3. Going Too Far
GOING TOO FAR
OLIVIA
“Who was that?” I ask when I see Ray standing by the door.
“That’s just Lake. He stepped out to take a call. You look beautiful today, Olivia.”
God. How do I attract these men? Ray is such a jerk. He’s actually kind of slimy. I’m constantly trying to avoid him. Usually, Lisa or Deb helps me get away. No such luck today. What’s that saying? If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Ugh.
“Thanks, Ray. What are you up to?”
I barely control a wince as he takes his hat off and holds me against his chest with one hand. “I was wondering if you heard about the dinner the ranch is hosting tomorrow night?”
“I work here and have to help get ready for it, so yeah, I know,” I respond. Okay, that sounded kind of bitchy, but maybe that’s what it takes for him to get the message. I mean, I’ve only been trying to tell him since the day after he hired in.
“Oh, uh, yeah,” he responds uncomfortably. “Well, I was wondering if maybe we could go together?”
“I’m sorry, Ray. I’m working that night.”
“Crap. They have you working the party? That’s not fair. You work every day. We all need a day off, Olivia.”
“I volunteered. I like working here.”
“You sound like Lake. He works every hour he can,” he scoffs. “Life is short. You need to enjoy it, darlin’.”
“I enjoy work,” I counter, annoyed.
“Well, maybe we can meet up after the dinner or something and have a little one-on-one time,” he croons. The look in his eyes gives me the creeps.
“Ray, you’re a great guy,” I lie.
“Thanks, babe. I really like you, too.” I blink. He’s clearly insane. I rub my forehead, wishing I’d just stayed in the back and pretended not to be here. “I mean, damn, you’re hot as hell. The two of us could be really good together.”
“Ray, I’m just not interested. I lost the love of my life. I’m not interested in moving on. You’d do better to find someone else.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, but you know what they say. If you lose your horse, it’s best you climb back up and ride a new one.”
I stare at him, trying to make myself function.
“You didn’t …” I stop talking because I don’t even know what to say to him.
“You can ride me, Olivia, any time, any day,” he promises. He drops his voice down, and he probably thinks it makes him seem sexy. Bile rises in my throat.
“Get out,” I order, and I know my face has gone ashen.
“Olivia—”
“You’re a disgusting pig. Get out, and if you see me, make sure you take another direction.”
“Olivia,” he tries again, but stops when I shake my head.
“You should run if you do see me, because after your disgusting behavior today, the first thing I’ll do is have Carson fire you,” I snap.
“You really think he’ll listen to you? You’re a clerk and work as a maid and kitchen staff.
This is a ranch. My position is needed more than yours.
I have Colt Wells’s ear. You’re lucky I even look at you.
Still, I like you. I think the two of us would be good together. Apologize, and we’ll work past this.”
I look at him like he’s lost his mind. He’s delusional.
I instinctively know that no matter what I say, he’s not going to stop.
The man thinks women should fall at his feet.
He’s good-looking enough that maybe they do.
I don’t have any idea. I just know I don’t want to deal with him any longer.
The office is hooked up to the security cameras.
Carson and the other brothers said to tell them right away if I felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and they would deal with it.
I’m not sure this guy would hurt me, but I have a feeling if I angered him enough, he would. I definitely feel uncomfortable.
“I said no,” I answer, and then turn and walk into the back. I grab my cellphone and dial Coop’s number. I heard the bell over the door ring, letting me know someone had come in, but I’m going to make a call first.
I know Carson is with Lisa and Claire this morning.
Colt is overseeing the upcoming training and dinner.
Coop is in the main house doing paperwork—which the other two brothers hate.
I know them well in the six months I’ve been accepted into their family.
They’re as close to me as if they were my own blood.
It’s part of the reason I’ve gotten so much stronger.
Well, that and something unlocked inside of me when I got revenge against Ayita for Bear.
Taking care of her somehow gave me a piece of myself back.
“Hey, Livy. Is everything okay?” Coop answers at once.
“Not really. I’m having some issues with the new hire you made a while back, Ray Morton.”
“Shit, what did the asshole do?”
“It was here at the campground office. You can pull it up.”
“It doesn’t matter, Livy. We made you a promise. You want him gone, he’s gone,” he responds at once, his voice cold and serious.
“I’d rather you look at the footage, so you can judge for yourself. This makes the fourth time I’ve had to deal with him. Today was the one where it felt like he wasn’t going to stop.”
“I’m pulling it up now. Is he there?”
“Yeah,” I answer. Just as I say that however, I hear the bell again. “Nix that. The door just opened. I’d say he just left.”
“I’ll have the men detain him and head that way as soon as I see this. You stay in the back. I don’t want you dealing with this.”
“I’m not that delicate, Coop. I just don’t want to deal with him every day. If he does a good job for you, it’s fine if you keep him. I just want it made clear that he’s not allowed to approach me again,” I murmur, feeling embarrassed having to explain.
“Don’t worry about it, Livy. I’ll deal with everything,” he vows before hanging up.
I’m not sure how long I stand there. As time keeps passing, I’m starting to second-guess myself.
Maybe I’m overreacting. That little voice inside my head keeps telling me I’m letting my past color my present.
I fight it, but I’m full of doubt. Coop told me to wait in the office, but I’m panicking.
What if I get Ray fired and, in the end, I just overreacted?
Shit. I walk back toward the front. I should go outside and see if I can talk Coop down.