Page 16 of The Cowboy Who Stayed

She walks me to it because she’s polite like that, and when I step onto the porch and turn back to look at her, she’s leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed and the same calm, composed expression.

“Thanks for the one-time hangout. And for tending to Buttercup,” I say. “See you around.”

She simply nods. The door closes before I’ve even made it to my truck.

Irrefutable proof she’s already washed her hands of the situation.

Several painkillers and a burning-hot shower barely take the edge off.

My lower back’s been punishing me from the moment I climbed into my truck outside Vivica’s cottage. It’s damn near killing me by the time I pull onto the gravel road leading to Silver Creek.

I pushed myself to the limit last night.

The same three herniated discs that ended my military career tend to limit me in the bedroom—or try their damnedest to. Doctors say I’m supposed to take it easy.

I did anything but that in bed with Vivica.

I wanted to make the sex so good for her, the pain it cost me didn’t matter. Still doesn’t.

It was worth every last second of it. I’d wreck my spine all over again for the sounds that woman made.

Easing myself out of the truck, I roll my shoulders and draw a slow breath before heading toward the pasture. My spine radiates pain for every step I take, but you’d never know it. My poker face is that good.

Joaquin and Ricky are out by the paddock where some of the cattle are grazing. They both eyeball me and then share a grin.

“How’re you doing, playboy?” Ricky calls out. He elbows Joaquin. “Got a regular ol’ Casanova on our hands.”

“Sure do,” Joaquin agrees. “You and the new vet were still chitchatting when we left last night. You go home with her?”

“None of your business.”

Ricky’s grin spreads. “Aw, c’mon. Don’t be greedy on the details. You’ve got that stiff gait going. That ‘blew-my-back-out-doing-some-fancy-bedroom-trick’ sorta walk.”

“If you ever got some yourself, Ricky, then maybe you wouldn’t be so desperate to hear about what I’m up to,” I say coolly, wiping the grin off his long face. “Mind your business and we won’t have any problems. You good with that?”

That shuts them both up.

They still seem tempted to rib me about it though recognize it isn’t smart.

We work through the next hour, dividing and conquering between the cattle and some of the other ranch chores that need to get done.

I check on Buttercup to make sure she’s good and am relieved to see Vivica was right—she’s already on the mend.

“So you really not gonna tell us, eh?” Joaquin asks later in the afternoon when we’re alone. He’s come with me to the stables, brow damp with sweat. “I get not telling Huston. But me? We go way back.”

I still don’t dignify his request with an answer.

The truth is, it’s hard enough dealing with the fact that my mind’s still stuck pressing replay on last night. I’m still hearing Vivica’s laugh and seeing her gorgeous face flicker with pleasure.

…still feeling her soft, sexy body tangled with mine.

The last thing I want to do is tell Joaquin about how it was a one-time thing. It’s none of his damn business either way.

We’re coming out the stables when we run into the same woman who’s been filling up my thoughts.

Vivica’s headed toward the stables, every bit the professional she is—boots, work jacket, vet bag in hand—and we’re directly in her path.

“Afternoon, doc,” Joaquin says.