shrugged, thinking maybe she’d read too much into Mr. Sellers’ statement.
“Well anyhow. There ya have it. Let me know if ya need anything. I’ll be up at the front.”
“Thank you, Mr. Sellers.”
The store owner returned to his post. Brianna continued browsing, distantly aware of the heavy footsteps in the distance. She’d just chosen a couple of halters when she caught a glimpse of several cowboys walking her way.
“Well boy, howdy, brothers. I want you to look at how our day has just improved.” Flint Jackson’s Southern drawl filled the aisle as he approached from the right.
“Sure enough did,” Tyler said, walking her way.
Brianna stilled as the Jackson brothers surrounded her. With her back to them, she said, “Fancy meeting you boys here.”
“Turn around, little woman, and I’ll show you how wrong you are,” Jax Jackson said, forever the flirt.
She took the bait and faced him.
“I don’t see a ‘boy’ here,” Jax said, striking the center of his full bottom lip with the tip of his tongue. “Do you?”
Her gaze flicked over Jax and his brothers. She had to agree there. Nothing but hardcore men in several shapes and sizes stared back at her.
“Well?” Jax pressed. “What do you think, baby?”
Under normal circumstances, Brianna would’ve fired back with a saucy reply. She would’ve been tempted to let her gaze dip, her fingers roam. She’d never touched any of the Jackson boys inappropriately but she’d raked her fingernails up and down their muscular arms on more than one occasion.
Unfortunately, she no longer had the desire or the will to match wits or play their games.
“Good to see you guys,” she said, ducking under Flint’s arm.
Quick as a whip, Tyler caught her by the wrist. “Where are you off to so fast?”
She glanced down at their connection, willing him to let her go. Yanking her arm free, she said, “Don’t touch me.”
Blank expressions washed across each of their handsome faces. Tyler backed off with his hands in the air. “No problem. I was just playin’ around, Brianna.”
Flint and Jax glared at Tyler as if they were ready to flog him.
