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“Really?” I laughed as the hay stuck to my wet body. “Such a gentleman.” I tried swiping the hay off my bare legs, but it was like being dumped into a pile of sand after stepping out of the lake.
He was silent, and I turned to look at him. His gaze was roaming over my body, and I suddenly realized how I must look as I lay on my back, leaning up on my elbows. My legs were spread wide open, my shorts riding up, leaving nothing to the imagination. And the white top I’d thought would keep me cool during the hot day? Stuck to me like an invisible second skin. Even I could see the outline of the black lace bra I was wearing, not to mention my nipples were poking out at full attention.
He rubbed his hand over his face. “Jesus,” he said so low, I almost missed it. I swore the universe was putting me in these positions to punish me. He turned his back to me, rubbing the back of his neck. His back was tensed up, and I had the sudden urge to walk up to him from behind and run my hands up his chest. Would he like it if I dragged my nails against his wet skin? Would he throw me back onto this pile of hay and fuck me like he had that night on the bar?
“Damn,” I muttered to myself. I was realizing that my body had its own mind, and even though I knew right from wrong, I was tempted to let it do what it had wanted to do since I’d seen him naked in the bathroom.
He reached for the backpack and pulled out a little flannel blanket. When he turned to face me, he looked more in control of himself. “Here.” He held the blanket out to me. “Dry off with this.”
I did as he said, getting most of the hay off and handing him the blanket back. He peeled his shirt off and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as he used it to dry himself. There wasthattattoo covering most of his chest. I noticed some other tattoos going over his shoulders and around his biceps. His muscles flexed as he lifted the blanket and dried his hair with it, his pants riding low against his hips. There was a scar coming from around his chest to his back and I debated running my fingers over it.
“Nova.” His voice was husky, and I squeezed my legs together. “Second warning. I won’t tell you again, little mouse.”
I nodded, although I was not comprehending what he meant. A drop of water fell from the tip of his nose and ran down his chest. I bit my bottom lip and followed that drop like I was lost in the Sahara and that was the only water I had seen in weeks. It ran down his abs and then melted into his skin.
I sighed and licked my lips. Cian stalked towards me and stopped, his shoes touching mine. I looked up slowly as he towered over me. He had a look in his eyes that I recognized, probably the same look I had in mine.
Hunger.
My legs fell open on their own, and I held my hand out to him.
What are you doing? Stop this.
He grabbed my hand and tugged me up, so I was pressed against his chest, and he weaved his other hand through my hair. I couldn’t move away even if I wanted to. I closed my eyes and leaned into him.
“I warned you.” His breath was warm against my lips.
And if someone hadn’t thrown the barn door open right at that moment, I would have made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
Chapter Twelve
Not someone.Something.
The frickin’ cow barged through the barn doors, stopping me from making yet another mistake.
I took a step back from Cian. What the hell was my problem? It was like he had some pull on me physically. Like honey to a bee. But I couldn’t—wouldn’t—take it any further. I had to get a hold of myself, and quick.
The cow raced up to me, her hide soaking wet.
“Hi, pretty girl.” I reached out to her, and she nuzzled my hand. Next to the bell on her collar, there was a metal tag with something inscribed on it.
Cian ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “This fucking cow.”
“Twinkles.” He looked at me like I had two heads, and I jingled the bell around her neck. “Her name is Twinkles.”
“Lovely, but—” He took a step towards me, and I moved around Twinkles, using her as a barrier between us. He stopped moving, surprise flashing in his eyes.
“No.” I held my hand up. “Look, there is obviously some sexual tension between us. But we can’t act on that.” I rubbed the top of Twinkle’s head. “Even though we slept together, I’m engaged now, and I shouldn’t encourage this type of behavior.” My face heated, but I kept going. “Nothing can happen between us again. Besides, we are at a business function. You need to be more professional so you don’t ruin your chances of winning the bid.” I nodded, satisfied with my reasoning.
“Fuck the bid.”
I stopped rubbing Twinkles’ head and stared at him. Wait, what?
He moved closer to us, and my palms began to sweat. “What I can’t figure out, Nova, is why are you pretending to be engaged? What does he have over you?”
I lifted my chin up high and stared him directly in the eyes. He wasn’t going to get me. “I’m in love. With Ryzen.” I emphasized his name.
Cian’s face reddened, and he took another step closer. “Like hell you are.” His voice was dangerously low. “I’ve seen you two together. You’re not in love. You haven’t even fucked him.”
