36. Fable

Chapter 36

Fable

G unnar is always in the stables, so I'm not surprised when I call his name in the large building, and he pops out of a stable just before Houdini's head does beside him.

"Fable?" he says, frowning. "You good?"

"Hey. Can I talk to you?" I ask, shifting on my feet. I know what I must look like right now. I hadn't stopped to clean up. There's honey and. . . I'm covered in sticky stuff, my clothing sticking in a weird way to me. It's uncomfortable, but part of me also likes it. I reach up to push my hair back from my face and grimace when I find it sticky there, too. Fuck, what had gotten in my hair? I should have looked in a mirror before I came in here.

"Can it wait?" he asks. "I've gotta repair three more?—"

"No," I interrupt with a wince. "I'm sorry. I'll be quick."

He frowns and looks me up and down, seemingly realizing my state of undress. He disappears and the sound of the metal latches clashing against each other as he undoes them reaches my ears. Houdini chuffs as Gunnar steps out and tries to snatch his hat, but Gunnar swats him away.

"Not right now, you big weenie," he growls. At the tilt of my head, he explains, "he saw a mouse and nearly took us both out." He goes over to wash his hands in the sink before coming over to me. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?"

"I. . ." I start, wincing. "I guess I shouldn't dance around it. I owe you that." I press a hand to my forehead, panic starting to flicker in my chest. I really like Gunnar. I like all of them, but I know this is going to ruin things. The thought of that has my eyes watering just a little and Gunnar catches it.

"Hey, hey, hey," he says, coming up to touch my face. When he finds it sticky, he frowns. I can see the moment realization hits him, the moment he understands why I'm here, and I choke on the guilt in my chest.

"I'm sorry," I rasp. "I. . . I don't know what came over me. He was out there and, and?—"

"Stop it, Fable," he chides me, cutting off my panicked explanation. "Don't be upset. It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."

"But I feel like I did," I croak. "I should have told him no. I should have?—"

He sighs. "Rhett comes on strong. It's really okay. I'm not mad at you."

"You're not?" I sniff. "Shouldn't you be?"

He laughs a little and tilts up my chin. "Fable Everhart, I know you ain't from around here, but us cowboys, we tend to be pretty close. I'm no more mad at you than I am at Rhett. You're a beautiful woman, and I don't blame him. It's really okay."

I blink up at him, the tension in my chest easing just a little. "I know you're probably no longer interested in me after this but?—"

"Says who?" he asks, frowning.

I stare at him in confusion. I'd been about to tell him that I really like him, that I don't really know what's going on, but that I hate that I ruined things between us since we never talked before. But. . . that answer is not what I was expecting.

"But. . . what about Rhett?" I ask.

"What about him?" he asks, laughing. "Fable, you're having fun, and while I'm annoyed Rhett had you panicked and let you walk away without reassuring you first, we're a family here. You could fuck them all and I'd be fine." He smooths my hair back from my face and chuckles at the honey he finds there. "Besides, you have to leave eventually, right?"

Genuine confusion fills me. "I mean, yeah."

He nods. "See. I'd like you to stay longer of course, but I don't think any of us are expecting you to give up your life for this place. It was always meant to be temporary. We know that. Not a single one of us is goin' to be upset with you having fun. Not me. Not Rhett. Not Trent. And certainly not Colt. In fact, I think Colt loves it."

"Just like that?" I ask. "This is normal?"

"Normal?" He shakes his head. "Probably not. Can't say I've heard of a situation like this outside of Steele Mountain. But it is what it is." He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. "I think I even understand them a little better now."

"You promise you're not mad?" I ask, frowning. "And you still want to pursue whatever is between us?"

"I promise, and of course I do." He grabs my hand and grins when he finds it sticky. He lifts my hand to his face and licks my fingers, the same fingers that taste of honey, me, and Rhett. He purrs at the flavor and my legs nearly lose complete control. "I can't wait to taste you for myself, so I can't blame Rhett."

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me, a slow lingering taste that has my toes curling in my boots. He leans back and strokes his fingers along my jawline. "Beautiful," he breathes, before stepping back. "Unfortunately, I do really have a lot of work to get done. Why don't you go clean up?" He winks at me. "Maybe touch yourself. I think there's a jar of honey in your cabin waiting for you."

I flush and turn, stumbling from the stables, confused and so fucking aroused, I may just take him up on that.

Holy shit. Holy shit! What the fuck have I gotten myself into?