Page 7 of Riding Into Love
?River
The thing about workingwith Colby Burke is that he’s like a cactus. He’s full of thorns and prickles, and you have to know how to work around the barbs. But damn if the man doesn’t have a way of making “prickly” look good. Every time he barks an order or tosses me one of those broody stares, I catch myself wondering how it would feel to wipe that scowl off his face—with a kiss or a shovel, depending on the day.
I’ve only been at the ranch for a few days, and already, I can feel myself changing. There’s a lightness to my steps and a brightness in my eyes. And I know, without a doubt, that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
My father always said that the best cure for a broken heart is hard work, and he’s not wrong.
The days are long, but the nights are peaceful, and the routine settles me. There’s something to be said for the simplicity of waking up and knowing exactly what you’re going to do. It’s nice. Calming. And a hell of a lot easier than living life with a man who thinks the only place a woman belongs is in the kitchen like Christian did.
Christian.Just thinking his name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and have to swallow back the sourness. The thought of him is still enough to set my blood boiling. I never should’ve let him get close. I knew it was a mistake the second he walked into that bar. He had the swagger and the smirk, and all I wanted was a good time. But I should’ve known that he’d turn out to be the worst mistake of my life.
I’ve heard the saying that love is blind, but lust is stupid, and damn if it isn’t true.
A soft breeze floats over my skin, and I glance up, shielding my eyes from the sun. I’ve got the day off, and instead of sleeping in, I’m up bright and early, sitting out on the back porch, watching the sunrise.
It’s the same thing I did as a kid. Every morning, when the birds woke up, so did I. I used to love getting out of bed and running around the ranch. It was like a playground, and the world was mine for the taking.
Now, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not running, or riding, or doing much of anything, and a part of me misses that girl. The one who had nothing to worry about but what kind of trouble she could find next.
I’m still watching the sun creep up over the horizon, sipping my coffee and wishing I was anywhere but here, when a knock sounds on the doorframe behind me.
“Hey, River. Mind if I join you?”
I don’t bother to look over. The voice is unmistakable. Colby’s standing behind me, probably looking all kinds of sexy in those dark jeans and a white tee.
“Help yourself. It’s your house. Your coffee. Your porch.”
“That it is.” He pauses. “I’d ask if you’re having a nice morning, but you’ve got a look on your face that’s telling me otherwise.”
“Oh, yeah? What kind of look is that?”
“Pissed.”
“Well, well. A man who knows his expressions. Maybe there’s more to you than just a pretty face and a bad attitude.”
“So, you think I’m pretty?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He grins, and the sight sends my pulse racing. “What’s got you all pissed off so early in the morning?”
“Nothing. Just thinking about things.”
“Like what?”
“My life. Where it’s gone. Who I am.”
“Sounds serious.”
“Does it? Because, to me, it sounds like bullshit. Nothing but a bunch of wasted thoughts. Why the hell are you even out here, Burke? Aren’t you supposed to be out there with your cowboys, doing ranch-y stuff?”
“Ranch-y stuff, huh? Well, as it happens, I’ve got the day off. My foreman has it covered. So, no ranch-y stuff for me.”
“Oh, yeah? Then why aren’t you off enjoying yourself?”
“Well, now, that’s a good question.”
He walks over to where I’m sitting and drops into the seat beside me. He’s close enough that I can smell his scent, fresh and masculine. The smell makes me weak in the knees, and I’m suddenly aware of every inch of my body, as though it’s humming with some new energy. A very unwelcome energy that makes my nipples pebble and a rush of heat flood my panties.
