Chapter 2
Caspian
Iarrive at Timbertop Steaks and Ales in the town of Indigo Hills twenty minutes early like Nash requested. Both my bosses grew up here, and being a fifteen minute drive from the ranch, it’s easy to get to.
I head toward the lounge, really wanting to turn and leave.
I absolutely do not want to be on fucking a date right now.
I’m not that guy, but I’m also not the guy who will let my boss down.
Laughter drifts in from the main dining room, and it’s not lost on me that I used to be personable.
Not the life of the party, but get me around my friends, and I could hold my own.
These days, I prefer to live quietly, not going out except for the occasional dinner with my sister Ruby and her husband. The problem is that she’s always on me about settling down. Since she found true love, my dear sister wants to sprinkle her happy all over the damn place.
Not for me. I used to enjoy dating, was even married once, but after the accident... let’s just say I’m not partner material.
A family of five walks past, the young mother holding hands with her son while the oldest carries a girl who looks to be two.
The man’s hand rests at the small of the woman’s back as they walk into the dining area, and I feel an unfamiliar twinge in my gut at the small act.
For some reason, the image of that siren in a pencil skirt from earlier today pops into my mind.
My chest tightens, and my pulse quickens as I picture the way her voluptuous curves filled her form-fitting clothes. Even as she lay sprawled on the grass, it was obvious she’s a well put-together business type, and something about her made me feel things even my ex never did.
So I left without getting her name.
I did what I was paid to do. A ranch guest needed help. It’s the job of every Echo Ridge employee to make sure visitors are safe. It was nothing.
I shake my head to clear it, focusing on the reason I’m out this evening.
I was surprised at the ask, to be honest. I guess it makes sense on account of my hand in festival prep.
As the new equipment manager, I was put in charge of power and utilities to the artist area along with the safety and security infrastructure.
But Nash knows a lot of people. He could have asked anyone. It makes me wonder if Ruby’s talked to him. I wouldn’t put it past her.
Hands in my pockets, I stare out the window at the garden courtyard where we’ll be dining.
It’s enclosed by high, exposed brick walls with pendant lights hung every few feet.
In the center sits a single round table with five curved booths surrounding it in a perfect circle.
Each one seats two, with narrow passages between them allowing guests to slip in and out.
There will be five couples total, and my job is simple: enjoy the steaks, make good conversation, and support the festival.
Ready to get the evening started, I tap my boot against the polished concrete and wait for Nash and his wife to arrive with my dinner companion.
I don’t know much except that she’s some business type whose out-of-town date broke his toe.
The room’s energy makes a subtle shift as a group’s conversation drifts closer.
“Cas. Thanks for coming, man.” At the familiar drawl, I steel myself for the evening ahead and wheel around to face Nash and company.
For the second time today, my body stills as if my muscles are frozen. All thoughts escape me, and I blink several times to overcome my sudden dry eyes.
It’s her.
I can’t help but grin, remembering how she fell flat on her ass in the grass.
Now, she’s standing across from me looking like she stepped out of a dream.
Long brown hair, eyes the color of shallow creek water in summer sun.
She’s got on a bronze blazer and matching miniskirt with thigh-high boots in the same shade.
Only six inches of her legs are showing, but damn if that little bit of skin doesn’t make my dick thicken on sight.
Nash claps my back hard, an eyebrow raised in question. “Caspian Phillips, this is Alexandra Tate.”
I clasp her hand, her grip firm and all-business. “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Tate.”
She blinks at my formality, not letting go of my me. “You, too. Call me Alex.”
“Call me Cas.” We grasp hands a full second too long and immediately drop them. I check the sleeves of my button down just to find something to do with my hands.
“You two have already met?” Nash’s new wife, an attorney named Rebecca, seems confused.
Alex tips her head to the side. “He saved me from rolling in an ant bed earlier today.”
Rebecca smirks, eyes darting between us. “I know there’s a story here, and I can’t wait to hear it.”
We follow the newlyweds into the garden and scoot into opposite booths as Alex relays her mishap from this afternoon. I help her get adjusted in the seat before walking around and sliding in on my side.
I can’t believe she’s the date. Just sitting next to Alexandra has turned this whole evening into the kind of torture I’d gladly sign up for again.
“How was the Philippines, Rebecca?” Alex’s voice is warm, her smile genuine. “You honeymooned there for two weeks, right?”
Nash’s wife nods in response as a server pours water for each of us. “The resort was on a private island with gorgeous views.” She takes a sip from the stemmed water glass. “The staff was so welcoming.”
“My view was perfect.” Nash winks at his wife, rubbing the back of her neck. “Definitely going back for an anniversary. Already miss the turquoise water.”
We discuss the benefits of island life for a beat before I turn to Alex. “How did you get into the record business?”
Her blue-green gaze turns my way appreciatively.
“No one’s asked me that in a long time.” She blushes slightly, fiddling with the napkin in her lap.
“I grew up in L.A. where my dad produced indie records. When I was in high school, I worked after school running errands there. I loved everything about it, so I majored in business at USC and interned at Magnum Records. My goal was to earn an MBA, but by the time I graduated with my bachelors, Magnum made me an offer I couldn’t pass up. ”
Impressed at her drive, I ask, “Did you ever get the MBA?”
She takes a deep, contented breath, settling back against the booth, her shoulder brushing mine. “As a matter of fact I did. It wasn’t easy. I earned it on evenings and weekends and it took a long time, but it was important to me.”
A wide grin stretches across my face at her grit. “Good for you.” Our eyes catch and linger. Without thinking, I shift closer, closing the small distance between us, my gaze falling on her full lips.
I bet they’d taste incredible.
“Hi, guys!” A woman’s sing-song voice carries across the courtyard as she strolls in holding hands with her husband. She stops next to Nash’s wife. “How’s married life?”
Ryder Bannon is a buddy of mine. “Decided you’ve had enough of my cousin yet?” he asks, hugging Rebecca before smacking Nash’s back.
Nash rolls his eyes as he greets the couple. “You’re one to talk, man. You should be kissing the ground this woman walks on for forgiving your ass and remarrying you.”
I Didn’t know about that. Vanessa doesn’t bat an eye, though.
She just leans over and kisses her husband’s cheek before settling in and smiling sweetly at the country singer.
“Ryder and I were far too young back then, Nashy.” She’s got that tone women use when they’re being polite but are actually telling you to shut the fuck up, kinda like honey mixed with fire ants.
Nash’s mouth snaps closed, making Rebecca snort with laughter.
Nash and Ryder are tight, which makes their wives tight, too.
I know Ryder mostly from his side hustle running fitness classes at the park.
As a firefighter, he needs to keep up his strength and endurance, something I need as a cattleman.
A server appears to fill their water glasses just as the rest of the group joins us.
First, Zane and his wife Capri walk in, talking and laughing.
You’d never know that the guy’s a billionaire.
It’s the bodyguard who follows behind the couple that’s the tell.
Since he married a social media influencer, they now take safety precautions whenever they’re in public.
Right behind the Wyatts is a guy I’ve never met.
Silver at his temples and Italian leather shoes that probably cost more than most people’s rent, the guy looks like he stepped off the pages of GQ.
I’m a little surprised to see Taryn Murphy, one of the hottest female country artists in country radio.
I knew she’d be in town to open the festival, but I didn’t expect to see any of the artists until next week.
More water is poured as introductions are made. The guy’s gaze eventually settles on me with the kind of smile that says he’s good people. “I’m Cage Winters. I work with Alex at Magnum Records.”
Alex is every inch the polished executive at this moment, her posture perfect, shoulders back, chin level.
Nash lets out a huff. “Don’t let Cage yank your chain, everyone. He’s the president of the label and the A&R rep who first signed me.” Nash’s shoulders relax, and he dips his head in a subtle nod of gratitude.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Alex bite back a smile at her boss’s omission. I’m sure it was meant to put us at ease.
“Glad you could join us, Caspian. Nash tells me you’ve done amazing work prepping the artist area at the ranch.”
“I appreciate that, man. Water is in, electricity has been run, and permits are secured.” Ice clinks against glass as servers move efficiently between the booths. “It’s been a team effort, but we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Taryn Rivers chimes in, her blonde curls bouncing along with the diamond bling in her ears.
“You shouldn’t have had to go to all this fuss.
” She snorts. “I told my manager I would sleep in a tent with a sleeping bag, but he wouldn’t have it.
You can tell that man’s never spent a day of his life outdoors. ”
I chuckle along with everyone else, and when Alex turns toward me, her eyebrows crinkle together just a touch before the professional smile she wears like armor wavers a bit. I lean toward her, placing my elbow an inch from hers, and speak low. “You good?”
“Of course.” She licks her lips before taking a sip of water, her eyes glancing around the table. The simple swipe of her tongue has my body reacting like every wall I’ve built around myself just cracked wide open.
She doesn’t even realize how seductive that action is, how it makes me want to taste that sip right off her.
When Alex’s eyes flick back to mine, we hold there as if nobody else is around.
My senses wake up from a dormant sleep as if they’ve been waiting for this moment.
Her eyes are a bluish-green color, a striking contrast to the coppery hues of her outfit.
Her eyes drop to my mouth, and she takes a deep breath before turning abruptly away.
She can’t be feeling what I’m feeling. Right?