I’m tempted to growl and keep this for myself, except my brother has been busting his ass all day.
Nodding toward the empty chair across from me, I don’t bother to stop devouring my lunch.
He takes one look at the spread and wraps an arm around Tori and kisses the top of her head. “This fu— freaking rocks. You’re amazing.” Squeezing her harder, he looks at me. “Isn’t she amazing?”
Tori gives him a self-depreciating smile, and her cheeks heat.
I pause mid-bite, frozen with the very real desire to peel Logan off Tori with my fist. “Stop mauling the woman and sit your butt down and eat.” My attention darts back to Tori. “Yes, she’s amazing.”
She averts her eyes, like she’s at a loss for words.Interesting.
“You gonna join us?” I peek in the basket and notice the last of the oatmeal cookies my mom made this weekend.
“No. I, um, I lose my appetite when I cook. From smelling the food all that time, I guess.” She turns to Mila and unwraps her sandwich carefully so the thick chunks of meat don’t fall out.
“Make sure you eat at some point so my kids don’t run you ragged. I can watch them for a bit if you need a break. I didn’t intend for you to do a marathon cooking session while you babysat. Thought they could eat some chicken nuggets or mac and cheese or something easy for lunch.”
Shrugging, she turns those big hazel eyes up to mine. “It’s not a big deal. I like to cook, and your kitchen is amazing, so that makes it really fun. I don’t mind. But if you have any requests, let me know ahead of time so I can make sure you have all of the ingredients.”
Logan leans forward in his seat. “You take requests?”
I toss my napkin at his face. “Not from you.”
He chuckles and winks at Tori, and I force myself not to clench my fists. Not sure why that bothers me, but it does. Logan’s a flirt. That’s who he is, but watching him fawn over Tori gets under my skin.
When we’re done eating, I head out into the main part of the barn. My kids are hanging off my brother when I notice Tori reaching up to pet one of our buckskin quarter horses,who’s leaning his head out of his stall and enjoying the attention. Can’t say I blame him.
Her slender arms wrap around his neck, and she nuzzles him with her face. The moment is such a sweet one that it draws me closer. Allison never came back here. Never cared about the horses. Makes me wonder if things would’ve been different if she had. It’s not like I never invited her to see what I did. Would’ve loved to have her appreciate what my family and I spent our whole lives building.
“What’s his name?” Tori asks, her eyes full of wonder and appreciation for the magnificent animal in her arms.
Reaching behind his ear, I give him a good scratch. “Moves Like Mick Jagger, but I call him Mick.”
“That’s a crazy name.” She slides her hands over him, a beautiful smile on her face.
“You ride?” I’m wildly curious now given how comfortable she is petting Mick.
“Nope.”
Hmm.“Wanna learn?”
Her bright eyes shift to mine. “Really?”
“Sure. Why not?”
She bites that full lower lip. “You spend so much time with these guys. Why would you want to work more to show me how to ride?”
The words come without thinking. “Because this doesn’t feel like work.” I’m not sure if I mean raising horses or the idea of teaching her what I do, but the answer is the same regardless.
I don’t mean to check her out, but it’s hard not to notice her beauty or her warm amber eyes. Those rosy, flushed cheeks. Her teasing smile.
Tori twists her long hair up into a top knot, and I can’t help appreciating her graceful neck.
Which has me looking down her body, my pulse quickening from the generous curves of her breasts beneath the maddeningly snug tank top.
I look away, not wanting to bethatguy.
A moment later, her voice draws my attention back to her.
