I grab my backpack and almost run and close the door. I can hear him laughing behind me.
I don’t need to shower, because I did that after I cleaned the house, so I change into my T-shirt that hangs to my knees and brush my teeth and wash my face.
When I’ve stalled all I can stall, I walk out of the bathroom. The overhead light is off, and there’s a small light by the bed. Brett is already lying down, and he pulls the covers back, and I walk stiffly to the edge and slide in, doing my best to stay on my side.
His voice is husky and close next to me. “I promise you. Nothing is going to happen.”
I let out a breath and relax a little.
We talk about his trip to my Mutton Hollow, and I talk about Peter and Raymond. “They are really sweet guys,” I tell him.
He laughs out loud. “Sweet? I’ve never heard anyone describe Raymond and Peter as sweet.”
“But they are. They were really good to me – well – when your girlfriend showed up.”
He grunts as if the thought even disgusts him. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Well, Raymond and Peter seem to like it here and they couldn’t say enough good things about you. They said they were lifers. That they’d stay on this ranch as long as you had a job for them.”
He runs his hand across the stubble of his chin. “Yeah, they’re good workers and they’re loyal. I’d trust them here with you, if I ever needed to.”
I nod. “Plus, I think I won them over with the tacos and cookies.”
He raises his head. “Cookies. You made cookies? I didn’t get a cookie.”
I cover my mouth and try to hide my giggle. I completely forgot I wasn’t going to mention that. “They came out of the oven just as she”—I point to the next room—“got here. Peter wasn’t having it. He came in, dumped them all in a bowl, and brought them out for us to eat. Before I knew it, we’d eaten all dozen of them.”
He doesn’t say anything, and I bite my lip in worry. “Are you mad at me?”
“Over the cookies? Honey, I’ll never get mad over something like that. Plus, I’m sure you’ll make me some cookies soon.”
I promise I will, and we talk about everything else that happened today. Well, everything except his ex-fiancée. We completely stay off the topic of Sophia.
When I can feel my eyes fluttering closed, he says, “Tomorrow we’ll go into town and get you some clothes.”
I shake my head. “No. no. I don’t need any.”
“Yeah, you do. I’m paying,” he argues.
But I interrupt him. “You can’t.”
“I can and I will. If it bothers you, it can be an advance on your check. But you need some clothes and other stuff.”
I finally give in, quickly learning that Brett is the type of man that gets what he wants.
Brett
When I can see that her breaths are coming in soft, I’m almost worried that I waited too long. “Emma...”
“Yeah?” she whispers.
“Can I hold you?... just hold you.”
Instead of answering, she slides across the bed toward me. I lift the covers, and when she’s close, I pull her fully against me. She rests her head against my chest, and I put one arm over her waist and wrap one leg around her thigh. Instead of freezing up like I expect her to, she melts into me.
I hold her just like that.
When I hear her tiny snore, I snuggle even closer to her. She’s small against me, but she fits just right.
My cock hardens between my legs, but I take deep soothing breaths to calm myself. That’s all I need is for her to wake up and freak out, running from the room.
I’m so tired. I barely slept last night, and it was a busy and eventful day, but I still can’t sleep. I doze off and on throughout the night and become a little more satisfied knowing that Emma is still in my arms.
Before I know it, the sun is up. Normally, I’m already out of bed taking care of the animals and the ranch, but I’ve already sent Raymond a text, telling him I’ll be out later.
I can hear Sophia rummaging around in the living room, and I let a breath out, wishing that it was just Emma and me here. That she was in my bed, in my arms, because that’s where she wanted to be instead of me sort of conniving it to happen.
I know I need to get up. If for no other reason than to get rid of Sophia. I know her, and she’s not going to leave until she’s had her say.
I kiss Emma softly on the head. “Stay right here. I’ll be back.”
She moans but never opens her eyes.
I get out of bed and pull on my jeans and a T-shirt. With one last look at Emma in my bed, I walk out to talk to Sophia.
She’s pissed. There’s no doubt about it.
I sigh deeply. “Sophia, it’s time for you to leave and go home.”
“I don’t have a home. This was going to be my home,” she says snarkily. She’s acting like I cheated on her or something. She’s the one that chose to leave. Now I’m glad she did.
I walk to the kitchen and turn on the coffee pot. “Well, that’s not an option.”
She walks up behind me, and as soon as her hand touches my back, I move away. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the trust I’ve already built with Emma. She’s not going to catch me in any compromising positions. I’d die first.
“Don’t touch me, Sophia. We can talk, but we’re going to do it from a safe distance.”
She sighs and takes a step back. “Brett, we were good together.”
I cross my arms over my chest and lean back on the
