Chapter One

Sky

I lean back in Carson’s office chair and stare up at the ceiling. He’s not here yet, but his brothers are. Ox is up front talking to Henry about rodeo security, Perry is working on the computer, Hank is beside him, and Gentry is leaning against the doorframe, giving me a full-on lecture.

“Buy new stuff. You don’t need to go stirring shit up with that asshole.”

“It’s all I have left in the world, dude. I want it back.”

“You really think he hasn’t destroyed those things by now?” Gentry’s tone is low and gruff. I’ve known these brothers for what seems like forever. My brother is best friends with Carson. So, we all lived in Wyoming at one point, and we all happened to end up on Rugged Mountain, though for different reasons. The guys came out here to help with Ox’s big dream of a security firm and I came to escape my ex.

“Why are you being an ass? I hired Carson, which means I’m paying him. That’s how this works, right?”

Gentry is the oldest of the brothers. Their parents died when they were young, and he took over care of all of them. Maybe being forced into adulthood early has something to do with the attitude thing he’s got going on.

I’m not completely sure because Gentry and I don’t have a close relationship. I know of him, but that’s about it.

His jaw tightens, and he leans away from the door frame as though he’s frustrated with me, but I can’t figure out why. “I… I know you have a thing—”

“Hey!” Carson slaps his brother on the back and shoves him out of the way so he can squeeze through the doorframe.

Immediately, my heart rate picks up. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with him since I was a kid. He’s always been everything I’ve ever wanted. Big, tall, protective, and he’s only gotten better. Now, he sports a long salt and pepper beard, and he’s covered in tattoos. I don’t know why no one has tied him down yet.

“Why are you harassing my client?” he grumbles playfully toward Gentry. “She looks stressed. She shouldn’t be stressed in her condition.” It’s been a while since Carson and I have really connected, but hearing him talk about me like this has my heart hammering against my chest.

I glance at Gentry with a churn in my stomach. He was in the middle of a sentence and I’m pretty sure he was going to say that he knew I had a thing for Carson.

His mouth opens again, but there’s a pause.

Please don’t say it. Please, please don’t say it.

Honestly, girl, how would he know? I don’t talk about it. Am I acting like it? What am I doing that makes him think I’m into Carson?

I mean, what else starts with ‘I know you have a thing?’ He wasn’t going to say he knows I’m into fried chicken. He wasn’t going to say he knows I’m into green mint chip ice cream. He was going to say that he knows I’m into my brother's best friend.

Gentry closes his mouth again and spins out of the room.

My shoulders relax. Thank God! If my brother ever found out I was into his best friend, he’d lose his mind. Not only is Carson much, much older than me, but he’s also the closest thing that my older brother has to family… outside of me.

Carson looks my way. “What the hell is up his ass? He seems even more ornery than usual.”

I shrug and chew at the inside of my lip, nervous that someone is onto me. “Not sure. He’s probably tired. You said he’s been burning the candle at both ends, right?”

“Yeah,” Carson rolls his eyes, “I guess.” His gaze draws toward me, and his brows narrow as though he’s feeling my energy. “You doing okay today, bug?”

Bug. He’s called me that since I was a kid. It was cute at first, now… I hate it. There’s nothing sexual about bug. Bug is the little girl that annoys you when you have better things to do. Bug is the little girl that remains a little girl in your head forever. Bug is your best friend’s little sister.

I guess by definition, then, I am his bug. A little girl who will never, ever be seen as a grown woman.

“You can sleep in the truck on the way. I got everything set up for you. Water bottle, blanket, pillow, phone charger, a basket of snacks, and some fancy decaf drink. Plus, I’ve mapped out every clean restroom from here to Cheyenne.”

I pull myself up from the chair and smile. “I still don’t understand how you’re not married off with a houseful of kids. You’re like… the perfect human being.”

He laughs. “You’re the only one that thinks that.” His hand lands on my lower back and the roughness snags against the sweater dress I’m wearing. Despite the chill in the air, dresses are the only things that seem remotely comfortable anymore. Pants are just a hassle.

“I see women checking you out all the time.” It’s true, I do. We can’t walk a few steps down Main Street without someone giving him a second glance. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember. And for just as long, it’s made my stomach churn.

Jealousy would be an understatement. The unease that rattles through me after a woman checks him out is more like a sickness. A psychotic sickness.

“You’re imagining things. No one is checking me out.” With his hand on my lower back, he guides me past the guys. “See you assholes later,” he laughs, holding the front door open.

I avoid all eye contact with Gentry and step past Carson into the brisk fall air, dragging in a scent of pine and cinnamon. The bakery is just a few doors down and they have a never-ending supply of apple cider donuts lately. They’re nearly as perfect as Carson. The outside crust is crunchy while the inside is soft and fluffy, and they’re always served warm.

“You okay, bug? You need anything else?”

“Yeah, just thinking about those donuts. I think the baby might need some.”

He opens the truck door and nods toward the center console where a little pink box sits and the aroma of cinnamon and spice wafts toward me. He bought me the donuts. “Figured you’d want some. They’re your favorite this time of year. Grabbed you some cider, too. It’s the hot variety. Hope that’s okay.”

This is the part where our relationship is confusing to me. For the longest time, we were so close. Then all of the sudden, we weren’t. He started to avoid me, and only in the quietest of moments when the two of us were alone would he treat me like this.

His hand on my back, his gaze fixed on mine with an attentiveness he doesn’t show others, little gifts all day like he wants me to know he cares… what do I do with all this? Do I give him my thanks, or do I reciprocate the gestures? Do I pretend like it’s normal? Is it normal?

When I’m all tucked into my spot, he rounds to the opposite side of the truck, and climbs up into the cab, starting up the engine. “You ready?” His tone is deep and raspy, sending a ripple effect down my spine and straight between my thighs. Before I was sitting here, I thought I could handle a long ride with Carson. Now, I’m one hundred and fifty thousand percent sure that’s not the case. We’re not even thirty seconds in and my clit is already begging me to strip off his jeans and make an even bigger mess of my life. Trouble is… the rest of me vehemently agrees.