AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That familiar ache in my chest flares up. “You mean, you didn’t fuck the owner’s son?”
He averts his eyes. “Well, that part…that was true.”
“Yeah, I figured.” I dig my fingernails into my palms.
“It wasn’t the same…” His gaze finds mine again. “As you and me.”
My heart clangs against my rib cage. Fucking hell, Porter.
I don’t need him to placate me. I can’t, won’t, let him see how unnerved I am. I don’t want to feel ruined by this man again.
I try to steady my trembling hands. “You mean as boss and employee?”
His face falls briefly before his expression transforms into that familiar cocky smirk. “Right. Sure. See you in the mornin’, boss.”
Chapter 12
Porter
It’s August, the hottest month of summer, and Sully and I have kept our friendly, boss-employee relationship going pretty well. I catch him watching me, especially when I’m out with Storm. When I look his way, sometimes he’ll immediately move on like he hadn’t been doing what he was doing, but others, he’ll give me that half-smile he’s known for, the right side always kicking up more than the left, and just keep staring like he’s daring me to call him on it.
I don’t, even though that’s not in my nature. Everything is more dangerous with him, me always trying to balance on a tightrope, knowing one missed step will send me plummeting. That’s the thing Sully doesn’t understand, can’t understand. Between the two of us, if shit goes bad, I’ll always be the one to suffer and he never will. I’ll lose my job, or the respect of others, and he won’t. He’ll always have his family, his ranch, and I’ll just be an angry hand who is replaceable.
“Come on. Ride the fence with me,” Wade calls my way. I’m with Storm, having done most of my work for today. Dinner’s coming soon, and while I’d rather spend my time with Storm, if there’s a job to be done, I’ll do it.
“Yep. On my way.” I turn back to the horse. “Sure would like to take you out there. You think you’re gonna let me ride you soon?”
He snorts, blowing hot air from his nose, and damned if I don’t chuckle.
“I’m gonna get you to fall in love with me, Storm. You just wait and see.”
I leave him in the pen, then head to meet Wade. My gaze automatically bounces over to where Sully always parks. His truck has been gone all day. I’m not sure what he’s doing, and though it’s been on the tip of my tongue to ask, I don’t let myself.
Wade is holding the reins for his horse in one hand and Arrow’s in the other. I give the gelding some love so he doesn’t feel like I’ve forgotten about him since Storm arrived.
“Not sure I’ve ever met anyone as attached to horses as you.” Wade climbs onto Rowdy.
“Yep. Like ’em a whole lot better than people.” I give him a pointed look, and Wade laughs.
“I hear ya, kid, but don’t think I believe that for a second. You love those animals, but you like people too. At least some of ’em. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you been keeping an eye on the girl. Reminds me of someone else I know…hmm…who could it be…” He rubs his chin, and I grumble.
“You a damn comedian now or what?” I climb up onto Arrow.
“Nope. Just someone who sees things most folks don’t take the time to see. Now let’s ride before you get all salty on me.”
I open my mouth to reply, but he’s already got Rowdy moving, the gelding taking off at a steady canter.
I click my tongue at Arrow, who automatically starts moving too.
Wade cuts me some slack while we ride, not calling me out on Sully, Pixie, or anything else. We talk ranching life, and about shit that needs to be done, and the cow that had to be put down due to an infection.
I feel itchy in my skin the whole time. I have since the bonfire, to be honest. It might have only been a few weeks, but I haven’t ever gone this long without heading out to a bar, finding somewhere public to play, or hell, a willing man to fuck.
Every day the need grows. It’s always been like that for me, and even worse since I left Laurel Springs for the first time, like my body won’t let me get too comfortable anywhere. Playing helps. Fucking helps more.
Sully always used to help.
There are no problems with the fence, so we return to the ranch. It’ll start getting darker soon, the days shorter, less time to be on the ranch and more time in your head.
