Saddle and Bound (Sunrise Ranch #1)

Chapter 1

Rosie

"Service announcement: a pair of red panties has been found. The owner can go to the console to retrieve it."

I listen absentmindedly from my lounger under the sun. My groggy brain takes a few seconds to process the announcement. A few more seconds to realize I could be the owner... but you know that annoying sixth sense that tells you something, only for your reason to step in and warn you about your own paranoia? Well, my reason convinces me that I’m just being paranoid.

But still... that nagging feeling refuses to let me relax.

“Rosie, I think these are definitely yours,”

Lexy announces, just as irritating as my inner voice. As always, she gives voice to her thoughts without thinking.

I open my eyes to find Lexy standing in front of me, holding up a pair of red lace panties, her mischievous grin making my blood rush to my cheeks. I can’t quite process the absurdity of the situation. “What are they doing there?”

I stammer, trying to maintain some composure.

“I got them from the DJ at the console,”

Lexy explains, chuckling. “He said they were found on the path leading to the stables. Seems like your style.”

I hear a male laugh behind me and turn around abruptly. Alex, the ranch's riding instructor, approaches with an amused expression. “Ah, so that’s where it ended up,”

he says, looking at me with a sly smile. “I found them while checking on the horses and took them to the console.”

I feel like I’m about to explode with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “Yes, it’s mine,”

I reply curtly, trying to sound neutral. “Thanks for finding them.”

Alex raises an eyebrow, still amused. “Are you sure they’re yours?”

he asks, holding the panties just out of my reach.

“Alex, stop being childish,”

Valentina intervenes, trying to suppress a laugh. “Give Rosie her panties.”

Finally, Alex hands them to me with a theatrical flourish, and I snatch them from his hand, stuffing them into my bag with as much dignity as I can muster. Lexy keeps laughing, while I do my best to avoid Alex’s piercing gaze.

“How funny,”

I mutter, though my tone is anything but amused.

“You know, Rosie,”

Alex says, his voice relaxed in that way that drives me crazy, “you could loosen up a little. We're not in Los Angeles here. No one's judging you.”

I look at him, biting back the sharp response I’m dying to give. “Thanks for the advice,”

I reply with a tight smile. “But I think I know how to relax.”

Alex grins again, tilting his head slightly. “We’ll see,”

he says simply, before walking away, leaving me with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.