Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“It’s fine,” I reply. “The drink went right through me. I might be ready to…to—”
“Get laid,” Amanda says for me.
I smile, thankful for the loud music so no one hears her. “Yeah, I might be ready to get laid, but picking a guy makes me a little nervous.”
A new song comes over the hidden speakers and everyone hoots and hollers, apparently happy with the choice.
“Understandable,” Lexie replies over the noise.
“Maybe I should go with the guy who offered to get us drinks…and other things.” I nod to Lexie. “Or did you want him?”
“You can have him. But why limit yourself?” she says, waving her hand around. “When you come back, we’ll scope out the options. If you’re going to go home with a guy, we’ll make sure he’s a good one.”
Amanda nods.
I swallow. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. While the men in the bar are attractive, for some reason only Austin Bridger makes me come alive. I felt something just looking at him in the stable earlier. Talking to him, too, although I didn’t like being called honey. I don’t like pet names. I had many on the island—including my gem name, Jade. From now on I just want to be Carly.
The line moves quickly and I’m out of the bathroom faster than I want. I walk out, head down, as I shake my hands dry—the paper towels are all out—and—
“Oh!”
I collide with someone—someone solid. And tall.
I step back and apologize to a broad chest. Then I look up.
“Hello, Carly.”
Oh God. I suppress a quiver.
Austin Bridger. Austin Bridger, who’s even better looking than I remember.
Did I conjure him from thin air? Or is it just luck?
Or maybe bad luck because now Lexie and Amanda know I want a fling and Austin’s here and I’ll have to tell them about him and—
He sets his hand on my arm. “Take a breath. I’m not that scary.”
Take a breath? Am I…
God, yes, I am. My breath is coming out in small puffs.
And no, he’s not scary. Not scary at all. I know scary all too well.
“Sorry.” I roll my eyes. My heart rate slowly settles. “Hi.”
He smiles.
And I melt. So do my panties. That grin should be illegal.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
His hand is still on me and he pulls me to the side as a woman comes down the hall. He settles himself so I’m shielded by anyone else who might come by.
“I’m here with my brothers.”
“You mean your half brothers?”
He shrugs his broad shoulders. “We’re getting to know each other over beers”—his intense gaze dips from my eyes to my lips—“and pretty women.”
“I’m here with Lexie, one of your ranch vets, and a friend of hers.”
“I’ll walk you back then.”
He slides his hand down my arm to interlock his fingers with mine. Yes, we’re holding hands, and it feels…
Nice. Too nice.
I glance at him as he works his way through the bar. People clear a path to let us through. With my free hand, I point to the high-top where Lexie and Amanda are talking with their heads close together.
When I slide onto my stool, they stare up at Austin, and then down at our joined hands.
“Looks like you don’t need our help,” Amanda says to me with a sly smile. “I’m Amanda. That’s Lexie.”
“Austin.”
He’s not in full cowboy-wear. He does have on jeans and they do amazing things with his sturdy thighs, butt, and… package. I take in his black T-shirt, how it showcases his muscles beneath. Finally, I look at his face.
He winks.
Shit. I’m caught ogling and my cheeks heat.
“I’m new to town,” he says. “Carly’s one of the only people I know.”
“Where are you from?” Amanda asks.
“Seattle.”
“You in town long?” This time the question comes from Lexie.
“A year.”
“He’s your new boss,” I tell her.
Lexie frowns, clearly confused.
“I’m Austin Bridger.”
Her eyes widen. “Ohhh…”
“So you’re not sticking around,” Amanda states. “After the year.”
“No.”
“Single?” From Lexie.
“Yes.”
“Gay?”
“No.” His lips twitch. “I’m the boss, why do I feel like I’m being interviewed?”
Lexie and Amanda look my way and shrug.
A blond man sidles up to stand beside Austin. “I thought you were bringing us beers.”
Austin’s half brother I bet. Another man moves to flank his other side. This one I know. Chance Bridger.
“I got distracted.” Austin’s hand slips from mine. “This is Amanda, Lexie, and—”
“Carly.” Chance pulls me in for a hug and then lets me go as if I were made of burning lava. “Sorry.”
He runs a hand over his red hair.
His reaction is just what I hate from people. Fear. Of touching me. Hurting me. Saying the wrong thing.
Austin and the other brother wrinkle their foreheads at his overreaction.
“Hey, boss,” Lexie says. “Although I guess that refers to all three of you, if you’re the other brother.” She looks to the blond.
He smiles. And wow, he’s handsome too with his fair hair and pale eyes. The three Bridger brothers look nothing alike, but they’re all astonishingly handsome in their own way.