Chapter 10
I’m half dressed, my belt undone, hair a mess, and the remnants of sleep still clinging to my mind, when there’s a knock on the front door.
I wait a beat, hoping August is up and will deal with whoever is out there, but there’s no sound of his hooves in the hallway. Dammit.
It’s probably one of the boys locked out of the equipment shed again. I swear they’d lose their horns if they weren’t attached to their heads.
I quickly do up my belt buckle and glare as I pass August’s closed door, where I hear his faint snoring. There’s another knock, louder this time, and I grumble as I stride to the front door, yanking it open with a scowl.
“What?”
The petite human on the other side of the door, dressed in a light pink flannel and rhinestone jeans, takes a half step back, her eyes going wide at my sudden appearance.
“Belle?” Her name is a surprised croak. There’s a flutter of appreciation at the sight of her here on my doorstep, looking pretty as a peach in my favorite color. I tamp that down as quickly as possible, but not before my gaze lingers a beat too long on how her shirt molds to her full breasts.
When I glance back up at her face, I find her staring at my chest as well. I have the ridiculous urge to tighten my abs and flex a little to give her the best view of my bare torso.
Does she like what she sees? Or is she staring because I’m so much bigger than her?
“Is something wrong? Are you okay?” I ask.
She shakes her head a little as if coming out of a trance. “What? No.” A smile curves her plush pink lips. “Everything is great. I woke up earlier than usual, so I thought I’d bring you and August some coffee as thanks for a great first week on the ranch!”
My brow furrows, and I finally notice the coffee cups in her hands. “Oh. You didn’t have to do that.”
I know I’m being rude by not thanking her, but I’m at a loss for words. I’ve been running her ragged, to the point that my body is aching as well, and she’s here with a smile and coffee?
“It was no trouble. I got it from the kitchen. Once I have my car back, I’ll go into town and see if I can pick you up something fancier. Wylie was telling me that a coffee shop and bakery opened recently, so I have to go check it out sometime.”
Belle holds a cup out to me with a smile that has no business being that cheery this early in the morning. “Here! Wasn’t sure how you like it, so I left it black.”
I take the cup from her, giving it a wary look. “Is it poisoned?”
She snorts. “Now why would you ever think a thing like that?” There’s a playful glimmer to her eyes that has my lips twitching into a smile before I can stop it.
“Cal, who’s out there?” August’s gruff voice comes from down the hall.
Before I can respond, Belle’s eyes light up. “Just me, Belle!” she calls out. “Brought you both some coffee. Sorry if I woke you up. I thought for sure you tough cowboys would be up way before me.”
August appears beside me, wrapped in only a thick robe. “Morning, Miss Belle. If I’d known we were having company, I’d have told Cal to make himself more presentable.”
I huff at him. “You’re one to talk. Go put some damn pants on, old man, before you scare the poor woman away.”
Belle shakes her head, a mischievous grin forming on her lips as she drops her gaze to my bare chest again, then glances over at August. “Oh, that’s alright. I don’t mind. Though if I’d realized the morning coffee dress code was so casual, I would’ve left my top off.”
I sputter, my gaze falling to her tits for a split-second before I slam them shut and shake my head. “It’s too cold for that.”
August chuckles. “I think she was joking, Cal. But it is pretty damn cold out, so why don’t you let her in if you’re so concerned about her keeping warm?”
“I knew it was a joke,” I grumble as I step out of the doorway and gesture for Belle to enter. She smiles appreciatively at my best friend as she steps inside, and August shoots her a wink.
Wait. Is there something going on between them? Is she bringing us coffee because she wants to see August? I’ve noticed them talking together at meals, and they do seem to get along. He brought her dinner last night and didn’t come back to our cabin until late.
Fucking hell, that’s the last thing I need. August getting tangled up with her and complicating my plan to get her out of our hair. What is he thinking? She’s almost young enough to be his daughter!
Something ugly pricks at me that I refuse to acknowledge. Something that feels a whole hell of a lot like jealousy and possessiveness, but absolutely isn’t, because it’s not like I want Belle for myself.
I’m not interested in that. At all.
Sure, she’s nice to look at and she smells good, but that doesn’t mean I want to take up with her.
“Why are you glaring at me?” Belle asks, her smile faltering.
“He’s too old for you.” I blurt.
Her brow scrunches. “What?”
August gives me an equally befuddled look.
Shit. Guess they’re not an item.
“Uh, he’s too old for you…to come knocking on our door this early. He needs his rest, or he’ll be cranky all day.”
It’s a clumsy save, but Belle laughs. “Oh! Is that why you’re so cranky all the time? Because we can wake up later if you need more beauty rest.”
August releases a loud guffaw, and I huff dismissively. “I’m not cranky.”
“Sure you aren’t.” Belle and August exchange another look and burst into laughter.
I glare at the pair of them and take a swig of the coffee Belle handed me. It burns my tongue and tastes like mud without the heavy amounts of cream and sugar I usually add, but I keep my expression stoic.
“I see. The coffee was an excuse to hassle me,” I say drolly.
Belle grins, not contrite at all. The look makes my dick twitch. “No, hassling you is just an unexpected perk.”
I let out a huff of laughter despite my attempt to remain stern.
“I came here so we could get an early start on whatever you have planned for the day. I know I’ve been delaying you by making you come fetch me every morning.”
Shit, I already told Remy and Wylie they’d be back on their regular tasks today.
My sore back needs a break, and I can’t ignore the mountain of admin work any longer.
Things aren’t going as planned with my efforts to scare Belle off, so I figured I’d give her a day to rest—a taste of what it’s like not to bust her ass all day—then dive right back into it again tomorrow. That should demoralize her real fast.
“I won’t have time to teach you today.” I grimace as I take another sip of the disgusting coffee.
Belle’s smile falters. “I don’t want you to go easy on me. If there’s work to be done, I’ll do it.”
“Not going easy on you, just don’t have the time today. The boys will cover the work. It’s their job.”
There’s a flash of something behind Belle’s eyes that I can’t decipher. “Well, alright. As long as you’re certain you don’t need my help. I’ll check in with Marcie and the rest of the staff and see if there’s anything they need.”
“You don’t need to do that.” I dislike the idea of her working without my supervision. “You should rest.”
Belle frowns softly. “I guess I could ask Dutch if he’ll take me into town. I do need to get some groceries.”
That spike of definitely not jealousy returns. “He’s busy with the horses.”
“If you don’t mind waiting until later, I can take you,” August offers.
“I’ll take you tomorrow,” I blurt.
Both of them look surprised at my offer. I shrug, a little surprised myself. “Your car should be ready by then. No point in going into town two days in a row.”
Belle nods. “Oh okay. That’d be perfect. Thank you, Cal.”
There’s an awkward moment of silence.
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair if you don’t need me. I’d go back and try to get a bit more sleep, but no doubt my boyfriend will show up as soon as my head hits the pillow.”
I scowl. “Your boyfriend? Since when do you have a boyfriend?”
“Since I got here. You’ve met him. He’s a bit of a menace but what can I say? I love a nice cock.”
August lets out a bark of surprised laughter, and I have to hold my hands in front of my crotch to hide how much my damn horny brain likes her saying she’s a fan of cock.
“How the hell is that damn bird getting out? We’ve checked the coop and the yard a dozen times.”
August shrugs. “Beats me.”
“Well…figure it out,” I huff. “Belle doesn’t need him bothering her at the ass crack of dawn.”
“Don’t like him stealing your job?” she teases, and dammit, now I’m thinking about how I could wake her up with a different kind of cock.
I chug the rest of my coffee, using the bitter liquid and burn to tamp down my arousal.
“I’ll look again and see if I can figure out Doodle’s tricks,” August says with an apologetic smile to Belle.
“No worries if you can’t. I’m kind of getting used to it.”
Belle heads out, waving goodbye. I can’t keep myself from staring at the rhinestone hearts on the pockets of her jeans that highlight her round ass as she heads off down the walking path back to Dawn’s house.
“God,” I groan, scrubbing a hand across my face. “That woman.”
August snorts. “She’s great, isn’t she? Way too young for me, like you so helpfully pointed out, but I can see why you like her.”
“I don’t like her,” I grumble. “She’s a pain in my ass.”
August cocks a brow at me. “Is she? Or do you just hate admitting you misjudged her?”
“Ugh, go back to sleep, old man.”
He gives me a smug, knowing look and heads into the kitchen.
God, he’s annoying.
And maybe right.
Dammit.