Embracing Hope (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #5)

Chapter Six

Two days had passed since she had spent any time with Isaac.

He’d spent one day with Sam and another with Keller. She couldn’t be entirely sure why she was excited to see Isaac again, but that telltale flutter in her stomach told her the butterflies were loose.

The sun had set a bit behind the clouds, offering some respite from the heat as she paraded down the worn path and the thick grass to the corral, where she expected to find Isaac finishing his day with Keller. She spotted both men on the other side of the fence but they weren’t alone. A row of hands lined the training arena fence watching Jinx work with a horse. She was so used to seeing his limp from the accident with the bull, Misdemeanor, that Hope forgot about it until he squinted in pain. She angled up to the fence between Billy and Keifer and settled Isaac in her line of vision. He was busily talking to Keller.

“Howdy, ma’am,” Billy said, thumbing the brim of his hat in greeting.

She liked Billy. He’d matured a lot since he started working the ranch. He'd exchanged his cockiness for humility.

“Hi,” she said. Out of her peripheral vision, she noticed that Isaac’s gaze was now on her. She told herself not to look, but she couldn’t refrain. Drawn to him with the magnetism of a thirsty horse to water, she sent her gaze in his direction. He grinned, and she smiled back. He was growing on her.

“Are you boys heading over to Mav’s tonight?” Although she asked the group, she was only interested in the answer from one cowboy. As all the men answered, most of them said “yes,” but Isaac stayed quiet.

“Is that where you’re going?” Jinx asked as he transferred the reins of the filly to another hand.

“I thought I might go down and have a drink and listen to the band.” She braced her arms on the top rail.

Keifer grinned from one ear to the other, adorned with an earring. From what she'd heard, he’d lost a bet to the crew. Hope enjoyed Keifer’s friendship. He was always friendly, courteous, and respectful. His smile now showed off a row of sparkling white teeth that probably cost a fortune in braces.

“I’ll be there. Will you save me a dance?” Keifer said.

After chortles died down from a few surrounding hands, Hope said, “Sure.” She realized Keifer had a crush on her, and although she didn’t reciprocate, she couldn’t turn him down in front of the boys.

“How about one for me?” Darby, one of the younger hands piped in, his eyes creasing at the corners because he smiled so widely. He had that appearance that made all the women stare. Rough, tough, and ruggedly handsome, he had no trouble finding attention from most women. She used the term “most” because Hope had little interest in a man who was commitment-phobic and hankered for a different flavor every weekend.

She turned her head for a moment, and when she looked back, Isaac was gone from his spot at the fence. With him gone, she lost interest in being there, too.

She took a step back and did a subtle sweep of the proximity. Where had he gone?

“I guess I should get on the road.” She had friends waiting at Mav’s.

If she had cared, she would have looked and seen every cowboy staring at her as she made her way back through the thick grass, but her mind was preoccupied with one man who had disappeared.

The fellows’ laughter caught on the wind, following her.

They were all a bit friskier when her daddy was away. When he was home, they all made sure they walked a fine line.

“It’s a mighty scorcher today.” The slow, coarse drawl came from somewhere and she spun, searching for the owner.

Rewarded, she found Isaac leaning one shoulder against the barn door frame.

Nursing her expression so she didn’t show too much excitement, she changed the direction of her path and sashayed across the short distance to him. “You could say that again.”

He laughed and his eyes crinkled. “You have been hiding the last few days.”

She liked that he didn’t mince his words. “Not hiding. I’ve been busy.”

“So you say.” He cocked a brow.

She planted her palms on her tilted hips. “I do say. Have you been having fun staying in the bunkhouse?”

“A riot.” He pushed off the doorway and stepped out into the sunlight to be closer to her.

“More educated?”

“Yes.”

“Ready for the merger?” She lifted a brow.

“I haven’t arrived at that conclusion yet.”

“Stubborn as well as prideful,” she said dismissively.

“I’ll borrow your words. Takes one to know one.”

She played with a curl, rolling it around her knuckle. “I'm heading to Mav’s.”

“Yeah, I caught that back at the arena,” he said evenly.

“That’s how we usually spend our Fridays. After a long week on the land, the men relieve some pent-up energy.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that too.”

“Great. Well, you have a wonderful evening.” She walked away, putting a little more sway in her step.

By the time she made it out of his sight, she’d worked up a sweat because she’d walked faster than usual. She slid behind the wheel of her car and headed toward Sagebrush Pine, whistling along to popular country music.

On a typical Friday night, the streets were bustling with townsfolk wandering through the charming stores, waiting in line at Dairy Pine for ice cream, and food trucks setting up along Pine Street.

She was lucky and found a space to park at Mav’s. The bar was booming.

Pushing through the front door, she stepped inside and was met with a blast of cooler air. The air conditioner was cranked to accommodate the packed bar. The country rock band Rock Wall played from the stage, and the heavy thumping of the bass pounded in her chest. Two guys walking in her direction parted ways to allow her to pass, and one of them said loud enough for her to hear, “What I wouldn’t give to smack that—” only to be cut off by his friend giving him a push.

“You know who she is,” the man said. “She wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”

Hope smiled as she made her way to the polished bar and bumped her friend Jean with a hip.

The blonde turned, ready to unleash on whoever dared to run into her but when she saw Hope excitement covered her expression. She was an avid gardener, and the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth reflected her days spent in the sun. “It’s about time, girly. You’re late. Thankfully, I was able to save you a seat.” Jean swiped her purse off the stool and laid it on the bar beside her drink.

Hope plopped onto the cushioned stool and ordered her usual. “Sorry that I’m late, but I had to take care of a few things before I left the ranch.” Jenna set her glass in front of her.

“Honey, don’t waste your breath on explaining. We both know if you’re not fashionably ten minutes late everywhere you go, then you're ill.” Jean saluted her with her bottle of beer.

Out of her peripheral, Hope watched the door swing open and had to blink three times to make sure she saw what she thought she saw. Isaac strolled in. He must have left the ranch minutes after she’d left. She feasted her eyes on him, and it wasn’t until he got closer that she saw he was with Billy, Robbie, and Keifer As the cowboys passed to get to the table near the back room, they each greeted her with a casual “hello”, but Isaac's gaze lingered on her a little longer as he thumbed the brim of his hat. His expression spoke volumes. Not wanting to appear overly interested, she didn’t swivel and watch him walk by, although her inner thighs begged for a peek at his buns.

Jean, on the other hand, brazenly followed him with her gaze until he mingled in with the crowd. “Holy shit he’s delicious. Is that a new hand at the ranch?” When Hope didn’t answer, Jean turned to face her. “Hello? Have you been hiding him from me?”

Hope hadn’t even told her close friend what happened with Isaac. “No, he’s not a new hand.” She played with her cocktail straw, poking at the cherry floating at the bottom. “He’s a guest.”

“And why haven’t you told me about this handsome guest?” Jean flipped the ends of her shoulder-length bob over her shoulder.

Hope shrugged. “Why would I?”

“Oh, maybe because he’s built like a Greek Adonis and looks like one too. Is he single?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Hope said casually.

“Wait a minute.” Jean stared into Hope’s eyes as if searching for the truth. “You’ve had sex with him, haven’t you?”

The cocktail went down the wrong pipe, and Hope sputtered and coughed. “No, of course not.”

“You liar! You’ve slept with him, and you haven’t told me.” Jean was offended.

Setting her glass down, Hope laid her palms on her thighs. “You’re imagining things.”

“Remember, I’ve been your best friend since we were five. You can’t lie to me.”

“There’s nothing to lie about.” Hope studied her drink intently.

“He makes my shriveled ovaries chime just looking at him. How is he in bed?”

Hope started to deny the accusation again, when she heard…

“Well, well, look who we have here. Hope Rose.”

She saw Courtney’s ex-husband, Dex. Her stomach turned. Remembering how he’d mistreated her best friend made her sick.

He shoved his way into the space between the man sitting next to Hope and her shoulder. “Come on, Hope. We used to be friends.”

She turned away and continued to ignore him.

“I see how it is. You like to screw up marriages and then wash your hands of the issue.”

“Jump off a cliff,” she said without looking at him.

“Just like a Rose. Thinking she’s better than everyone else,” he said loud enough for people around her.

“Ignore him,” Jean said.

“It’s hard to ignore someone who likes all that attention,” Hope muttered.

“I guess we can’t be friends any longer.”

It was then that she looked at him. “I won’t be friends with someone who mistreated my friend. You need help.”

“Thanks for the advice. Trust me, I’m working on that,” he said, then walked away.

A chill raced down her spine.

“What the hell was that about?” Jean said.

“Just another asshole throwing his testosterone around.” There was no love lost between Dex and Hope. She’d once thought he was a good guy and treated his family like they were gold until he allowed the booze to flip a switch inside his head and heart. She pushed any thought of the man aside because the scene across the room gained her attention.

Tessa Taylor had her talon-like claws on Isaac's shoulder, which didn’t settle well with Hope. She wasn’t jealous, maybe a little territorial, but she wondered what the chick was up to. Last Hope heard the twenty-something redhead had broken up with her long-term boyfriend. They’d dated since high school, but from Hope's angle, it appeared Tessa was on the prowl.

*****

Isaac eased back into the chair, which barely accommodated his size, and looked up at the woman, who had her hand planted on his shoulder.

“Hello, handsome,” the redhead practically cooed the greeting.

“Tessa, you’re looking mighty fine this evening,” Billy gave her a once over.

Her cheeks turned rosy, nearly the same color as her hair. “Thank you, Billy. Who’s your friend?” She locked eyes with Isaac.

“Isaac,” he introduced himself.

“Tessa.” She was pretty and had a nice smile, yet Isaac didn’t feel a thing. The feisty woman sitting at the bar staring in his direction had him right where she wanted him. “I haven’t seen you around before. Are you working at Sagebrush Rose?”

“Nah, I’m only visiting.”

She leaned in closer, exposing a good deal of the cleavage uplifted by the red bra that was earning its keep. Something told him this was her signature move to gain the attention of the opposite sex. While the rest of the crew seemed to stare in unabashed admiration, Isaac decided he’d better nip the flirtation in the bud because the narrowed gaze he was receiving from Hope warned him that she would take care of it if he didn’t, which he found funny.

“I love this song.” Tessa lifted one arm high above her head, rolling her fingers through the air while groping the bottle's long neck. She swayed her hips seductively to the heavy beat of the song.

“Me too,” Billy piped in like a teenage boy caught in the girl’s locker room.

“How about it, cowboy? Want to dance?” Tessa speared Issac with her gold-flecked eyes.

“I’ve never been much into dancing. I’ve always had two left feet.”

Her plush bottom lip puckered. “I’m a good teacher.”

“I’m sure you are. How about I buy you a drink instead? To make up for the fact that I can’t dance worth a lick. What are you drinking?” He craned his neck to look at the label.

“What a gentleman.” She lifted the bottle and drained it dry, then licked her lips.

Issac wasn’t sure she needed another one, but he did offer. He gestured to the server to bring another round for him, the crew, and Tessa.

Billy offered to give her that dance she craved, and she reluctantly agreed.

That gave Isaac an unhindered view of Hope, who no longer was watching him.

Damn, the woman was an enigma. One minute, she was flirting with him relentlessly, and the next, she treated him like week-old bread. At first, he’d told the crew that he had no interest in a night of drinking until Miss Sass came along and sashayed her bottom like a pendulum in his direction. She’d known exactly what she did to him and too bad he wasn’t immune. After the first night together, he’d been neck deep, and now, after getting to know her better, he was drowning. And he wasn’t mad.

He half listened to the crew discussing a local strip club and possibly going there later. Isaac liked the hands well enough, but he also was sick and tired of sleeping in the bunkhouse. It wasn’t that he thought he was too good to stay there, but he didn’t like waking up from a dream of Hope to see Billy’s hairy ass uncovered in the next bed over. That almost made it impossible to enjoy the idea of holding Hope.

The boys seemed to cut up a lot more when the boss wasn’t around, and lately, Sam Rose seemed to play the disappearing act, which made Isaac wonder why the man wasn’t taking the merger more seriously. Was there something he was hiding? The rumor was that the boss would be gone for a few days. Isaac had been lucky enough to chain Sam down for half a day to discuss some of the concerns for merging, and although he’d seemed on point and knowledgeable, he looked a bit ragged.

Adjusting himself in the uncomfortable seat, he turned his attention back to the beautiful blonde haunting him every waking hour. She played with one of her curls, which he noticed she did often. Maybe a nervous habit? Although she seemed relaxed sitting on the bar stool laughing with her friend. Her legs were crossed, and the deep slit of the dress was open, revealing the length of her long-tanned leg. Undoubtedly, every man there had noticed.

Isaac had noticed how the crew took notice any time she came around. The boys were respectful because they knew their places, but they’d learned the art of subtle glances that wouldn’t earn them walking papers from the boss. None of them had been indecent regarding Hope because that was where Isaac would draw the line. Although he couldn’t call her his girlfriend, he’d been invested in her lately. The crew also realized that Isaac, although sleeping in the bunkhouse, wasn’t one of them.

He watched as a tall, burly cowboy approached her, and she offered him a smile in greeting. Isaac wasn’t a jealous man, but he wished that sweet grin was directed in his direction. She lowered her hand from her hair and laid it in her lap, and he dropped his gaze there, watching her fingers play with the fabric of her skirt. She shifted her legs, and the slit revealed her firm thigh before she tugged the material back into place.

His zipper stretched with a need he’d practically lived with since he’d met her.

The need almost consumed him.

There was just something about her that triggered Isaac’s every hankering. She wasn’t flirting with the man who beamed at her like his smile was plastered to his whiskered face, but she had a natural appeal that made her sexy. A glow that drew people in. And the cowboy she was talking to ate up her attention like a pig to slop. When she laid her hand on the man’s wrist, Isaac downed his beer, which only scraped off a layer of his tension.

“Who’s that?” Isaac asked Keifer.

“Who?”

“The man talking to Hope.”

“That’s Wren. He’s an attorney here in town.” Keifer then pasted his gaze on Isaac’s profile. “You like her?”

He tore his attention off Hope and onto the young cowboy. “She’s an attention-getter.”

“Tread carefully, my friend.” Keifer scraped his nails down his jaw. “The Rose sisters are great people but also trouble.”

Isaac absorbed the warning, but it was too late to yield. He'd already sampled her, and he wanted—craved—more.

Seeing Wren place his hand on Hope’s knee sent a surge of acid into Isaac’s throat. Her smile faded a bit, and she seemed a bit uncomfortable. Ahh, she wasn’t interested. That brought relief to Isaac. Yet, why? The chances that he and Hope were anything more than a temporary good time were as likely as hell freezing over.

“Why are they trouble?” Curiosity got the best of Isaac.

Keifer took a long drink of his beer, swiped his hand across his mouth, and scanned to make sure none of the other men were listening. “My brother, Keller, is married to Freedom, which you might already know. I’m not one to put my nose where it doesn’t belong, and my brother and Freedom are made for each other. They are the happiest couple, but ol’ controlling Sam gave his daughters an ultimatum. They marry within the year or lose their claim to Sagebrush Rose Ranch.”

“You’ve got to be kidding, right?” Isaac had a hard time understanding the ridiculousness of the demand, but Keifer seemed like a man of his word. That played right into Isaac’s suspicions. Some major shifts were happening within the Rose family.

Journeying his gaze back to Hope, he watched her peel Wren’s fingers off her knee.

“Cowboy, you sure you don’t want to kick up some dust on the dance floor?” Tessa returned and was whispering in Isaac’s ear.

He didn’t take his eyes off Hope. “I’m sure.”

With a huff, she flounced away.

Isaac reminded himself that he wasn’t suitable for a relationship. He often struggled to sleep at night, plagued by bad dreams. What woman would want to share her bed with someone who might awaken her in the middle of the night, lost in a nightmare? It had been an accident that he fell asleep with Hope at the hotel. He never spent the night with anyone, but he had been wrapped up in her warm curves and how good she felt against him. He couldn't bring himself to ask her to leave.

He never made promises to anyone or made them believe he was more than he knew he was. Once upon a time, he might have seen himself with a wife and kid, but he was damaged goods. He preferred being alone because he liked a simple, uncomplicated life. Relationships meant responsibility, and Isaac didn’t want the burden.

Yet, there was something about Hope that challenged his beliefs— made him question his present and his future. There was an invisible fence within him. On one side, he wanted her like he’d never wanted anything. On the other, he had his past that reared its ugly head through nightmares and terrors, making him doubt his ability as a partner. To be with someone meant exposing all parts of himself, and he’d never spoken to anyone about the tragedy that changed him.

If Hope knew he was responsible for the deaths of the locals in that village, she wouldn’t look at him the same. She’d lose respect for him, and how could she not? He’d lost respect for himself that day and never regained it. Now, he moved through life more like a robot than a human. Wishing he could trade his life for those women and kids.

Isaac placed his empty bottle upside down into the ice bucket and pushed up from the table. He had no idea what he was doing, but sitting there like a knot in the wood didn’t settle well with him.

He edged up to the end of the bar and ordered another beer. He had a great spot to watch Hope while keeping his distance. He’d been doing his very best to control his desire for her, but it became more challenging each day in the small town. Jenna set two shots glasses down, one in front of Hope and the other in front of her female friend. Hope wasn’t playing games tonight. He watched her shoot the shot and wipe her fingers along her bottom lip, which triggered something in his gut.

If he had any logic, he'd avoid her at all costs and most certainly keep his damn hands off her delectable body. She deserved better than half a man. A damaged man, one who had boulder-sized guilt weighing on his shoulders.

Wren didn’t seem to take her subtle cues of ignoring him. He was leaning against her again. This time, he was whispering something in her ear. Her smile disappeared. Isaac had seen enough. He strolled up to the awkward twosome and the big boy lifted his chin, narrowing his gaze on Isaac as if he wanted to chew his head off.

“Can I help you?” Wren lifted his chin cockily.

“I don’t think so,” Isaac answered gruffly.

“Isaac, this is Wren.” Hope looked a bit out of sorts.

Glaring, Isaac had the man taking a step back.

Hope slid off the stool, and she became a wall between the two men. She might have sensed the growing tension. Isaac wouldn’t have inserted himself unless he was willing to see the issue through.

“See you around, Wren,” Hope told the man in a tone that left no room for argument.

Wren smirked, nodded at Isaac then shoved his way through the crowd.

“He seems like a nice guy.” Isaac snorted.

“Hi. I’m Jean.” Hope’s friend interjected.

“I’m Isaac. Nice to meet you.” He touched the brim of his hat.

“Take my seat.” Jean slid off the stool. “I see some friends, so I’m going to pop over and say hello.” She scooted away in a hurry.

Isaac slid upon the stool, realizing Hope had her heated gaze on him. “What?”

“Are you happy with yourself?” she said in a smartass tone.

“Pretty happy,” he said smartly.

She wobbled slightly as she returned to her stool, and he realized the effects of the tequila were starting to course through her bloodstream. “You’re something, you know. You discarded your chance with me and have the balls to crash my conversation like you own me.” And if her raised tone wasn’t enough to draw attention, the way she stabbed her pointed finger in the center of his chest with each word did.

“That’s a left fielder,” he said in a lowered voice.

“You better run back to the table. It appears Billy might be gaining Tessa’s attention.” She rolled her eyes.

“Someone’s had a little too much to drink. Let’s get out of here.”

“Why would I want to do that? I’m just starting to feel good.” She slurped up more of her drink.

“You don’t need more of that.” He sighed as she drained the glass.

“Who are you to tell me what I need? I’m a grown woman. It’s bad enough that Daddy tells me what to do.”

“Maybe he has good reason.”

“That sounds about right. You would see eye-to-eye with Daddy. You both love to control the situation.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe Tessa is more your type.”

“That’s enough,’’ he said dangerously. He grabbed her elbow, just enough pressure that she’d come along.

“I don’t want to be near you.”

He parted the crowd, and thankfully, she didn’t put up a fight.

The cooler air outside smacked him right in the face. Just what he and Hope needed.

“Who do you think you are?” She jerked her arm out of his light grip.

“You’ve asked me that. I’m Isaac.”

“You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

“You’ve made out that you’re my babysitter, but clearly, only one of us needs a sitter.”

“Fuck you! I’m going back inside.” She turned and took a step but he blocked her path.

“You do that and we’ll really cause a scene,” he said firmly.

“Ooh. Someone is a bit cocky. I’m not worried.” She squared her shoulders.

“Maybe not, but imagine the talk of the town tomorrow morning: Hope Rose being carried out of Mav’s on the shoulder of some cowboy.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Try me, sweetheart.” He stared down at her glistening glare. He inhaled her scent, a cocktail of cherry grenadine and cotton candy. If only he could strip away all his doubt and kiss the hell out of her, he'd be a happy man. But how fair would that be for her?

“The war hero saves the day,” she said flippantly.

“I’m the man who saved your ass,” he quipped.

“Saved me? From Wren?” She rolled her eyes in that bratty Rose fashion. “He's harmless.”

“So you wanted his paws all over you?” He didn’t like the direction of this conversation. He had no rights to her, and yet he couldn’t bear to watch another man touching her.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“Fine. You want to go back inside, then go!” He stomped off toward his truck.

“Too late now. You’ve completely ruined a good buzz,” she huffed and darted past him.

“You’re not driving in your condition,” he said to her back.

She raised her hand and flipped him off. “Good thing I didn’t ask for your permission.”

The woman was going to give him more grey hair. He marched after her. He'd never chased a woman in his life, but he guessed there was a first time for everything. “This is going to go one of two ways. With your cooperation or with me carrying you to my truck.”

She swung around, her gaze intense even through the dim parking lot. “When hell freezes over!”

“Well, hell just got a forecast for icy conditions.” He crossed the distance.

She took two steps backward. “Touch me and I’ll claw your eyes out.”

“I’ve faced cats that scare me more.” He did his best to contain his laughter.

“I’m serious! I’ll tell Daddy that you manhandled me.”

“I’d bet my eyeteeth that Sam would thank me.”

“I’m leaving. You stay put.” She waved her finger through the air.

She turned and hurried toward her car, but she tripped over her own feet, stumbled in slow motion, and landed on her knees on the concrete. She cursed a blue streak under her breath.

He shook his head and crossed the short distance. Easy as pie, he lifted her to her feet. “Now you understand why you’re not driving?”

“Let go of me,” she seethed.

“Fine.” He removed his hands and she wobbled slightly to standing.

“I’ve been taking care of myself all my life. I don’t need a Prince Charming.”

“No, you don’t. What you need is to be dragged over a knee and spanked until you lose that bratty attitude.” His patience was thinning. This wasn’t the simple life he preferred.

“I’m a brat because you’ve decided you want to talk to me, so I should just fall into place?” She snorted.

“You’re a brat because you’re not listening to reason. If I was an asshole, I’d let you get behind the wheel and take off knowing you wouldn’t make it far.”

“But you were asshole enough to tell me to go back inside!” She lifted her chin high. “I’m responsible enough that I’d sit in my car until I sobered up.”

“If that’s really what you want, I would let you go back. However, I would, too. Call it the gentleman in me.”

“Gentleman or caveman?” She slammed her hands to her hips.

He rubbed his tired eyes. “Make this easier for the both of us and get in my truck. Because as long as you’re here, I’m here.”

She gave a disgruntled moan of dismissal and made her way toward her car. “See ya, cowboy.”

“You’re not going anywhere in that car.” The last thread of his patience frayed.

“Please stop. This is getting old,” she whined.

Issac crouched down, inspecting her flat tire. “Somebody nipped this in the bud.”

“What are you talking about?” She hung over his shoulder trying to get a better look.

He used the flashlight on his phone to look closer. “Someone has slashed your tire.” He stood and rounded the car, checking the rest of the tires. The driver’s front tire was slashed also. “Obviously you pissed someone off.”

“What makes you think I pissed someone off?” When he didn’t respond, she tapped the toe of her boot. “Well?”

He looked at her with a narrowed gaze. “Was that a serious question?”

He stood and swiped the dust and dirt off his hands. He scanned the parking lot, looking for security cameras. There were none.

“I’ll call a tow truck and get a ride with the driver. Terry will take me home,” she said sassily.

“When I am heading in the same direction? Let Terry sleep and have him come in the morning to tow your car to a shop.” He realized they would go around in circles. “I tell you what, let’s do this. If you can answer a question correctly, I’ll stay here with you until the tow truck arrives and you can catch a lift with him. However, if you answer incorrectly, you’ll allow me to drive you home and wait until morning to disturb Terry. Deal?”

She considered his suggestion, still tapping the toe of her boot. He knew her enough to know she wouldn’t back down from any challenge. “Give it your best shot,” she said.

“How much does a cloud weigh?”

She laughed. “That’s easy. A cloud is weightless. Haven’t you ever heard of the expression “as weightless as a cloud’?”

“That’s a common misconception. The average cloud weighs 1.1 million pounds.”

“You’re lying!” she muttered.

“Google it. Now get your ass in the passenger seat.” He chuckled.

She whipped out her phone, tapped the keyboard, and he saw her eyes swipe left to right as she skimmed the information. Without another word, she headed for his truck. She climbed in and slammed the door behind her.

He smiled as he jumped behind the wheel. She faced the side window, but that skirt had flung open like an invitation. Something told him she was pretty aware of what she did to him.

With a press of a button, the truck roared to life, and he backed out of the packed parking lot onto the quiet street. Those who weren’t at Mav’s were probably already in bed, where Isaac wanted to be.

“You’re way too invested in getting me home,” she said quietly.

“You’re in the truck, so you might as well let it go now.”

She toed off her boots and tucked her feet on the seat, resting her hands and chin on her bent knees. “Who would slice my tires?”

“It could have been anyone, and since I didn’t see any parking lot cameras, you’ll probably never know.”

“You know, I was just out blowing off some steam tonight. We all deserve to let loose sometimes. You should try it. You might like it.”

“No one is arguing about that, Hope. What’s bothering you?” Would she mention the marriage demand from Sam?

“I sent in a contract that could change my life.”

“A contract?” He was curious now.

“You’re are in the presence of a newly published author.”

“Congratulations. You should be ecstatic. That’s a huge accomplishment.” He always knew there was more to Hope than a cowgirl on a ranch.

“It’s hard to celebrate when I’ll probably lose my family.”

*****

Dex dropped down into bed at the studio apartment above the laundromat. Although the streets were quiet, he couldn’t get to sleep.

Tonight, he’d watched from the shadows as Hope and Isaac argued at Mav’s. If it had been him, he would have let the bitch get behind the wheel. He should have never slashed her tires. It was too risky, but he’d been consumed by uncontrollable rage. Seeing her and being on the receiving end of her snotty behavior only worsened his anger.

Taped to the ceiling, he had a picture of Courtney and Marah from happier times. Several months ago, he would have been reduced to sobs, but the sadness had turned into fury—dangerous fury.

His cell phone rang, and he hurried to check the screen, disappointed that it wasn’t his ex-wife.

“Your order is here,” the sultry female voice said. when he hit ‘talk’.

“Come up,” he told her and clicked ‘end’.

A moment later, a soft knock came at the door. He popped up from the bed and strolled over to open the door. Standing on the other side was Apple. Tall, slender, and ready to please. The opposite of his ex-wife. He needed someone to help ease his pain.

Apple glided in, her three-inch heels clicked annoyingly against the tiled floor.

She stopped center, turned, and released the belt on her jacket, allowing the material to fall to her stilettos. She wore a black leather bra and garter belt, and nothing else. He speared her with his horny gaze. Her pussy was bare, and her lips were bulging. He’d never seen a cunt so engorged before.

His dick shot up and strained against his fly. With a click of his wrist, he dropped his jeans to the floor and wrapped his hand around his swollen cock. “Lie down on the bed,” he told her.

She crawled onto the bed, her firm ass sticking up, enticing him to plunge into her puckered hole, but he needed to control himself. He didn’t want to stick his dick anywhere, but he needed help in releasing his wad. She stretched out on the twin bed, her knees bent, awaiting him.

“Spread for me,” he said.

Without hesitation, she parted her knees. Her damp pussy glistened in the dim lamplight.

“I want to watch,” he whispered as if someone might overhear. He could never be himself with Courtney. She liked vanilla sex. The one time he’d asked her to spice things up she’d practically raced from the bedroom in embarrassment.

Apple lowered her hand to the apex of her thighs and slid her finger over her slick lips, penetrating herself with two fingers then brought them to her mouth to lick the juices clean. “Want to join me, handsome?”

“Don’t talk,” he told her. He stepped over to the nightstand, opened the top drawer, and took out the toy. “Use this.” He tossed her the device.

She smirked, but without question, she grabbed the vibrator and began pleasuring herself. Soon her dramatic moans filled the air as Dex pumped himself like a monkey on steroids.

But nothing happened.

Not even a drop of cum.

Pissed off at the thought that he was ruined, he said to Apple, “Get the fuck out!”

She either didn’t hear him or was so deep in the throes of masturbation that she didn’t care about his demand.

Angry, he stomped over, grabbed the toy from her hand and threw it against the wall.

She stared at him with fear in her wide eyes.

“I said to get out!” he demanded.

Crawling off the bed, she swiped up her jacket and held it against her partial nudity. “I don’t know what game you’re playing but you still owe me for the hour.”

He took out a couple of bills from the drawer and tossed them at her chest. They floated to the floor and she nearly stumbled in her haste to snatch them up.

She stuffed the money into her bra and barely had her jacket on before disappearing from the room.

Dex closed the door and frustration raced through him like a live wire.

He paced the floor. Impulsively, he slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a hole and his knuckles bloody. He felt some relief.

But not nearly enough…