18. Levi
18
I t’s not the first time I’m watching the clock as a woman stays asleep in my bed.
But it’s the first time I revel in the fact that she stays asleep. It’s nearly six a.m. and Tessa’s soft silky tresses are spread wildly over my pillow. Her eyes peacefully closed, and I hope to God she’s not in dreamland.
I don’t want her having any dreams. I’d much rather she get a fucking break while she sleeps.
An empty mind is a peaceful mind and something tells me it’s been a long while since Tessa Banks had any peace.
We whispered late into the night. I had every intention of having her go back to her…den. But every time she tried to leave, I’d pull her back against my chest.
She also kept covering up as if I hadn’t seen all of her. Tasted all of her.
Come to think of it, there is one part of her body I didn’t get a good look at last night.
And it’s my favorite thing to look at when she's walking away.
I’m careful not to disturb her as I slowly lower the sheet down her back. Taking in her smooth skin, the perfect curve of her —
The hell?
A deep red, round scar catches my eye. My stomach tightens as I zero in on it. That can’t be what I think it is.
The alarm goes off and I curse, pulling the sheet back over her.
Tessa moans as she stretches, soft curves turning into me. She gasps sharply when she opens her eyes. “Indie.” Her eyes sweep her covered, nude body. “Hi.”
“Mornin’.” My response is tight as I glare down at her.
She scans her surroundings tentatively. “I didn’t mean to spend the night.”
“I did.”
If I don’t get a grip, she’ll pick up on the edge in my tone.
Her eyes look out into the light-colored blue sky with a shy smile. “Morning.”
I release the sheet and move my hand to the side of her face. “You look good rested, Whiskey.”
Her warm body stretches into me again. I breathe her in, my cock jerking to life instantly.
How the fuck does she have this effect on me after what I just saw?
Tessa jolts, wrapping the sheet around her waist. “Oh no. You have work. I have work.” She sits up. “Breakfast. I can make you something before you go.”
Grabbing her clothes from various sides of the bed, she clutches the sheet that’s bound around her like a mummy and moves to the door, opening it softly. “I’ll wash this and bring it back later,” she whispers.
I open my mouth to assure her it’s not necessary, but she’s gone.
I feel like a jackass being angry with Tessa. Hell I’m as angry now as I’ve been every time I’d walked into a room and she’d be there. Every time I heard about the town outlaw or the town rogue causing trouble again.
I drag my hand down my face. If I’m honest, I’m probably angrier with myself for being so goddamn attracted to the wrong person.
Again.
But nothing about Tessa feels wrong. Not since the day I met her and certainly not what we did last night.
What the fuck happened to you, Whiskey?
I spend the morning doing mindless work in the field just to keep from walking back to the house to check on her.
Then when I see her in the barn, bringing over fresh iced tea and biscuits for the cowboys, I ride back to the Wrangler Room and lock the door.
The ranch website needs updating with available products and livestock. And the Barley family sent a friendly reminder to confirm the ranch is closed for their daughter’s wedding reception.
It’s an uncommon event for Hideaway Ranch, but certainly profitable.
Out of town folks typically rent the space for engagement photos. It’s been happening more and more lately. Maybe cowboy romance is a thing, and I missed the memo.
Gritting my teeth, I push off my desk where a pile of vendor invoices still wait to be paid.
Shit. I need to clear my head and take care of those.
It’s not that I don’t have the money. Hideaway Ranch is the most profitable establishment in town. I’ve just never been a paper and computer guy.
That’s all Noah .
And Noah certainly does his part in sending me reminders. When he gets calls asking him to write a legal letter to the ranch.
I review each bill and send the front office a note of approval to get these paid asap.
I still feel off. Like I’m missing something. Like I’m not doing enough.
Tessa’s been on my mind all day. Last night was fucking perfect. We were in sync more than just physically. We fit. She fits.
I promised her a repeat because I knew before I touched her one night wasn’t going to be enough. But I can’t just ignore what I saw. And I won’t scare her by asking more questions.
Not yet.
Stalking out of the Wrangler Room, I jog around to the stables. I need to go for a ride.
“Howdy, Cowboy,” a familiar voice calls as I bring Willow back to her stall.
I pat her twice and whisper, “Thanks, girl.”
I hang the saddle and turn to one of my closest friends. And a woman who drove me bonkers for nearly a year when we were dating.
“Hey, Lon.”
“Got any apples?” She swings her empty basket.
“Yeah, Harry’s got a bag full waitin’ for ya.” I lean over to kiss her cheek.
There was a time when I couldn’t even do that without her flinching .
Five years ago, Lonnie was in a toxic, abusive relationship. Physical abuse.
I was the first man she trusted after changing her name and moving to Colorado. But with a young kid, I came with my own baggage, and things didn’t work out for us. Call it bad timing or just two pieces that don’t fit.
She’s still one of my best friends.
“When you gonna take me for a ride on one of these?”
“They’re horses and anytime. Just let me know and I’ll set it up with one of my guys.”
She rolls her eyes. “I really hope you’ve got better game than that or you’ll never get laid again.”
I dust my hands off on my pockets with a smile, happy to see her. If I’m honest, she’s been on my mind too. Just a little differently. “Come by the house for a drink?”
She jerks at the sudden interest to spend more time with her. Usually, it’s small talk as I toss her a bag of apples and tell her to get off my lawn.
Especially during work hours.
“What’s up?” she asks once we’re in my kitchen. I offer her a glass of Tessa’s iced tea with mint and lemons floatin’ around inside.
“Mmm…yummy. You made this?”
“Tessa.”
“Oh. How’s that workin’ out? Aiden tells me she bullied you into hiring her.” She crackles a laugh.
“She didn’t—you been talkin’ to my dad?”
“No. What? Maybe. So the town rogue is now on your payroll?”
“For the summer.”
She nods and watches me carefully. Then something near the sink catches her eye. “Aww, it’s the mug I got you.”
“Tessa likes it. I think she uses it just to fuck with me.” I chuckle .
Lonnie sets it down. “Did you tell her it’s from an ex?”
“Yes.”
“Ooh…pretty and secure. I like her.”
“Lon, I gotta ask you something.”
She slams the table like she’d just won a bet. “I knew it. You want to bang the nanny. Yes, it’s totally cool. No one will judge. Go for it.”
“I already did.”
She stares at me, her face sobering. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know anything about her. I thought I was okay with that, but I want to know who she is. Where she’s from.”
She nods. “Anyone you can ask?”
I shake my head. “Think there was a name change. She doesn’t seem to exist before three years ago. Around the time she first showed up in Hideaway Springs.”
Lonnie’s eyes flash—and it's likely because this sounds very familiar to her. “You think she was abused?”
“She has nightmares. She barely sleeps at night. I’m concerned.”
Lonnie’s face pales. “Does she flinch when you touch her?”
“No. It wasn’t like you and me.”
She nods.
“I don’t know who else to talk to. I don’t want to ask the police to look into her. I mean, there’s background check stuff, but that wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Look, I’ve been around her enough to know that woman is running scared and she’s got secrets. Do me a favor and keep your dist—”
“There was a bullet wound in her back—just above her hip.”
Lonnie freezes. “Are you sure?”
“I know what a bullet hole looks like, Lon.”
“Alright, alright, easy, Cowboy. ”
I release a steady breath, flexing my arms against the edge of the counter. “I want to ask her about it.”
“Why? So she could open up to you and be out of here by the end of summer? Yeah, I saw your ad. Don’t make her vulnerable to you only to show her out come September.”
My jaw is tight as I clench my teeth. “I fucking hate it when you’re right.”
“You’ve got major control issues, dude. Just because you want to know doesn’t mean you have the right to.”
I glare at her.
She grins comically. “I’ll see myself out.”