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For years, I wanted nothing but the attention of one Monroe brother. Now, it appears I have caught the eye of two. I wonder if I’ve fallen into some bizarro world and just haven’t realized it.
“Now, let’s see if I can get my best girl fed.”
His best girl? Crap, crap, and double crap.
Ryder
What’s that saying about the best laid plans? Leave it to my brothers to ruin mine—specifically this time, Dakota. I don’t know for sure, so I have no proof, but I’m pretty sure the bastard followed me into town. As I step out of my truck, he’s standing across from it—which would make sense because he got behind me the minute that I hit the road to town.
Bastard.
“I thought you guys worked for a living. Shouldn’t you be out on the range, riding fences or whatever?”
“Normally, yes.”
“Why is this not a normal day?”
“Tucker and I were supposed to stretch barbed wire today on the north pasture, but he was a no show. Told Dad he had shit to do in town, so the old man sent me to track him down.”
My body goes rigid. I’d bet money that the things Tucker had to do in town today involved Tillie. “Christ,” I hiss.
Dakota laughs. “Would you like to grab lunch with me at the diner?”
“Not hungry. I’m going to surprise Tillie at work and see if she wants food,” I mutter.
“Oh, I think Tillie’s already eating.”
“What makes you say that?” I mostly ignore what he’s saying as I walk around him to cross the street. One great thing about small towns is that you don’t have to wait for a crosswalk light. Our town doesn’t even have a stoplight, let alone anything else. Shit, no one here really uses the crosswalk either—including the sheriff.
“Because I’m pretty sure that’s her inside the diner with Tucker,” Dakota responds and I hear the laughter in his voice, but I’m not finding a damn thing funny about any of this.
“Fuck,” I hiss as I look through the window and see Tucker and Tillie—my Tillie—talking at a table right in front of the window. She’s laughing, her head bent, her honey brown hair fanned around her face like a crown.
“I thought that might be your reaction.” Dakota laughs his ass off.
I shove him in the gut and go into the diner. I do it while trying to contain my anger, but that’s not easy. “I was coming to feed you, Buttons, but it looks like you didn’t wait for me,” I complain, and I know I’m acting like an asshole, but I don’t really give a damn. I think I made my intentions with her pretty clear last night and especially this morning. I thought we were on the same page. Seeing her here with my brother has me seeing red.
Tillie looks up at me in surprise. I expected to see guilt, but nothing like that flashes over her face—I know because I’m watching her pretty damn closely.
“I uh… didn’t know you were planning on coming by,” she says, her eyes wide.
I reach down and take her hand and pull her into me. I hold her tighter than normal, and I do it knowing I’m marking my territory. Tucker pins me in place with the daggers he's shooting at me with his eyes. He looks like he's ready to rip my head off.
The feeling is more than mutual.
Her body is slightly stilted in my arms, and I don’t like that. I want the warm and giving Tillie that I had this morning.
“I missed you,” I whisper softly, being totally fucking honest.
“You did?” She doesn’t bother hiding the pleasure my words bring. Then again, Tillie doesn’t hide her emotions. She doesn’t play games. She’s honest…real.
I slide my hand against the side of her throat, extending my thumb out to brush it against her cheek. “So much, sweetheart.” That makes her eyes go soft and fuck me, a man could drown in those liquid pools. She’s so beautiful like this. It reminds me of the aftermath of her climax and I’m fast becoming addicted to it. “How about you? Did you miss me?” I fish, needing her to admit it.
“Maybe,” she responds playfully but her smile gives her away.
“You’ll pay for that later, Buttons,” I whisper in her ear. I’m rewarded with a little, all-over body shiver, and I give her a squeeze. I keep my arm around her when I face a pissed off Tucker. I guess Dakota and I will just join you guys. “Hey, Tucker.”
“Ryder,” he replies, not bothering to hide his unhappiness.
