Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Geraldine
I sat on the edge of the spare bed upstairs, my damp hair finally drying out as I dug through my bag for my phone.
The room was simple with wood floors, a quilted bedspread, and a little desk in the corner, but it was dry, and after the mess of the day, that was enough.
Rain still pattered against the window, softer now, and I could hear the low hum of the ranch outside: a cow mooing somewhere and the creak of the house settling.
Cosmo had dropped my bag off earlier, and Christian had poked his head in to say the bathroom was down the hall.
Damian, though, had barely said ten words before disappearing again.
I found my phone under a pile of clothes, plugged it into the charger by the bed, and waited for it to catch a signal.
One bar flickered on, then two. That was good enough.
I scrolled to Hazel’s number and hit call, leaning back against the headboard. It rang twice before she picked up, her voice bright and loud. “GeriAre youou alive out there? I was starting to think the cows ate you.”
“Close,” I said, and kicked my boots off. “Car broke down in the middle of a damn storm. I’m stuck at this ranch with three hot guys who won’t let me leave.”
She laughed, sharp and quick. “Wait, what? Three hot guys? Back up. What happened?”
I stretched my legs out and tugged the quilt over my knees.
“I was at the diner in town, eating a salad, when this guy, Uy Cosmo, started chatting me up. Then it started pouring, my car wouldn’t start, and he dragged me back to his ranch.
Now I’m here with him, Christian, and Damian.
They’re all stupidly good-looking, and they’re insisting I stay till my car’s fixed. ”
“Holy crap,” she said, and I could hear her grinning. “Cosmo, Christian, and Damian? That sounds like a romance novel. What do they look like?”
“Cosmo’s the flirty one,” I said. “He has dark hair, a big smile, and talks a mile a minute. Christian’s the rugged type with blond hair, scruffy, and smells like hay. Damian’s the boss. He’s tall, dark, and broody as hell. He barely looks at me.”
“Broody’s my type,” she said. “So, they’re hot, and you’re stuck there? Geri, this is a gift. You’ve got the green light to enjoy it.”
“Green light?” I said and raised an eyebrow, even though she couldn’t see it. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know,” she said, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Have some fun. Flirt. Hook up. Whatever. You’re on vacation, and they sound like a jackpot. When’s the last time you had three guys fighting over you?”
“They’re not fighting,” I said and rolled my eyes. “Cosmo’s the only one who cares. Christian’s nice, but Damian acts like I’m a stray cat he’s stuck with.”
“Then make him notice you,” she said. “Wear that red dress again. Strut around. You’ve got the curves for it.”
“It’s soaked,” I said. “And I’m not strutting anywhere. I just want my car fixed so I can get back to my cabin.”
“Boring,” she sang. “You’re in a ranch house with three sexy cowboys. Live a little. I’d kill for this.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not the one stuck in the middle of nowhere,” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling. “They’re cooking dinner later. Maybe I’ll see what’s up then.”
“That’s my girl,” she said. “Call me tomorrow. I want details. All the juicy stuff.”
“Fine,” I said. “But don’t hold your breath. I’m not here to play cowgirl.”
She laughed again. “We’ll see. Bye, Geri.”
“Bye,” I said and hung up, tossing the phone onto the bed.
Hazel was nuts, but she had a point because this was not how I’d pictured my trip.
I got up, stretched, and grabbed a dry shirt from my bag, swapping it for the damp one I’d been wearing under the dress.
The red fabric was still clinging to my legs, so I peeled it off too and pulled on some leggings instead.
That was better. I ran a hand through my hair, shook it out, and headed for the door.
The house was quiet, but I figured I’d poke around and see what these guys were about.
The hallway was dim and lined with old photos of the ranch: cattle drives, horses, and a couple of stern-looking people I assumed were family.
I padded past Christian’s room, the door shut tight, and Cosmo’s, where I could hear him humming some tune.
Then I stopped. Damian’s door was cracked open, just enough to see a sliver of light spilling out.
I leaned closer, curious, and caught a glimpse of him sitting at a desk, hunched over some papers.
His shirt was rolled up to his elbows, and his dark hair fell over his forehead.
He looked focused, all hard lines and quiet intensity.
Hazel’s words bounced in my head about making him notice me, and I smirked. Why not?
I knocked lightly and pushed the door open a little more. “Hey, Damian, you busy?”
He looked up, his jaw tightening for a second before he leaned back in his chair. “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Just wandering,” I said and stepped inside. “This place is huge. I didn’t expect it to be so quiet.”
“It’s a ranch,” he said, and set his pen down. “It’s not a party house.”
“Could’ve fooled me with Cosmo around,” I said and leaned against the doorframe. “He’s got enough energy for ten people.”
“He’s a talker,” he said, his voice low and steady. “You settling in okay?”
“Yeah, the room’s fine,” I said. “Thanks for letting me stay. I know it’s not your idea.”
“Cosmo’s call,” he said, and shrugged. “That doesn’t mean I’m thrilled about it.”
I grinned and stepped closer. “Yeah, I got that. You’re not exactly the welcoming committee.”
“I don’t need to be,” he said and watched me. “You’re here. That’s it.”
“Fair,” I said and crossed my arms. “So, what’s your deal? Do you run this place solo, or do Cosmo and Christiay help?”
“They help,” he said. “I keep it together. I’ve been doing it for a while.”
“It looks like a lot,” I said and nodded at the papers on his desk. “Do you ever take a break?”
“When I can,” he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you asking for a reason?”
“Just curious,” I said and shrugged. “You’re all so different. Cosmo’s chatty, Christian’s chill, and you’re intense.”
“Someone’s gotta be,” he said and stood up. He was taller than I’d realized, broad shoulders filling out his shirt, and he stepped around the desk, closing the gap between us. “You talk a lot for someone who’s just passing through.”
“I’m stuck here,” I said and held his gaze. “I might as well figure out who I’m stuck with.”
He stopped a foot away and put his hands in his pockets. “Have you figured me out yet?”
“Not even close,” I said and smirked. “But I’ve got time.”
He didn’t smile and just stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”
“Only if you let me be,” I said and tilted my head. “Hazel thinks I should have fun while I’m here.”
“Who’s Hazel?” he asked, his brow creasing.
“My friend,” I said. “She’s the one who sent me to Costa Solara. She says I’ve got the green light to enjoy you guys.”
“Enjoy us?” he said, and his voice dropped lower. “Is that what you’re doing?”
“Maybe,” I said and stepped closer. “That depends on you.”
He didn’t move, but I could feel the heat coming off him and the way his jaw ticked like he was holding something back. “You’re bold,” he said. “I’ll give you that.”
“I gotta be,” I said, my voice softening. “You’re not easy to crack.”
“I don’t need to be cracked,” he said, but he didn’t step away.
We were close now, close enough that I could smell the coffee on his breath and the faint hint of leather from his clothes.
My pulse kicked up, and Hazel’s stupid voice echoed in my head about flirting and hooking up or whatever.
I wasn’t planning on it, but damn if he wasn’t making it tempting.
“Then why’s your door open?” I asked and nodded at it. “Is that inviting me in?”
“I forgot to shut it,” he said, but his eyes flicked to my lips, just for a second. “You should go.”
“Make me,” I said, half-teasing and half-daring him.
He moved fast, one hand grabbing my waist and the other cupping my neck, and then his mouth was on mine.
It wasn’t soft or slow because it was hard, hot, and shut me up in a way I didn’t expect.
His lips pressed firm and demanding, and I kissed him back, my hands gripping his shirt.
Heat shot through me, sharp and sudden, and for a second, I forgot where I was.
Then he pulled back, just as quick, his breath rough.
“Out,” he said, voice l, ow and stepped away. “Now.”
I blinked, my lips tingling, and smirked. “That’s one way to say goodnight.”
He didn’t answer and just pointed at the door.
I laughed under my breath, turned, and walked out, feeling his eyes on me the whole way.
The hall was cool compared to the heat in my chest, and I shut my door behind me and leaned against it.
Well, damn. Hazel was gonna lose her mind when I told her that.