8. Ash

The hot water works its way down my body, easing the soreness in my muscles.

As humiliating as today was, I was pleasantly surprised to catch Kayla looking at me throughout the day. My body tingled every time I felt her eyes on me. It’s hard to fight my growing attraction toward her.

I remind myself of Jack’s warning and try to shake all thoughts of his sister out of my mind.

Usually, I would join Jack for dinner, but now that he’s not here, I’m not sure what to do.

Today has drained me. I miss partying. It was my way of blowing off steam. I even miss practice. I thought our practices were brutal, but they seem like a cakewalk compared to ranch work. There’s something oddly satisfying about it, though.

More than anything, I miss the nightlife. There was something so electric about going out in the city. I wonder if they have any nightlife here.

I decide to go to the main house and ask Kayla.

I dress as “country” as possible in hopes of making Kayla laugh. I know she was laughing at me, but seeing her laugh today felt like sunshine.

I try not to muddy my ankle boots as I walk over. I ended up putting on my scruffy jeans, a plaid top, and one of the jackets with the fur on the inside. It’s about as countrified as I could get.

I walk into the house, and I can hear Kayla talking. “I don’t know, Izzy.”

Another voice, presumably whoever Izzy is, chimes in. “Please, it’s been forever.”

I pop my head around the corner. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Kayla lets out a little squeal at the sound of my voice.

She’s in the living area with the fireplace going. It’s boiling in here so she’s just in a tank top and track pants.

I do my best not to stare at her, but it’s hard.

She gives me a tight smile, holding the phone against her chest. “One second.”

She clicks off the speaker on her phone and puts it up to her ear. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I vaguely hear Izzy freaking out, but Kayla hangs up.

She nervously bites her lip, and I find it incredibly sexy. I like making her nervous. Her expression quickly changes to annoyance, and I realize she’s waiting for me to tell her why I’m here.

“Oh, sorry. I was just wondering if there’s anywhere in this small hick town to have a drink or hang out?”

I expect her to fight me on the hick comment, but her eyes trail from my head to my boots. “And that’s what you’re wearing?”

I try not to smile. “I wanted to fit in.”

It has the desired effect; she bursts out laughing until tears form in her eyes. After what seems like ages, her laughter dies down and she wipes the tears away. “You look like a member of a boy band that’s trying to turn country.”

I scrunch my nose. “I don’t know what that means.”

Knowing Kayla, it was an insult.

She rolls her eyes and sits up straighter. “So, you’re going to have to follow the trail across to the right of the house?—”

I realize she’s giving me directions, but I would rather she just came with me. I’m secretly hoping to get a glimpse of her letting her hair down, figuratively and literally.

“Would you like to join me?” I ask, interrupting her.

She looks like someone just slapped her. I can see the wheels turning in her head.

She looks up at me. “Yes.”

My eyebrows practically hit my hairline. “Really?” I expected more of an argument.

Kayla rolls her eyes. “It’s onlybecause I’m sure you’ll get lost, and I’d have to organize a search party to find you, and then it’d end up on the news.” She waves her hand dismissively. “I’m too exhausted for that.”

She looks down at what she’s wearing, and I swear her cheeks flush. “I’ll quickly get changed and we’ll go.”

I step toward her as she attempts to move past me. “Need any help?”

Her body is dangerously close to mine, and a wave of electricity passes between us.

Her eyes dance with amusement. “Not from you.”

Her hot breath sends a tingle down my body, and I can’t take my eyes off her soft lips.

I hear her breath quicken, at least I think it does, and I step back to let her through.

A moment longer and I would’ve kissed her. I promised Jack I wouldn’t do this, but it’s going to be hard.

It only takes her about ten minutes to come back down. She’s changed into tight jeans but has the same tank top on. It looks like she’s put a tiny bit of makeup on and fixed her hair.

Much to my delight, her hair is down. It takes everything in me not to run my hand through it and kiss her.

Ugh, how does she look so good in something so simple?

She grabs her coat and makes a beeline for the door, where she pauses and looks back over her shoulder. “Are you coming?”

There’s a mischievous smile on her lips, and I know she is going to make it hard for me to resist her.