Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Cosmo
I stood at the stove, flipping burgers in the skillet while the kitchen filled with the smell of sizzling beef and onions.
The rain had finally quit, leaving the air cool and damp outside, but in here, it was warm, and the windows fogged up a little from the heat.
Christian was out in the barn still, probably messing with the horses, and Damian was setting the table, grumbling about something under his breath.
Geraldine sat on a stool at the counter, her legs crossed, sipping a beer I’d handed her earlier.
She’d changed into a loose shirt and leggings, but she still looked good, her hair falling over one shoulder.
Dinner was my idea because I figured it’d loosen everyone up after the day we’d had.
“Cosmo, you sure you know what you’re doing over there?” she asked and leaned forward with a smirk. “Those burgers look like they’re about to catch fire.”
“Relax, city girl,” I said and shot her a grin. “I’ve been cooking since I was ten. These are gonna be the best damn burgers you’ve ever had.”
“Big talk,” she said and took another sip. “I’m holding you to it.”
“You should,” I said and slid one onto a bun, topping it with a slice of cheese. “I don’t mess around with food. Right, Damian?”
He grunted and didn’t look up from the plates he was stacking. “If you say so.”
“See? High praise,” I said and winked at her. She laughed, this low, easy sound that hit me right in the chest. I liked making her laugh because it was like winning a prize every time. “What’s your go-to back home? Fancy salads and wine?”
“Sometimes,” she said and shrugged. “But I’m not above a good burger. Just don’t burn it.”
“Never,” I said and plated hers first, sliding it across the counter. “Try that and tell me I’m not a genius.”
She picked it up, took a bite, and chewed slowly, like she was judging a contest. “Okay,” she said after a second. “Not bad. You might live.”
“Might?” I said and clutched my chest like she’d stabbed me. “That’s cold, Geraldine. I’m wounded.”
She laughed again, louder this time, and I couldn’t help grinning. “Fine, it’s good,” she said. “Happy now?”
“Thrilled,” I sa,id and started fixing plates for me and Damian. “Stick around, and I’ll show you what I can do with a steak.”
“Promises, promises,” she said and took another bite.
Damian sat down across from her, digging into his food without a word, and I joined them, pulling up a stool next to her.
The kitchen was quiet for a minute, just the sound of us eating and the faint hum of the fridge.
I kept sneaking looks at her because she was relaxed, chewing slowly, her fingers tapping the beer bottle.
She fit here, even if she didn’t know it yet.
“So,” I said and broke the silence, you're surviving ranch life so far?”
“Barely,” she said and smirked. “Between the rain and you dragging me here, it’s been a ride.”
“Best ride you’ve had all week,” I said and nudged her elbow. “Admit it.”
“Maybe,” she said and nudged me back. “Jury’s still out.”
“Give it time,” I said. “I’ll win you over.”
Damian snorted and finally looked up. “Good luck with that.”
“Hey, I’m charming,” I said and pointed my fork at him. “She’s already laughing. That’s step one.”
“Step one to what?” Geraldine asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Making you love Red Rock,” I said and grinned. “Step two’s the beer.”
She held up her bottle. “Already there.”
“See? I’m a natural,” I said, and she laughed again and shook her head.
Dinner went like that with me tossing out lines, her firing back, and Damian grunting now and then.
Christian showed up halfway through, muddy and starving, and grabbed a plate without saying much.
By the time we finished, the burgers were gone, and I was pulling beers from the fridge for everyone.
“Round two,” I said, and handed Geraldine another bottle. “You in?”
“Why not?” she said and twisted the cap off. “It’s not like I’m driving tonight.”
“That’s the spirit,” I said and clinked my bottle against hers. We moved to the living room and sprawled out on the couches, and I grabbed a deck of cards from the coffee table. “Poker, anyone?”
“Nah,” Christian said and leaned back, kicking his boots off. “Too tired.”
“I’m out,” Damian said and stood up. “I’ve got stuff to finish.”
“Lame,” I sa, id and turned to Geraldine. “You’re my only hope. Do you play?”
“Not well,” she said, but slid closer on the couch. “Deal me in.”
“That’s my girl,” I said and started shuffling.
We played a few hands, me teaching her the basics while the beer kept flowing.
She was terrible at bluffing because her face gave everything away, but she laughed every time I called her out, and that was worth more than winning.
Christian eventually wandered off to bed, and Damian disappeared upstairs, leaving just me and her, the room quiet except for her giggles when I told her a story about the time I got stuck in a mud pit chasing a calf.
“You’re full of it,” she said, her words slurring a little as she finished her fourth beer. “There’s no way that happened.”
“I swear it did,” I said and leaned closer. “Ask Christian. He had to pull me out.”
She giggled again and swayed a little, her shoulder brushing mine. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re drunk,” I said and grinned. “Lightweight.”
“I am not,” she said and poked my chest. “I’m just relaxed.”
“Sure,” I said and caught her hand before she could poke me again. “Come on, let’s get you to bed before you fall off the couch.”
“I’m fine,” she said, but didn’t fight me when I stood and pulled her up.
She wobbled and leaned into me, and I slung an arm around her waist to keep her steady.
Her body was warm against mine, and I could smell her hair, something sweet mixed with the beer.
We made it to the stairs, and she gripped the railing and laughed as she tripped on the first step.
“Easy,” I said and tightened my hold. “One at a time, champ.”
“You’re bossy,” she said, but climbed with me, her steps sloppy.
We got to her room, and I pushed the door open and guided her inside.
The bed was right there, and I figured I’d just get her to it and call it a night.
But she turned too fast and lost her balance, and we both went down and crashed onto the mattress with her landing on top of me.
“Whoa,” I said and laughed as she sprawled across my chest. “You okay?”
She propped herself up, her hands on my shoulders and her face inches from mine.
“Yeah,” she said, her voice soft and slurry.
Then she leaned down and kissed me. Her lips were hot and messy and tasted like beer and salt, and my hands slid to her hips without thinking.
She pressed into me, her tongue brushing mine, and heat shot through me fast. I kissed her back hard and rolled us so she was under me for a second before she pushed up again and straddled my waist. Her fingers dug into my shirt, and I groaned into her mouth, the weight of her driving me crazy.
“Geraldine,” I said against her lips, my hands sliding up her sides.
She kissed me deeper, her breath hitching, and I could feel her curves through the thin shirt.
It was getting wild because her nails scraped my neck, and my grip tightened on her hips, and I was about to lose it when she suddenly went limp.
Her head lolled back, and she slumped against me, out cold.
“Shit,” I said and caught her before she slid off. Her breathing evened out, soft and steady, and I realized she’d passed out mid-kiss. I laughed under my breath and eased her off me and laid her flat on the bed. “Guess that’s my cue.”
She looked peaceful with her lips parted and hair fanned out on the pillow.
I pulled the quilt over her and tucked it around her shoulders, and my hand brushed her leg as I adjusted it.
Smooth skin under those leggings caught my fingers, and I paused, the heat from before still buzzing in me.
I could’ve kept going and traced up her thigh and felt more, but I stopped myself.
“Not like this,” I muttered and pulled my hand back and stood up quickly.
I took a step back and ran a hand through my hair, and let out a shaky breath.
She was out and dead to the world, and I wasn’t about to be that guy.
I grabbed her phone from the floor and set it on the nightstand, and headed for the door.
One last look showed she was still and gorgeous, even drunk, and I shut it behind me and leaned against the wall in the hall.
That kiss was fire, and I wanted more, but not tonight.
I’d wait. She wasn’t going anywhere yet.