Page 50 of Shattered Oaths

“Are you okay?” he asks, his eyebrows furrowed as he looks at me in feigned concern.

No. I’m not okay. And you know exactly why.

I nod, taking my bottom lip between my teeth. His eyes zero in on it, the cockiness in his gaze faltering and for the first time since he came back down the stairs, I feel like I’ve gained back a slither of control.

He clears his throat. “You’re sure?”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum.

Noah gives me a once over and I give myself a mental pat on the back when he focuses a little too long on the skin showing between the bottom of my vest and the top of my shorts. I watch his throat bob with a swallow and I’m downright giddy when he runs a hand over his face, shaking his head with a whisperedfuck.

That’s right, Calloway.Two can play that game.

CHAPTER 21

NOAH

Ilift another hay bale and launch it onto the trailer attached to the back of the tractor with entirely too much force. It lands with a thud against the stack I just loaded and the entire thing sways.

I hold my breath, waiting for it to tumble over - it doesn’t, thankfully, but I’d only have myself to blame if it had.

“Christ. Who pissed on your pancakes this morning?” Hunter asks, coming up behind me and I roll my eyes at the same question he asked me a month ago.

“No one,” I snap back, lifting another bale. My arms are burning but I welcome it. If I stop now, I might do something stupid like go back to my house and lock Bella in my bedroom for a week straight so I can fuck her senseless.

I’m hot, hungry and horny. Really fucking horny. Like all the damn time.

It’s been two days since the second almost kiss in my kitchen. Two days since I caught her eye-fucking me aftermy shower. Two goddamn days that she’s been walking around my house in the smallest, most pathetic excuse for pyjamas I’ve ever seen.

I like to think I’m a respectful man. I know I have self-control. But I have to say, both of those things are being tested right now.

If I’m not around her, I’m thinking about her, and if I’m thinking about her, I get the urge to be around her. I’m a man possessed.

I needed a distraction. Which is why I’m working my ass off on a Saturday instead of enjoying my day off at home with a beer.

“You’ve been out here hours, man,” Hunter says, leaning against the trailer.

Yeah, no shit.

“Just wanted to get ahead of things,” I grunt, tossing another bale.

“Well, we’re grilling tonight. Everyone is coming. You know… if you and Bella wanna join.”

I glare at him from beneath my ballcap and he grins. “Nothing happens on this ranch without me knowing about it, Noah.”

My lips thin and I nod. “We’ll be there.”

“Good.” He taps his knuckles against the metal twice before leaving and I blow out a breath.

Guess I’ve got no choice but to go home now.

I finish up with the hay and dust my hands off before I climb back into my truck and drive five minutes down the dirt path to my house.

I take the steps two at a time and walk in the front door, removing my hat and boots as I enter. It’s quiet insideas I make my way from the hall into the kitchen and grab a cold beer from the fridge.

“Bells?” I call out, only to be met with silence.

Weird, her car was parked out front.